Friday Night Math Quiz

[Trap62]

The premise of my question deals with the fact that my radiator support is currently lower on the outside passenger side edge by one inch as compared to the opposite edge. Knowing that I only have to adjust each side's height by a half inch, I'm wondering how thick of a washer/washers will I need to pad on the passenger side radiator support bushing assembly? Here are some pictures that show what I'm referring to.


This is a head-on shot of my truck when I first bought it. To me, everything looks level.


This is a shot of the driver side mount showing the old bushings set -- there are no extra pieces as far as I can tell.


This is a shot of the passenger side mount -- again, there are no extra pieces. Also, the support is approximately 3/8" lower (as measured from the ground) on this side as compared to the other side. My thinking is that I would add the extra washer/washers here between the top of the mount an below the radiator support.


Threw this picture in to show that the support looks off when I reattached the radiator support. One thing I should mention is that I have not tighten any of the bolts as I needed some play to get the inner fenders in. Don't know if that would make a difference.


Lastly, here's a front shot to compare with the original front shot which shows that there is a definite inbalance when the grill, hood and bumper are attached.

I guess the math quiz is this:

The radiator support is ~70" wide. One end (LH) is ~32.5" off the ground while the other end (RH) is ~31.5" off the ground. The radiator support mounting points are located ~19.5" in from each end. THe RH point is 14 11/16" off the ground and the LH point is 14 5/16" off the ground. The distance between th two points is ~32" so heading out from the centerpoint, at the RH point, I'm lower by 3/8" due to the mounting bracket and by the time I get to the outer edge (~19.5" later) I've increased the lowering to 1/2". Based off the above numbers, is it simply the addition of a 3/8" washer that would level out support or is it something more complicated???

Thanks!

[tincan1966]

One question- do you watch the show Numb3rs? LOl j/k.

Did you install new radiator support mounts/bushings? If not, that would be the first place to start.None of the sheet metal can be properly aligned without new mounts. Another question have you checked the actual frame height in that location? Measuring from the ground(on a flat level floor) to the top of the radiator support mount on the frame. I ask this because in the pictures appear that the grill and bumper are pretty well aligned horizontally, and if you raise one side of the radiator support 1/2" the gap between the grill and bumper will increase and therefore look misaligned.
Something to consider; these trucks were not the same fit and finish quality as newer cars and trucks are. Alot of times you have to settle for making it visually correct and forget the measurements.(Unless it is a huge difference)

[jonzcustomshop]

in the pic the support looks lined up with the bumper... but the hood looks higher on one side, so is your frame a little tweaked? or is a cab mont bushing flattened out?

with the bumper and grille support looking like that, I would measure bumper to ground, and both frame rails to the ground, then maybe check for a cracked coil spring... my wifes 63 had a rh lean, and the coil spring was the culprit.

[CRGRS 66]

level ground for one, but also measure ground up to frame on both sides, suspension could be sagging on one side making things "look" out of alignment. I thought the same thing as jonzcustom, everything looks aligned except the hood, but perspective in photographs can be very deceiving.

[joedoh]

looks like the grille is lined up with the roof, and the hood is off, in that last picture.

[Rich 5150 69]

I`ve seen more hoods hang just a little cookeyed when they are almost closed, but fine when closed or all the way up, it might be a weak spring on one side, hood a little tweaked or binding hinges....his pic of the rad support looks as if the top section pass side runs downhill, maybe...a little tweaked itself...

[Trap62]

Lots of great comments and suggestions!

- As to the bushing hardware for the radiator support, they are new but not fully tighten as I wanted to get everything aligned before snugging things up.

- The comment about the grill and bumper matching up does bring up a good point that maybe the frame rail is bent on the passenger side and adding height to the radiator support would throw the line off.

- Can't be a coil spring as its a 62 and has its original front suspension. I did replace the front shocks after the last picture above was taken but it did not affect the height on the one end of the support.

- Someone mentioned cab mounts -- I made an attempt to replace them with the poly kit that LMC sells but I could not get the front mounts to fit so I put back the original mounts and they too are not snugged down yet as I'm still fitting sheet metal. Could an adjustment here have an effect on the radiator support via the inner fender???

The weather great up here this weekend in the PNW so armed with the knowledge that you guys have imparted, I'm going to focus on this issue and get some more measurements, new pictures and see what we can come up with.

Thanks again to all of you for your feedback!

[tincan1966]

Shocks will not normally effect ride height(ie make a vehicle sit higher or lower)
A few measurements will let you know where you are with the frame. Make sure you are on a solid level surface and measure in the same referrence points on both sides. Since it is a '62, it could be a torsion bar adjustment, also.

[Rich 5150 69]

If your front sheetmetal is off, measure your rad support, diagonally both ways, they should be exactly the same into the corners, that will tell if it is square. If you are unsure use a carpenter`s square on the inside corners or your rad support.

[Trap62]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

Shocks will not normally effect ride height(ie make a vehicle sit higher or lower)
A few measurements will let you know where you are with the frame. Make sure you are on a solid level surface and measure in the same referrence points on both sides. Since it is a '62, it could be a torsion bar adjustment, also.

Quick question -- turning the torsion bar adjustment nut Clockwise will raise the front suspension? Also, if I remember, its easier turining the nut if the weight is taken off of the suspension -- right?

[Rich 5150 69]

Correct on both, note how many turns you move it, you may need that info later...