The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Side mount spare needs spacer to raise bed

Hello,

I have mounted a spare on the side of my 1953 3600. The bracket I found was not 100% correct, because it was from a 1954, which had slightly different bed sides, but it worked OK.

Now the weight of the spare causes the left side of the bed to be low, by almost an inch. Obviously, GM knew this, because the Factory Assembly Manual shows a spacer that was used to level up the bed. The part number is 2308561. I'm sure that a small block of steel will work just fine, but does anyone know the exact dimensions of the spacer shown in the manual?

Thanks, Harry

Maybe Greg_H will comment. I think he knows the dimensions of that piece.

I have a '54, 3600 with the factory correct mount but it must have been installed by the dealership and they didn't feel like dropping the axle to put the shim in place, in short, there is none.
So I'd like to know the dims on one of them also. Mostly just the thickness because the length and width is probably the same as the spring pad.
Of course there is this, if the bed sits 1/2" low on that side then a 1/2" shim orta do it.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny,

Is the width of the 3600 rear spring leaf wider than the 1/2 ton rear springs?

I think that Greg_H might have a lead on someone who is willing to make the "shim". I have many spare 1954 spring packs and the smallest leaf might serve well as a shim. It is about 1/2" thick (probably less). Within a month, I will be putting the front and rear axles on the 1954 1/2 ton that I am restoring (with new spring assemblies all around). I'll know better then what might work.

This is interesting. I would like to add a side-mount to my 3600. Is there any other year mount that would fit better than the 54'? I don't mean to hijack the thread but I am forced to write something in order to add the thread to my watched topics.

The difference is that in 54 they went to a flat top rail, instead of the "Y" angle that was used from around 1949 - 1953. So the top support brackets are different. Also, the 1954 bed is taller, so you have to trim the vertical mounting brackets. You'll know it is for a 3600 by the lug pattern - the 3100 is like an equilateral triangle, while the 3600 has two long legs and one short leg.
The biggest problem is that it did not come out far enough from the truck. I am using 215/85s and they might be wider than the original? So, I went to a welding shop, and they lengthened the legs on the bracket. No big deal. But I still needed some shim washers to make everything was 100% vertical. If you are lucky enough to find a bracvket at all, you can surely modify it to fit.

Hoped this helps.

Harry

I'm measuring about 5" x 2". What about simple using a flat piece of stock from a welding shop, undo the nuts, raise the bed, and just slip it in? Could even use 1/4" and 3/4" thicknesses together like a sandwich. To be sure, it is not going anywhere. Your thoughts?

Harry

The differences in the top edge of the 47-53 vs 54/55 pickup box is show in this illustration.

The side-mount spare tire carrier was introduced in 1953. That unit will work on 47-53 beds. You'd need to convert the driver's side fender (with a "dimple") for the tire to fit on a 1/2 ton Chevrolet pickup. On a 3/4 & 1-ton ton Chevrolet pickup truck, there is no need for a dimple in the fender.

harryr,

What you describe is worth a try. Please let us know how that works.

Thanks,

Tim, that link would not work.

In nosing around I found this on Jim Carter's site. It shows the spacer.
Left Side Spacer

Jim,

Thanks for that link to JCs Technical Article on the side mount spare tire carrier. One of the few valuable improvements to JC's website is that we can now link to his excellent Tech Articles:
http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/Articles/1947-1955.php

I now know what that bedside bracket is for. I think the 54 pickup I am now restoring has that bracket. I might even have the spacer - if I do, I'll post photos.

Thanks,

Jim,

I fixed the link in my earlier post.

I also found that I have the 1954 1/2-ton truck spring spacer (1 3/4" x 9" - could this be it or is this simply an added smalled leaf), and I have the 1954 Bedside (end) Bracket as shown by JC.

This is serendipity - we left that bracket on the bed during metal working (over a year ago) and I would have been in the garage this morning to get the bed sides (and a few other sheet metal pieces) ready for the next trip to the media blaster. I would have just scratched my head about the odd bed-side bracket (and bagged and tagged it).

If I had not read this post, I would have remained in the dark about that Bed Bracket.

Thank you, Harry; thank you, Denny; and, thank you, Jim.

Now, on another subject, does anyone want to make the spring-spacer and bed bracket (and, want pattern pieces)? Maybe we need a forum for such questions and activities?

They are under investigation right now. The only guide has been some pictures of one in place. Joe has been doing a comparative study and has determined them to be approximately 9/16" thick. Tim, I will forward some e-mails to you and bring you up to speed on what has been done so far.

I don't think that's the spring spacer ya got there Tim. It should be the width of the spring, (2") for the 3600 not sure what yours will be I’m assuming you have 1 ¾” springs, and the length of the pad, which is 5". The dowel would be the proper length to locate it in the pad and go half way thru the spacer so the center bolt could still be picked up. You could get everything you need at any decent hardware store, no magic there. The object is to push the entire frame up not just the bed. Jack the bed up and it won’t be in line with the bumper. I doubt it we would have a problem Tim if that corner reinforcement were missing. After all, most of us aren’t bouncing our trucks thru fields or construction sites, which is what caused the corners to fatigue in the first place.

Jim, fabing a mount for your 54, 3600 would be a nice easy project. A bar of 1/2" round stock about 6feet long, a 4 foot length of 1.25"x 1.25"x 12 or 13ga. (3/32”) bent into an angle, (sheet metal shop). There have been a bunch of threads posted here on the ‘Bolt giving the dimensions.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Thanks for a very interesting discussion here. Just to add a few cents more, the details of R.P.O 341 Side Mounted Wheel Carrier are in Section 10 pages 3.00, 3.01, and 3.02.

Under the detail of the spacer on page 3.02 are the letters R.H. Does this mean the spacer goes on the Right Side of the truck? This would kind of make sense because at least on the 3100 series with the axle above the spring inserting a spacer between perch and spring will essentially lower the bed with respect to the ground.

This past Saturday I picked up a 3/4 Ton 57 NAPCO chassis with auxilliary springs and it has a spacer between the main and auxilliary leaves that appears to be the same thickness as the photo I've been checking out. I will take photos and measurements tonight (6-13-2011). It will be interesting to get the measurement. These spacers appear to be sheared for length and width is the same as the spring length.

Joe (28 Graham)

Denny,

I think you are correct about the "spacer" that I have not being the correct spacer. I bet it is the smallest leaf in the 1/2 ton spring pack (1 3/4" wide springs).

I also think you are right about that bed side end bracket being unnecessary; however, it would sure be an interesting conversation piece.

Why not add a spare tire carrier to the passenger side and all will level out...

I will get pricing for a spacer to be made to width of the rear spring X length of the spring pad. I'll take these mesurements from my half ton & 3/4 ton 55 1st series. Can someone check their 54 pad to verify if the dimensions are the same. For pricing I'll use 1/2 and 9/16 thick stock with a clearance hole and dowel pin for locationg the spacer. Please email me at preziosoj@harcolabs.com if you want one. I'll accumulate totals for two weeks then get qty pricing. By then maybe someone can confirm the thickness from an original. There is the corner bracket and a "U" shaped channel that mounts under the bed and against the bedwall. I'll send photos of the brackets in response to any email

Joe

And it taint no big thing to make one up and include it in your spare tire mount project.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/135563416/large
The spring spacer is a simple fix. 1/2"-9/16" what difference would it make, you got a better eye than me if you can see a 1/16" sag on one side of your truck...
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

So, what is the "bedside bracket" for? I have one from a parts truck laying around here and never could figure it out.
On my 54 1/2 ton pickup,with sidemount spare, there wasnt a spring spacer.
If it needed one for the spare tire, wouldnt they have had one for the pass side on the panel trucks with a full tank of gas?
(wheres that dam smiley face insert?)

I'll bet the sag on a 3/4 ton with the heavy duty springs wouldn't be as bad as a 3100. I wonder if the shim should be thinner on the 3600 to compensate.

Here we go again. There is not supposed to be any selling in this forum. To placate the whiners who think this kind of post ought to be excepted, I'm going to leave it here for a few days and see what happens.

Do not respond on this forum. Contact Joe by email if you are interested.

Jim, on my 3600, with the spare mounted and the bed empty, I'm measuring about 3/4" sag. Of course, that would vary depending on the weight of the wheel/tire combo. But even in the day, you can bet the shim was the same size regardless of the many possible wheel/tire combos. I don't think it has to be too precise - just so "looks" OK.

Marty,

Here is the brief explanation in JC's Tech Article:

"After the 1953 introductory year, it was discovered, the weight of the tire and mount could cause bed side and front bed panel separation (metal fatigue) on rough terrain. Therefore, in 1954 with the introduction of a redesigned stepbed, a small factory bracket was included with the spare tire option. This better held the left front of the bed side to the front bed panel."

Thanks Charlie......promise I won't whine about your decisions, at least for a while! You the man with the big stick and I wouldn't want ya to ban me from the site.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I think that spring spacer falls into the same catagory as the "anti-static" springs the were called out on the front hubs during radio instalation. I've never seen the difference with them or without them, I really doubt the extra 30 or 40 lbs on the left side would be noticable. I mean if two-ton Baker is in the drivers seat are you supposed to put a 1 1/2" spacer under the spring?????
Denny Graham
Sanwich, IL

Joe (and other who are prepared to be bored and confused),

Sorry about the following long-winded post that refers to:

1. JC's illustrations from the Factory Assembly Manual for the 1955-2nd Series RPO-341 Side-Mounted Wheel Carrier Instruction.
2. The 1954 Chevrolet Truck specifications for the rear suspension.
3. The 47-55 Factory Assembly Manual for RPO-341 Side Mounted Wheel Carrier Instruction.

I know you (Joe) have seen the factory specs for the springs on a 1954-55 truck that was factory-equipped with the bed side spare tire carrier.

1954 Spring Specifications - 1/2 front spring load at opening height. The note at the bottom of that page (page dated 11-28-53, revised 5-1-54) states that the RPO-341 Side Mounted Spare Tire Carrier came with a stiffer spring (at least on the 1/2 ton).

Did all sizes of pickup with RPO-341 come with both a stiffer spring leaf and a spacer block?

The note at the bottom of the page ONLY refers to the 1/2 ton 3100 (3104 : this is for 1954/55-1st).

I'll note (for comparison later, below) that there was no 3204 longbed 1/2 ton pickup available in A-D trucks.

The 47-55 Factory Assembly Manual pages for RPO 341 (Section 10. Sheets 3.00, 3.01, and 3.02, dated 6-30-53) does not make mention of the stiffer leaf spring (no big deal, just an observation).

If you look at the RPO sheets (from a FAM that included 1955-2nd series trucks) in JC's Tech Article (6-17-55 - 2nd series 1955):

RPO 341, Sheet 2.0: 3104 (only 3104): No spring spacer is shown.

RPO 341, Sheet 3.0 3204 (1955 1/2 ton 3204 (longbed 1/2 ton), 3604, and 3804 (not the 3104 long bed): the spring spacer is shown only for the 3204 (longbed 1/2 ton pickup).

Questions:

First, do we assume that this 1955-2nd series drawing applies to 1954/55-1st series truck?

Second, from those two drawings, does it look like a spacer was used on the 1/2 ton 1955-2nd short-bed pickup truck (maybe the stiffer spring, if it was used in 55-2nd, was enough)?

I do not know the answers. Also, I might be incorrectly interpreting those two illustrations.

Final observations:

There were two lengths vertical side-rail assemblies for 3104, 3604, and 3804 54/55-1st trucks, depending on the size of tires used on the truck.

In the earlier 54/55-1st FAM, the spring spacer is shown on the R.H. side and it must mean for all models? This will lower that side of the body (the springs are under the axle)?

However, in JC's 55-2nd FAM the spacer seems to be shown for only the 3204 and is on the Left Hand side. This will raise the Left Hand side because in 55-2nd the springs are above the axle?

At this point, I think I will wait until my truck is assembled with the spare tire in place. At that time, I will decide if I need a spacer.

Also, before I paint my bed/spare-carrier-assembly, I am going to make sure my spare tire clears the dimple in that fender. If it touches, I'll be modifying the rails and/or brace rods.

Now, I'll look for my meds and chill out for a while.

Nothing's simple - I should have expected this.

My apologies-didn't mean to sell on this forum, meant it to be helpful in getting our trucks more accurate. Won't happen again

Joe

Here is my final report on the project to raise the driver side of my 1953 3600 was a total success. Here is what happened:

I went to the machine shop and got them to cut several pieces of 2 inch mild steel stock. One piece was 2" x 5" x 1/4", the other two were 2" x 5" x 1/2". I figured that way, I could fit up any thinkness from 1/4" to 1 1/4. Total outlay $4.

Next, I drilled a 1/2" hole right in the center of one of the 1/2 thick pieces. It was clear I would need at least that much. Then I loosened the 4 nuts on the u-bolts, and then jacked the truck. I used wooden blocks, and the jacking point was the bottom spring leaf, right next to the axle, where I could still swing a rachet (the nuts are 15/16, by the way). When I had the truck body high enough, I slipped in the spacer and let the jack down. The locating stud went right down into the hole I drilled, and that thing is NOT going anywhere.

Then I got my steel tape, and it was not quite level yet, so I placed the 1/4 piece in under the 1/2" piece. No drilling. Let the truck down, and tightened all 4 nuts. Perfectly level now. If anyone needs more info let me know. I don't have any pix right now, but you probably would not need them.

Harry

Yeah Harry, for us dufus's here a pic or two would be more than helpful. In fact, send us some pictures of your pride and joy.

OK, you talked me into it. There is only one of the spacer block(s) because there is not a lot to see.

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/r...amp;fid=9f763049fe31c9b46d9889752d9a603c

Good looking truck. Where did you get that grill guard?

I am glad to see someone else has a saging problem. My 59 has the spare tire mount and it sits about 2 " lower on the driver side. Replacing the springs helped for about 6 mo. What does the bracket that the tire bolts to look like? mine is home made . I tried to follow the pic in the service manual but the bracket was for 6 bolt not 8.

Looking at the factory manual in Section 10, Sheets 3.00 and 3.01, I don't think the brackets themselves are any different. They are reversed, but that is not a problem. What IS different is the plate with the three studs - the 3100 has them in an equal triangle for a 6-lug wheel, while the 3600 has a different triangle shape that fits the 8-lug pattern. A machine shop could probably make you a copy fairly easily. The studs themselves are standard fine thread, and if you play with the way the bracket bolts to the vetical bed rails, you can shift the mount up or down a little, depending on your tire size. Mine, with a 215/85 16, is about 1 1/2" above the running board. Hope this helps.

Thanks. I am running 255.70.16 The homemade bracket only had 2 bolts when I got it. The tire realy shook when driving. I added a third bolt to the upper bole hole and the brace down to the frame.No shakes but I thinkk that much weight is causing the sag.I put two bags of sacreet in the right rear of the bed and that has evened it up. probably not the best fix.

I have both a 3100 & 3600, 55 1st series. Makes sense that your 3/4 required a 3/4 thick spacer as my 17 X 7.50 wheel and tire assembly weighs 100 pounds. I'm going with a slightly thinner space for my half ton and will try a 1/2 inch and one a bit thicker. The spec book shows a heavier spring rate on the lh side, probably to keep the dpwnward movement under control on the sidemount side. The 3/4 ton does not identify a greater spring force, probably because the springs are stiffer.