Front End Removal

After much internal debate, I decided to go ahead and take the front body panels off the truck in preparation for removing the engine.  This wasn't technically necessary, but it will make life a little easier in the short term and it needed to be done eventually anyway.

Before:

After removing the hood:

Lots of deep, unrepairable rust on these body panels.  They will be replaced with the new ones I got from the 1955 donor truck.

The inner fenders were cut in a unique way to make room for the aftermarket independent front suspension parts.  I will have to cut the replacement panels prior to installation, but will probably take a more conservative approach and remove as little material as possible.

All panels removed.  I ended up with a big bag of old, corroded nuts and bolts that will all be going into the trash.  Many of them broke or were rounded off during the removal process.  I plan to put the new body panels back together with stainless fasteners.

The old body panels will be recycled once the new ones are installed, so they will live out in the back yard for now.  The dog doesn't appear to mind, but my wife might have something to say about it...