I have a restored 1954 3600. I wonder how much the frame should flex when you park the right front wheel up on a 8" curb. The cab moves in relation to the bed. You can actually see the drivers side cab corner get closer to the apron above the running board. I did this with the left wheel up on the same curb and the cab moved the other direction towards the apron. I know the frame is just a reinforced C channel, but I didn't think it would move this much. I have heard some creaking on sharp corners going up hill into a parking lot. Crawled under the truck and could find no cracks in the frame thank goodness. I know the bed is anchored to the frame differently than the back of the cab. Am I just looking for trouble where none exists.?
The Willock swivel frame was made for extreme off-roading- - - - -only 49 of them produced, at least for Dodge. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
I have a rust free 50 1/2 ton truck, and when you stand on the rear bumper at one end and jump up and down, you can watch the bed and cab move independently of each other. The flex is significant! By design.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
I totally agree with everyone's comments. I see supportive evidence every time I watch the bed on my 41 flex as the truck moves through a water bar. With that in mind, I thought a good classic promotional film may help to galvanize what has been said. I thought what would be better than this NAPCO promotion where they torture this old Chevy driving it up pikes peak off road:
I love this old clip and have watched it several times, but never looked explicitly for frame flex...until now. Check it out, I don't see any noticeable flex?! What gives?
I would assume the frame flex is one outside rail moving with respect to the other, not the bending of the actual rail channel. I think the fit of the rivets degrade over time and allow more of this movement.
