Cab mount retainers?

[JasonKuehl]

I've been working on my 72 longbed for several years (off and on) doing a frame-off rusto-rod type restoration, and it has finally come down to time to bolt up the cab to the mounts. I've found the correct size of bolts, and and some other good, useful info. My problem lies in the body mount retainers. I had to destroy my original ones to get the old, rotted mounts off the frame. I work in a large machine shop with all sorts of stock and a lot of idle time on my hands, so I decided to give making new retainers a try. Does anyone have some rough measurements of the original retainers, so I know where to start making my new ones? Also, does anyone know if the front and rear retainers were the same? The new mounts are slightly taller in the rear, so I am guessing there is a different top and bottom retainer on the rears than the fronts....

[JWW]

Jason

You can get the replacements for close to $100.00 from Dennis Carpenter. They have a good customer service department and can give you measurements.

For me, I'd just get the replacements from them. From what I've researched and seen, the Dennis Carpenter ones are just like the originals and the best to get.

Just my

[tac]

At least on the earlier models and maybe all the front and back are different, there rear ones are slip fit and the bottom piece is threaded. The front ones actually snap together which is why they are hard to get apart. The front ones have a nut on them.

[JasonKuehl]

I'm well aware of the Dennis Carpenter replacements, but honestly never thought of calling them for dimensions, thanks, JWW. I would just order theirs, but what's the fun in that when you can make em for free?

Interesting about the difference between the front and rear retainers, I had figured the only difference would have been the overall length. If I was smart, I would dig out my service manuals, and they probably would have told me that!

I'm not really concerned about being close to original, mainly because I've made some interesting changes to the truck already. I welded the ashtray door in place, then smoothed and blended it, the mount holes for the dash pad have been welded shut as well. I'll be doing the same to the stake pockets on the bed rail tops, and all the trim is going to be removed and the mount holes welded and smoothed out as well. The rear has already been dropped a bit over 4 inches and the front will be dropped to make it sit level.