Rust on my cab is depressing me

[SCHRUMGMC]

and NO, I am not swapping cabs because this truck has a lot of senti mental value to me
Needs extensive back window, dash, rockers, cab corners, hinge pocket, door skins/bottoms
headlight area repair, fender bottoms and front window area



I have a mouse running on the inside of the roof area of the truck

[mr48chev]

Have you thought about making those pieces out of some sheet metal?

You might be able to cut the inside piece out with cut off disks so that you can salvage it for a pattern and take it to a metal shop where they can cut a strip of metal and then do the bends in a brake so that you have a formed piece. Or you can bend it over a form yourself to make the piece. The outer piece may be a bit more difficult but you can probably form the piece by hand with stuff you have around the shop.

[SCHRUMGMC]

If I could find a cab to cut those pieces out I would do fine. I just wish I knew someone who was a professional welder

[billrobbobjo]

I picked up a 200 dollar welder from mernards, try welding some sheet metal around, go slow and u can make it work, just dont melt the metal, it may need a little bit of bondo or fiberglass, if you weld to fast you will warp the metal. try on a couple peices of sheet metal before you try. I didnt take any welding classes in my highschool or in college. Good luck best advice i can give u for a cheap fix.

[Dan in Pasadena]

You need to buy a mig welder and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

And apparently you have a fine cab to practice on! Hahaha.

[SCHRUMGMC]

HA HA !!! good one....I love this truck though

[mr48chev]

Best I can say is to cut the bad places out while saving them for patterns and clean up around where you cut them out so you have no rust left to deal with.

Then make your patch panels or have them made as I suggested earlier or find a cab with those panels that you can salvage. Maybe someone has a cab that isn't rusted in those areas but is otherwise scrap that can serve as a donor. I still think it is possible to make the panels and trim and fit them to the cab and (then) find someone local who can weld them in place for you. I built my first T bucket by carrying the parts down the street to my friend's house to have him weld them up or carrying them to the welding shop in town or the body shop in town to have them welded.

I don't recommend buying one of those cheap Harbor freight welders but after a bit of practice you could be able to tack panels in place where you wanted them and tack pieces together the way you wanted them so you could take them to someone who could weld them together for you or if you have the right hookup in your shop get someone to bring their mig over and do the finish welding at your place. One does what one needs to do when you are building these trucks and don't have the skillls or equipment to do the job.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Thanks for the motivation man
Only problem I really have is those areas in the pictures

[SCHRUMGMC]

I am thinking about transplanting another Trucks roof area on to my truck since mine is rusted out very bad. Bad idea or a good one? I could always cut pieces of the perfect top and have it welded in on my trucks top

[Richs'55]

Originally Posted by SCHRUMGMC

I am thinking about transplanting another Trucks roof area on to my truck since mine is rusted out very bad. Bad idea or a good one? I could always cut pieces of the perfect top and have it welded in on my trucks top

Excellent idea. That's what I have to do to several areas on my cab also.

[albertgen]

I have to have some of that done too. I am going to have this guy I met do it. A lot of people told me he does a great job. I never done that kind of stuff. I am recovering from open heart so I am just gonna start letting other folks do stuff for me. Heck with it! Al

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by SCHRUMGMC

I am thinking about transplanting another Trucks roof area on to my truck since mine is rusted out very bad. Bad idea or a good one? I could always cut pieces of the perfect top and have it welded in on my trucks top

You can buy a complete replacement roof you know? Kabwe (Bam) did it to his truck.

[SCHRUMGMC]

For $500 I am going to be getting all of the GMC emblems, Intake manifold, possible headlight area and the top to put on my truck

[Dan in Pasadena]

I know you didn't ask but I'd suggest you use that $500 for a good used MIG welder and start practicing. You need that a helluva lot more than new emblems!

[SCHRUMGMC]

I know but the emblems are very rare and I need to make sure that I can get them

my intake manifold now is cracked but it is covered with epoxy

[mr48chev]

Parts are worth what you feel that they are worth and changing the whole top looks to be the way to go on that one.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Thanks everyone

[bowt1ed]

I, like many on here, can fully appreciate the sentimental value part. I have a photo of my 57 with my grandfather, dad, me, and my son when he was an infant standing in front of it. Today, I am building this truck back to it's glory with/for my grandson (son's son). Although buying a new repop cab or new doors would have been cheaper - just not the same. We have replaced firewall/toeboard, inner steps, front cowls, lower hinge pockets, area above and below windshield eyebrow, and are now working doors with new outer and inner skins/bottom and lower hinge bracket. Truly a labor of love and hopefully one day, a proud moment to cruise around with my son and grandson!

Cheers, Jim

[OrrieG]

Welding is not difficult but takes lots of practice and attention to detail during the fabrication. I still have an old fender that I practice on before I do any serious work. There are lots of books that explain the principles, most important is to not overheat any one area, move around, to prevent warping or pulling of the parts. If you decide to do the whole roof make sure you brace the A and B pillars front to back and diagonally before removing the top to maintain cab and door alignment. Tack and test fit the doors and front glass before final welding.

[Softpatch]

I feel ya
.

[SCHRUMGMC]

I have seen the rust on yours and was floored by it. I just hope my rust can be fixed because I am sure as hell not swapping cabs

[FarmerSid]

Check out the user DeadZoneTruckin on Classic parts talk forum. I know in the past, he has cut out sections of cabs and such and sold them to people. I don't know him but seems very knowledgeable and a super guy. See if he can help you.

[coralhead]

Originally Posted by FarmerSid

Check out the user DeadZoneTruckin on Classic parts talk forum. I know in the past, he has cut out sections of cabs and such and sold them to people. I don't know him but seems very knowledgeable and a super guy. See if he can help you.

I would love to listen in on that conversation.

[coralhead]

I would purchase a welder and start working from the bottom of the cab and go up. Focus where you can get the purchased patch panels and do that first. Once that is done move on to the other areas. That way you can put all your attention on the tricky areas without worrying about the rest. By the time you are finished with the patch panels your welding skills will be better to tackle the upper areas.

[SCHRUMGMC]

There is an older man in my town who is a professional Welder and fabricator and runs a shop, I spoke with him earlier about working on my truck. He told me to come by and watch him weld on one of my acquaintances 55 Chevy truck. He told me not to mess with anything on the truck until he looks at it, and if I like his welding jobs (which I am certain I will). I will be able to have the truck towed down to his shop and he would make the truck look brand new again