The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Task Force Deluxe Cabs?

Does anyone know exactly what is different about 55-59 deluxe cabs? The obvious window trims aside, some vendors specify deluxe on cab corner patch panels. I have a small window standard cab that was cut for a god awful sunroof. I was thinking, if I have to replace the roof, why not go all the way with a big window as well. Is it as simple as whacking off the roof and welding on a section? Never done this, but how hard can it be? Have welder and reckless confidence.

Hy 59Patchy, I believe the difference is just trim items, there is no structural difference, and a deluxe cab could be purchased with either back window, at least in Canada, hope this helps.

the reckless confidance might win

the deluxe cab as 3B sez, was really a trim package, although many consider the big window the deluxe version, and usually I think folks who got the full deluxe treatments started w/ the big window

the cab corners are alla same [that is bottom outside corners], no deluxe involved - unless you find a cab you can cut up you won't find any 'patches' for the roof, but it can be done working w/ care - might be easier for starters to patch the roof on the small window, and if later you find a big window cab you can switch cabs instead of makin one less cab in the world

Bill

Yep, the deluxe was just a trim package. I would however urge caution in trying to convert your small window to a large window unless you really know what you're doing. Remember these cabs have an inner and an outer. Buy an assembly manual and really take a good look before you start. Also remember to weld in steel structural support to keep everything aligned until you get the new roof/window section welded in because your going to lose a lot of structural integrity when you cut the old one out. Having never attempted this feat, I'm not really talking from experience, but if it were me, I'd plunk down a few bucks on a big window cab and just swap the whole thing out or else just replace the roof skin. I have a feeling that would save you a lot of time and headaches. Keep us posted.

if you are looking for a patch ,,e-mail me...


i have a cab so far gone around the windshield area,and all four corners and door hinge area etc, that the world and other planets don't want it....

To clarify a point here: The Task Force DELUXE designation was in simplier terms their "standard" cab. The Deluxe cab with the trim options were designated CUSTOM cab. As far as I can tell you could option the Deluxe cab with the Panoramic rear window but it was standard on the CUSTOM cab which included the stainless cab trim among other option items.

Thanks for the clarification Bruce K. I guess I have a Deluxe cab on my '58 GMC and a Custom cab on my '58 Chevy. That's always cracked me up. I guess nobody wants a "standard" cab, so you just re-name it! F**D did the same thing with their cars. In the 30's and up through 1940, you could buy a Standard or a Deluxe. In 1941, you could buy a Deluxe or a Super Deluxe...no standard.

don't lump Chevy in w/ Ford too quick, Mike!

I hafta disagree w/ the explanation - the small window cab was the "standard" cab, the panoramic rear window option made it a deluxe cab, and that could be had as a single seperate option - there was also a deluxe cab trim option, which was the chrome around the windows, better seat, chrome knobs, 2 visors and armrests,etc - also the deluxe trim package which was chrome bits, like grill and headlite rings - haven't seen any GM literature that refered to a TF cab as 'custom' to describe the "deluxe optioned" cabs, but have seen things that refer to 'standard' cab - 'Custom' was a designation used in the 60's and that led to the CST or Custom Sport Truck designations from 67 on

Bill

Deluxe cab corners fit like crap as opposed to standard cab corners that fit like a bigger pile of crap. Most of the patch panels are made to slap over a rusted out area but when you cut out the rust and try to weld in a patch the correct way, the panel is most generaly built wrong and needs quite a bit of rework to make it fit. Deluxe panels sometimes have a sticker on them from the place that made them, standard panels don't have a sticker because nobody wants to own up to them.

Thanks for making a new guy feel welcome. I am still mulling over the big window. I think this truck would look period correct with a CanBack Canvas "shell" (metal framed canvas bed cover) but the big window would look silly with a shell.

not necessarily patchy, tho the small window does have a more 'old time' look - I mostly prefer the small windows, but like the visibility factor of the big window on my 58 for a daily driver around town

Bill

I love the small window! The big window can give you sunburn out in these parts! The 1959 sales literature document I have refers to the large back window as a "Full View Rear Window" and indicates that it is a full-view wrap-around rear window that is available at an extra cost.

The document continues to describe “A custom cab that provides foam rubber seat cushions and back rests, bright metal control knobs and window moldings, armrest, sunshade and cigarette lighter”. It continues with "Both Custom and De Luxe cabs are strikingly and durably upholstered".

I believe many of the items that were standard on the Custom cab could also be ordered as options at an extra cost on the De Luxe cab such as the full-view rear window. In the document I have, it does not indicate that the full-view rear window came as a standard item on the Custom cab; in fact it clearly denotes it as an “extra cost item” as I mentioned above.

I hope that helps!