need some help ,looking for any advice on how or who to contact on straightening liftgate tried madmooks he has move and cant do gate any advice from anyone, last thing to do before paint
need some help ,looking for any advice on how or who to contact on straightening liftgate tried madmooks he has move and cant do gate any advice from anyone, last thing to do before paint
The liftgate guy: Jerry Cabunoc, 1 (714) 457-1955
http://www.pontiacsafari.com/L1SafariFacts/Liftgat ...
Whatever you do, during liftgate reinstallation get rid of the torsion bars that help lift the gate and replace them with gas struts. The torsion bars are what causes the liftgates to distort over time, and if you continue to use them you'll be straightening it again.
56 Nomad, Ramjet 502, Viper 6-speed T56, C4 Corvette front and rear suspension
Other vehicles:
56 Chevy 2-door BelAir sedan
56 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
57 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
1962 327/340HP Corvette
1961 Willys CJ3B Jeep
2001 Porsche Boxster S
2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
2019 GMC Sierra Denali Duramax
Did you find someone to straighten your liftgate? I have the same problem. Madmooks is taking a break from doing them.
Last edited by barry; 07-20-2018 at 02:37 PM.
Madmooks (Michael) did mine about 2 years ago. Super nice job and super nice chroming too. But he's moved to AZ and is focusing on a different part of his business now. Too bad for those who need straightening. Try that Jerry Cabunoc guy. He has been doing them like forever, but I have no idea if he still does or not...
1957 Nomad- LS1/T56 on C4 chassis
1959 Fleetside Apache 1/2 ton, shortbed, big window, 327ci.
Jerry Carbunoc does still perform liftgate alignments; he always does so at the CNA/NNC conventions and i'm sure will do so for one sent to him..
There are also others who do this work; infact one in TN who has been recommended to me, and I've seen magazine ads for someone else out west who does them.
What happens to them that they need alignment? A small accident?
Tony
1955 Bel Air Sport Coupe
Distorted due to closing the liftgate, pulling against the stock torsion bars which are too strong. That's why you delete them after the liftgate is straightened and use the gas struts unless you have to have all original.
The liftgate is a pretty heavy piece, so I'm not sure you can say the torsion rods are "too strong". They do a good job of helping lift the liftgate. The issue is that the liftgate is pot metal and with the constant tension on the rods it eventually gets distorted as the top of the liftgate gets twisted. It happens to all Nomads. If you have it straightened, and don't remove the torsion rods, it will happen again.
Here's mine before Madmooks:
20091221_1922.JPG
20100316_0066.JPG
And here's after Mike's straightening job:
20100423_0056.JPG
20100423_0062.JPG
56 Nomad, Ramjet 502, Viper 6-speed T56, C4 Corvette front and rear suspension
Other vehicles:
56 Chevy 2-door BelAir sedan
56 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
57 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
1962 327/340HP Corvette
1961 Willys CJ3B Jeep
2001 Porsche Boxster S
2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
2019 GMC Sierra Denali Duramax
I'd modify what CN said.. the liftgates are VERY heavy, especially with the glass and all supports installed...
The blame for the distortion these days is generally placed on the torsion rods, but for many many years Nomad drivers ran around with the liftgates in the UP position which used to be the reason given for the distortion and IMO probably plays a big part in the overall distortion seen in most gates.. (but I haven't seen a Nomad being driven with the liftgate up in a very long time)..