Front teardown

[Jakedog]

I was hoping I wouldn't have to remove the front sheet metal, but something is definitely off in the front.
Any advice on removing the fenders, grill, and more than likely the front core support?
I know this could be a pandora's box, but I have to get it right.

It think there is definitely a side to side misalignment in the core support.

I found the center point between the frame rails up front where the bumper mounts, and then the center of the grill. The grilli sits about 3/4" towards the driver side.

I didn't notice it when I bought it because it had a tube bumper that I'm now sure was cut to fit.

How hard is it to replace the front core support (the piece that the radiator mounts to)?

Thanks

 

[JeepGuy]

I was hoping I wouldn't have to remove the front sheet metal, but something is definitely off in the front.
Any advice on removing the fenders, grill, and more than likely the front core support?
I know this could be a pandora's box, but I have to get it right.

It think there is definitely a side to side misalignment in the core support.

I found the center point between the frame rails up front where the bumper mounts, and then the center of the grill. The grilli sits about 3/4" towards the driver side.

I didn't notice it when I bought it because it had a tube bumper that I'm now sure was cut to fit.

How hard is it to replace the front core support (the piece that the radiator mounts to)?

Thanks

I believe the core support is welded to the inner fender pieces, not bolted, Everything else gets bolted to that. Taking the fenders and grill off is actually not that hard to do, but you do have to make sure you get all the bolts, some of which are way up in the top front of the fender.

Before you tear it apart look at your center body mounts that lie right around your feet. Find a point on the body to measure that your actual body is centered over the frame there. Double check the back while you are at it. You may have a body that is a little off center to begin with.

Once you do that, move to the hood. Check to see if you have spacers between the rear hood mount, and the cowling. Hopefully you don't, but these things are old and they might have had to shim it at some point.

If the center of the body is even on both sides above the frame, and your frame is not bent, you should be able to square away the front cowling. If the actual body is square on the frame, and the hood is flush against the cowling, then I'd work off of that center line of the hood. I got lucky that mine was pretty near even all the way around, but I do remember there being a slight bit of wiggle on the front cowling with all the fenders and grill off, and the front body mount bolts loosened.

You are a contributor so add as many pictures as you can to assist with what you have going on.

 

[AZ73]

The core support is welded to the side aprons AND the inner wheel wells via support brackets. On the passenger side those brackets are what the battery sits on. It's not a hard job if you drill out the spot welds and have everything braced so its still square and level when you go to weld in your new one. The real bear is the fender to grill bolts at the very top of the fenders, especially if they're rusted. It's easier to unbolt the fenders from the aprons and just pull the whole front clip off as one piece. I would check what JeepGuy says first before doing everything else. If all that isn't correct in the first place, your replacement panel won't be either.

 

[Madgyver]

Radiator support is not bolt-on, all welded in as stock.
But you can cut it off and make it bolt-on

 

[bronkenn]

Try loosening the front body/core mount bolts and see if you can push the support towards passenger side. There may not be 3/4 inch but there is some adjustment.

 

[Torkman66]

Loosen ALL body mounts and move body. If it’s currently 3/4” off to one side in front, might be 3/4” off to other side in back. Check entire body to frame dimensions. If it is 3/4” off then all you have to move it is 3/8” for it to be symmetric.