Replacing tailpan on K5--frame bolt bumper/spacer?

[J-No]

Replacing the tail pan on my '78.

Hell of a time getting the old one off. It had been fixed with PO--a lot of random welds to grind through. Took a couple hours to free the one side.

The main bolts that goes through bed/tailpan frame are rusted and unable to be broken free. I am going to sawzall through them and replace.

I'm hoping the new one goes in smoother.

What is this pad/bumper?

 

[jimmyleetn]

Those are the body mounts I was telling you about in your other thread. You need to replace them. Check out the picture from LMC. You need 29-34. They make a polyurethane kit too. They'll be better than rubber.

 

[J-No]

Ordered the tail pan you suggested previously. body mounts ordered today.

thx again

 

[jimmyleetn]

Good luck. Make sure you use some kind of rust sealing paint or all that will rust again in a few years. Do it once and do it right so you don't have to do it twice.

You may want to go through and start looking at replacing some of the other body mounts. Generally most people replace them all and not just a couple of them. You may find some other rust issues as you check each body mount. This happens when you chase rust down.

 

[RoccoK5]

I recently ordered new poly mounts from ORD and there were no square mounts like this in the kit -- all round. I assume this is expected?

 

[jimmyleetn]

To be honest I do not know. I would call and ask them. Most likely, it won't matter if they're square or round, but that's just me thinking out loud.

 

[RoccoK5]

To be honest I do not know. I would call and ask them. Most likely, it won't matter if they're square or round, but that's just me thinking out loud.

Yeah, I can't see it mattering too much whether they are square or round either. Will confirm regardless. Thanks for your input!

 

[imiceman44]

I recently ordered new poly mounts from ORD and there were no square mounts like this in the kit -- all round. I assume this is expected?

That metal part you're supposed to reuse from the original.
No body provides it with the body mounts rubber or polyurethane

 

[J-No]

Man, I can't believe how the winter has flown by.

Nice enough now--tried to put the tail pan in. Looks like I have all the old removed, new bolt set and body bushing.

How do I get the tailpan in there? Looks to be plenty of clearance once in place. I tried at an angle, but stuck.

Thoughts?

 

[mechted]

Can you lift the body enough to slide the tailpan in from below?
Worst case: split it in half somewhere easy to repair / reinforce

 

[J-No]

Thanks. I think jacking up the body several inches may allow it to pass.

I searched the other threads, either people mentioned it would bold right in, or they were doing some work on the pillar anyway.

 

[Blue85]

What state are the corner posts in? You can't drop the whole body onto the tail pan because of how the fenders sweep inward at the bottom. I know I had to lift the back of the body 6" or more and bend one of the tailgate posts to let it all go in. Even with no support from the tailpan, the floor prevents you from spreading the quarter panels apart out of the way.

https://ck5.com/forums/threads/repa...ilpan-and-floor-patching.333499/#post-3882987

 

[J-No]

I read your thread, thx. corner posts are in great shape. I have the bed off up to the wheel well. Going to replace the gas tank and will then tackle. Thinking about "Trimming the fenders" as I like the look, as well as for clearance. not sure how I would finish the edge after trimming though.

 

[J-No]

New body mounts in, tail pan installed. All of the tailgate bolts broke on removal, so drilled out the holes and will be using grade 8 nuts/bolts.

The issue? It is still way off-center. Not even close.

I may have to take it to a body shop.

Thought I had the problem solved with the tailpan.

Thoughts?

 

[Blue85]

The frame could be bent, but the alignment of the tailgate to the body should depend only on the body - i.e. tailpan, pillars. Do you have any pictures of the misalignment? Is it possible to loosen the tailpan/pillar bolts and pull the quarter panel to where it needs to be and then tighten it back down?

 

[J-No]

The frame could be bent, but the alignment of the tailgate to the body should depend only on the body - i.e. tailpan, pillars. Do you have any pictures of the misalignment? Is it possible to loosen the tailpan/pillar bolts and pull the quarter panel to where it needs to be and then tighten it back down?

I'll try that. I may raise the frame a bit as well to see if I can get it to line up.

Thx.

 

[J-No]

No luck with getting the tailgate to line up, but I am realizing I do not need to open it very much. Once I got the rear seat in and the spare tire back there, there was not a lot of room anyway. I envision keeping the top off most of the time anyway.