Slow moving project. Some questions

[Phil.]

Well this will not be a fast moving project just little "things" here and there before I get crazy with it.

Ok, first thing is I noticed one half of the bed sticks out a little more than the other side first thing I thought was cracked frame but when I climbed under I see no cracks. Then I thought maybe it's bent but when I'm driving down the road it drives straight! so I'm not sure there is some damage on the driver side but nothing that seems like it hit with force more like it got drug on something. Anyway sorry for long post I will post some pics now.....


Driver side.

Passenger side.

The gap between bed and cab


Thanks guys.

[VileZambonie]

Check your cab mounts first and then check the suspension for fatigued springs. From there loosen up the bed and play around with it. Shim it if necessary.

[bake74]

     The gap looks ok.  First thing I would check, cab and bed mounts, both for wear and being loose or shifted.  How did you check the frame for being square ?  Did you check and make sure the rails did not twist in or out on 1 or both sides ?  If you are sure about frame, then check mounts and alignment of cab and bed and report back.  
     I am sure others will chime in with tips also.

[Phil.]

The weather is nuts right now hopefully It's nicer tomorrow. I will climb under again I haven't checked mounts yet. also my driver side tire is one size smaller. Will that make it "flex" a little?

+ plus I may take off trim on side of truck I think it looks way cleaner without it.

[Grim 82]

The bed on my truck is misaligned side to side, similar to yours, because the previous owner (my brother) removed the bed to replace the sending units in the tanks and never bolted it back on square with the rest of the truck. The height difference though, like previously mentioned, looks to be from bad cab mounts or rusted out mounting rails under the bed.

[1979C20]

My bet is the driver side cab mounts are worn.

[Phil.]

as soon as it gets a little sunny out I'm gonna go crawl under it also, what is the best way to attack this side trim?


-side note I found some 38s for 100$ there not brand new but still have some tread. My question is will my 10bolts hold? I've read about people have 40s+ on 10 bolts I won't be wheeling this thing hard but of course a few hunting trips and some fun.

So ready to get into this thing!

[1979C20]

WAIT A MINUTE. Are you the same guy who has an inch smaller tire on the front or your truvk from a blow out? If the tire is on the driver front or the passenger rear that will explain the body lines not matching up, wouldnt it?

[Phil.]

Lol yea read a post up I asked that lol

[1979C20]

Oh, haha. I didnt notice that. It was like 2 in the morning. I can only assume that would be the problem.

[Phil.]

Anyone got any suggestions on how to take this trim
 off?

[1979C20]

I took mine off with a flat head screwdriver with etape on the end so you dont scratch the paint.
Some of mine were held by screws on the ends. And I dont know how to take the clips out.

[76k104x4]

i pulled the taped pieces off with channellocks and same on the metal ones then just pull the tabs and they come out you gotta put out a little bit but it aint bad

[Phil.]

Well it's raining with gust of 40-50mph winds lol and my truck won't fit in the garage. So hopfully tomorrow will be better.

[Phil.]

Well I got my trim off lol it was a tight squeeze.

Here's some pics.

before.


after and steps.tight.

used a screwdriver for most,came off pretty easily although I did pull some paint but I'm not to worried about it

took a razor to excess

then with goo gone and a rag plastic piece combo scraped off more

turned out decent.

full body without trim still need to do some clean up but I gotta say I like it a lot more with no trim


next will be to start sanding and primer it which will how it will stay for a while