Replacement Body Bushings

[spenceman72]

Originally Posted by underliner6

I am in the process of replacing the body bushings on my 72. I have succesfully replaced all of the bushings except for the rear two by jacking up the body from the rockers.

What is the best place to jack up the rear to access the two bushings next to the gas tank? I'm worried that if I jack it from the bottom of the tailgate, even with a piece of 2x4 under it, it's going to put too much stress on the tailgate.

What my best option here?

Jim

Hey Jim-since you've just gone through this project, are there any tips/tricks you can share? Anything you would do differently if you had to do it again? I think this is a project I'll take on this winter, and even with my fairly limited know-how, seems that it is something I can successfully tackle.
I also have a '72, 350, sm465 and 2 inch block lift..top is off, if that matters?
Thanks!
Jason

[underliner6]

Originally Posted by spenceman72

Hey Jim-since you've just gone through this project, are there any tips/tricks you can share? Anything you would do differently if you had to do it again? I think this is a project I'll take on this winter, and even with my fairly limited know-how, seems that it is something I can successfully tackle.
I also have a '72, 350, sm465 and 2 inch block lift..top is off, if that matters?
Thanks!
Jason

Spenceman72,

In my opinion it is not a technical job, but a job that requires patience and caution. Like many, my rockers and rockers boxes were not in the best of shape on my truck. Rusty with some bondo in there. I would recommend using multiple jacks on each side of the truck to lift the body off the frame. This will evenly distribute the pressure points on the body to avoid damage. Use a long piece of wood or steel beam to jack on instead of the body to evenly distribute the pressure again.

I can't imagine doing the job with the top off as I had the body twist and door alignment get off sync even with the top on!

Always use extreme caution when using farm jacks to jack up the body off the frame. They are very dangerous, especially when jacking the body down, but are necessary for the job unless you have a shop with lifts.

Again, not a difficult job. Just an awkward one. Hope this helps you. Good luck!

[jeffahart]

Based on what I'm reading here, I may leave my doors open a couple inches. Plus I'm worried about the cowl.

I adjusted the doors for reveal and easy shutting last year. The reveal where top driver door and front quarter meet is tight. Plus the cowl is right on the quarter panels on both sides.

I have long channel iron I use for jacking the frame I'm going to try to jack the body even.

I will take before and after pictures when I do mine so everyone can see any changes in door and fender reveals.

I don't want to pinch body parts where things are already tight and decide to pinch when the body move. Because my bushings are rotten.

Thanks!

[TonyJohnson]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Based on what I'm reading here, I may leave my doors open a couple inches...

Thanks!

Leave as much buttoned up as possible. It will help. Top on, doors closed, gate closed, etc. jmo