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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Napa, CA
Posts: 519
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another body alignment post
I've been working on my 70 K5. Had the body off the frame, replaced all body mounts, replaced doors, had rockers replaced, and painted the body parts myself (just because I always wanted to). Now I am in the process of putting it back together and in the process chipping all of my new paint. From reading posts on here I have the body shimmed pretty well, although the windshield frame hits the top of the drivers wing window( probably due to the windshield frame being repaired). My surprise came when I put the hood on. My front clip is apparently mounted a little diagonally. The gap between the hood and the fender is about an inch wide at the front passenger corner and an inch wide at the back of the drivers side where it meets the fender. It seems the only way to get alignment would be to move the whole front, rad support and all, over toward the driver's side. I plan on loosening pretty much all of the fender bolts and the rad support bolts, and then rigging something between the lower fender front cups so that I can use nylon ratchet straps to pull everything to the driver's side. If it moves into alignment I plan to retighten everything. Is this an unusual problem? Is my plan likely to work? I apologize for the long post.
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Oakland, Ca
Posts: 1,382
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Re: another body alignment post
You should tape up all body panel edges to prevent chipping. Sorry this is all the help I can offer since I am a few steps behind you in my restoration.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: St. Albans, Vt
Posts: 2,520
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Re: another body alignment post
I'm in the same boat. Same problem. I moved the whole radiator support towards the drivers side. It helped abit but I still have a big gap on the passenger side.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: St. Albans, Vt
Posts: 2,520
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Re: another body alignment post
I'm also have to readjust my front bumper because of this. When I took my truck apart I remember there being an ass load of shims in the front.
My next step is to shim the drivers hood hinge to push it over to the passenger side. Posted via Mobile Device |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Red Deer ab canada
Posts: 1,250
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Re: another body alignment post
Don't loosen the fenders right off; as you move the rad support you want the fenders to come with-not recenter. There's very little side to side adjustment at the fender/rad sup. anyway. Use a measuring tape and cross-measure your clip; I hook it on the cowl corner bolts and go diagonaly to the same point on each fender, should have same distance. Adjusting the hood spear will also pull the hood over when it latches.
Keep in mind these are trucks and to try and "perfect" them is 9 tons of work....for a livable result. Hope this helps.
__________________
1972 factory 2 Wheel Drive Blazer-Sold 1972 K10 4X4-Sold 1971 Chevrolet Cheyenne/10-Sold 1970 Chevrolet C/10-Sold 1968 GMC 4X4-Project 1968 Chevrolet C/10 Pro Street 1970 GMC 3/4 Ton-Parts 1997 2WD 2DR Yukon-Sweet http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335664 |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: St. Albans, Vt
Posts: 2,520
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Re: another body alignment post
Quote:
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#7 |
6>8 Plugless........
![]() Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Prairie City, Ia
Posts: 17,140
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Re: another body alignment post
Fesser, have you checked to make sure your body tub is on the frame pretty straight? There is a little wiggle room in the body bushings and could possibly give you a false starting point being out of square to begin with.
__________________
Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project Tired of spark plugs? Check this out. Last edited by Dieselwrencher; 07-23-2011 at 10:00 AM. |
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#8 |
Back in the sticks
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Fordland, MO
Posts: 3,188
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Re: another body alignment post
I have had the same issues and wondered if this weren't part of it. That and I think I got the windshield frame welded back in place in the wrong spots. Once I get mine tore apart again, I'll take pics of what I'm talking about.
__________________
1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty |
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#9 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454
Posts: 9,516
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Re: another body alignment post
Quote:
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Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim |
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#10 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Napa, CA
Posts: 519
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Re: another body alignment post
I am just starting to think along these lines. I pulled the front over a little, but it still isn't close enough. I've been thinking about shimming the fenders at the cowl so that I am not fighting them. But, I didn't use any real measurements when setting the tub back down so I can be off a ton I suppose. I think its time to see how fast I can get an assembly manual because I don't even know where to measure from. And, like others on here, I'm pretty sure my windshield frame isn't going to be squared up to the doors. The guy that welded it on didn't have the doors.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Red Deer ab canada
Posts: 1,250
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Re: another body alignment post
I don't know if I'd sweat tub measurements; if you can get stuff to move where you need it-move it till it fits. If you shim the fenders your doors and cowl may not adjust out far enough to meet them, and if they do...what about alignment with the rockers?, or meeting weather strips. Once the doors are on and latched you may be able to push the windshield frame ahead as needed.
__________________
1972 factory 2 Wheel Drive Blazer-Sold 1972 K10 4X4-Sold 1971 Chevrolet Cheyenne/10-Sold 1970 Chevrolet C/10-Sold 1968 GMC 4X4-Project 1968 Chevrolet C/10 Pro Street 1970 GMC 3/4 Ton-Parts 1997 2WD 2DR Yukon-Sweet http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335664 |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: St. Albans, Vt
Posts: 2,520
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Re: another body alignment post
If you don't have the wing windows in the frame at the top of the door
Won't fit right. Once the wing window is in it will pull the top of the door down Posted via Mobile Device |
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#13 | |
6>8 Plugless........
![]() Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Prairie City, Ia
Posts: 17,140
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Re: another body alignment post
Quote:
__________________
Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project Tired of spark plugs? Check this out. |
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: St. Albans, Vt
Posts: 2,520
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Re: another body alignment post
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#15 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Napa, CA
Posts: 519
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Re: another body alignment post
Well, at least I'm not the only one. Lots of good input. Probably won't get too much time to work on it until Tuesday but we'll see. Maybe I'll wait for Rochlow to go first and then do what he does/did. Frank
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Rolla Mo.
Posts: 667
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Re: another body alignment post
I assume the top is on? We all know what how much that changes everything
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"85" Monte Carlo SS "71" K5 (SOLD) "64" Chevelle 1930 Chevy two door rat |
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#17 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Napa, CA
Posts: 519
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Re: another body alignment post
Same here.
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Kerrville texas
Posts: 14
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Re: another body alignment post
So how could this have been avoided? By squareing up the body with braces before removing the body off the frame.
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#19 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Napa, CA
Posts: 519
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Re: another body alignment post
Well, in my case, I should have had the windshield frame replaced with the doors on it, and I should have bought an assembly manual before I started to mount the body and front clip with no knowledge. Frank
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: St. Albans, Vt
Posts: 2,520
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Re: another body alignment post
Well, that didn't work out.. When I measured from certain points on the body to the frame there were only about 1/8" off. I figured that wouldnt throw the front sheet metal that far off. Look for other options now. The entire front end except for the hood is after market.. So I figure that is part of my problem. I mean the doors still fit ok at best
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Red Deer ab canada
Posts: 1,250
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Re: another body alignment post
Have you cross measured the front clip?
__________________
1972 factory 2 Wheel Drive Blazer-Sold 1972 K10 4X4-Sold 1971 Chevrolet Cheyenne/10-Sold 1970 Chevrolet C/10-Sold 1968 GMC 4X4-Project 1968 Chevrolet C/10 Pro Street 1970 GMC 3/4 Ton-Parts 1997 2WD 2DR Yukon-Sweet http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335664 |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: St. Albans, Vt
Posts: 2,520
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Re: another body alignment post
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#23 |
Back in the sticks
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Fordland, MO
Posts: 3,188
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Re: another body alignment post
I had to pull the radiator over to the driver's side too just to get my hood to close, but all is still out of whack. I can't even mount the cowl.
Have you thought about trying this: Loosen all the body mounts and take a prybar and push the body forward or rearward on the offending side. I want to try this and see if it helps any but I'm going to wait until I can cut the firewall loose from the runners it is welded to and move it where I think it needs to be. I think that may be the basis of my problems getting it aligned. I had every piece of this thing apart and when I welded the firewall back in, I may not have gotten the windshield frame in the right spot. I'm going to cut both sides loose and move the drivers side forward and down and the passenger side rearward and up. As far as the assembly manual, about all its going to tell you is to shim body mount 2 for door gap clearances. It does show you how it all goes together, but there is not much in the way of instructions for building one.
__________________
1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Red Deer ab canada
Posts: 1,250
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Re: another body alignment post
Whatever your measurement differs, move half that to center it. I've got aftermarket everything on my Blazer as well; fit is mediocre at best after HOURS of cussin...I mean fitting.
__________________
1972 factory 2 Wheel Drive Blazer-Sold 1972 K10 4X4-Sold 1971 Chevrolet Cheyenne/10-Sold 1970 Chevrolet C/10-Sold 1968 GMC 4X4-Project 1968 Chevrolet C/10 Pro Street 1970 GMC 3/4 Ton-Parts 1997 2WD 2DR Yukon-Sweet http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335664 |
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#25 |
6>8 Plugless........
![]() Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Prairie City, Ia
Posts: 17,140
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Re: another body alignment post
I have had to move cabs before more forward and to the left before on a truck that I helped a friend build. I think at some point the truck was wrecked but we never took it to a frame shop. We just kept moving the support and cab until we finally got it close. Then we had to get the box to match. What a night mare it was. I think the best thing to do is just keep trying and don't give up. You may have to enlarge some holes here and there to get your fit back too.
__________________
Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project Tired of spark plugs? Check this out. |
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