I think I just F-ed my truck

[MikeyInMarin]

Long story short: I was hauling a load of PT lumber up my driveway to replace the lagging on my retaining wall. I heard a bang just after starting up my driveway; it didn't stop the truck and I kept on going to where I wanted to unload the lumber. I thought it was the tailgate (the tailgate was down as I was hauling 12-ft lumber). I found that it wasn't as soon as I tried to open the door. Both the driver's and passenger's door won't open

The tailgate was fine - it must have been the trailer hitch instead.

So the bed was pushed into the cab. And that would happen via the frame. F-ed, no?

There is a long and tortured back story of the unhappy tale of my truck and my driveway. The driveway is steep and 60-ft+ long. The truck would lose traction/control both going up and down the driveway.

I assume I'll have to sell the truck for parts (unless somebody wants to use a truck that can only be entered via the window). It runs fine - the buyer could even drive it away.

I haven't taken it to a body shop; I don't think they'ed give me good news.

What do you think?

Thanks

[kwmech]

I think maybe a picture is in order

[jerry moss]

Originally Posted by kwmech

i think maybe a picture is in order

x2

[jeffahart]

No, it's not the frame. Probably not doom. Probably a poorly attached bed got pushed into a poorly attached cab! Get under it and look at how it's mounted. Get under it and bench press the bed and cab. Rotten rubber and mounting points. I think.

[MikeyInMarin]

OK.

Can you tell me exactly what you want a picture of?

The cab has crumpled where the bed hit it. The gap between the door & the cab is larger at the top than at the bottom.

[12secondnova]

X2 on the pictures. If the frame is junk you can find good frames on craigslist for cheap. Just swap the body if the rest of the truck is ok. Sounds like your cab will needs some work though. Pictures of the cab to bed gap and the frame will help people on here who know their stuff with body work help you out.

[swamp rat]

If its an original California truck i would say rotted cab and radiator mount bushings and loose bed bolts.

[crakarjax]

If it's a wood bed, then when the woods rots out the entire bed can shift because the mounting bolts are then loose -- pretty poor design there. Same thing happened to me when a mover backed my truck up into a garage overhang.

[MikeyInMarin]

So here are the pics:









Maybe the frame is OK.

[MikeyInMarin]

And one more which was missed before:

[12secondnova]

To me it looks like the bed just shifted forward a split second and whacked the cab hard. Even the gap between the cab and the bed looks good other than the dents. It must have moved your door jam forward just enough to squish the door so its wedged shut. I would get someone to kick on the inside of the door while you pull from the outside on the handle to get it open. I think thats where youre going to see what you will have to fix. And if all that fails paint it orange with an 01 on the side

[dazza]

Originally Posted by 12secondnova

And if all that fails paint it orange with an 01 on the side

and don't forget the flag on top! - it wouldn't be the same without it.

[hugger6933]

If you look at the pic of the under bed shot, you can clearly see the bed shifted forwards and by how much.on the doors if the above [friend kicking] method doesn't work you may want to take a pry bar and go between the door and cab corner and push the cab corner towards the back to see if that helps loosen the doors. If that does work the way to go there [if they are still sticky once opened the first time] is to take a wood block of some sort and tap on the cab corner in effect "rolling" it around the side towards the back ever so slightly.
Now I have been building wrecks since 1987 so I've seen a few of these types I really think you have very little to worry about. Jim

[MikeyInMarin]

Since I have established relationships with 2 body shops: the one which painted the 'mostly-preped & primered' 60's truck I bought, and the one I used for my 21st-century cars, I made an appointment with each. My 1st appointment was at the 21-century one @ 1:30 PM where I live, and later at the one that painted my truck @ 2:30 in Richmond (where I work).

The result: I do believe that no frame damage was done! Why: On a lark, I decided to open the driver's door before I drove it to #1. It f-ing opened - on the 1st try!!! I don't understand why!

My next surprise: The 21-century modern body shop guy said he'd buy my truck, for his daughter. I made him an offer he accepted, so I'm no longer qualified to be a member of this forum!

I'm thankful for the valuable advice over the 5 years I've been a member. And I've even discovered, via trial and error, some recommended info for others trying to use truck (aka, 'car') covers with these trucks, if they care. It ain't easy!

All the best!

[Oregon 1967 GMC]

well you never know how things will turn out...Never say never, who knows you might get another truck. We'll keep your name warm Mikey.