Truck Assembly Steps ??

[bajabob]

I looked all over for some basic direction on the "proper" steps to assemble one of these trucks. I either missed it completely in my forum search or there is the whole block head thing going on?????

I did get the following information from a buddy of mine who recently finished a very sweet 2nd series 55. I wished I would have had this information about a year ago, but then again I love doing things the hard way.

My buddy writes,
"My truck was assembled with all body parts prior to any paint for fit/alignment/body work.
The truck cab was left on the frame and everything else disassembled.
We painted the cowl and door frames of the cab and doors first.
The edges of the front fenders, the underside & edges of the hood were painted with the inner fenders completely painted.
I painted a (heavy duty roll on bed liner material from Pep Boys on the inside of the fenders) some people spray on “lizard skin”.
Doors were then mounted and aligned.
Inner fenders & front fenders mounted and aligned with grill.
Hood mounted & aligned.
Final paint all at one time: (Cab with doors mounted, Front end all assembled), (rear fenders/tail gate/ bed pieces – painted separately) and carefully assembled when ready"

If anyone has suggestions or assembly tips, please add to this....
thanks
bb

[OrrieG]

If you are asking about the body, your bud in on track. Only thing I would change is doing the hood and radiator support to the cab before or while hanging the fenders. Nothing worse than working to get the fender to cab gap right then finding the hood is off. Usual problem is the back not sitting down because the rad support is too low.

[bajabob]

Orrie
Where do you start in terms of shims in or under everthing ??? I thought the assembly manual has two shims between the cab and the frame ?? I also saw in the LMC book body shims in two different thicknesses ???
Thanks
bb

[OrrieG]

Not there yet but I found a box of shims in my Dad's machinest tool box, for .002 to .0625 (1/16"). I am going to start with the stock setup plus the same additional shim depth I used on the cab then adjust from there. Same with fenders, I had a couple of shims on one side, none on the other. I haven't looked but Graingers or Tacoma Screw probably has shims in different thicknesses. Might look around where you live to see if there is a rigging shop (lots here because of logging and mining) they might have them too. Worst case you can make your own by cutting a notch in a washer. Thickness can be adjusted with flat grinder! I shimed the cab up 1/2" above stock using high density rubber for horse trailer floors. I will do the same with the bed mounts and radiator support as starting points.