MoorDoom, I dig that paint style. Kinda a throw back to the classics. I don't see that to much any more.

 

Actually I replaced my driver side fender after hitting a guardrail and wiping the headlight section out. Sorry I didn't take any before pics. What I did was almost what you did minus removing the brake system from the wheel well. What I did was drill out each spotweld and use a spotweld cutter (about $5 dual blade at Harbor Freight) to cut through. Basicly I peeled the fender assy apart like and onion with the aid of an air hammer with metal cutting chisel in it for the bottom right. Took the outside half off so I could see the spotwelds to the wheel well easily and cut the spotwelds out. I noticed that the fender was supporting the wheel well before removing it and put a clamp under the fender before I slid it out so the fender well wouldn't drop and bend the brake lines. Now that everthing is back together I think I am going to bolt the two together until I can get to a friends shop and borrow his mig welder. Then I will weld the two back together. All I can say is thank goodness I didn't do it the way the Haynes Repair Manual said to do it.