Duh, is your cab on straight? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nosto · 06-30-2003, 12:17 PM

A while back, I stripped the truck to the frame, blasted/removed all paint and sprayed everything in primer.

I've spent too much time over the past few weeks trying to align the front sheet metal (fenders, support, hood, etc) and was whining about it to an old fellow who had stopped by to look at the 'ol truck. His first question was " Did you take the cab off?". Yes. "Ok, did you put it back on straight?". HuH??!

This may be common knowledge to many of you, but I didn't even think about it. If you've removed your cab, you should really make sure it is centered and parallel to the frame BEFORE you try to put on one piece of sheet metal.

Once I got the cab aligned (it was about 1/4" off center and 3/8" angled to the frame), the rest of the front end went on with very little trouble.

Sometimes its the little things......

Now, if only a little advice like this would help with those repro doors......

greasemonkey · 06-30-2003, 04:01 PM

Mine is crooked, I am going to try to straighten it once I replace cab mounts. You can tell because the left side is 3/4" forward. Everything lines up okay except for the hood is way off and one headlight sticks farther out than the other.

Power Trip · 06-30-2003, 07:48 PM

well i have replaced the cab mounts on my truck and didn't even think about alignment. I have the cab on but nrver removed the bed. Whats the bed to cab clearance need to be?or should i just make it even? Jim

Truckstr · 06-30-2003, 08:44 PM

Good point!

Mine's crooked too (Thanks be to the previous owner

LOL). A few good measurements and it'll be fine. Getting there will be the hassle.

Gordo · 06-30-2003, 09:04 PM

Good advice! Been there eleven years ago. Assembled my cab, nose and then the front bumper only to find the bumper off to one side by at least an inch. Recomend leaving the mounts loose until everthing is aligned.

crazy longhorn · 06-30-2003, 09:41 PM

Yup, there is a little adjustment to play with! I just did urathane mounts on the 69, & had to readjust the tilt clip to get the fenders to line up after the cab was straight.......I wonder how long the cab was "crooked"

crazyL

**Canadian694x4** · 06-30-2003, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Whats the bed to cab clearance need to be? Jim

[/B]

Any one have measurements or some pics of there box to cab clearance?

crazy longhorn · 06-30-2003, 09:50 PM

mine checks about 1 1/8" (back of cab to box) crazyL

*Piston* · 06-30-2003, 11:13 PM

ad me to the list.. Mines crooked. When I get a little time I'll re align it but for now im too busy enjoying the truck

lol

either that or im too dam lazy.

70ChevySWB · 06-30-2003, 11:17 PM

I am in the process of restoring my 70 stepside and will be taking the cab off within the next few months. How do you make sure that the cab is on straight when the truck is re-assembled?

*Piston* · 06-30-2003, 11:24 PM

Just leave the cab loose until you get the Doors hung, core support on (leave it loose too) then mount the fenders and finaly the hood. Once your happy with how its sitting, leave it a day or two and you'll see how the new cab mounts settle in a bit. From there you can re adjust the cab height using the spacers. The cab and core support will be the last things tightened down.

A misadjusted cab will do very strange things to the fender/hood alignment. been there, done that.

krue · 06-30-2003, 11:45 PM

Welcome to the board 70chevyswb from soaking wet South Mississippi!! Ya'll are gonna get wet too!

06-30-2003, 12:17 PM	#1
nosto Flamin' Bass Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Galloway, NJ, US Posts: 315	Duh, is your cab on straight? A while back, I stripped the truck to the frame, blasted/removed all paint and sprayed everything in primer. I've spent too much time over the past few weeks trying to align the front sheet metal (fenders, support, hood, etc) and was whining about it to an old fellow who had stopped by to look at the 'ol truck. His first question was " Did you take the cab off?". Yes. "Ok, did you put it back on straight?". HuH??! This may be common knowledge to many of you, but I didn't even think about it. If you've removed your cab, you should really make sure it is centered and parallel to the frame BEFORE you try to put on one piece of sheet metal. Once I got the cab aligned (it was about 1/4" off center and 3/8" angled to the frame), the rest of the front end went on with very little trouble. Sometimes its the little things...... Now, if only a little advice like this would help with those repro doors...... __________________ Rick Olson /nosto/ Galloway, NJ Pics : http://community.webshots.com/user/nosto53 1972 Triumph TR6 - full resto, now with a Toyota 5-speed 1975 F**D F-100 - rusty, but reliable 1982 HD XLH-1000 1967 C-10, shortstep, 350/M21 4spd, nitrogen tank fills fast bags on 4 corners, Toyo 255/45X20s on American Eagle 221 20X8s, shaved locks and handles, antenna, fuel filler, tiny C-notch, rear fuel tank, long headers, Edelbrock, worn 600 Holley, Checkmate flush hard cover, rear pan, custom LED taillights - painted it, too! But don't like it so I'm gonna do it again!!

06-30-2003, 04:01 PM	#2
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	Mine is crooked, I am going to try to straighten it once I replace cab mounts. You can tell because the left side is 3/4" forward. Everything lines up okay except for the hood is way off and one headlight sticks farther out than the other. __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

06-30-2003, 07:48 PM	#3
Power Trip Got Caddy? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: DeSoto,MO. Posts: 115	well i have replaced the cab mounts on my truck and didn't even think about alignment. I have the cab on but nrver removed the bed. Whats the bed to cab clearance need to be?or should i just make it even? Jim __________________ 1969 c-10 swb fleetside with dreams of a caddy 500 Bagged shaved and rollin' on 18's Future bumper sticker. Looks like a chevy, runs like a caddy!

06-30-2003, 08:44 PM	#4
Truckstr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lebanon, Tennessee Posts: 1,372	Good point! Mine's crooked too (Thanks be to the previous owner LOL). A few good measurements and it'll be fine. Getting there will be the hassle. __________________ Jeff '67 short Fleet; my ongoing project. '66 long Fleet; my original "baby." Live life or bust trying.

06-30-2003, 09:04 PM	#5
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	Good advice! Been there eleven years ago. Assembled my cab, nose and then the front bumper only to find the bumper off to one side by at least an inch. Recomend leaving the mounts loose until everthing is aligned. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

06-30-2003, 09:41 PM	#6
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Yup, there is a little adjustment to play with! I just did urathane mounts on the 69, & had to readjust the tilt clip to get the fenders to line up after the cab was straight.......I wonder how long the cab was "crooked" crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

06-30-2003, 09:50 PM	#8
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	mine checks about 1 1/8" (back of cab to box) crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

06-30-2003, 11:13 PM	#9
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,300	ad me to the list.. Mines crooked. When I get a little time I'll re align it but for now im too busy enjoying the truck lol either that or im too dam lazy.

06-30-2003, 11:17 PM	#10
70ChevySWB Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 3	I am in the process of restoring my 70 stepside and will be taking the cab off within the next few months. How do you make sure that the cab is on straight when the truck is re-assembled?

06-30-2003, 11:24 PM	#11
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,300	Just leave the cab loose until you get the Doors hung, core support on (leave it loose too) then mount the fenders and finaly the hood. Once your happy with how its sitting, leave it a day or two and you'll see how the new cab mounts settle in a bit. From there you can re adjust the cab height using the spacers. The cab and core support will be the last things tightened down. A misadjusted cab will do very strange things to the fender/hood alignment. been there, done that.

06-30-2003, 11:45 PM	#12
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Welcome to the board 70chevyswb from soaking wet South Mississippi!! Ya'll are gonna get wet too! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"



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