Realigning body panels from scratch
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Okanagan
Realigning body panels from scratch
Wheres the best place to start my body reconstruction on my 1987 f250?
I was told to align radiator support and back to the box, but after hours of messing that up, the hood was still off a ways. I have also heard to align the doors first and go forward from there, which will be my next step if i still cant get this correct. I fully understand it does take patience, but do you guys have any tips to help speed this along?
Every bushing is new energy suspension polyurathane, which leaves me at square one for where I need body shims or not. That will be solved with pleanty of trial and error. And Also, i have leveled the truck on jackstands due to it being on uneven ground, so would that make any difference as to alignment?
I was told to align radiator support and back to the box, but after hours of messing that up, the hood was still off a ways. I have also heard to align the doors first and go forward from there, which will be my next step if i still cant get this correct. I fully understand it does take patience, but do you guys have any tips to help speed this along?
Every bushing is new energy suspension polyurathane, which leaves me at square one for where I need body shims or not. That will be solved with pleanty of trial and error. And Also, i have leveled the truck on jackstands due to it being on uneven ground, so would that make any difference as to alignment?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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The reason for setting the doors first is to avoid them hitting when you open them, once you have them set and the gap along the post is good, start out with your fenders a bit farther away, then watch as your door opens and closes and make small adjustments from there. One very good tip, use blue tape along the door and fender edges and open and close slowly, that way you don't dent that nice new paint job.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Having it level is a good thing, but if you have it in any kind of a bind can cause alignment issues, just make sure you have good support so it's not sagging anywhere. I normally use a bodyjig I made which resembles the assembly line supports when the car was originally built. It keeps the pressure in the same place it was during it's first assembly and makes mockup or final assemblies much easier.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Okanagan
thanks for the quick reply
I have it leveled out using the stands supporting the axles, so that it shouldn't flex any differently when sitting on its wheels. the masking tape is a good idea, ensuring i dont scratch a good panel. I guess the last concern i have is when I attach my 250lb front bumper, will it throw anything off with the extra stress on the frame?
I have it leveled out using the stands supporting the axles, so that it shouldn't flex any differently when sitting on its wheels. the masking tape is a good idea, ensuring i dont scratch a good panel. I guess the last concern i have is when I attach my 250lb front bumper, will it throw anything off with the extra stress on the frame?
