QuestionI was wondering if you may be able to tell me where and if I could find some body measurements in order to check against my truck that I am working on. I have a 2005 dodge 2500 that took a low front hit. I have replaced the right side apron on the cab. The front spreader bars line up fine and also sit on the frame mounts fine also. My issue is , if I align the back of hood with the cowl the apron does not align with the hood. Therefore also not allowing the fenders to align. I suspect that possibly the apron/doghouse has shifted. I have measured the cab to frame and all is good. I need to find some measurements for the apron to compare to mine. I was wondering if and where these might be published.
Thanks in advance for any input you may have.
Regards
Dave
AnswerHi Dave!...You are in luck...I have worked at a Chrysler/Dodge dealership for the past 20 years, and have repaired these truck frames many times....First of all, these trucks have a full frame, with a unitized body bolted onto it....So basically, 2 separate units bolted together...Start from the bottom...Check out the frame first..Start in the center section.( The cowl area to the back of the cab ) Make sure it is square, and does not have a Diamond in it. ( One frame rail pushed back ) To measure this, find 2 symmetrical points on the frame where the cab mounts at the cowl, and the rear of the cab, and take a cross measurement....If all is good, proceed to the front section. ( Cowl area to front crossmember )...Measure it for squareness also...Use the same procedure.. If it is not square, it then has a sway. ( slid to one side )...This is an indication this has possibly happened as you mentioned that the apron does not line up with the hood. On theses trucks, being that the unitized frame is bolted to the main frame, if the main frame is swayed over, it will drag the unitized body frame along with it...BUT...If the frame measures square, then it is just a case of the unitized frame being out of square.. Check from side to side, and see if the hood overlaps on one side, and is short on the other...Use the same measuring procedure for this also...If it does not measure square, and the bottom frame is true, this would be why you cannot align the hood with the fenders..You will then need to square this up before you can get the fenders and hood to align correctly...As for getting measurements, check with your local Dodge dealership,( as long as they have a bodyshop ) or with your local Autobody supply store...They should be able to print you a copy of the charts and measurements, using the Mitchel system will give you the most accurate ones, as I rely on these at the shop where I work...Hope this helps...Anymore questions, regarding anything, please write back...Thanks...Dave
