Fiberglass Fender and Bedside Install

Looks like you didn't unbolt the bed? Interesting to see the pics, I'll be doing this very soon so thanks. I notice you cut a lot more than Bruce did.
Looks like you're using either McNeil or Fiberwerx. Looking good.

 

Wow you cut a lot... why?

 

Which brand of glass did you go with and did it come with instructions for the rear? I also thought you leave more material, especially around the tail lights. Very interested in this and hope that you keep us updated. Looks good

 

I didn’t move the bed at all. That’s how I started, the way Bruce did his. The glass didn’t fit at all and I got tired of trimming so I went all out lol. Actually, I got that advice from other folks that did their own. Both front and rear glass are Advanced.

Lol I went angle grinder happy

Advanced Only instructions it came with was Chop Chop Chop.. lol Unfortunately, no instructions.. Yes I kinda over chopped the rear section lol . Now I’m stuck with this, will need to make my own brackets for the top and bottom part..

 

Thanks a lot, really helpful info and pics. I'm dreading doing this. I mean what's scarier than taking a grinder with a cutoff wheel to your 40k+ truck?

 

So something I realized recently is that gluing the bedsides could suck if you ever have to replace the entire bedside for some reason. Mine are bolted on so replacing is super easy.

 

Give us an example of why you might need to replace the bedside? Mine are bolted as well.

 

Lets say, just as an example, that you flop your truck on its side and you have extensive fiberglass damage. Its much cheaper to replace it then to fix it. ADV sells a single bedside for around $300

Now, imagine trying to remove a bedside that was glued on...

 

Valid point. How’s the repairs coming along?

 

I'll know later today, should be done soon

 

Never again lol She turned out clean though. Now I need 37s

 

Already did the front need help some info with rear

 

A spot weld cutter is very helpful/necessary. Example:

$16 Spot Weld Cutter Set，13 Pcs 3/8" Rotary Spot Weld Cutter Remover Drill Bits Tool and 2 Replacement Blades,Metal Hole Cutter Remover for Power Drill Spot Welding

https://www.amazon.com/Cutter-Set，1...a-838088560733&psc=1&ref=&adgrpid=73872202490

 

Reviving this thread. I'm looking to DIY some front fenders in a few weeks, but don't want to F them up. How difficult is it to fit and line these up to the body lines and headlight? If some of you have taken these to a shop, it would be great to have a recommendation or two for some place in northern CA.

 

Stellar in Sac has done some. Pretty easy to DIY.
If @dcsleeper408 isn't too busy he might be able to do 'em.

 

Which brand you getting? Can’t speak for the other brands but the SDHQ glass was straightforward and fairly easy to install. They have little dimples where the bolts go through that you have to drill out. I didn’t trust the dimples so I spent a lot of time test fitting them to make sure it would all line up. After all that, the dimples did line up correctly. If I were to do it over again, I’d skip the test fitting and go straight into drilling and installing.

Couple other things to note off the top of my head, where it mounts under the hood near the hood hinge, you’ll have to bend the metal there to make it fit. Or fab some kind of L bracket to make it work. Also, you’ll have to drill out 2 square holes in front for the grille to attach to. The 2 long tabs that stick out the grille, they almost snap in. Take your time drilling those out, if the hole gets too big it won’t secure the grille very well. And last thing I can think of is, don’t forget to move the rubber seals and stuff over from the old fenders. Mine are still on my stock fenders.

 

I went with the advanced fiberglass fenders. Their YouTube instructions seem pretty straight forward, but it doesn’t go into too much detail about how to actually test fit them or what to watch out for. I leaning towards installing them myself so this is great. Appreciate it!

 

Dumbest idea ever.
I did the fronts myself a while back. Took 4 hours or so….
I’m 8 hours in with disassembly, and still on the driver side. F*%kin blows…..

 

Mentally the hardest thing to do. Literally take a grinder too the truck and paint you’ve tried to keep perfect for 3+ years now.

no going back now! Lol

 

Fronts suck rears are even worse

 

Just a few things to button up on driver side. Hopefully passenger side is a bit easier tomorrow.

i really had to cut a lot of the rear around the tail light. It’s like the flat vertical piece that fits flush against the tailgate section was in my way… so I cut it. All of it. ‍♂️

 

Yea mine needs more trimming there to sit flush also. Great work!

 

Well. It’s “done”. Drivable at least but needs little odds and ends.

1.Gas tank cap is tight in the fiberglass recess.

2.Filler neck for gas tank needs raised about an inch

3. tailgate test fit is too tight, need to trim passenger side fiberglass

4. install bumper

5. heavy cutting anticipated to the shell to put that back on one day. That will be fun.

 

Looking Good!