box cab alignment
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 387
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From: Calgary
box cab alignment
When I sight along the side of my '72 where the side trim goes the box and the cab do not line up perfectly vertically. Looking from the back the line goes down to the cab/box junction and then up to the front. I am talking about 3/8" or so out. I have looked at the cab mounts underneath and they look OK and the box is bolted right to the frame.
It is too painful for me to consider that my frame might be bent...is there any other explaination? Remedies?
Thanks
It is too painful for me to consider that my frame might be bent...is there any other explaination? Remedies?
Thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
I know from past experience that the rubber on the cab mounts will start to crush and lower the cab, thus the side body lines will not line up. Usually the front cab mounts will go first, this will cause the fender/cab line to widen at bottom(most times it just rusts out). Usually the rear cab mounts will just sink, then lowering the cab and making the body line not stay in line.
If the cab is lower than the bed, just shim it up. I've done this in the past. Remove the gas tank from cab, unloosen bolts and lift cab and install some shim. Keep adjusting til level with bed. Then work your way forward. Some times the bolts can be very rusty so you have to watch. Not always a simple job.
IF the frame was bent near cab/bed line, a simple visual check underneath would tell you. With a C channel frame it would be very noticable if it was bent at all. I don't think this is your problem.
If the cab is lower than the bed, just shim it up. I've done this in the past. Remove the gas tank from cab, unloosen bolts and lift cab and install some shim. Keep adjusting til level with bed. Then work your way forward. Some times the bolts can be very rusty so you have to watch. Not always a simple job.
IF the frame was bent near cab/bed line, a simple visual check underneath would tell you. With a C channel frame it would be very noticable if it was bent at all. I don't think this is your problem.
Last edited by Freightrain; Dec 20, 2004 at 02:17 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Bridgeville,CA
I want to add my agreement to Freightrain's coments. I had the same problem except that the cab was also not level side to side on my 69. The drivers side was lower than the passengers. As usual in these trucks the front cab mounts were rusted out. I replaced the front cab mounts and then shimmed up the rear until everything was level. The back of the cab was fine except for the squished rubber mounts. I probably should have replaced them but shimming worked OK.
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Senior User
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From: Calgary
Thanks guys. The only part of the whole cab mounts deal that scares me is removing the gas tank to gain access to the rear mount bolts. How can I do this without burning down my garage? 
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 238
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From: Bridgeville,CA
I have had the tank out a bunch of times without any problem. Since there are no tank penatrations except at the top there is little or no chance of spilling fuel. The only problem is the weight. You can either drive it untill it is as low as you feel comfortable with or siphon the fuel out. Once the tank is at 1/4 or less you have 5 gal X 6 pounds = 30 pounds of fuel. If you get it lower it will weigh even less. Also by the time the tank is less than 1/4 you would almost have to turn it upside down to get any fuel out. Just discounnect the fuel line and the sender wire, pull the two bolts at the top and lift it out of the bottom brackets. I just wish that it was one tenth as easy to get the tank out of my 95 Tauraus to replace the in tank pump that goes out on a regular basis.
