Gap between cab and bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Zebb · 01-28-2012, 10:35 PM

Can anyone tell me what the gap is supposed to be between the cab and the bed on an 86 fleetside?
I have been assembling the truck for the last test fit before I finish the body work after a frame off rebuild. I want to make sure the cab and radiator support are adjusted right and tightened before I pull the sheet metal off.

This is what I got to work with. New frame 2wd converted to 4wd, new cab rebuilt and painted, different bed, radiator support fenders and doors are off my old truck.

Thanks,
Zebb

Car'n'Guitars · 01-28-2012, 10:54 PM

I can't help you with your question, but your truck already looks nice and I really like your stance. Good luck with truck.

ivorton74 · 01-28-2012, 11:46 PM

thats a good question. i want to know that too. on my 74 the gap is wider on one side than the other. i need to know what to do about that.

gchemist · 01-29-2012, 06:40 AM

You have some adjustment. Loosen up all the bed mount bolts. Use a ruler to set the gap evenly on both side. Bolt it down when you have it set. I think the gap on mine is two fingers......

**old Rusty C10** · 01-29-2012, 10:38 AM

im going to say approximately an inch and a half to two inches

Zebb · 01-29-2012, 11:05 AM

Thanks guys.
My plan is to set the bed square with the bolt holes centered then gap the cab to the bed and square the cab. It's not far off from that now and I guessed about right on the gap.

Keith Seymore · 01-29-2012, 11:55 AM

I agree with everything that has been said so far except I would square the cab first, because that will affect your front end squareness (thereby affecteding fender-to-bumper gaps and also your hood-to-fender gaps). Fitting the bed is easy by comparison, and doesn't affect anything (other than the cab/box gap).

K

Keith Seymore · 01-29-2012, 12:32 PM

Just came in from the garage - mine is about an 1.25" on the LH side and about an inch on the other -

My cab has never been off but the box has been off about a hundred times -

K

Zebb · 01-29-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I agree with everything that has been said so far except I would square the cab first, because that will affect your front end squareness (thereby affecteding fender-to-bumper gaps and also your hood-to-fender gaps). Fitting the bed is easy by comparison, and doesn't affect anything (other than the cab/box gap).

K

I did square the cab as best as I could when I first set it. The forward to back alignment was what I was concerned about. I should put the front bumper on too and check that as well. What I should have said is recheck the cab for square if I move it. I just checked the gap with a tape measure and it is 1". It looks good but I would be sick if the bed hit the cab while using the truck. Do you guys think that is enough clearance?

terryj · 01-29-2012, 05:44 PM

On my 83 fleetside it is 1 1/2" from the back of the cab to the front of the bed.

01-28-2012, 10:35 PM	#1
Zebb Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dalton, NH Posts: 165	Gap between cab and bed Can anyone tell me what the gap is supposed to be between the cab and the bed on an 86 fleetside? I have been assembling the truck for the last test fit before I finish the body work after a frame off rebuild. I want to make sure the cab and radiator support are adjusted right and tightened before I pull the sheet metal off. This is what I got to work with. New frame 2wd converted to 4wd, new cab rebuilt and painted, different bed, radiator support fenders and doors are off my old truck. Thanks, Zebb

01-28-2012, 10:54 PM	#2
Car'n'Guitars Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 1,308	Re: Gap between cab and bed I can't help you with your question, but your truck already looks nice and I really like your stance. Good luck with truck. __________________ 1985 Chevrolet K10 Custom Deluxe---SOLD 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 Cummins 1985 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1987 Chevrolet K10 Silverado "The Beast" build 1987 Silverado http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6150257

01-28-2012, 11:46 PM	#3
ivorton74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Dakota Posts: 916	Re: Gap between cab and bed thats a good question. i want to know that too. on my 74 the gap is wider on one side than the other. i need to know what to do about that.

01-29-2012, 06:40 AM	#4
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Gap between cab and bed You have some adjustment. Loosen up all the bed mount bolts. Use a ruler to set the gap evenly on both side. Bolt it down when you have it set. I think the gap on mine is two fingers...... __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

01-29-2012, 10:38 AM	#5
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	Re: Gap between cab and bed im going to say approximately an inch and a half to two inches __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

01-29-2012, 11:05 AM	#6
Zebb Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dalton, NH Posts: 165	Re: Gap between cab and bed Thanks guys. My plan is to set the bed square with the bolt holes centered then gap the cab to the bed and square the cab. It's not far off from that now and I guessed about right on the gap.

01-29-2012, 11:55 AM	#7
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,230	Re: Gap between cab and bed I agree with everything that has been said so far except I would square the cab first, because that will affect your front end squareness (thereby affecteding fender-to-bumper gaps and also your hood-to-fender gaps). Fitting the bed is easy by comparison, and doesn't affect anything (other than the cab/box gap). K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

01-29-2012, 12:32 PM	#8
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,230	Re: Gap between cab and bed Just came in from the garage - mine is about an 1.25" on the LH side and about an inch on the other - My cab has never been off but the box has been off about a hundred times - K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

01-29-2012, 05:44 PM	#10
terryj Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 139	Re: Gap between cab and bed On my 83 fleetside it is 1 1/2" from the back of the cab to the front of the bed.



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