Author Topic: Centering / Squaring Cab on Frame  (Read 4412 times)

Offline firefighter

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Centering / Squaring Cab on Frame
« on: January 04, 2012, 10:11:15 am »
I just put a new cab on the frame of my 1976 Chevy truck.
I have it just loosely bolted in place for now.
The body bushing are fairly long in the back and there is a bit of play inside the steel sleeve that the bolt goes up through.

My question is, before I do the final bolt tightening, do you purposely square the cab onto the frame and take left to right measurements to make sure everything is perfect, or is it good enough if the bolts are threading up into the mounting nuts?

Thanks!!
« Last Edit: January 04, 2012, 10:13:18 am by firefighter »

Offline thirsty

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Re: Centering / Squaring Cab on Frame
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2012, 02:58:31 pm »
Squaring the cab up now is a good idea, it will get you real close. When you do a frame off then you will have to line up the front clip with the cab with the bed all at the same time. They all have some adjustment. Did you take your radiator support off or is it still bolted tight where it was? If you didn't touch it then you can start there with the alignments after it is fully assembled.
With your new paint make sure that you have the edges taped up if you have to start shifting stuff. It's easy to go too far and jam the edges.
Real trucks are built, not bought Build thread

Give me a long enough lever and a place to stand, and I shall move the earth or break this bolt...Whatever, just hold my beer!

Offline 81GMCBILL

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Re: Centering / Squaring Cab on Frame
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2012, 08:45:08 pm »
Ive got to do the same thing - as in shifting the cab to be centered, but I need to do it with
everything attached(doors,interior....etc. My thoughts were that if the bed is square do it now - as in tighten it down.

my 2 cents
85 GMC K25 4X4 383/th400/np208

Offline firefighter

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Re: Centering / Squaring Cab on Frame
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2012, 10:49:09 pm »
Thanks as usual thirsty.

My radiator support did not come off during the rebuild so I can pull measurements off of that. Great suggestion!!
I'll then center the cab left to right and try to square it up the best I can.

I just didn't know how critical this step was.

Thanks also for your reply 81GMCBILL !!