Hey guys, working on a 1957 F-100. Clean rust free truck that runs and drives well. Since I've owned it, the body has always "listed" to one side. Drivers side is 1" higher than the passenger side. I'm at the point where I need to get it all leveled out. Front to back rake is where I want it, I'm talking about leveling side to side. Ive got new leaf springs all around and when I measure from floor to axle (left to right) I'm within 1/8". By the time I get to the frame, one side of the truck is consistently 1/4" lower. This is from the frame horns to the rear cab mounts. When I get to the body, one side is 1" higher than the other. How much of this is normal in a truck that was never built with a laser and is 60 years old? Assuming that I should not worry about the 1/4" on the frame and concentrate on cab mounts. I'm thinking I'd have to add 1/2 to 5/8" thicker cab spacers on one side than the other. Okay to do that? Also, If I add that much extra thickness, would you use a metal spacer with rubber pads top and bottom or just use all rubber (thinking about the rubber breaking down over time)? All cab mounting arms and mounting points are rust free and solid, they don't appear squished. What do you all think? Thanks in advance.
Could the body mounts be bent? Have you measured from the mounting surfaces of the body mounts to the ground?
The stamped sheet metal mounts on the cab appear good. The steel body mounts riveted to the frame are 1/4" higher from the ground on one side, but the entire frame is 1/4" higher on that side.
Sounds like something is tweaked/twisted somewhere for sure. Has it ever been wrecked that you know of? Is the front end alignment good on it? Scalloped tires or any such nonsense?
It can't hurt to try shimming the low side to see what happens, curious to see what that would do to panel alignment though because 5/8 would be a lot. If all else fails then I would look at the frames datum hieght
All your eye sees is relationship of body lines to ground and fender to tire relationships. That's it. Nobody but you will measure the car. What the tape measure finds can be SUPER scary , but nonetheless you need to correct the problem - and you'll need a tape measure to figure out what to correct So start off with some light grab masking tape, a sharpie a tape measure and a nice level surface. You have left to right differentials - Measure the frame to the ground- Differentials here will be in suspension, unequal weight distribution or sagged frame. Mark what and where you measure on the tape. If that checks out good move on to the next thing. If not some spring shims would do it in most cases. Measure the body's lines to frame - you might need help on that one. Differential found here will be in body mount shims and panel alignments. Lots of cars have different size shims or body bushings as they go down the frame. They do break down and loose height. You can shim them with steel, make new ones from hockey pucks or buy a new set. Once you start though it will be a Complete job front to back and fiddle with the core support, fenders and bumpers too Measure the body to floor- Mark as you go so you have record and can get it sitting level.
Sounds like it may have been t-bone at some point. When you were under neath it did you see any tell tale signs of a collision?. Being out 1" is alot. If it's the body you should see stuff like buckles near body mounts and distortion at spot welds.
Frame is straight, all body mounting perchs (3 per side) are the same height from the floor as their opposite counterparts except 1/4" higher. It all seems straight, no twists, etc. Just lower across the board on one side. So, I'll loosen all the mounting blocks, shim as needed to look correct and see what I get. Truck drives straight with hands off the wheel, tires wear perfectly so it just seems like body adjustment. Just seemed like a lot. Unusual for a fifties Ford truck? Thanks for your responses
This is very confusing - ^^^^ Is the frame higher from the ground on one side or not? In this post you say it is.
Can you buy new body mount rubbers? After 60 years they are likely worn out and mummified. Try a set of new mounts, be sure to put the same shims back in each mount when you change them. If that does not work a cure you can think about adding shims.
Yes, the frame is 1/4" higher on one side than the other. The frame has riveted "L" shaped gusseted mounts that are flush with the top of the frame. Thusly the mounting surfaces are all 1/4" higher from the floor than the other side. Hope that clarifies, and I appreciate the help.
Nice truck !!! Take good look at post 8 You MUST begin with a level frame, a frame that sets level on its suspension. See post 8 One saggy or soft spring can make the vehicle look "always listed to one side" as you say. The Same as parking with one wheel in a hole or one wheel on a bump and the same with one stiff spring. See post 8 Unequal weight can cause a list. 50 years of carrying a fat person on one side can cause a list See post 8 Two weaker springs on the same side can cause a list. Two weak springs on opposite corners can cause a list or a twist. See post 8 One simple shim under the low side spring or springs can correct the list. See post 8
All new springs, but I get it! I read post 8 So Vicky, this is helping. I obviously have one new spring allowing that side to drop a 1/4". Shim it? Won't cure it all, but by the time it gets to the outside of the body, should be worth 1/2", right?
These pics might help, but it's up to you find and to correct the real problem. Measure frame to ground - that needs to be accurate Adding shims to top of the low side frame rail is not correcting the problem but it fixes the symptom of a list. Shimming one side of the body and realigning the body panels is about 30 times more labor and the problem is still there
If you shim one side's (A) spring the frame will rise on that side, yes. As the frame rises the body will pivot on the opposite side's (B) spring, yes. On side A, every thing from the rocker to spring B will come up , yes One side B. Everything from the spring to the rocker will go down, yes That will make the low side come up and the high side go down and reach a livable equilibrium that doesn't look listed.
I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THE FIFTIES PU 'S LIKE THAT. Old Fords of the Forties also. Fat driver syndrome, skinny wife.. Unfortunately, the eye can spot an 1/8th of an inch off.
1/4 isn't much...after 50 years it could be little things adding up. For starters, I'd eliminate some of the possible variables (wheels/tires)by checking body to wheel center instead of to the ground. Do you get the same readings checking the car at a different "level" location? When I park my car in my makeshift garage, it always looks like my ass end is way out of level...it's because my front right tire sits in an area way lower than the front left causing the twist.
1/4" difference at the frame will translate into a bigger difference at the outside of the body; maybe jack/block the frame level and eyeball the body "lean" then.
Your on the right track there. I jacked the low side of the frame up the quarter inch. This, as Vicky eluded to, relieved the low spring. After that, the body was only 1/2" off from side to side. The rest can be done with spacers.
if i remember right the front rubber cab cushions are only about 3/8" thick and the back of the cab cushions are 3/4". are they in good shape? has there been any rust repair done to the mounts or floor?
Yup, the forward ones are just flat squares of rubber reinforced with tire cord, the back are like thick donuts. All new ones are going in. No rust repair, this truck led a rust free life. Factory undercoating is still intact.
Do you know anyone who has a frame straightener,they have a large flat table that you can park on to get a true measurement,most driveways and cement floors have some variances in them,if you can get it on a perfectly level surface it will be easy to find the area that is making it sit crooked?.Myself i am leaning towards the springs are either flattened or maybe even a broken leaf in one of them,it only takes a little bit of a dip to magnify over 15 feet,also make sure the tires are all the same pressure,and the same size on each end,treadwear can also affect it too. good Luck Harvey
Had a buddy with a similar problem, passenger side riding a bit lower than the drivers, broke up with his "plus sized" girlfriend and the issue seems to have cured itself.
Looks like I need a "plus-er" to level me out! Removing all body bolts now. I'll level it out and see what I've got
The Jalopy Journal
