The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Help! I want to swap cabs

I have a real nice '53 3/4 ton, but I want a 1/2 ton and I have a couple of not so nice 1/2 tons. I was thinking maybe I could swap the cab and fenders onto the 1/2 ton chasis. Are the cab mounts in the same location? What is the procedure for a cab swap? How many people does it take to handle a cab (sounds like a bad joke on that one)?

Thanks in ADvance!!

The cabs are the same, the bigger trucks just have bigger front fenders and hoods.
A buddie and I have lifted empty cabs off frames before and put them on my cart no problem. These were bare cabs, no seats,fueltank, glass anything that comes off was off. I've also done it with a less stripped cab with 5 guys two on each side and the extra guy pushed the frame out from under the cab when we lifted and pushed the cart under it so we didn't have to walk with it. Also lifted one by myself with a chain hoist, some big straps through the top of the cab and an A frame.
Two weekends ago at a swap there was a guy with a bar you put on your cherry picker to lift cabs I took pictures of it, will try to track them down and post em...
MONGO

I think if you go back to about 48, the shackle mounting in the rear of the cab is different. You might want to be aware of that.

I have swapped a 1 ton 55 cab for a 1/2 ton 54 cab. No problems at all with mountings. They are identical. To lift the cabs on and off my frame I used my engine hoist by placing a piece of landscaping timber on the boom and securing it with duct tape then placing it through the door openings and pumping it up. Comes up with no problem. Just find the balance point which is closer to the front than the rear. It becomes a one man job doing it this way but it is better to have a spotter just for safety.

That's true truckernix, my 47 had the shackle in the back. I forgot about that all together.
MONGO

Thanks, guys!

I think I can do this. I appreciate the help.

I lifted mine with a couple of ratchet straps and a boom truck. The ratchet straps screwed up my stainless window trim. Wish I had thought of a landscape timber. :rolleyes: