Frame twist?
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2013
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Frame twist?
Just installed a new box on my M-1 and looking at the tailgate alignment with the front box panel, there is a significant drop from the front left corner to the right rear corner. it appears that there is some twist in the frame. The floor is not yet in the box, but will that help straighten things out, or is there something else I need to do to pull them into alignment?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 195
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From: Fresno, California
The easiest way is to shim it to get the right alignment, then cut your blocks to the size you need for each mount. My original frame was twisted 3/4 of an inch higher on the left in the front and 5/8 down on the right rear. Once I got it shimmed, you couldn't tell at all. (I still couldn't live with it though, and opted for a new frame in the long run.)
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2013
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I thought of shimming the box, but then it just appears to sit crooked when lining up the bottom of the tailgate with the rear end. I was contemplating jacking the one side and then installing an x brace between the frame rails?
Welder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 50
From: northwest MT
Best route would be to un twist it......this is commonly done by a body shop as a frame machine and alignment gauges are needed.
I worked in body shops for years and fixed many sprung and diamonded frames...
Kinda tough to DIY, as the frame needs to be tied down to something solid.
I worked in body shops for years and fixed many sprung and diamonded frames...
Kinda tough to DIY, as the frame needs to be tied down to something solid.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 431
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From: Edenwold Saskatchewan
That is what I was going to say.When I was young I jumped grampas truck and twisted the frame.LOLIt was about about 20 yrs ago but it onlt cost about 50 bucks to fix.Less than an hr time.
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,862
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From: northwestern Ontario
If your shop floor is fairly level I would do some careful measuring on your suspension first to make sure you don't have a sagging spring or hanger binded up before you start shimming your box. I had a 53 parts truck that had more leafs on one side compared to the other likely changed out from another truck when one side broke.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
The Ford frame was a riveted ladder design that was meant to twist rather than tear itself apart The twist you have now may be just due to sagging suspension (springs, shocks, spring eye bushings etc) and/or weight distribution, or lastly collision or abuse damage. I wouldn't be too concerned until you get the suspension in good condition and all the major parts mounted. Don't start adding braces etc It's lasted 60 years without being needed, find out where the problem is and correct it to the way Henry built it.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Fresno, California
I'd go with Axracers suggestion then. Shim it to make it look reasonably square and level, and drive if it if that's your aim for now, or leave it be until you finish the suspension repairs/upgrades, then determine then if your frame is in fact twisted or bent. Then go from there.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Frame is way flexible without anything mounted. Put 3 corners on jack stands and add a couple hundred pounds of sandbags to hold it down then jack under the 4th corner, it will go up and down quite a lot! Be sure to support and level the frame front to back and side to side as well as check it for square before you start attaching parts.
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