The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Wood replacement in cab

Eventually when I have the time and money I will strip down the cab on my 36 high cab and replace the wooden skeleton that is miraculously still in place although in poor shape. That's putting it kindly. Aside from the addition of dual exhaust I plan on keeping it pretty original. Has anyone replaced their wood recently, any info on those kits that a few people sell? I researched them a little a few years ago and I remember that there were few vendors and prices differed a bit. Any input on the quality and fit of the pieces? Also, has anyone replaced with metal tubing? When I bought the truck 7 years ago and a friend mentioned that method I cringed but I just wanted to hear any pros and cons on anyone's experience ( other than ruining authenticity of restoration). Thanks for any input, and one of these days I will finally post a picture of the beatup old girl in the gallery.

I have not done this myself, but have seen many metal replacements of wood on these early trucks.Mostly done on the doors and mostly in hot rods. The wood frames are pretty basic when you look at the design, and if you have some carpentry skill, you might be able to do some or all of it yourself. If not, try talking to a local cabinet maker. With plans or templates he might be able cut the peices for you to assemble.
The important part is to obtain high quality, kiln dry wood, usually ash.

Replacing original wood is not "keeping it original". It is restoring it to 'stock configuration'. Original is one of the most misused words in this hobby.

Well, please excuse me kind sir for butchering the English language. Some people come to forums for advice not snobbish put downs. And I did say "pretty original" meaning I don't wish to hotrod it, replacing wood is a safety necessity, as the whole cab moves back and forth when it hits a bump. And pretty original meaning I don't wish to restore to show quality. Do you even own any wood framed cab trucks?Good day

I'm sorry you took it as a snobbish put down. It is a statement of fact and was meant as advice. An original vehicle has everything on it that it came from the factory with. It can't be "restored to original".

We all know what he meant. I don't know why we need to split hairs over it.

Hi Christian, there is a supplier for kits--
KC Wood Mfg.
470 Rock Church RD\d., SW
Willis, Va.24380
Phone 540 789 8300
www.chevywood.com
The kits are expensive--
I have a 36 low cab but have not yet installed the wood-- it looks good but I can't vouch for the fit.

Thank you GrandpaGlennO
I rememember kc being on the high end of the few vendors I found, I was just throwing it out there to see what kind of experience anyone has had with the quality and fit of their product as well as the competitiors( I seem to remember one guy was half their price). I am a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade but my wood is so shot out, and some pieces missing that there just might not be good enough pieces to make templates for reproduction, and with woodworking ,being off by small fractions of an inch ads up especially when trying to square the cab back up to where it is supposed to be,so that the hood sides actually close properly.

I have a 35 1.5 ton dump and ordered a kit from Clasic wood MFG Greensboro NC. 336-691-1344. Good people to deal with and a fine product. My wood was so far gone I had no choice. Time is money and I think it was well worth the $2300.0 for the complet wood kit. If you want to do it right and do it right it will cost, but in the end everything will look and fit right.