The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Repair or replace cab?

Hey Guys-

The Blue Funk was in a MVA where a Semi hit it on the area of the left door. The door is obviuosly damaged beyond repair. I was thinking about replacing the cab, but now that the cab is close to being removed, I'm considering other possibilities and I'm wondering if it could be a prudent move to have a body shop repair it.

Here's the damage as I see it: The toe pan, the floor, and the dash is buckled. The area of the parking brake was somewhat rusted and recieved a lot of the impact. That area would need to be cut out and replaced.

I've been glancing through Classic Parts and LMC truck catalogs- to purchase a new toe pan and floor would cost a quite a bit of money. I don't know how much a old replacement cab would cost.

Based on this information, what do you think would be the best way to go?

Thanks.

I say, "Amen!" on the KISS method, Joe!

I'm a real neophyte when it comes to these things, so I'm just jumping in and gathering info as I go. I appreciate your input.

Also, I have more money than I have sense, so I'm willing to pay someone to do the job right then to have me bumbling around expending excessive energy, producing very little product.

Thanks again.

Do you have a local want ads kind of thing or you can use Craigslist. I bought 27 AD/GMC's in the last 2-1/2 years both big and little. I bought some nice cabs for $100 and complete trucks from $200-700 Big cabs fit just as good as the little ones.

You can see some in my pictures buy somebody's project or parts truck and you will save in the long run. Especially if they have already done some of the work. Keep what you need and sell or trade the rest. Also don't know if you ever wanted a five-window if you do here is the opportunity.

Thanks for the input, Brad. Too bad you're so far away, because I think I'd enjoy doing business with you.

There's a guy here in town with an AD that has no engine or transmission. I talked with him a bit and he said was considering selling it. He says it's a '48, but it has vent windows and push button door handles. He was in the middle of dealing with some family health problems, so I just let him know I that I was interested in his truck and told him I'd get back to him at a later date.

Somewhere I got the idea that a cab should cost me about $500 to $600. Does this sound reasonable?

Besides appearence, I guess a 5 window has improved visabilty. Any other good reasons to consider one?

I may have a line on a driver's side door that sounds like it's reasonably priced.

I'm just putting out feelers and see what kind of response I get.

Thanks again.

I think the three and five is a matter of choice but if you ever thought you would like a five now is the time. I think for $5-600 you should be able to pick up a parts truck as described. One consideration on the early cab 47-48 is you will not be able to fit your behind the seat tank so if no external tank comes with the early truck you will have to source something. Also the early cab mounts differently it does not have shackles at the rear cab corners but has a single pivot assembly in the center of the cab and bumpers to the frame. Don't limit yourself to searching for small trucks a 2-ton cab will fit just as good as a 1/2-ton. The only down side is the other front sheet metal will be to large. Good luck with your search I have been very lucky here in Utah there are large numbers of these trucks avaialble. A complete running AD/GMC here is easily available in the 2K range any day and parts trucks as I stated are numerous as well. I have bought several of the large trucks and just cut them in half to get them on my trailer. Here is and example of what I would look for:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=4662448

Thanks for the continued input, Brad. I was just reading the manual the other day about the difference in cab mounting for the different years.

As I disassmbled the Blue Funk and find more the extent of damage as I go along, I'm thinking that it wouldn't be a such bad idea to just go ahead and purchase a parts truck.

Yesterday I jacked the Blue Funk up in order to gain easier access to the right fender and running board. After jacking it up a few inches, I noted that it sat more level and also that the leaf spring was busted. What size of horizontal force would it take to break a leaf spring? And there's no doubt that the frame is badly bent.

As far as my original question goes, I think a lot of replacement is in order here.