Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for MORE wrenching? 
Plenty of places to share. | | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,006 Posts1,055,268 Members48,418 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 133 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 133 | 1948 3100 I just installed my original steering column and bolted the gear to the frame. Where the column meets the dash there is about an inch and a quarter gap. Where the new firewall seal lines up it looks as if the column needs to angle up to close that gap. Should I just loosen the bolts that hold the gear to the frame, line up the column seal and dash bracket then shim the gear box to meet the frame. I should add this is not the original cab. "48" cab on a "52" frame.
If you never tell a lie, you never need to remember what you said.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 608 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 608 | Bart, Do you have the 2 piece column clamp,upper and lower? You need the upper between the column and the dash as part of the spacing. Are you sure the cab and mounts are in the right position. Different mount on the rear of the early cab. steve sr.
Last edited by steve sr; 03/12/2013 5:57 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 133 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 133 | I do have the two peice column clamp. The upper clamp is about 3/4" of an inch away from the dash. The rear cab mount is also different. The "48" cab had the center mount. I installed the two shackles as the "52" cab had, thought I had them set to the correct heigth. I had to drill holes in the floor of the cab to install them. The front cab mount did not change, I just installed a new rubber peice between the cab and the frame. I suppose the rear of the cab could be a little high causing the problem. I could not find a spec. on that spacing so I set the rear cab to just touch the rubber stoppers that were on the cab rear sides for the one center style cab mount, then removed the stops. I suppose I could let the rear of the cab down some which would help but would it hurt if I just tilted the column up to match. I suppose if the cab is not just right I will have a similar problem when the front clip goes back on, won't I.
If you never tell a lie, you never need to remember what you said.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Over the years Bart the body’s shift from abuse, accidents happen, floor boards rust out and are replaced, etc. Also as you said you switched cabs and just like a Christmas cookie, even though they were made with a cookie cutter, it don't mean each one is gonna come out of the oven looking exactly the same. First off you've got to make sure you've got good cab mounts. As I'm sure you're aware of, the 1948 cab used a single center rear mount which was replace in '49 and there after by the double shackle mount. If these were not properly located it could cause the cab to be a little to high in the rear causing the gap you see. Also it's possible that the frame could have been bent in an accident. Either way you can shim the box at the frame to bring it into the correct alignment. If it’s low by an inch then a 1/32” shim should bring it right up to snuff. Denny Graham Sandwich, IL
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Sorry, looks like you've already answered your own question by the time I had to post that. I was composing earlier this morning and got interupted to take the mutt out for her morning constitutional and set out the garbage.
Denny Graham Sandwich, IL
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 133 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 133 | Denny, Do you think the cab could be off enough to cause a problem with the front fender alignment that I would need to reset the cab. Maybe I need to move this to the paint and body forum, or just get startd on the front clip and see what happens. Thanks
Last edited by Bart_Bosco; 03/12/2013 11:25 AM.
If you never tell a lie, you never need to remember what you said.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 608 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 608 | Bart Whats up with the cab placement/alignment? Please let know. steve sr. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 |
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | |
| |