Distance between frame rails

[cj7jeep81]

I'm in the process of replacing the bed floor in my '78 K10, and one of the rear crossmembers needs to be replaced (looks like the previous owner tried to tow a tank or something with it). It is pulled out and pretty messed up.
I measured the distance from the outside of one rail to the outside of the other near the cab and it is 34". At the back, it is about 33 1/4".
Do the frame rails get closer together towards the back, or is it messed up?
Thanks for any help! /forums/images/graemlins/truck.gif

 

[55Willy]

all 3 of mine measured at 34.25.

muddytazz just ran out and measured his at 34" (thanks for doing so jeff /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )

 

[cj7jeep81]

Thanks. I'll replace it and make sure its the same distance apart as everywhere else.

 

[cj7jeep81]

I got the crossmember of, and attempted to spread the frame rails back out with a highlift jack. I managed to open it up another 1/2" or so, but I'm not confident on getting it to open the rest of the difference. Do you think the difference will cause any problems? Its been off by the 3/4 of an inch for a long time, with no apparent issues, but since I'm finally rebuilding it, I want to do it right.

 

[unclematty]

know anybody with a winch and a telephone pole???? /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif thats how I straightened the frame on wrecked pickemup truck

 

[cj7jeep81]

[ QUOTE ]
know anybody with a winch and a telephone pole???? /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif thats how I straightened the frame on wrecked pickemup truck

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't think I'll go quite that far. I'm not too worried about it (since it isn't much, and hasn't caused any problems I'm aware of). I figure if I can get it within 1/4-1/2 inch, it should be close enough.

 

[jones]

[ QUOTE ]
all 3 of mine measured at 34.25.

muddytazz just ran out and measured his at 34" (thanks for doing so jeff /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )

[/ QUOTE ] /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gifmeasured my '84k10 the other day for a reese hitch(34"_also,try heating the frame with a torch and using a bottle jack and two chunks of 4x4 between the frame rails.kinda like 'dis...[|-|](brackets are framerails,vertical lines are 4x4's,horizontal line is bottle jack)if you go too far,a little more heat and a ratchet strap will bring it back together.

 

[cj7jeep81]

Thanks for the replies. Next time I get a chance to work on it, I'll try to get it as close as I can.