The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Removing Cab

I'm going to remove the cab from my 54 and have some questions. I'm going to use a motor hoist with a 4x4 on it like I have seen in some of the pictures on this site and need to know, must the doors come off? If so why? Also, should all the glass be removed from the cab and if so why?

Thanks,

I lifted the cab on my 55.1 by hand with one other helper (the wife). We had the doors off but the glass was still in the cab. Only weighed about 100 or so lbs. I think the engine lift is a great idea and should be able to have doors on or off.Might help to have a rolling platform to set the cab on.
good luck

I've never done this, so I may not know what I'm talking about...but I'm guessing it might be a good idea to take off the doors simply to reduce the weight. I HAVE changed a door or two, and I know how heavy they can be.

Hey Morepower,

I just posted about lifting the cab with the engine hoist. It really was fairly simple. I will use a 4x4 instead of a 2x4 from now on. The 2x4 was not real stable. If I had to guess at the weight I would say without the doors and the glass removed the cab weighs around 200 to 250 pounds. Now that I have it on the dolly, I've decided that I am going to have to figure out the best way to roll it on it's back to work on the bottom of the floor. I don't know why, but removing the cab really got me excited about getting this project moving !!! Hope you get the same results.

joe

I just removed my cab from a '63 20 series. I took out the winshield because the gasket was shot anyway and a new winshield is not cheap$, I didn't want to risk cracking a 43 old glass. I left the doors in place, adding weight yes, but I felt it gave me the insurance of added stability so the cab wouldn't flex/warp. If using a chain hoist, or cherry picker, either can handle the added weight of the doors. I placed a towel between the 4" lumber and the doors to keep metal clean and straight. Good luck!

When I removed the cab from the 47, I took it all off in one shot, doors,glass,steering and all the inside stuff. I wouldnt recomend doing it this way, as its heavy, akward, and easy to tip over, even with the engine puller. I only did it that way because no one was around to help me that day. When you put it on, do it stripped down. I like using this puller as it holds it perfect, and you dont risk someone getting weak and dropping a corner onto the frame.

My brother and I used to restore 71 and 72 pickups back in the mid 80's. We removed many cabs with an engine hoist. Just take off the doors and roll the hoist under with the boom inside. Raise the boom up with a short piece of 2x6 between the end of the boom and the inside of the roof. When you find the balance point, raise it enough to clear the frame and roll it away.

I can't say much thats already been said..
I built a dolly that I could set the cab on, and
move it around easily....The doors came off, the gas tank removed, all glass removed...Then hooking
to the 4 cab corners using a cherry picker with the boom inside, and a person on each side for balance, it came off easily and safely...BB

Thanks all for the replys. I'm not worried about the weight and plan to place the cab on a pallet with wheels under it so I can move it around the garage. By they way, I'm getting very excited about pulling the cab to start work on the frame.

I took the cab off a 1954 Chevy 3 window all by myself and a Harbor Freight engine hoist. It was a snap, no problems whatsoever, doors, glass and all came off in one piece. I put a 5 window cab back on the same way. Just make sure you have it balanced.

I have to agree with morepower16. This is my first major mechanical adventure and i felt awesome when the cab came off. It was a milestone to see, especially after doing so much rehab to the cab itself. New in/out rockers,floor patches, door pillar reconstruction, cab corners, rear wall patches, kick panels, cab supports all around etc. If you don't live in a salty climate and wonder what your missing out on, then check out the photos of my '63 restoration and goodluck to ya' morepower16
Truckstein

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/truckstein/my_photos