The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Gap between the cab and bed??

I just came from a car show and saw several 1950 to 1953 Chevy trucks Even though a lot of these were modified in different ways, the one thing I noticed was the difference in the gap between the cab and the bed. Is there a "measurement" that "should be" or do they really vary that much?
I'm building a 1952 chevy truck.... frame-up, and I want to make sure I get it right.
Thanks for your help! Monica

There might be a picture of this gap in the measured drawing portion of the shop manual. The part that shows all the body styles, the stake bed style, etc.
Or, you could scale the gap off of a brochure, assuming the artist didn't take to many liberties.

Hi Monica...Firstly, Welcome.
I don't think the gap should vary hugely,there is only so much movement the bolts will allow.
Basically I've set mine up with the front bolts(nearest the cab)
vertical and I reckon without measuring, it's about 1/2 to 3/4"
at its tightest.
Bearing in mind the beds front panel is flat whereas the cab rear has a slight bow.
I'm not sure if there is an exact amount,but if there is,someone will chime in soon and say!
Remember,factory tolerances weren't as critical 50+ years ago.
BTW go to the message board and introduce yourself to the 'gang'!
P.S. Post some pics too.
Jock

Monica,

Not to worry. When you start putting it back together it will be very obvious and it will fall together nicely. Mine is somewhere between 1/2-3/4". Make sure your frame is straight and level and not twisted. When you mount the bed make sure you get the wood blocks, that way you can be assured on correct bed height in the front. Recommend also that you put a little cushion between the blocks and the frame. Little piece of flat rubber from a innertube works nicely. Have fun do something every day to show progress.

Hi Monica B

Yesterday we had a hot air ballon festival & a show & shine. There was 14 50's chevy trucks & I found that most of them differed a little bit. One thing I found was that once I installed my running boards & brackets ,aligned them to the frame,rear fenders anchored to the box, I could not adjust ahead or back to far. I looks like this pre-determines where things will fit. 3/4 to 1" on mine.

Hope this helps

This makes me feel better! Some of the gaps were up to 5"!! a few were around the 1" mark.... so I should be OK

I wonder how they managed to get 5"
Sounds like some serious misalignment problems.....
Even then,I don't understand how they could be that far off.

could be a short bed on a long bed frame. or on a totally different frame altogether. If I had used the 3\4 ton bed I would have ended up with about 4-5 inches gap.

Funny,I considered that,but I thought that would have been an even bigger gap.
Good point though.....

Hi Monica

I looked at some of your photos and I think you are doing all the right stuff!! Everything looks awsome. I forgot to welcome you to this great site. All stovebolters really enjoy progress photo's & bouncing questions & Ideas off each other. There are some very talented people here. My wife has helped me alot with my ongoing project, I think more women should get involved. The creativity & Ideas are excellent. I always say to her, 2 heads are better than one, even though one is a cabbage. We never know which one is the cabbage and we never discuss it. Keep up the nice work

Monica...Sorry, I was so caught up on the cab clearance debate,I overlooked your pics.

Just to say you're doing a fantastic job!
I love the highlighted edges of the front axle and the rest looks pretty neat too.
As they say...the Devil's in the detail.
Keep us posted......