Misaligned Bed
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
Misaligned Bed
On my F-150, the bed sticks out about an inch on the drivers side....The thing is, there is nothing wrong on the passenger side. It lines up. Is there a fix for this?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
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From: New Jersey
Before you go crazy.. make sure the bed is rectangular in shape.
Close the tailgate, and measure from the inside corner of the driver's side back corner where the tailgate meets the side, to the diagonal inside corner on the passenger side, right behind the rear window.
Then measure the other diagonal - both measurements should be "darn close". As trucks age often these two measurements could be off a quarter of an inch or so, due to natural frame/body torquing over time. But if it's way off, you're bed isn't true and needs some repair. It's also possible the frame was torqued causing the bed to maintain an odd shape, but more than likely you'd notice that in your steering and braking.
Behind the cab, both body lines should line up just fine, +/- a standard miniscule amount due to tolerances.
Is the bed just "slid over", or is it closer to the cab at the top than the bottom?
If you could get a decent picture of this, it would be easier to guess.
Close the tailgate, and measure from the inside corner of the driver's side back corner where the tailgate meets the side, to the diagonal inside corner on the passenger side, right behind the rear window.
Then measure the other diagonal - both measurements should be "darn close". As trucks age often these two measurements could be off a quarter of an inch or so, due to natural frame/body torquing over time. But if it's way off, you're bed isn't true and needs some repair. It's also possible the frame was torqued causing the bed to maintain an odd shape, but more than likely you'd notice that in your steering and braking.
Behind the cab, both body lines should line up just fine, +/- a standard miniscule amount due to tolerances.
Is the bed just "slid over", or is it closer to the cab at the top than the bottom?
If you could get a decent picture of this, it would be easier to guess.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Lincoln, Ne
It is not that uncommon on pick-up trucks for the box sides to not line up perfectly with the cab. I have seen this on many, but an inch sure is a lot. I think sometimes the sides are not welded on correctly from the factory. You could take the box loose, slide it over and try to split the difference from side to side, but it may not move far enough. Are the gaps between the box and cab drastically different from side to side? Sometimes box/cab misalignment can be due to the fact that the center section of the frame is not square due to previous collision damage. That is not likely unless the truck has either been in an accident or simmilar circumstance. I have also seen on some new Rangers where the cab was not put on right from the factory (highly unlikley). Just some things to consider.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
Ok, got some pics...yea, I know, the camera is bad
Here's the drivers side:
Here's a bottom shot of the Driver's side... I noticed the top of the bed sticks out more than the bottom:
Here's the Passenger side, the bed lines up with the cab all the way. A differnet problem is that it looks like the cab sits lower than the bed.. I'm thinking worn-out Coil-spring:
WREKTEC, I talked to my dad (the previous owner), and he said that he got t-boned bad. So, the bed is not the original, so maybe this wreck bent the frame or something.
Here's the drivers side:
Here's a bottom shot of the Driver's side... I noticed the top of the bed sticks out more than the bottom:
Here's the Passenger side, the bed lines up with the cab all the way. A differnet problem is that it looks like the cab sits lower than the bed.. I'm thinking worn-out Coil-spring:
WREKTEC, I talked to my dad (the previous owner), and he said that he got t-boned bad. So, the bed is not the original, so maybe this wreck bent the frame or something.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
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From: New Jersey
Very well might be a bent frame.
As far as the bed sitting lower on one side, the springs would have little, if anything, to do with it. The springs and shocks perch on extensions of the frame. When you remove the bed, the suspension remains attached.
I'd look underneath and make sure the mounts aren't rusted through, or maybe just the insulation bushings aren't over compressed. They do squish down over time. Ford switched from Rubber to a Poly-based mount somewhere in the 90's, but i'm not sure where exactly. My 93 crewcab has rubber mounts... and while the mounts are in good condition, what the bolt to (metal) is rather sad looking. Already zapped quite a few mig beads around those areas to get me through the winter, whereas in the spring I can fix it for real.
As far as the bed sitting lower on one side, the springs would have little, if anything, to do with it. The springs and shocks perch on extensions of the frame. When you remove the bed, the suspension remains attached.
I'd look underneath and make sure the mounts aren't rusted through, or maybe just the insulation bushings aren't over compressed. They do squish down over time. Ford switched from Rubber to a Poly-based mount somewhere in the 90's, but i'm not sure where exactly. My 93 crewcab has rubber mounts... and while the mounts are in good condition, what the bolt to (metal) is rather sad looking. Already zapped quite a few mig beads around those areas to get me through the winter, whereas in the spring I can fix it for real.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 28
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From: Lincoln, Ne
Normally frame "diamond" (meaning the center section of the frame is out of square), is caused by a front or rear collision. Like frederic said, you would probably notice this in the steering (wheel being off center while driving straight down the road). Without being able to see and inspect the truck in person, it is impossible for me to tell what is going on exactly. In the case of my '89 F-150, my box was sitting the same way when I bought it. I cross measured the frame directly below the cab and determined that the frame was out of square. I have access to frame straighting eqipment, so was able to correct the problem. If you were to have the truck aligned or checked out by a frame shop, they would probably be able to tell you what is going on. May be worth checking into if the pick-up does not seem to drive down the road straight. If everything were to check out OK with the frame/alignment, then your problem is probably just due to sloppy bodywork or the box being slid over. Hope this helps.
