Front sheet metal alignment
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Front sheet metal alignment
Ok- I've got my new front cab mounts welded on, all new rubbers, and lower retainers. I have new mounts and bushings under the radiator yoke. I'm nearly ready to set the hood on and start aligning. question; is it ok to level the frame with the level as far forward as the frame horns? Do i need to have the rear on jackstands too? How tight are the nuts on the radiator support bushings? ie. how smashed are the rubber isolators? I know i must level the rad support as well and need to know when to quit tightening. Thanks folks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Westminster,Md
I think you will find that things will be easier all the way thru this process if you raise the whole vehicle, at least high enough to lay on a creeper and roll from side to side.You and your elbows will appreciate the room when leveling the frame to start,again when working around the gravel pan to fender area,again at the fender to cowl..and just for good measure..if you decide to make adjustments to the running boards.I like using a 4 ft level at the bottom of the frame..from front to rear,between the wheels.Then side-to-side across the front frame horns and across the rear..shim as needed.Good Luck!
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Thanks for your response, Chris. I will put the whole thing on stands. I hope noone minds that I bump this tired topic back to the top, but I am ready to re-assemble, and seeing how the radiator support and cab mounts are squares #1 & 2 in that process, and seeings how I KNOW there are folks on here who know the answer to my support mount question (how tite?), well here it is again... Please help.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Tighten them tight with a standard 3/8" ratchet, that gives about the right torque for 5/16" bolts. The fabric/rubber pads will not squish down flat like solid rubber might. If you need to adjust the support, you'll likely have to use shims. Replacing the pads is mostly to set the support at the right height.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
One thing to keep in mind - the original setup was supposed to move so the front end - body - bed wouldn't get mangled from the roads - fields - ditches - construction sites where they were built to roam. You could most likely mount the front end solid and not greate any issues unless you went on an agricultural excursion.
