The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1971 chevy tilt cab

Well hem hawed around to long lost out on a 53 cab over. But now have found an old fire truck tilt cab, bed long gone, currently not running( ran when parked) kind of deal. Anyone have any experience with these? Doesn't have power steering , 366 motor, 4speed 2speed odometer says 167,000. Worried may be a bear to steer, how is the cab raised didn't see any lift jack, thought engine would be easy to work on with the cab up. Just looking if anyone has any good / bad experiences with these

Check with the guys in the Stovebolt Volunteer Fire dept.

A picture would help, but its probably a tilt cab with spring assist to raise the cab. There is a latching mechanism on the back of the cab along with a safety latch. Then you just lift. It has a safety leg to hold it up. I think Chev called them a T model. I had one years ago that I used for a yard truck. My biggest complaint was the hydraulic clutch. I don't remember it being that hard to steer. Of course I had been driving for over 20 years before I ever got a truck with power steering. The 366 is a very good engine.

54 3/4 Dually,

You can see my T-80 Tilt Cab in the 1970 section of the Gallery...this truck was sold a while back, but I bought another one. It's also a 1970, but it's a T-60 Fire Engine. It has a 427 V8, 5+2, Power Steering and Air Brakes.

Crenwelge is correct, on the passenger side you pull the main latch from 6 o'clock up to 3 O'clock while pulling out on the safety latch and then push up all at the same time. it's a lot easier to do with two people, but one can do it. Make sure you remove everything off of the interior package shelf before tilting or it will fall on the floor/windshield. I also found it better to have the shift lever up in 3rd or 5th gear so the cab won't drag on it while tilting.

Mike B

I had a 67 or 68 semi tractor model (can't remember which) with a 427 and 5+2 that rode pretty good for such a short wheelbase but was very prone to rust. Yours being an ex-firetruck hopefully hasn't seen as much harsh weather as mine did. I do recall what seemed like an abnormal amount of wiring problems. I didn't have PS either but it wasn't hard to steer.

ps...we need a picture.

I have a '68 - not bad at all to stear (even with the power stearing not working). Watch the gear shift and hand brake when lifting the cab also - easy to break off the knob for the rear axle. The cab on mine is easy for one person to lift - the cabs are well balanced for tilting.