Adjusting the bulkhead

[Bostonian1976]

How easy is it to adjust the lean on my bulkhead?

After 5 years of ownership, I figure it's time for my doors to line up with the tub. I think if my bulkhead just goes forward, all will be well.

Is it just wing removal and two bolts?

[martindktm]

There is some loose if you loosen the hinges. And maybe your hinges are just worn out.

[Les Parker]

Plus the bracket for the steering box and bulkhead support on the RH...

[siii8873]

Jason,
A little more involved. Do you want to just tip it or move it forward parrallel.
It would require shims on the bulkhead mounting bolts and the dogleg supports and a little tweaking of steering column support. If your tipping it you will need more on one than the other.

[Bostonian1976]

Thank you!!

It's definitely not the hinges- it's the bulkhead. I'll post a picture in a second.

So for a shim what do I use. Just gasket material or something similar?

[Bostonian1976]

[SafeAirOne]

So for a shim what do I use. Just gasket material or something similar?

IIRC, the shims on the chassis uprights (like the one that the steering box is monted to) are the same aluminum rectangles with two slots that are used to shim all the other body mount locations. They look like a "W" if you use your imagination. I'll try to find a pic...

Any shimming of the bottom of the doorpost to chassis can be done with washers.

[SafeAirOne]

The shims on the chassis uprights (like the one that the steering box is monted to) use the same aluminum rectangles with two slots that are used to shim all the other body mount locations. They look like a "W" if you use your imagination. I'll try to find a pic..

It also looks like an "M" if you use your imagination:

Part#:RNC109

[Terrys]

The 3 bolt holes in the bottom of the bulkhead supports are slotted for just this reason. Loosen the 3 bolts that go through the frame. You may need to loosen the bolts at the top of the windscreen to top joint, and then adjust the clamp bolts at the bottom of the windscreen. I've never fussed with the shims (though I'll keep them in mind next time I start one of these tail chasing excercises).

[Bostonian1976]

Okay so - front wings off, steering box loosened (it likes to loosen itself so maybe I am one step ahead), loosen bolts at roof, loosen bolts on side of windscreen, loosen 3 bolts that go through the frame, adjust and straighten, tighten 3 bolts, and reverse the process?

[stonefox]

Okay so - front wings off, steering box loosened (it likes to loosen itself so maybe I am one step ahead), loosen bolts at roof, loosen bolts on side of windscreen, loosen 3 bolts that go through the frame, adjust and straighten, tighten 3 bolts, and reverse the process?

You have to hop on one foot while whistling Dixie as well

[siii8873]

Jason pretty much. Get everything aligned and gaps best you can with everything loose. Snug things up as much as possible while maintaining your alignment. Fill the gaps at areas noted above with metal shims/washers, snug up, check gaps and alignment, adjust shims as needed, retighten, repeat untill you like it.

[Bostonian1976]

Thanks a lot! I'm leaving the tub tight - there's no adjustment in it correct?

[SafeAirOne]

Thanks a lot! I'm leaving the tub tight - there's no adjustment in it correct?

Yes and no. The tabs on the rear crossmember are pretty fixed. The forward tabs get shimmed as required.

[Bostonian1976]

You have to hop on one foot while whistling Dixie as well

I always do that while working on the truck anyway...