The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Need help w/ part replacement procedure.1950 Chevy

Im about to start repairing a 50 Chevy for a friend. Inner and outer cab corners, rockers, front hinge posts, inner and outer cowl and inner to outer cowl along w/ the front floor braces andfront half of the floor.
All this isnt where Im stuck, this can be done. I wont say eaisily. The problem I have is the top cowl is rusted like swiss cheese. I have a parts truck that would have been a better cab to repair but it was cut into three pieces Top, cowl and lower back not very neatly I might add.
Now you have the story heres the question. How should I go about keepin the cab square when I take out this much structure or should I start at the cab corners replace the inners the rockers and the posts weld it all in and then re- brace the cab to procede w/ the cowl.
Thanks for your thoughts

Jees, if its that bad,wouldnt it be easier to find another cab?
Here in Calif. if somethings rotted out like that,it doesnt get a second look. Guess Im spoiled.

I guess if their giving trucks away in Cali i should moove there. Iv fixed ones w/ like damage on the lower part but never replaced the entire top cowl. I guess you could call it a learning experience.

Do the parts that control the door opening shape first and just do one side at a time. If you hog out that much material at one time, you're inviting disaster.

But that is a lot to replace.. Now I don't feel so bad.

S.T.P. if you need a cab corner send me an e-mail ...I will have 1 unmolested one that the body man did not use , I purchased a pair to send along with my cab , just in case
He did use one for a small patch and leaded the other as the metal is solid and strong just had bubbled bondo from PO bondoing over braze , my guy ground out the brtaze and leaded it instead of cutting out good metal.
Wed I pick mine up and will know wich side wasnt used.
Tim

I changed my 53 3100 from 3 window to 5 window. I used the entire roof and cab back, spliced in @ the rear floor/rocker and windshield. As stated earlier, the floor/hinge pillar is the starting point. I essentually built my cab around the doors, and windsheild opening. I focused on even gaps around the doors. So I would suggest you check the condition of the floor/rocker and hinge pillar and go from there. Hope this helps.

This is the answer I was looking for. I guess I should have said "Where do I start?" Thanks and glad to see some arent afraid of a little work.

"Im about to start repairing a 50 Chevy for a friend" Well as long as your not paying for it why not... "a little hard work !!!" Ha !... I know... you could whittle a cab from a huge block of steel ??

I don't think there's a person on this site that hasn't done a "little hard work" on their trucks...that's why we're all here to share advice back and forth & help each other out if there's a easier way to do it But...
"Im glad to see some arent afraid of a little work"

I think the idea is to "work smarter NOT harder"
But if your into that sort of thing...Oh well
Have at it !!!

If we all lived in the arid desert where rust isnt a problem this hobby would be very uninteresting, and the desert would be overpopulated.

True...

sounds like you sure have your work cut out for you, don't forget to get some basic measurements before you start, good luck and by the way welcome, get the camera out and keep us updated

A little hard work is an understatement. Good Luck! I live in the rust belt of the nation,but I don't think I would tackle that job if I was trying to help a friend. It seems,the cost of that many patch panels,sawzall blades,cutting wheels,welding supplies,band-aids,etc.would be greater than the cost of a decent replacement cab. Then add the cost of many hours of labor.
If you do the math, it isn't hard to see you have the makings of a road trip with your friend to pick up his donor cab. Which, by the way, can also be a good learning experience. My 2 cents, Dave

I think that there was a question about the top cowl. They are now available brand new but I have no idea how to replace one. I did the whole list you stated plus more. It was my first attempt and I am very happy to have a useable truck now!

Yes they are from Jim Carter and others.

Not to toot my own horn but,I guess Im one hell of a friend. besides his boy comes over on Sat and sun to help and learn just what it is that Im doing for him and his Dad.