How to replace chevy dually truck fender - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

SOURCE: Need transmission info for 1988 Chevy Silverado 454 C3500 dually

My 1988 Chevrolet C3500 With A 7.4L (454) engine has a TH400 in it.

SOURCE: how to replace front fender

It's not a lot of fun and you will need a helper. You need to remove the hood first. Before you remove it from the hinges,make reference marks so your can re-align it when you put it back on. With that off, remove the grill and the chrome trim around the grill opening. The piece of trim that is mounted on the fender may come off easier when the fender is off the truck, no big deal, just remember to put it back on before you put the fender on. The chrome trim is fastened on with nuts that are accessable with the grill out of the way. The metal strip under the lower grill trim is screwed into the fender so go under the truck and remove them. You don't necessarily have to remove the whole strip but you might find it easier if you do. If you are doing the battery side remove the battery bracket. If you are not going to replace the inner fender remove the bolts around the wheel opening, this thread into clips that will likely break as you do this. No problem there are readily available at any auto parts store. If you are replacing the inner fender leave them attached and remove the bolt inside the wheel well at the firewall. There are 5 bolts at the front of the fender that have to come off first. 2 on the top of the rad support, 1 partway down the rad support and 2 at the bottom of it. One of these goes down and one goes sideways. When removing these bolts watch for shims. Don't loose them, they will be needed when you put the new fender on. Once you have these bolts out go the back of the fender. There will be 1,maybe 2 at the bottom of the fender next to the door. These will be shimmed. Finally remove the 2 bolts at the top of the fender at the firewall, more shims.
With the fender off put the hood hinge on the new fender snugly but not tight, you may have to adjust it later. If you are replacing the inner fender too put it on now. Put the fender in place and re-attach the bolts in the reverse of how you took them out. Don't tighten any of them until you have all of them in place. Put your shims back in starting at the windshield. You may have to mix and match, every fender is different. Get you body lines from the doorpost and work to the front of the truck. If you need more shims, they are available at the autoparts store as well. When the fender lines look good snug the bolts but don't tighten. Put the hood on and close it. At this point you mat have to adjust it as well. There is adjustment in the hinges but it's a trial and error deal. Adjust, close, adjust again. You may have to go back and readjust the fender to get all your lines working. When you are happy with your body lines tighten all your bolts, including the pain in the **** on the side and bottom of the rad support.
Hope this helps.