Sources for Rust Free Cabs?
 

Hi, I joined the forum a little while back. I'm starting to help my dad get his '75 Gentleman Jim back on the road before he can't enjoy it anymore. He's the second owner since '76.

Can anyone point me to a good source or sources of solid cabs? I'm considering a CL find but I think it's overpriced and it's a non-AC cab so it's not really even what I'm looking for. Solid ones seem to be hard to find but maybe I'm not looking in the right places. What is a reasonable price for nice cab? I would much rather spend more now and minimize any rust repair/body work later -- I know how that goes.

I'm on the east coast (MD). Thanks for any help.

Re: Sources for Rust Free Cabs?
 

I am currently traveling, and I am up in Montana and there is an outstanding number of Squarebodies up here. I would go to car-part.com and start looking up here. Are they perfect no, but the rust on a lot of these looks far better than where I am from. Many are in farmers fields and being driven still.

Re: Sources for Rust Free Cabs?
 

Do you have a good pickup and trailer? If so, I'd suggest a road trip.

Look further afield, in the Southwest for instance. Do searches with SearchTempest(craigslist) and Facebook Marketplace.

The time and effort of shipping or personally retrieving a cab from several thousand miles away should be easily worth it, compared to doing significant rust repair.

There are still rust-free cabs on the east coast. I've got one, but I'm building it at the moment for my own use.

Even two or three hours south will make a big difference on rust. From my observations on used vehicles in general -- I'm in north central Virginia, between Culpeper and Charlottesville. An hour south of us, the vehicles are much better, and an hour north of us, the vehicles are worse. Two hours north, and they're much worse.

Re: Sources for Rust Free Cabs?
 

I have no idea what they are worth. I tried to sell one for $1000 and got no takers. They must be cheaper where they are more plentiful.

Re: Sources for Rust Free Cabs?
 

Thanks for the tip -- that's a nice site. It seems to confirm the $2,000 asking price is too much, even with doors, which I don't need.

I've got a brother in TN, which will broaden my search range.

Re: Sources for Rust Free Cabs?
 

You might also try facebook market place or craigslist, in those areas. I was shocked to see squarebodies without rust in the lower rockers up there.

Re: Sources for Rust Free Cabs?
 

skip the cab and buy a whole parts truck is my opinion .

my last 4 projects i purchased a 2wd truck for 1/5th the price of a 4x4 truck and body swapped it on my 4x4 frame and it was done so much faster .

last one found me . 1987 c-10 long bed for 700 bucks . now on my k30 frame and driving every day .

Re: Sources for Rust Free Cabs?
 

Theres a guy up near Pittsburgh that gets them from the west. Not cheap and will deliver. I came across him when looking for a bed floor. Get on Facebook market place and even craigslist. There are some guys with some decent stuff in West Virginia and around are area

Re: Sources for Rust Free Cabs?
 

Found this one much closer to you.

Re: Sources for Rust Free Cabs?
 

Thanks for all the suggestions.

We picked up a cab from Doug's in Pittsburgh today. It looks nice. I'll know more after it goes to the body guy.