The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Body alignment

Two years after rebuilding the cab on my 57, remounting it on the frame, making sure the doors fit correctly, I am at the "new fenders" stage. I found a pair of new fiberglas fenders at the NE Chevy swap meet last spring, and began installation yesterday.

As anticipated, things didn't line up just right at first, but after loosening the cab supports,and all the bolts which connect cab, inner fenders,and radiator support,adding 3/8" shim under the cab, and grinding some glass off in a few spots, the left fender went on. The hood closed too tight at the front, so I persuaded the radiator support as far to the left as it would go, which helped.

As for the right fender, a matching 3/8 shim under the body mount made things worse, so I'm down to just the thin rubber, and the alignment is acceptable. The holes in the fender line up close enough with the ones in the inner fender and rad support so that the bolts can be tightened and the fender is in place, but stressed and stretched in all directions. The problem is that the rear edge of the fender sticks out from the body (the door), and is 1/4" to 3/8" too far back. I have stretched the radiator support as far forward as it will go.

At this point, it seems that something more fundamental than loosening sheet metal bolts is needed. I crawled under and made some careful measurements, and discovered that the body is nearly an inch more to the left than to the right, or approximately 1/2" off center. If I move the body to the right,pivoting on the left rear cab support, that should do the trick. How do I do that???

I don't have a port-a-power, and I'm reluctant to use a hydraulic jack against a door or fender. I understand that loosening every body bolt forward of the cowl will be necessary, but there is precious little play in the forward cab mounts.

Thanks in advance for recommendations.

Without seeing the truck, I can only suggest squareing up the cab on the frame first. Do this by taking a X measurement from the back side of the cab to the frame rails, at some point on the rail, such as a rivet that is the same place on both frame rails. Also measure an X on the front side of the cab too. When you get the cab square, you may find those fiberglass fenders were molded from some alien spaceship fender. I hope not, but I have seen some molded from bent steel fenders that weren't close to fitting. If the fenders are off bad, look for some more, instead of making the cab fit them.