Bed Alignment

[Super_Dave]

While BABA YAGA! patiently waits for numerous parts to arrive, I am looking ahead to additional modifications.

One of the mods in question, involves the possibility of a slight 2/4 drop with spindles and axle flip. However, when I put the 305's on the back, (couldn't resist a full 12"...) I noticed that the fender lip was, for all intents and purposes, barely touching the sidewall. So, I have been contemplating rolling or trimming the lip so, should I decide I do not like the current stance, I can do the 2/4.

As luck would have it, I stopped by the shop to see what all had arrived from several vendors. While there, and having been disappointed on deliveries yet again, I decided to double check the clearance on both sides of the rear wheel wells. The drivers side was just as it was previously. However, the passengers side, which I had never checked initially, had nearly a full 3/4" clearance.

I viewed this revelation as good news and figured one of two things must be in play. Either the axle or bed must not be centered. Since the axle has a locator, I am leaning toward the bed being off-center. Does this sound reasonable?

Having never removed the bed before, can anyone tell me if there is 3/8" side-to-side adjustment in the mounting holes? I can always hog them out if necessary but thought I would toss it out there for current and future reference purposes.

[Keith Seymore]

You can definitely slide the bed side to side when the bolts are not torqued; I can't say if it is a full 3/8" but it could be.

I installed roughly 900,000 squarebody boxes but must confess we were not interested in measuring them at the time.

k

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

You can definitely slide the bed side to side when the bolts are not torqued; I can't say if it is a full 3/8" but it could be.

Good to know! Any little bit will help.

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I installed roughly 900,000 squarebody boxes but must confess we were not interested in measuring them at the time.

Say whaaaat?!
No pocket protectors and dial calipers?

[75C10]

I have 275 45 20 tires on 20X10 wheels 5" BS on a 75 C10. My tires were very close and I loosened the box to gain the best clearance on both sides. My box wouldn't move much. I have a flip kit so the drop is about 6 ". It still is very close and I have the wheel well trim in place. I installed some aluminum angle so if the tire was to rub it would not cut the sidewall and rub on the angle flat surface. I had to manufacture the angle from a larger piece of 1" X 1/8". So far no rubs or cuts and its been about a year. Had I known I would have gone with 5.25 or more BS wheels. Moving the centres on my two piece Torque Thrusts II's has been considered. This might also be fixed by recentering the rear end but if both sides are close then this won't help. I had new springs with new stock bushings so for the time being it is ok. Maybe urethane bushings is also a solution.
Obviously back spacing becomes critical when large drops are involved and 10 years ago when I bought the wheels dropping it as low as I have was not on the radar.
Darwin

[Hiluxxulih]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

You can definitely slide the bed side to side when the bolts are not torqued; I can't say if it is a full 3/8" but it could be.

I installed roughly 900,000 squarebody boxes but must confess we were not interested in measuring them at the time.

k

Its funny when I bought my 2004 Silverado I was driving it home from the dealer with three miles on it and I was pulling out of the dealership and looked in the mirror and the bed was way out of whack , I took it back a month or two later and the dealer fixed it .