The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Cab Removal

Remember me...the guy who wasn't doing an off frame resto. Well seeing that I have rot to repair on the fram I need to remove the cab. Atleast lift it a foot or so to get to the repair. I have not heavy equipment to lift with.

I was thinking I could use a hydrolic floor jack and some blocks to raise it and then build a frame under it and roll the frame out from under it.

Or I could use a come along attached to my overhead beam and pull it up.

Does anyone know how much the cab of a 53 3600 weighs if I remove all the addons...doors, glass, seats, gauges etc???

Someone posted a while back that two guys could lift the cab, well that certainly doesn't include me! I think that you are looking at somewhere between 500 and 600 lbs but I don't have the exact figure.

I think that is a high estimate. I took the cab off of my 54. I had 3 other pople to help lift it off and move it on to rolling cabinets. When I put it back, We used a chain hoist with 2 straps running thru cab. I lifted it around one side at a time while it was off. 2 people could lift it but it would be a full load. Top of the head guess would have the 500 to 600 pound estimate about double of actual weight. It is more awkward than anything.

I have the cab ready to come off. It doesn't seem that heavy as you said Greg...but bulky. I think I will lift with the jack and blocks. Once I get it high enough I will roll the frame out and put a rolling cabinet under it to get it out of the way.

I have two more dumb new guy questions. How do I get around the steering column and shifter. I have disconnected the column from the dash but what is the easiest way to get it out? Second I have a 4 on the floor shifter which doesn't seem to come off other than taking the top of the tranny off. Ther is a pin in the base of the shift can I bang that out?

Please help! (before I take apart things that ought not to be taken apart.)

Rich

Joe,
Do I have to take the steering box off the frame?
Or can I remove the four bolts on top and remove just the column?

I read elswhere on the site while I was waiting for responses that the floor shift can be removed by presing down on the sheetmetal ball at the base and turning counterclockwise you can then lift the shifter out. It worked like a charm. Press and turn about 1/4 turn and it slides right out.

Joe,
Do I have to take the steering box off the frame?
Or can I remove the four bolts on top and remove just the column?

I read elswhere on the site while I was waiting for responses that the floor shift can be removed by presing down on the sheetmetal ball at the base and turning counterclockwise you can then lift the shifter out. It worked like a charm. Press and turn about 1/4 turn and it slides right out.

Joe,
Do I have to take the steering box off the frame?
Or can I remove the four bolts on top and remove just the column?

I read elswhere on the site while I was waiting for responses that the floor shift can be removed by presing down on the sheetmetal ball at the base and turning counterclockwise you can then lift the shifter out. It worked like a charm. Press and turn about 1/4 turn and it slides right out.

I took my cab off with the help of a buddy.... that's right- only 2 of us. It was pretty light actually and we could carry it comfortably for several feet. Pick it up by the sides... one hand on the cab corner, the other towards the front. I made a cart with wheels for mine while i did the body work... and it's still sitting on it now waiting to go back on the frame... Go to my yahoo page to see the pics.

http://photos.yahoo.com/rt3386

I found out you can remove the shifter by presing down on the metal ball at the base and turning counterclockwise. I lifts right out.

I have not been able to answer ...problems with the site I guess.

There is a metal keeper ring on the shifter. Push down and rotate counter-clockwise about 3/8". It should pop up and the shifter will pull out.

Rich,
This tool is used to remove the 4-speed shift lever. You push down on the ball at the base of the lever and twist. There is a spring under the lever that will push the lever up.

The lever is (usually) easily removed without the tool. Use a clamp, vise-grip, or slip-joint pliers to grab the lever and push down and twist.

Tim

Can I post now

To get the shifter out of the four speed you just have to push down and turn the cover at the base of the shifter (just like removing a light bulb). It's supposed to just pop up, but it might not due to years of dirt accumulation - might have to wiggle it around.

I had help when I took the cab off - everything had been stripped out and doors removed. Four of us carried it easily.

I put it back on myself. Took a couple of hours using cherry picker, jack, rope and 2x4s. Tied the rope thru the cab, lifted it with the cherry picker and rolled the frame under. Let it rest on the lumber which was sitting on top of the frame. Skidded it down the frame on the lumber until it was in position and removed the lumber. Used the jack to get the height just right so the rubber bushings and the links could be installed.

The 4speed shifter can be removed by pressing down on the lock ring around the shifter and twisting about a quarter turn CCW. You can find instructions by doing a search in the engine and driveline forum. Alternately you can just remove the floor cover and lift the cab up over the shifter.

On my 4t6 I removed the steering wheel and the floor pans. Two of us rolled the cab to where the bed was and took a 2x4 and placed thru doors and walked it off. Make a dolly to move around, There is ideas in the tech tips. A frame off requires a whole lot more room than I expected.

Dan

When removing the steering column, there are actually 5 bolts holding it to the frame. The last one is impossible to see, it is underneath, inside the rail.
As others have said, the cab is actually quite light with everything removed. I used 2x4s under it and had a buddy help lift it off. Still takes some strength, I had my brother in law help lift it back on, and he had a rough time of it. But I am no muscle man by any stretch of the imagination, and had no trouble lifting my side.
Then use 2x4s and some good size casters and make a cab dolly, you will really appreciate it.

Is something wrong with forum? Lots of posts are repeated.

The forum went whacky for a bit. I've removed the duplicated posts.

If you have an engine hoist (cherry picker) you can place a landscape timber on the boom, secure it with duct tape, stick this through the door openings (with or without doors on) and lift the cab up and off. I have done this several times during my project. It is best to have a cab dolly standing by to place the cab on and also another person to help steady the cab when it is in the air.

Good tips all. Building my cab dolly today, then pulling the cab off.

My '66 C10 steering column came off intact, shifter, steering wheel and all. Firewall side disconnects were shift pushrods, master cylinder, and shaft at the steering unit. The remaining assembly was then pulled thru the driver side door with minor changes to get the rag flange through the firewall. Much easier than I anticipated.

I had no problem getting the shifter off I was able to find some other posts on it but then unable to post back here due to the forum being closed. I used a channel lock and just pressed and turned...I came right out.

I removed the steering box (found the fifth bolt)but not before I removed the top fo the box to see if I could slide the shaft out through the cab. Oh well it should probably be rebuilt anyway.

My son and I lifted the cab and stepped it off the back of the frame a foot at the time. We lowered it onto a four wheel dolly I made and rolled it out into the driveway. It didn't seen to be that heavy.

I did make a cool steering wheel puller out of some hardware I had laying around. I only had to buy a piece of 1/2" threaded rod for the center push.

I now have pieces of my truck in my driveway, my basement and my garage. So much for a quick resto! Man this hobbie takes up a lot of space.

Thanks to all here who helped me. I would not be half as far if not for you.

Rich

oops I guess my attempts to post yesterday were successful...three identical messages from Rust Bucket 53. Sorry for the stutter of