The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Lower cab to frame mount rust

WOW, got stopped dead in my tracks this evening. I was taking out old bondo that someone else had put in the front lower, just in front of the battery box. RUST GALORE!

I don't know the first thing about this type of repair or even where to start. I always knew there was some, because the cab leans somewhat lower on the passenger's side. There is so many different and hidden panels. Where does one start?

If it could have only been the rear cab under the gas tank, so much easier. Can anyone tell me where and how to start? I don't even know what these panels are called except for the floorboard and kick board panel. The side panel is all the way through too. Where the heater housing mounts.

I wish I could just send the complete cab off and have it professionaly restored......I HATE BODY WORK, but I knew that I would get involved with, having a 50 year old turck. I thought for a mintue that maybe I should just sell it, then last weekend when I used to haul about 3 tons of decorative rock and how it's such a joy to drive and to haul with. I don't really think I could bare to part with "Old Ben"

Anyone's HELP is appreciated,

John N.

They sure look like they were designed to rust out, don't they? All those nooks and crannys to hold mud and road salt are just asking for trouble. The additional pieces you'll likely need are rocker panels, cab floor supports, inner cowl panels, inner-to-outer cowl panels, and outer cowl panels. All the usual suspects carry them.
See mine:
http://www.chuckthetruck.homestead.com/page1.html

Chuck,

Looks like your a real Pro. Where do you live and when do you want mine delivered? LOL!

I have been asking around today to try to find someone that will replace and weld in any rusted out panel and/or completley restore the cab and fenders. Since mine is a not going to be a show truck, but rather a on/off daily driver, It's not important to me that it's perfect. PLUS since it's not a pick-up but rather a flatbed or stake truck.

Long range thoughts are if I ever come across a pick-up that has a bad body, Hey I'm more than half way there.

Weird thing is, my rear cab corners, door bottoms and whole rear cab assembly is perfect and not a single sign of any rust what so ever. Now you would think the rear would have been as bad as the front. I can remember my grandpa always keeping them drain holes cleared out from debris on the rear corners, to bad he couldn't have done the same to the front areas.

My drivers side is bad, but not nearly as bad as the right hand side. I plan on having it all replaced.

I agree that there are plenty of places for crud to lay and rot out parts.

Like I said in my post. I don't think I would ever part with it. Just have to get past this nasty part of it. I bet my 2000 Silveradio won't be around for 50 years.

Thanks for the note and you link page. Sure one nice looking 52.

John Niekamp

Trying out this new image host, hoping that it will work.

John

[img]http://images5.theimagehosting.com/niekamp_john_1954_01.jpg[/img]