2017 Misaligned Body on Frame from Factory

[uberdog]

Hey All,

Have been enjoying this forum and my 2017 Expy Limited since new. Posting an issue since search did not turn up anything similar. Maybe will help someone else.

During an alignment at a very reputable shop, I learned that the front body of my truck was not centered on the frame at the factory. It's about 3/4 inch off to the right. The result is a passenger front tire that sticks out of the wheel well noticeably vs. the driver's side which tucks under. I had hoped it was just a camber or wheel issue, but no.

A Google search shows this is not unheard of from the factory with F150's and the fix is to loosen the front support and body mounts and adjust from there. From what I understand it can be simple to fix or you can spin the Loctite'd cage nuts and it's a much bigger issue.

I am planning to speak to my local dealer to see if they might cover it under my extended Ford warranty. Assuming the answer is NO, I plan to pay out of pocket since it bugs me enough and I keep my trucks for a long time.

Question for the hive mind: Assuming costs are similar, who best to do the work - The Dealer, a Bodyshop or a Frame specialist? Currently split between dealer and frame guys. Dealer connection to Ford may help if things get FUBAR'd. The local frame guys have a 60-year reputation working on Ford's to Ferrari's.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Did you buy the vehicle new?

 

[uberdog]

Did you buy the vehicle new?

Yep. Ordered it from the factory and drove it off the lot with 7 miles on it. My first Ford purchase at the time having been there, done that with Chevy and Dodge.

 

[iowacarpenter]

If you do go the route of loosening the body bolts, heat them like crazy first with a torch or induction heater. Then loosen them with a breaker bar and ratchet. DO NOT use in impact tool!

I lifted the body on mine to replace my engine. I ended up needing to cut access points in to get at to two cage nuts I spun with my impact. When I did a timing set in my F150, I used a torch and breaker bar. No spun cage nuts on that project. Live and learn!

The back two bolts are actually studs and nuts up under the cargo floor near the back. Other six are just bolts from the bottom up.

The body is relatively easy to move. When I’d dropped the body down on mine, it was off about 1/2”. Was really easy to back all bolts off and use a pry bar to scoot it around. Make sure and use a paint marker to mark your original position so you know where you’re at. Then measure from wheel lip to frame before tightening to make sure all is equal.

 

[uberdog]

OP Update: I went with frame & alignment experts at a local shop. They confirmed that the body was out of alignment on the frame by 3/4 inch to the front left. Had them do the work to re-align the body by loosening the front clip and some of the body mount bolts. As IowaCarpenter warned above, they spun a couple of the cage nuts in the process - but got it done. Truck is now perfectly aligned on frame.

Something I will have an eye out for if I upgrade to another truck in the future. Hope this helps someone down the road if they run into the same thing.