Are Commanche Boxes Square?

[Heartless]

I am Building a Utility trailer out of a wrecked MJ. Sorry guys, but i need one and the front is too rusted out to use safely.

So while i was measuring up the box, I noticed it was not square, but tapered. The front of the box is actually (approximately) 1 1/2" wider than the rear by the Tailgate.

This MJ has not been in a colision (as far as i can tell), and was wondering if this is common or this guy needs some body work??

Heartless

[XJohnnyC]

Should be square. I don't see how it could be narrower in the back if the tailgate is in place.

[Heartless]

Yeah i was surprised myself... Tailgate works, looks square, box lines up with cab etc. Is yours square? If so what width should it be at?
Mine measures Front of box (near cab) -56 1/2"
Mid-55 3/4"
Rear (near tailgate) 55"

Length of box 72 3/4" even left and right side.

would this be a short box ? what sizes are out there?

[XJohnnyC]

Yes, that would be a shortbed. A longbed is 7 feet.

I'll measure my bed tomorrow.

[XJohnnyC]

Well, I'll be darned.

Front of the bed - 56 5/16"
Rear of the bed - 55 3/16"

[Heartless]

Weird hey? Perhaps we should update the Wiki?? Can you think why that might be? Aerodynamics?? strength??

[XJohnnyC]

I have no idea. I'll post the question over on Comanche Club and see what they say. I'll keep you posted.

[vaquaro]

Mine is 1" wider at the front (short box) .I found this out when I was fabing bows for my tonneau cover ,thought it was stretched , but local dealers body-shop spec. book confirmed it's normal OEM tolerance?

[Pete M]

Why would you expect it to be a perfect rectangle? The inner box should probably be, but the outer sheetmetal is shaped the way the designers wanted it to look.
--Pete

[Heartless]

Thanks tips..... Obviously were talking about the inside of the box. ("The inner box should probably be,...." ) The inner box does not seem to be square, and it seems a few other people have noticed this. Thanks XJohnnyC and vaquarro.

[tallon2064]

I didn't think they would be narrower in the rear either but just found out they are. About an inch narrower in the back. Mine is a long box just for FYI

[2drx4]

This is common to a lot of small pickups. Maybe some large ones too.

The cab tapers too. If you want to have fun. The widest part of the truck is the back of the cab/front of the box.

[James750]

Yeah, it is normal for the inner box to have a taper to it. I'm surprised that Pete didn't know that as he is the MJ god.

[Douglas]

I figured the back is narrower than the front 'cuz the two center bars for my tonneau are of a slightly different length and my cover has to snap on one way only. Can't reverse it.

[Heartless]

Sweet,
So given this information this leads me to my next question. Does anyone use a Ladder Rack or "Roll Lock" style "Tonneau" cover?

Im looking to employ such devices on my Utility Trailer project.

So far I'm looking at Bestop's new line of BestRail or VersaRack...

Douglas, What kind of Tonneau do you have? (If you dont mind me asking)