Body mount kit from Classic Heartbeat

[Southpaw69]

I bought the kit last week and got it installed today. I'm glad I got the full kit with all the hardware because out of the 6 i replaced I maybe could have reused 1 of the bolts.

No surprises once I got the old rusty ones off. The new ones went right on. Very good kit as far as I can tell. It's not as tough of a job as I thought. If you've been dreading it like I was, just get it done.

[Already Gone]

Is your truck, running, driving ?

[Southpaw69]

I still have to fit a rocker, then line up a fender before it's back on the road. I wanted to get this part handled before that.

Is there something I should look out for?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Southpaw69

I bought the kit last week and got it installed today. I'm glad I got the full kit with all the hardware because out of the 6 i replaced I maybe could have reused 1 of the bolts.

No surprises once I got the old rusty ones off. The new ones went right on. Very good kit as far as I can tell. It's not as tough of a job as I thought. If you've been dreading it like I was, just get it done.

Good to know, we start the dry run on the 10th and I have Wes' kit. Wasn't the cheapest by any means. Not surprised they're good. His motor mounts are real good too.

[Gromit]

I did this on my 1970 C10 yesterday, got inspired by I think it was Grumpy's "How To"

I thought Classic Part's (Kansas City) Cab Mount kit was a good option too - only $60 and everything you need in one box (see photos).

Noticed that those upper cushions are very close to the same exact size as a standard hockey puck - so much so I was tempted to try them but not this time..

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Say Southpaw, did you end up using any shims? Classics kit doesn't come with any.

I see some kits come with one (or two) for each mount. For what it's worth my factory front mounts used an 1/8" shims on all four corners. The fronts used the square shim like you see in some kits.

[Mbeef61]

Did you do radiator support also?

[Already Gone]

Can you change the body mounts out on a running /driving truck. Like remove one replace it , and so on and so forth?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

Can you change the body mounts out on a running /driving truck. Like remove one replace it , and so on and so forth?

I wouldn't cuz you'll get run over (just kidding). I've never done it, but I hear a floor jack is all that's required. Sounds like you don't have to disconnect anything.

[Southpaw69]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Say Southpaw, did you end up using any shims? Classics kit doesn't come with any.

I see some kits come with one (or two) for each mount. For what it's worth my factory front mounts used an 1/8" shim. The square shim like you see in some kits. No shims at the rear.

I didn't use any shims. Just removed old and replaced with the new ones. I still have work to do before finally lining things up but nothing looks out of whack at this point.

Did you do radiator support also?

Yes. The radiator has to come out to get the bolts up and out.

Can you change the body mounts out on a running /driving truck. Like remove one replace it , and so on and so forth?

Yes, mine is mostly together. Using a floor jack isn't a safe way to do it, it works though. If you do it, be very mindful of where your fingers/hands are because if the jack goes down, you'll lose em. Level ground and jack stands would be beneficial. I heard of a guys truck getting knocked into neutral while jacking up the cab..chock the tires. Just be careful!

[Astro-Balls]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

Can you change the body mounts out on a running /driving truck. Like remove one replace it , and so on and so forth?

If you do one side at a time you can do it, the Radiator has to be loosened, but not completely removed, so you can move it from side to side to get the Core support bolts.

at least that's what I did on my C20.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I was wrong saying my rear cab mounts didn't use shims. I must have thought the washer was integrated with the cushion.

Based on conversations, and feel free to correct, unless the truck calls for them it's OK if shims aren't used. In other terms, it's OK the cab braces sit directly on the top cushions. Hopefully I'm on the right track, we sit the cab tomorrow.

Here's what was included with my kit against the original mounts.

[Grumpy old man]

Buy the kit from Classic Chevy truck parts it's rubber like the originals (they have urethane if you like squeaking ) they cost less and have the extra shims . I use Classic parts for a lot of the small parts .

https://www.classicparts.com/1967-72...nfo/35%2D145/#

All the necessary original rubber cushions, steel bushings, washers, bolts, nuts and shims for mounting cab to frame.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I'm rethinking this, and surely overthinking it

I tend to think shims are required to flush and square things up. But I believe the original "shims" are more than that, perhaps even necessary, at least at the rear. Reason is the top cushions have a wider base than the cab braces, and the rear shims are near a perfect fit on top of the rear cushions for a complete platform.

But I don't believe Classic Heartbeat's cushions require them. In fact a "bird" told me the "shims" are optional, front and back The center area on the rear replacement cushions are much harder than original.

Both sides of the replacement top front cushions are hard, while the original cushion used a steel washer-plate on both sides. Perhaps the rear shim was a must on the old set-up, and the front shim optional.

I'll ask the body/paint guys when they show to mount this tomorrow. In a pinch I can reuse my old "shims", front and back. I may have all the hardware black zinc plated for finish. On a side, that zinc plating is tough. I took a BFH to the fronts already black zinc, and it didn't leave a mark.

[jocko]

I'll stick with Wes.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I might recommend large washers for Heartbeat's kit, placed below the lower core support cushions. The cushion squeezed off the supplied washer long before I hit "the minimum" torque setting of 35 ft. lbs. $1.50 at the local in a pinch.

This may be a case you just don't torque Heartbeat's cushions down much. That said, we hit the common minimum (35/70/35 ft. lbs.) on all six mounts. The cushions look real good, and do appear high quality.

[CS1972]

As soon as I finish putting on new rear leaf spring bushings I plan on replacing all the body mounts (kit in hand from Classic Heartbeat). My question: Is there a certain order of install that should be performed to limit tweaking the body / throwing off your body lines? (front to back, back to front, left side then right side, etc.) My brother says that you should start with drivers side radiator cushion, then the passenger side and then onto the cab mounts under the carpet and finally ending up at the rear (again using the drivers side first and then the passenger side next). His logic is that if you replace starting in the rear cab and move forward to the radiator cushion you're putting stress on the front end as you're putting new mounts on the cab (the front is pulling down because the cab cushions are now higher. What is everyone else doing?