47-55.1 Cab to bed spacing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mobileortho · 01-04-2020, 10:43 PM

Working on shortening my 3600 and one thing I wanted to address was the amount of space between the cab and bed, to me it seemed like too much of a gap. Question is, how much is too close without hitting the back of the cab from flexing? I’d like to weld the nuts to the outside of the bed then cover them with the stake pocket and have the bed line up with the splash apron. It doesn’t really show in the pics, but that about a 1/4” gap.

Driver_WT · 01-04-2020, 10:56 PM

I made the gap on my truck 1".

**mongocanfly** · 01-04-2020, 11:04 PM

I would think 1in as well

**mr48chev** · 01-05-2020, 02:25 AM

Yep right at one inch. just don't put your fingers between the cab and the bed riding down the road as you may end up with smashed fingers as I did when I was 15. There has to be room for it to move as the frame flexes gong down the road or it will rub on the back of the cab.

**joedoh** · 01-05-2020, 11:14 AM

you dont want your apron touching the cab, the running boards wiggle a lot and will chatter/squeak

**mr48chev** · 01-05-2020, 02:36 PM

I thought that was why guys ran loud pipes. To cover up the squeaks.

vintovka · 01-05-2020, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I thought that was why guys ran loud pipes. To cover up the squeaks.

Ads are supposed the squeak. Give them character.

**mr48chev** · 01-05-2020, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintovka

Ads are supposed the squeak. Give them character.

Mine was overloaded with character then.

b-mac · 01-05-2020, 10:56 PM

Also, and I could be wrong, but with the right gap, your running boards should come off without lifting the cab. I don't think you could pull that off without scratching paint.

vintovka · 01-05-2020, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Mine was overloaded with character then.

Mine as well. Seat springs, doors, frame, bed u name it. Same familiar squeaks from 1969 on. I like them. FWIW back in 1966-67 I remember we had a "service" consisting of spraying down leaf springs when cars were on the hoist. Had to use with ugly spray cans made of thick rubber with a pump. Lasted about a month. Water soluble oil IIRC.

**mr48chev** · 01-05-2020, 11:15 PM

When Jean and I were first married and living in our first little rental house the neighbor girl around the corner's boyfriend had a Chevy sedan with A frame bushings that squeaked so loud and distinctive that you always knew it was him driving down the street. No way that guy could sneak her in late from a date.

mick53 · 01-06-2020, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I thought that was why guys ran loud pipes. To cover up the squeaks.

Only the squeaks of joy from the hot chicks when they get to ride in your AD truck.

vintovka · 01-07-2020, 01:00 AM

Or certain rhythmic squeaks while parked?

01-04-2020, 10:43 PM	#1
mobileortho Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 904	Cab to bed spacing Working on shortening my 3600 and one thing I wanted to address was the amount of space between the cab and bed, to me it seemed like too much of a gap. Question is, how much is too close without hitting the back of the cab from flexing? I’d like to weld the nuts to the outside of the bed then cover them with the stake pocket and have the bed line up with the splash apron. It doesn’t really show in the pics, but that about a 1/4” gap. Attached Images __________________ Robert C. 1950 3600 3600 re-do, shortening it up If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes," I'm a Genius in the making.

01-04-2020, 10:56 PM	#2
Driver_WT Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: River John, NS Posts: 448	Re: Cab to bed spacing I made the gap on my truck 1". __________________ 53 Chevy 3100, SBC 355, 700R4, S10 frame, Ford 8.8 rear with 4.11 gears, front disc & rear drum brakes

01-04-2020, 11:04 PM	#3
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,674	Re: Cab to bed spacing I would think 1in as well __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

01-05-2020, 02:25 AM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,718	Re: Cab to bed spacing Yep right at one inch. just don't put your fingers between the cab and the bed riding down the road as you may end up with smashed fingers as I did when I was 15. There has to be room for it to move as the frame flexes gong down the road or it will rub on the back of the cab. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

01-05-2020, 11:14 AM	#5
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,774	Re: Cab to bed spacing you dont want your apron touching the cab, the running boards wiggle a lot and will chatter/squeak __________________ the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393

01-05-2020, 02:36 PM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,718	Re: Cab to bed spacing I thought that was why guys ran loud pipes. To cover up the squeaks. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

01-05-2020, 10:56 PM	#9
b-mac Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Wichita Posts: 519	Re: Cab to bed spacing Also, and I could be wrong, but with the right gap, your running boards should come off without lifting the cab. I don't think you could pull that off without scratching paint.

01-05-2020, 11:15 PM	#11
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,718	Re: Cab to bed spacing When Jean and I were first married and living in our first little rental house the neighbor girl around the corner's boyfriend had a Chevy sedan with A frame bushings that squeaked so loud and distinctive that you always knew it was him driving down the street. No way that guy could sneak her in late from a date. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

01-07-2020, 01:00 AM	#13
vintovka Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Hunkered Down Posts: 1,895	Re: Cab to bed spacing Or certain rhythmic squeaks while parked? __________________ 1954 USAF 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=714917

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