Cab to Bed seal & unintended consequences

[GaryCarter]

Hi, all. Today while doing some maintenance under the truck, I spied the C- shaped plastic trim that seals the gap between the back of the cab and the front of the bed.



This seems to serve two functions:

1. Closes the gap so we can pretend it's a unibody?

2. Traps a layer of grit and sands the paint across the back of the cab. #@$%! The seal is fastened to the bed, so the movement is where the seal touches the cab paint.



Mine is gone now.



So if anyone from Fiat/Chrysler is reading this, how about save a buck and delete that part. Spend the money on better paint for the frame and axles instead.

 

[Alan Reagan]

I'll have to check that.



Another area to look at is, what I guess is where the factory frame lift attaches at the front of the frame rails. The lack of frame paint was obvious. It would be a great place to start frame rust. It is a square hole where the lift picks it up or at least that what it looks like. I primed and painted both sides.

 

[sag2]

When you have a tie strap that is attached to the bed hook and the loose end blows down between the bed and cab and wraps around the drive shaft you will be wishing it was there again. Those stupid engineers are saving the masses of morons a $3,000 bed replacement when it bends the front of the bed just before the strap snaps.

Have seen it several times on the earlier trucks before it was added. The customers come in with the bed bent and want it covered by warranty because they claim "I was just driving down the freeway and there was a loud bang and the bed was bent". Ya sure. Wonder what that shiny spot is on the drive shaft?

 

[GaryCarter]

I've been driving trucks for over 30 years without that part and have not had that experience. Maybe because I fasten the ends of my straps and don't let them flap around.



But thanks for the explanation.

 

[Alan Reagan]

I took a quick look yesterday afternoon in the rain but it looks like mine doesn't actually touch.



I would have never thought it was a "preventer" strip but it makes sense. When I first looked at it, I thought it must be some kind of strip used during the manufacturing process to keep the cab and bed from touching.



Thanks for the explanation SAG2.

 

[Bater]

I just saw this thread mentioned in the printed magazine...



Some 15 plus years ago I was hauling a big industrial MovinCool (portable air conditioner) in the back of my first gen. It was tied down with ratchet straps through eyebolts in the stake pockets. Got home, looked at how the unit made the trek, and called it a night.



Early the next day I set off for the second half of my project. Got about a 1/4 mile and heard "wham", as the MovinCool flung itself against the back of the cab. Yes, you guessed it, a strap had wrapped itself around the drive shaft and tightened until it broke. Apparently high winds the night before had flapped the strap ends around, and one worked its way down between the cab and the bed. Stupidly, with my truck safely parked at home, it hadn't occurred to me to recheck my tie-downs that morning, and so I didn't notice the peril.



The seal between the cab and box sounds like a good idea to me.



Andy

 

[EDankievitch]

Any one have a pic of this part. Can it be installed on an older truck like an 05?

 

[rashwor]

"When you have a tie strap that is attached to the bed hook and the loose end blows down between the bed and cab and wraps around the drive shaft you will be wishing it was there again. Those stupid engineers are saving the masses of morons a $3,000 bed replacement when it bends the front of the bed just before the strap snaps. "



:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf:



The look on the drivers' face would be "priceless"!



I am sorry! This should not be that funny... no... it should be that funny!!! I do stupid stuff from time to time, but this is one that has yet to happen to me. I tie the extra length of my staps up and put my straps up in the toolbox or cab when not in use... that's just me... .

 

[rMetzger]

God's way of telling some guys, "trucks are not for you. "


Not really, but, I couldn't resist... ... actually I could have, but, chose not to.

This from the guy whose pinion gear has three teeth missing. Maybe I'm supposed to be getting a message, too