I just recently swaped my dads old cab and bed off a 73 F100 to a 78 F150 All seems to fit OK cept I am ahving trouble getting the bed square to the back of the cab. I also notce the front fenders mis allignrd to the bumper about the same amount. I'm pretty luck, I have a bridge crane to use in the shop at work but have still struggled to get the cab squared around. Anybody out there have any neat tricks to help out?

 

alot of paticents(sp)....... something i lack..... lol. it took me 3 hours to get my new pass. door to the point i would leave it alown.... although i'm still not totally happy with it.

 

Is the frame bent?

If you have a nice ~flat floor to work over you can drop a plumbline from some points on the frame then measure X-fashion to check alignments.

Thanks for using FTE!




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One thing to remember is that your mounts, ie. cab mounts,radiator mounts, Are all in the same condition. It might just be nice if you change those while its apart.

 

OK,
I had the same problem. But my swap was the whole body from a 78 F150 4x4 to a 75 F-250 4x4. Since the frame was narrow on the backside. I had to redrill all of the bed holes and the back cab mount holes. Before we mounted anything though. We applied grease to where ever the body would touch the frame. Then set the cab on first and installed the front bolts loosly. Second we installed the front end which was complete except for the hood. Installed and tighten all front end bolts except the Radiator Core. These we also left loose. This got my front end and cab squared. Next came the bed. Once it was on, I could slide it around on the greased frame. Using measurements from the old bed. Drilled 2 new holes at the back of the bed, where it was easier to get the dimensions. Again installed the bolts loosley. Now came the hardest part. For three hours I slide the back of the cab and the front of the bed around trying to get it squared. Went and got a spool of masons string. And ran a piece down each side of the truck. From the front to the back. And used duct tape to hold it in place at each end. Then with a tape measure in hand. I could slid and measure instead of reling on my eyes. Never did get it perfect. But I got within a 1/4 inch. I can see it with my eyes. But everybody tells me I'm crazy. And it is perfectly straight. Decided to life with it. After all I'm using for a work truck. Good luck with your project.