leave the cab on, or take it off? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dropt72Shortbed · 09-23-2002, 11:53 PM

ive got my front clip off and the beds coming off too. im going to be painting the frame and all the stuff and i just figured why not take the cab off as well?ive come up with a few pros and cons

pros
1. i can shave my firewall properly and get the cabs interior and firewall painted nicely (engines already in the truck otherwise id just leave the cab on and do all that)
2. im guessing itll be easier and cheaper for a shop to paint the cab this way? right?
3. i can paint and detail the whole frame this way.

cons.
1. im scared to death of all that wiring im going to have to take apart.
2. all the wiring works now but its so old and brittle and knowing my luck nothing will work when i go to put it back.

whaddya guys think? my main question is, will it be easier for me to shave the firewall and easier and cheaper for a shop to paint it all? i figure they cant really paint the firewall properly with my engine allready installed or can they?

O'l Buck · 09-24-2002, 01:17 AM

actually the wiring isn't that bad to disconnect, you already have most of it done if the clip is off, just unplug the firewall connector and unhook the cab to frame and cab to engine grounds straps and your done.....everything but the ground straps just plugs in.

unhook the fuel line, pull 4 bolts and unhook the steering and shift linkages and your ready to lift away.......oh yeah, and unhook the oil pressure line.

jiggs · 09-24-2002, 02:37 AM

Have you thought about taking the engine and trans back out? That seems like less work. I would take the cab off myself. It would make frame detailing a lot easier.

Dropt72Shortbed · 09-24-2002, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jiggs
Have you thought about taking the engine and trans back out? That seems like less work. I would take the cab off myself. It would make frame detailing a lot easier.

id rather take the cab off. plust taking the engine and trans out back only allow for shaving and painting the fireward easier, it doesnt allow for painting the frame as easy as taking the cab of would be.

i didnt realize the wiring harness had a firewall connector, that solves all my problems. just disconnect that, a few other things and get 3 friends over to help lift if off.

so looks like i will be taking off the cab in the future. only thing im unsure of is the steering column and shifter linkage. but it got you guys here to help me with that.

thanks alot guys.

Dropt72Shortbed · 09-24-2002, 02:55 AM

damn my spelling just goes to hell after midnight, im too lazy and tired to deal with editing now...

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 09-24-2002, 08:54 AM

If painting the inside-outside of cab,shaving(?) the firewall and painting the frame, not only take the cab off you need to strip all the glass,wiring etc down to the bare cab to do a nice job, the motor and trans needs to come out for detailing also.

famous quotes
IT ONLY COSTS A FEW CENTS MORE TO GO FIRST CLASS! ya right, should be FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS.
JUST DO IT! if your a highly paid athelete.
GO THE EXTRA MILE! take a lunch and big wallet with you.
DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME! see the first quote.

Newby 69 GMC · 09-24-2002, 09:00 AM

What do you mean by "shaving" the fire wall. Do you mean strip it ti bare metal?

Please explain.

Trevor

Cyco Path · 09-24-2002, 10:44 AM

I think he meant to say, "Smoothing" the firewall.

That's just what I assumed.

Dropt72Shortbed · 09-24-2002, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Newby 69 GMC
What do you mean by "shaving" the fire wall. Do you mean strip it ti bare metal?

Please explain.

Trevor

i plan on taking all heater stuff out and welding up all the little unnecesary holes and smoothing everything out before i paint it.

**COBALT** · 09-24-2002, 12:33 PM

Take it off! Take it ALL off!

lol

Seriously, I'm a perfectionist. Projects get bigger and bigger with me because I want things exactly as I expect them to turn out. You'll be happier with the results later if you don't take any short-cuts.

Also, jostrans68 has a clever way to lift the cab off the frame by yourself. Ask him about it...

Lippyp · 09-24-2002, 12:48 PM

I would seriously consider budgeting for a replacement loom if your wiring is brittle. If you disturb it it's bound to crack somewhere and one tiny short is enough to send all your work up in smoke. If my carpet hadn't been so damp my cab would have gone up afew months back from a short in the wiring to the floor dip switch so refitting old wiring is really a false economy. I think replacement lloms are available from most of the usual suppliers, it's something that's high on my list of to-do's.

Rod · 09-24-2002, 07:21 PM

Disconnect fuel lines, emergency brake cable and speedo cable too.

diehardrider · 09-24-2002, 09:20 PM

What the way of taking the cab off by urself?

73GMC · 09-24-2002, 09:54 PM

Absolutely take the cab off. Replace that wiring too. Absolutely replace the cab mount bushings!

Prep the frame, rotisserie that cab and fire it up!!

Remember, if it's worth doing, don't EVER do it Half-Ass.

Good luck!!

turmoline · 09-24-2002, 10:26 PM

Take it off. I was always told there are two ways to do a job. Do it right or do it over. you'll be much happier with your results. Believe me, Im doing mine over.

Crank · 09-24-2002, 10:35 PM

I don't have a truck yet, but I actually do not even plan on getting one until I build a motor and do everything for the cab. I want to build my 400 and then go buy a 68-72 cab. I want to shave everything in site except the door handles, but I do want to change em. I also am a perfectionist, so my influence is tainted. But everything is much easier and more accessible when sitting on pallets or whatever. Remove cab, wiring harness and motor and tranny. Detail frame, do whatever to the cab, Paint everything, install painless wiring kit. Then put everything back together.
Brandon

09-23-2002, 11:53 PM	#1
Dropt72Shortbed Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Huntington Beach CA Posts: 678	leave the cab on, or take it off? ive got my front clip off and the beds coming off too. im going to be painting the frame and all the stuff and i just figured why not take the cab off as well?ive come up with a few pros and cons pros 1. i can shave my firewall properly and get the cabs interior and firewall painted nicely (engines already in the truck otherwise id just leave the cab on and do all that) 2. im guessing itll be easier and cheaper for a shop to paint the cab this way? right? 3. i can paint and detail the whole frame this way. cons. 1. im scared to death of all that wiring im going to have to take apart. 2. all the wiring works now but its so old and brittle and knowing my luck nothing will work when i go to put it back. whaddya guys think? my main question is, will it be easier for me to shave the firewall and easier and cheaper for a shop to paint it all? i figure they cant really paint the firewall properly with my engine allready installed or can they?

09-24-2002, 01:17 AM	#2
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	actually the wiring isn't that bad to disconnect, you already have most of it done if the clip is off, just unplug the firewall connector and unhook the cab to frame and cab to engine grounds straps and your done.....everything but the ground straps just plugs in. unhook the fuel line, pull 4 bolts and unhook the steering and shift linkages and your ready to lift away.......oh yeah, and unhook the oil pressure line. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

09-24-2002, 02:37 AM	#3
jiggs poker face Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 218	Have you thought about taking the engine and trans back out? That seems like less work. I would take the cab off myself. It would make frame detailing a lot easier. __________________ If you could kick the person in the *ss responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.

09-24-2002, 08:54 AM	#6
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	If painting the inside-outside of cab,shaving(?) the firewall and painting the frame, not only take the cab off you need to strip all the glass,wiring etc down to the bare cab to do a nice job, the motor and trans needs to come out for detailing also. famous quotes IT ONLY COSTS A FEW CENTS MORE TO GO FIRST CLASS! ya right, should be FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS. JUST DO IT! if your a highly paid athelete. GO THE EXTRA MILE! take a lunch and big wallet with you. DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME! see the first quote. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

09-24-2002, 09:00 AM	#7
Newby 69 GMC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Oshawa, ON, CAN Posts: 40	What do you mean by "shaving" the fire wall. Do you mean strip it ti bare metal? Please explain. Trevor __________________ Newby 69 GMC Also own 88 4X4 Toyota P/U 01 Toyota RAV 4

09-24-2002, 02:55 AM	#5
Dropt72Shortbed Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Huntington Beach CA Posts: 678	damn my spelling just goes to hell after midnight, im too lazy and tired to deal with editing now...

09-24-2002, 10:44 AM	#8
Cyco Path Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Robertsdale, AL, USA Posts: 77	I think he meant to say, "Smoothing" the firewall. That's just what I assumed. __________________ Looking for '67 to replace the '68 I sold. Robertsdale, AL

09-24-2002, 12:33 PM	#10
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Take it off! Take it ALL off! lol Seriously, I'm a perfectionist. Projects get bigger and bigger with me because I want things exactly as I expect them to turn out. You'll be happier with the results later if you don't take any short-cuts. Also, jostrans68 has a clever way to lift the cab off the frame by yourself. Ask him about it... __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

09-24-2002, 12:48 PM	#11
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	I would seriously consider budgeting for a replacement loom if your wiring is brittle. If you disturb it it's bound to crack somewhere and one tiny short is enough to send all your work up in smoke. If my carpet hadn't been so damp my cab would have gone up afew months back from a short in the wiring to the floor dip switch so refitting old wiring is really a false economy. I think replacement lloms are available from most of the usual suppliers, it's something that's high on my list of to-do's. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

09-24-2002, 07:21 PM	#12
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Disconnect fuel lines, emergency brake cable and speedo cable too. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

09-24-2002, 09:20 PM	#13
diehardrider KEEP IT PINNED Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Hanford ,CA Posts: 111	What the way of taking the cab off by urself? __________________ RYAN KING 71 swb 4x4

09-24-2002, 09:54 PM	#14
73GMC Proud American Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Great State of Texas, USA Posts: 97	cab off! Absolutely take the cab off. Replace that wiring too. Absolutely replace the cab mount bushings! Prep the frame, rotisserie that cab and fire it up!! Remember, if it's worth doing, don't EVER do it Half-Ass. Good luck!!

09-24-2002, 10:26 PM	#15
turmoline Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: santa cruz, Calif. U.S. Posts: 166	Take it off. I was always told there are two ways to do a job. Do it right or do it over. you'll be much happier with your results. Believe me, Im doing mine over.

09-24-2002, 10:35 PM	#16
Crank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Crittenden, KY Posts: 1,965	I don't have a truck yet, but I actually do not even plan on getting one until I build a motor and do everything for the cab. I want to build my 400 and then go buy a 68-72 cab. I want to shave everything in site except the door handles, but I do want to change em. I also am a perfectionist, so my influence is tainted. But everything is much easier and more accessible when sitting on pallets or whatever. Remove cab, wiring harness and motor and tranny. Detail frame, do whatever to the cab, Paint everything, install painless wiring kit. Then put everything back together. Brandon



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