Does the cab really need to come off?

[Boise69]

I've been thinking... my rockers are rusty, my floors have rust holes and just this fall i see rust bubbles on my cab corners...

I need to stop this rust invasion before it gets worse but i keep puttung it off because in my mind i want to pull the cab, bed and fenders off and send it off to get re-sheeted and painted inside and out.

My question: Does the cab really need to come off to get a good paint job? (they dont pull it off on Overhaulin) And if not, why do you guys pull your cabs? Can't you get all you need done with the possible exception of painting the frame, with just leaving the cab on?

I want to pull my motor because i'm sick of using a piece of cardboard under my truck as a diaper. I want to re-seal it because she pisses oil (5 drops per day)too much. With the engine and tranny out, cant i just send the shell over to the paint and body shop and get it all done or is it better in the long run to tear it all apart?

TIA

[Aarons72s]

You can leave the cab on as long as dont have to do alot of work where the mounts are. You can protect the frame by masking it during painting. Just most of us have our cabs off already is why we paint them off the frame. Yes the shop should have no problem with just the shell, if they do have a problem with just a shell then run from them. That is my honest opinion.

[72armyswbtruck]

I would suggest that you pull off the front clip and unbolt the bed before sending it off, atleast then some of the work has been done.

[ChevyCrazy67]

I agree with Aaron, you don't have to pull the cab to get a good job if the front clip and bed is removed you can get to anything you need to do repairs to the cab. And yes if they say they can't give you a good job without removing the cab from the chassis keep looking.

[Boise69]

Is it easier to replace the wood in the bed with it on or off the truck?

[Aarons72s]

Id say easier with it off. At least that is the way i would do it. Complete the bed off the truck and install when completed.

[Boise69]

Ok, now its becoming easier to understand. Remove the bed - does it need to be braced or not? Then send the bed with the cab on the frame along with the hood and fenders to the body shop. When it all comes back, put the bed on some saw horses and put the new wood in... then put it all back together ??

[Aarons72s]

No the bed shouldnt need to be braced. Id leave it on until you got to the shop. say leave 2 bolts to hold it on for the trip over there. And once there remove the last 2 bolts. Or if you are just sending the cab and frame put it on some cinder blocks or heavy saw horses.

[Rokcrln]

For me it is just easier to pull the cab but it is not needed. Like these guys nailed it, if the shop wants it off the frame they just want to charge you more money so find a new shop. But yes pull the bed so you can have good access to the cab corners and other areas that need attention. As far as teh bed goes just grab a buddy and the two of you can pull it off and set it on a few saw horses. Just make sure the body shop has all your sheet metal at one time for painting that way you do not have any issues with color matching. Here are a few pics of why I like the cab off the frame! But with jack stands and some time yoiu can get all this done with the cab still mounted as long as your mounting points do not need attention. Good luck and keep us posted with pic's next time

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[panhandler62]

For me.. space may be an issue. My shop, such as it is, isn't big enough to put the truck into and my neighbors will probably have a cow if I scatter the truck all over the back yard for long periods of time.. lol

What I'm thinking ...

I can disassemble the front clip (needs both fenders and a radiator support anyway) and the bed (the bed sides are savable but the floor and tailgate are poo-poo.)

This will leave me a rolling chassis with a cab on it. I can jack around with stands and blocks to replace the front end and upgrade the rear suspension and, when I get to the body work ....

I think I saw this somewhere.. can i just unbold the cab, strip it down and then roll it back on it's back still sitting on the frame when I need to get under the floor? (and I will.. the supports are almost history...)

[Boise69]

If all I need to do is replace the rubber cab mounts, do you take the doors off and lift the cab or leave them on. If you take the doors off to you need to brace the cab before lifting it up? What all need to be removed in order to lift the cab? Is there a specific thread on this ?

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Boise69

If all I need to do is replace the rubber cab mounts, do you take the doors off and lift the cab or leave them on. If you take the doors off to you need to brace the cab before lifting it up? What all need to be removed in order to lift the cab? Is there a specific thread on this ?

No leave the doors on and shut! Unbolt the cab and just lift one side at a time just far enough to replace the body mounts. Then you may need to play with the placement of the cab to get the front end to line back up.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Boise69]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Then you may need to play with the placement of the cab to get the front end to line back up.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Do you have any tricks you can reccomend? What wiring to the engine would you un-hook before lifting the cab a bit?

I am pulling the gas tank out, so i'll probably do this job at the same time. Should i replace the body mounts before or after the paint work gets done or does it matter?

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Boise69

Do you have any tricks you can reccomend? What wiring to the engine would you un-hook before lifting the cab a bit?

I am pulling the gas tank out, so i'll probably do this job at the same time. Should i replace the body mounts before or after the paint work gets done or does it matter?

Replace before paint and body work! Make sure your fan and radiator do not hit when lifting the cab. Also it might be close with your brake lines so you might want to un-bolt the master and support it with a zip tie or wire. Then just look around for any other wires or parts that look close but keep in mind you are only going to have to lift it about 1/2-1 1/2" depending just how bad yours are now.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by panhandler62

I think I saw this somewhere.. can i just unbold the cab, strip it down and then roll it back on it's back still sitting on the frame when I need to get under the floor? (and I will.. the supports are almost history...)

I am sure you can but be very carefull not to cause more damage then you start with. Also I do not feel this is a good way to go if you are going to be replacing body braces/mounts. It may cause the cab to "Load" kind of funny and once you weld it up you may have issues. But if you want to do it them get some 3/4 plywood (4'x4' should do the job) and bolt it to the rear frame were yoiur bed bolts to. Then put some padding over the plywood. I find carpet padding works great, it is dense and does not let parts slide around. This will help protect the rear of your cab while you are working on it. Also put a strap thru the door openings and strap it to the frame so you do not have any problems with it moving on its own I hope this makes sence it was quick and off the cuff.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[BigSky71]

Originally Posted by panhandler62

For me.. space may be an issue. My shop, such as it is, isn't big enough to put the truck into and my neighbors will probably have a cow if I scatter the truck all over the back yard for long periods of time.. lol

That is one very important thing I didn't consider when I decided to disassemble my entire truck, its takes up an incredible amount of space when in pieces. I don't want anything out in the weather so my truck is scattered between my little yard shed, my mom's garage and my garage where I am doing the work. It will get done, but I bet the number of hours I have used moving parts around to work is crazy. That and everything in my garage is completely covered with sanding dust. Good thing my wife doesn't mind my hobby, or know how much I spend on it

[Aarons72s]

I got a one car garage storage building, usually between 60-100 a month. That is where i put extra parts and stuff from the garage while I work on my truck. A little expensive but makes everyone happy.