When you buy a truck, you're never quite sure what parts you will need to build it correctly. When it comes to wheels and tires, you have to measure just right or your truck won't be able to lay out when you 'bag it. If you've already bought wheels and tires and your bedsides are touching the tires when you're laid out, digging nice trenches in your virgin rubber, there's still hope for your truck and your pocketbook.
Just follow along as we flare the bedsides of a B-series to allow the truck to roll freely at any ride height. For more information, contact Suspension Dimension using the information found in the source box.
Measurement is everything....
Measurement is everything. You have to know where to start, and measuring carefully is the only way to know where you began. This measurement is best done while the bed is on the truck, and, if possible, with wheels and tires so you know how much to flare the bedside.
To give you a better idea,...
To give you a better idea, use a square and measure from the top rail of the bed to the bedside or from the center bed floor rib to the bedside. Just use the same area each time.
Here's the area we'll work...
Here's the area we'll work on. Notice the plastic inner fender.
Remove the bolts that secure...
Remove the bolts that secure the inner liner.
Remove the inner liner and...
Remove the inner liner and expose the area underneath. You can throw away the liner, but save the bolts for future projects because most of the body parts use the same bolts.
Now measure from the center...
Now measure from the center bed floor rib to the inside of the bedside lip and write this number down. We need to increase the gap between the rib and lip to clear the wheels and tires.
Cut both bedside supports...
Cut both bedside supports to allow the bedside to move.
Place a 2x4 block that's shorter...
Place a 2x4 block that's shorter than any curve the bedside may have from front to back in the area of the bedside that's most flat.
Next, place a scissor jack...
Next, place a scissor jack against the block of 2x4 and gently snug it against the 2x4 so it won't fall out of the fenderwell. It's time to measure again!
Slowly turn the scissor jack...
Slowly turn the scissor jack outward to increase the pressure on the bedside from the inside.
As you turn the jack outward,...
As you turn the jack outward, keep checking the measurement until you've jacked the bedside out about 1/4 to 1/2 inch past the desired measurement. The bedside will spring back inward at least this amount.
You're going to have to make...
You're going to have to make some sort of tab from steel to give the bedside supports strength again because you cut them apart. These tabs will do the job nicely.
Clean the paint from the bedside...
Clean the paint from the bedside supports and place the tab into the support. Clamp the part into the support to keep it steady.
With your bedside still supported...
With your bedside still supported by the 2x4 and the scissor jack, spot-weld the new support tab into position.
Once both bedside supports...
Once both bedside supports are strong again with new tabs, you can remove the scissor jack and 2x4 and measure the gap again. This will make doing the other side even easier because you already know how much to widen the gap. Repeat the process.
See, now you can drag asphalt...
See, now you can drag asphalt without chewing rubber! Wasn't that easy?