Hi AXracer .
How do I do a search on your user name to find the info that you mentioned because you've peaked my interest in seeing if I have overlooked something . Thanks
The front doghouse is not the easiest to get lined up no matter where the fenders/hood/etc came from because most go about it backwards or leave out parts. Try doing a search on my user name, I have posted the right procedure a number of times. Don't bother trying to not use the firewall-fender support rods or not replacing old rubber pieces.
AMEN BROTHER! Chuck you may want to modify that post regarding not bolting the hood to the hinges and removing at test fit. This unnamed OK company; does the name begin with an M? Not to say anything ill of them, I agree with AX that there is the possibility of mis-alignment up front.
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"A man that chops His own wood is warmed by it not once, but twice" Henry Ford.
Hi AXracer .
How do I do a search on your user name to find the info that you mentioned because you've peaked my interest in seeing if I have overlooked something . Thanks
use Advanced Search, this lets you specify the username.
The front doghouse is not the easiest to get lined up no matter where the fenders/hood/etc came from because most go about it backwards or leave out parts. Try doing a search on my user name, I have posted the right procedure a number of times. Don't bother trying to not use the firewall-fender support rods or not replacing old rubber pieces.
Hey Ax,
Its tough to find something with search based on your 8K+ posts. I tried doghouse and your name to no avail. I think the search may only go back so far. If you can find one of them we should get it posted up top under the sticky for 'how to' articles. This does come up all the time.
Its tough to find something with search based on your 8K+ posts. I tried doghouse and your name to no avail. I think the search may only go back so far. If you can find one of them we should get it posted up top under the sticky for 'how to' articles. This does come up all the time.
I've been out in the shop this morning taking the front sheet metal completely off the truck , I'm down to the cab and the radiator support . I am going to do the step by step proceedure that AXracer has posted .
I have done a quick overview this morning and the front frame section was within the bubble lines on the level laid accross the frame horns from right to left and the frame was also within the bubble lines on the level when placed on the frame in front of the cab mounts on both sides. So back to the drawing board and I will left everyone know how things are going as things move along .
Hi guys ,
Everything is checking out within specs so far . I do need to know before I go any further , on the radiator support are the legs that are used to make the adjustments are they suppost to be tight or is there meant to be some play there as they are mounted in rubber ?
They should be snug if you have new pads. The frame being level is important but also check the cab side to side (lay the level on the firewall pinch seam), and be sure the cab is square to the frame. Then check the radiator horseshoe. Be sure it is level side to side and equidistant from the firewall on both sides. If you do the steps and still can't get it to align, check the rubber insulators on the cab mounts for deterioration. My gut tells me that some of the problems lie with cabs that are not square to the frame or are sagging due to old insulators. Remember too that these are 60 year old trucks that were meant for work, not pleasure use, and were basically hand assembled by assembly line workers that may have been been bored, tired, lazy, hungover, PO'd at the wife/boss, thinking more about the weekend/holiday, etc etc etc. Parts were stamped out at plants all over the country, and worn/damaged dies were hand repaired on premises. The fit and finish quality control was even much worse then than it is today. If it worked and looked reasonable from 20' away it went out the door. No one complained about an uneven seam gap or crooked glove box door!
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Passionate about autocross racing!
2003 GSL, 2005 HSL National Champion
1956 F100 Panel support/tow vehicle
2007 Solstice GXP racer, the "KRAZED KANARY"
2002 Celica GT 2003 GSL National Champion retired to daily driving duties
Thanks ,
cab mounts are all new , the radiator horseshoe has new mounts also if I can remember right . This is what I've checked this far . The front frame horns from side to side , the frame itself at the front cab mounts and approx 6 inches in front of the front cab mounts just for giggles ,the radiator support and the cowl accross the top where the vent is all seem to be within spec because the bubble on my level is in between the two lines . I didn't use the pinch weld area because it has a very slight dimple in it from when someone that owned it before me pulled the engine and it was damaged there ( at least that would be my guess). The cab appears to be square to the frame . But how did you measure yours ? I figure if I'm going to follow in your steps it's all or nothing lol.
Since mine is a panel, and has never been off the frame, the body being out of square is less likely and more easily recognized. I'd measure from the front of the frame horns to a definable spot on the firewall, then measure the diagonals if possible.
__________________
Passionate about autocross racing!
2003 GSL, 2005 HSL National Champion
1956 F100 Panel support/tow vehicle
2007 Solstice GXP racer, the "KRAZED KANARY"
2002 Celica GT 2003 GSL National Champion retired to daily driving duties
Well I've gone back through everything and I did move my radiator support about 1/8 inch and as far as the cab being square on the frame it's within approx 1/32 from side to side with is probably as good as it was when it left the factory . So I'll tackle it again in the morning and see what happens .I couldn't do the diagonals because the engine is in the way .
Last edited by 1955effie; 07-06-2009 at 04:56 PM.
Reason: forgot details
Houston we have fender gap lol. Thanks guys for the help and a BIGG thank you to AXracer . I followed your instructions and I now have a liveable fender gap . It's not perfect but it's ok for gov. work .
LOL.
I don't think I will be needing that info because I went to the hood flip style . But you never know, if I don't like the flip I might change it back to conventional . Thanks again I guess I've been rebuilding uni-body vehicles for so long that I forgot the basics ?
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