Maybe bent frame

[rjs53]

I just about have the truck finished and thought maybe I didn't have the panels aligned right. But one wheel is closer to the fender than the other by 1 7/8". Ive measured from different pointes and can't find anything off that much. Yes the wheel BS is the same. I did a search and found some stiff on it but can't see where I would get that much out of trying to pull it square. Anyone run into this issue or have any suggestions where I can measure from? Thanks

[RustyPile]

Front or rear?????

[rjs53]

New I left something out. Front! I’ll put some pics up so you can see what I’m looking at.

[Ol Blue K20]

Pics would help for sure

[rjs53]

Had a little help holding the tape, level and camera, so got a better idea of how much its out. Still about half to 3/4 3" off and yes had to really work to get the bumper to square up.

[RustyPile]

How do the front panels line up?? Are gaps even, especially hood lines? At the front, the fenders bolt to the core support, and the core support is bolted to the frame.. If the frame horns are "off center", the core support is off center also.. This causes the hood/fender gaps to be uneven or the gaps won't be uniform.. If adjustments are made among the various sheet metal parts, the bumper won't "fit" the body lines.. Final determination of a straight frame is to check the frame longitudinal center line.. The points of center should all be in a straight line...

[Sheepdip]

Check your spindles and A Arms. I had a Firebird I did several years ago and had the same problem, turns out 1 spindle was off a Nova...bolted right up but 1" difference in the offset. Not sure what interchanges on these old trucks but it's worth checking.

[KQQL IT]

Where the lower A arms pivots apart?

[57taskforce]

Is your cab square to the frame. I’ve fought similar things in the past that were a result of the cab not being square. It’s doesn't take much of the cab being off to really throw the fenders off in my expierence.

[rjs53]

Front suspension is all ECE stuff, so I think its good. The lower A arm pivots I didn't think of, I'll check those. But not sure which side is right or wrong. Body panels all align good. I did re adjust the rad support, that help. I started off measuring from frame to places on the cab. The only thing is it was a pain go get the bumper to sit right. I figure the fronts been used to push or has been smacked a couple times in its life so it wouldn't surprise me if it isn' perfectly straight. I even pulled a couple shims out of the driver side A arm in case the camber is off.

[Ironangel]

Core supports and cab supports...The bumper not centering is your indicator. Shift everything (2 core supports 4-cab mounts) toward the wide side half the distance your off. By moving all six mounting points equally you can maintain your fender and hood alignment.

[mgkgmc]

A-arm Shims?

[rjs53]

Originally Posted by mgkgmc

A-arm Shims?

Yep took two equal shims off and no difference. I’m going to move things around and get as close as I can, then hit it again after alignment

[gmc684x4]

Measure centre of rad Support Mark with tape and check centre of frame
if both marks do not line up your cab is probably off square to the frame

To correct this like stated loosen the 4 cab mounts and the rad support mounts shift cab and front clip to centre to the frame
you can check at back to the cab too to double check your squareness to the frame

[Qknf4u69]

rjs53 did you ever find a solution?

I have/had the same issue as rjs53. My frame was from a 1970 3/4 ton donor truck, I had no history of this truck, the owner was parting out the frame after using the body panels for his truck.

I recently got my truck to a rolling chassis and was mocking up the cab and front fenders when I noticed some serious alignment problems. I'd say my wheels looked like they needed to be 7/8" (1-3/4" side to side measurement) moved to the driver side to get them equally under the fenders. The cab was moved towards the passenger side as far as possible without grinding a larger hole.

I recently had my frame straightened, although now it better, I still need 1/4" (1/2" side to side measurement) more to make it perfect. Is this acceptable?

Are we the only truck frames to be this bad? Anyone with some similar problems, any input?

[kxmotox247]

Got a picture of the engine where we can see the relationship between the inner fenders and the frame rails? If it's off that much you'll see it there too.

[Qknf4u69]

Well, the problem has been found.... Frame is going back to the shop. The frame is still 1/2" off at the front cross member, fenders never lie. For what ever reason it was not straight after they finished pulling the 1/4" diamond out of it and the 1" it was off from front to back. I guess they needed to pull another 1/4" to get it right. Someone looked at the wrong side of the tape when they rechecked I'm guessing. Going to cost me a trip across town and more of my time, shop is picking up the cost to get it right.

[mgkgmc]

At least they are owning up to their mistake. Good to hear people still have integrity.