Gap between bed and cab is off on one side

[rally]

I haven't pulled the bed yet, so I don't really know whether or not this can be adjusted, but the gap between the bed and cab is larger on one side of the truck than the other. Considering it was cut down from a longbed, I think this might just be the way it is now, but I wasn't sure if there's a way to adjust that. It's not a dramatic difference, but it is definitely noticeable when you look at both sides.

Any way to fix this?

[old Chevy guy]

Not sure how much off we're talking but there is a lot of play in the cab mounts and bed mounting.

[cleszkie]

Frame not square? Bed not square?

[leddzepp]

Frame probably not square.

[rally]

Thanks old Chevy guy. That's what I was hoping to hear. It's probably about 1/2" or so...

cleszkie and leddzep, I'd imagine it's the frame that's not square. That's probably something a frame shop would have to handle, right?

Actually, that brings up another question, if the frame was cut and braced, would it still be safe to square the frame? I would think that would compromise the weld and braces, but I'm not sure how those machines work.

[burnin oil]

The frame being off a tad is no big deal. Loosen the mounts and move the cab, bed, or both to close the gap up some. Heck the truck could have been wrecked, disassembled, or backed into a loading dock at some point and got it out of whack. Frame mods can be a bad thing or no big deal. It all depends on the quality of work. Frames are stretched and shortened all the time on big trucks. Sometimes they even get double or triple rails added or all new frames.

[rally]

Originally Posted by burnin oil

Heck the truck could have been wrecked, disassembled, or backed into a loading dock at some point and got it out of whack.

I don't appreciate that kind of negativity!

I'll give that a shot. Thanks!

[54belair]

I just had the same issue on my build. The gap was too small (in my estimation) and slightly larger on Pass. side.

First I checked to see if bed was square on frame-----I measured from bed sides to frame at 4 points. This showed me I was less than 1/16" out of square. Then I slid the bed back to increase the gap to a nominal 1". (15/16" on dr. and 1 1/16" on pass.
This tells me that if the bed is square on the frame---the cab is out of square by aprox. 1/8" (give or take) My decision now is whether or not to re-square the cab.----Since Im sure Im already closer to perfect than it was when it left the assy line.

Anyway, that is the process I used, good luck to you.

[Grumpy old man]

These are the problems with buying a cut frame you never know if it was straight before they cut it and welded it back together ,pulling a frame to take the diamond out of it won't affect the frame rail as much as the cross member rivits . Once racked and the pull starts you may hear a slight groan as it's pulled back square , if you hear BWACKKK ! And the frame mechanic jumps back and runs Then you'll know it's time to find a real short bed frame . You many find it hard to even get a frame shop to play with a cut frame truck just based on liability .

[In The Ten Ring]

Have you replaced the cab-to-frame bushings? When I replaced mine, the bolts wouldn't go back in. After some looking, one door was about 1/2 inch away from the front fender and the other was nearly touching it.

My dad had the great idea of using his big (very big) C clamps and just pushing the cab to line it up. I had both sides of the cab on blocks, supported by two wheeled hydraulic jacks. It worked like a charm. Now those door to fender gaps are much better.

I guess since you are noticing problems with the bed, you have a fleetside. Mine is a stepside and the bed isn't that close anyway.

[71meangreenc10]

Was the cab ever hit in the corner? Floor buckled? That will do it also......

Smitty