Removing Front Clip

Ducor Kid

What is the easiest way to remove front clip from a Stepdown?

I tried searching the forum and didn't find much.



Thanks in advance,



Larry

[Deleted User]

OK Larry here goes. The easiest way to remove the front clip off a stepdown is by first unbolting the front fenders. Remove the three bolts on the inside of the car along the kick panel. I will assume you have removed the cardboard kickpanel first. Then unbolt the fastener at the top rear of the front fender near where the fender, cowl and door come together. Remove the short (approx15" moulding cover at the rear bottom of the front fender. Remove approx 4 screws attaching it to rocker panel. Next, jack up your car and support the front frame on jackstands. Remove front wheels. Next, unfasten the nuts on the inner dust shield that secure it to the frame to firewall brace. Proceed to then unfasten the firewall side of the dustshield. You will loosen several sheetmetal screws. Do both sides in the same manner. At this point you can replace wheels if you choose.Next ,disconnect the radiator hoses from the engine if they are still connected.Disconnect all wiring that goes to the front driver side junction block coming from the firewall. Disconnect hood release. Disconnect hood prop supports from hood side. You may want to place a pole here to prop up hood or simply remove hood. It's easier that way . Disconnect all wiring from the starter to the starter solenoid (if on a 51-54 model) Disconnect wiring from the voltage regulator and generator. Disconnect any and all wiring attached to inner wheel wells coming from engine. Disconnect any and all washer fluid jars etc from the inner wheel wells. Remove radiator. Remove front bumper and brackets. Unbolt the radiator u channel support bolt that bolts to a crossmember tab. Have helper go to one fender and you go to the other . Pull up and remove front clip. On early stepdowns (48-50) you may want to disconnect the emergency brake cable if it interferes with the clip removal.Later models shouldn't have this problem. Now sit down and have a beer.

rambos_ride

Ducor Kid wrote:

What is the easiest way to remove front clip from a Stepdown?
I tried searching the forum and didn't find much.

Thanks in advance,

Larry

In my day- a "clip" meant the sheet metal and underlying frame components.

Are you interested in removing only the sheet metal, then Hudzilla gives an accurate description.

If you're talking about removing the front sub frame, to replace with a donor or Fatmans, then you'll need a sawsall, cutting wheel or "hot-wrench" to cut the subframe out since its welded in.

Ducor Kid

Hudzilla,

Thanks that's just what I needed to know>



Dan,

Clip was maybe not correct.

How about doghouse?

I've heard it refered to in that way.

I just want more access to rebuild front end and add Pridemore brakes.



Thanks again

Larry

Unknown

Holy Cow!!!!!!!!!!!!...............Jeez there are a ton of bolts in a front clip!!



Decided to go into tear down mode today, and oh man! Money for bolts apparently was not a problem lol!......

bob ward

I'm sure I've seen a photo of stepdowns on the assembly line having the 'front clip' installed.



The front clip in this case was a sub-assembly consisting of the inner and outer wings, the grille assembly and the radiator.



Theoretically at least, disassembly along the same lines should be possible.



Undo the bolt that secures the radiator support frame to the front cross member.

Remove the bolts at the rear of the inner and outer wings where they attach to the body shell.

Get 3 strong helpers and lift the whole thing off

mdwhit

bob ward wrote:

I'm sure I've seen a photo of stepdowns on the assembly line having the 'front clip' installed.



The front clip in this case was a sub-assembly consisting of the inner and outer wings, the grille assembly and the radiator.



Theoretically at least, disassembly along the same lines should be possible.



Undo the bolt that secures the radiator support frame to the front cross member.

Remove the bolts at the rear of the inner and outer wings where they attach to the body shell.

Get 3 strong helpers and lift the whole thing off

That's the way I did my '49 - took the doghouse off in one unit!

Kdancy

Do you guys think that bolting the front clip together, then installing back as one piece is easier for the install as well?
Bolt the hood on first, get it correct with the cowl, then bolt the front clip or doghouse back on to match hood and doors?

bob ward

No, its not going to br easier and would probably end up taking longer than the one panel at a time method. 

When Hudson assembled the front clip it would have been done over a jig to ensure consistency. 

SuperDave

 I wrote this yesterday before Bobs comment.. but for some reason didn't post.

Considering the amount of labor to re-install and ALIGHN the sheet metal.  I would opt to rebuild the front end with sheet metal in place. But I am getting old and lazy.

RL Chilton

Dave-

I thought about putting the last one together like that briefly.  I think Bob is right though, Hudson would have had a jig to make it all perfect.  Also, without an overhead crane, it would take a minimum of 3 people and 4 would be better so two could hold and two could put in bolts.  Just a pain in the butt all around if you're only doing one car.  Hudson's doghouses are fairly difficult to get put on properly anyway.  And it's true about the number of bolts mentioned above.  It seems if 4 bolts would suffice, Hudson used 7.  Just more fodder for the whole over-engineered debate.  

This isn't a complaint mind you, but sourcing bolts for a proper restoration is a SERIOUS chore!

SuperDave

I have spent many hours trying to get everything in alignment.  Still it's nothing but compromises. The factory did a pretty darned good job considering the time they had!