Greetings:
While restoring our 49 Model 3100 panel truck I recently encountered an apparent body alignment problem. The right or passengers door opening has a crack on the upper rear corner that is about 2” long going from the rear radius of the door opening upwards towards the roof. I believe that this is a body joint that was leaded over when the truck was built. I attempted to sand it out and then fill it in with body filler with fiberglass. This failed and the crack reappeared in the same position.
Some history, We restored the truck “body off”, where all systems were rebuilt and the body put back on the frame with a new body bolt kit with blocks. Currently the truck is in primer and being prepped for a paint job in late spring. When I put the body back on the frame I did not put any shims on in that there did not appear to be any on it when I took it off. The truck frame was found to be in good shape, with no rot or apparent damage. The body had some minor damage with relatively little rot. It’s frames, supports and related were in good shape. The body on the frame does not appear to be sagging or racked, but this is but a visual observation. In that I cannot seem to eliminate this crack it would indicate that the body is not properly aligned or supported on the frame.
A fellow Bolter suggested that I weld 3” X 3” gussets on the frame to stiffen it and to keep the truck from twisting. Another bolter suggests I check the body to see that it is properly supported on the frame and shim where necessary. I don’t know how to determine where the body is not properly shimmed or how to correct it.
Questions:
1. How do I determine where the body is not properly shimmed and how do I correct it? Some say the body is probably racked to one degree or another, how is this determined and corrected?
2. What method should I use to fix the crack once the body is realigned/shimmed? I can’t weld and I have never undertaken a lead repair before as some suggest.
3. If I am to apply gussets to the frame to stiffen it on what components of the frame do I apply these, and how many total should I install?
Any and all information on these issues are greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help.
God bless,
Dave
