M-5 cab and bed bolts

[michaelb]

I think this has been asked before but I can`t locate it in my search. Pulled the cab and bed off my truck a while back, can`t recall the thickness of the spacers between the cab and frame and if all 4 bolts had springs. Also how is the bed attached to the frame, I don`t think the way it was before was the right way. Any help would be great.

[garyash]

There are only 3 springs. The front left corner is bolted directly through the frame with a shorter bolt than the other three. The spacers used are just enough to have the cab sit level on the 4 points - as if the cab and frame were truly straight after 60+ years! Use something like 1/8" or 1/4" fabric-reinforced rubber belting or the sidewall of an old tire for the pads. Tighten the nuts just enough to compress the springs a little, no more than 1/4". Use a lock nut. These are to allow the frame to twist when you hit a bump without stressing the cab sheet metal.

The bed mounts are really very simple. There are two small plates about 1-1/2" square in the front that fit under the inside edge of the top of the frame rail and 1/2" bolts. There are also two bolts for the rear mounts. Put 3-4" of treated cotton tape between the frame and bed at each mounting point so that you don't get squeaks.

[img=left]http://www.studegarage.com/images/indy/gary_indycar25_vvsm.jpg[/img=left] Gary Ash
Dartmouth, Mass.
'32 Indy car replica (in progress)
'48 M5
'65 Wagonaire Commander
'63 Wagonaire Standard
web site at http://www.studegarage.com

[michaelb]

Thanks for the info Gary, now I can start putting it all back together, Mike

[rockne10]

Gary
are the springs between the nut and frame?
art

Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander Starlight

[garyash]

Yes, the spring goes against the frame. See pic below:



I used two nuts to get a locknut, but I think it's better these days to use a deformed thread steel locknut for this location.

[img=left]http://www.studegarage.com/images/indy/gary_indycar25_vvsm.jpg[/img=left] Gary Ash
Dartmouth, Mass.
'32 Indy car replica (in progress)
'48 M5
'65 Wagonaire Commander
'63 Wagonaire Standard
web site at http://www.studegarage.com