This is not what i expected

[80stepsideguy]

Hello all,
Well this past week i been at it tearing the truck bed apart and then i realized the back brace that is riveted to the back part of the frame is rotted beyond saving,and some areas of the frame is rotted in the back and along the sides.No problem i can take care of it.I start taking the drivers inner fender off and the outer repo rotted fender  n then the hood off,i put on the good used fender and it doesnt even come close to bolting up to the radiator support.I unbolt it and then let it hang and the gaps are good.I pick up on the fender and try to bolt it to the radiator support and the gaps are horrible.I take a level and put it on top of the radiator support and the bubble isnt even close to the center..I stand back and the drivers side looks like its sitting higher and i realized the front end is like 1 1/2 inches off..Totally f-in unbelieveable.Now i guess since the frame is shot i may as well go find a good used 73-80 frame,, better yet i should use this 1 for parts and rebuild another truck since the cab has rust in it around the windshield and underneath.The rockers and cab corners were replaced 2 times already due to rust,, i think its time for a new start.Sorry i had to rant but this really bites i tell ya..\

thanks
pat

Edited by: 80stepsideguy at: 6/3/06 11:39 pm

[SUX2BU99]

Geez, that really bites  Sounds like its better to invest your time in a different truck.  I'd advise though using a product like POR15 the next time  you repair or replace any sheetmetal to totally prevent the rust from coming back.

[VileZambonie]

Did you check the mounts for the radiator support? It doesn't sound like it's the frame the way you say the fender is not fitting.

[80stepsideguy]

Vile,
the radiator mounts were replaced with energy suspension bodyt  mounts.1 of the radiator support braces that is riveted to the frame that holds the support was rotted 1 time and i welded a plate and cut the hole for the mount and bolt.But the side i welded the plate was on the pass side not the drivers side thats the side thats bad..I am gonna buy a local pennysaver magazine today n look for another shortbed truck to see bout taking the good pieces here and swapping them..I agree i am gonna use por 15 next time around on the 2nd frame and underside of the cab ...

thanks
pat

[VileZambonie]

try jacking up the cab and lining everything up that way.... the cab supports tend to fatigue giving you that ugly door gap/ high hood line poor rocker panel alignment. Although these trucks rock they were designed like a tuna fish can and are flawwed in 895768974957649856 different ways. Good luck with those body lines man I'm working one out right now which I will post pix of soon!

[80stepsideguy]

I decided i am gonna save the frame and cab.What i think is the problem is like vila said it may be the cab needs to get raised.I had a problem in the past where the cab braces were so badly rotted out the mounts rotted right thru them and the cab was resting on the frame.I welded in plated to support it but i think its still sitting low.So i talked to a good person here thats helping me out with a back frame brace and some of the needed cab supports and i should have this problem licked.

thanks
pat

[1976Scottsdale]

Another thing to try would be replacing your cab's subframe and the cab floor supports.  I think you can at least fing the cab floor supports here on the site.  Classic Truck Parts(Chevy Duty) has the subframe if Roundedline does not have it or cannot get it.

[VileZambonie]

I had an 84 K5 blazer and the rear cab support was rotted causing the whole body to sag. I bought an entire replacement floor from GM and used a street sign post as a support and it was 10x's more rigid than from the factory. Sometimes the best way to tackle these things is to start at the beginning instead of trying to put a band aid on it here and there. I would pull the whole body off this fram and fix everything, replace all mounts busings etc and be happy with the end result if you really like the truck.

[80stepsideguy]

Vile,
your absolutly right.I am slowly taking this truck apart,so far the bed and nose are completly off.I am just a hood away from having all the shettmetal i need to do this truck over.The cab will need some attention and i am planning on taking some pics and when its off it am taking the frame down to nothing, sandblast it, repair all the damaged areasand rebuild it from the ground up.It may take me like 3-4 years but it will be a nice finished product when its completed..

thanks
pat