Just Got the Cab Back From Media Blaster Need Help Please

[tbags]

I just got my cab back from media blaster and found that it was in overall good condition. I want to remove the drip rails and fix some swiss cheese in the roof and a pillar but i know nothing about metal fabrication. I am a very good welder but cannot bend or curve metal if anyone has a simple step by step for me or know an easy way to do this please let me know

thanks
taylor

[redsled04]

Man that looks like it will be alot of work. Do you want to shave the drip rails. Id look for onother roof skin if the rest of the cab is good.But if the rest is realy rotten you might want to look in to getting another cab it will save you time and money in the long run.

[VDOG]

Originally Posted by redsled04

Man that looks like it will be alot of work. Do you want to shave the drip rails. Id look for onother roof skin if the rest of the cab is good.But if the rest is realy rotten you might want to look in to getting another cab it will save you time and money in the long run.

Where would you buy a roof skin? I have the same problem, if not worse. I was told to buy a cab because it would be cheaper.

[tdave00]

Interested in a roof skin too. Going to look at a truck tonight that's supposedly in good shape but a PO put a sunroof in. Yuck! Would it be easier to do something like Rockcrln did with Project Trazer and cut the pillars and replace with another good roof?

[twotrucks]

I would do like kyull67 said and make some patterns out of cardboard and repair the areas. You said you could weld so that is half the hurdle. My cab needed a lot of patching and I made patterns and formed the pieces from sheet metal 18ga with what ever was laying around. Oh yeah, I looked for the elusive rust free cab for a complete summer. Now that you have it blasted, you will see all of the areas that will need attention.

[tbags]

Originally Posted by redsled04

Man that looks like it will be alot of work. Do you want to shave the drip rails. Id look for onother roof skin if the rest of the cab is good.But if the rest is realy rotten you might want to look in to getting another cab it will save you time and money in the long run.

Yeah i want to shave them - the rest of the cab is in great condition, better than i could get in a used. It looks like the po tried to braze it back in the day

[kyull67]

I just got done fixing my roof and I'd never done anything curved before that. I just cut the area out and then traced the hole with some sturdy construction paper. Then I bought some sheet metal and cut out two patches to get the curve right and then welded it up. It'll take some filler but it really wasn't that bad and only took about 2 hrs to do. Here's some pictures of my repair.

[tbags]

Originally Posted by kyull67

I just got done fixing my roof and I'd never done anything curved before that. I just cut the area out and then traced the hole with some sturdy construction paper. Then I bought some sheet metal and cut out two patches to get the curve right and then welded it up. It'll take some filler but it really wasn't that bad and only took about 2 hrs to do. Here's some pictures of my repair.

What did you use to make the curves in the panels?

[kyull67]

Originally Posted by tbags

What did you use to make the curves in the panels?

I used the other side of the roof and my hands. I also used aviation snips when cutting the patch to help get the curve. Once you get one side of the patch tacked on you can bend it more till it fits perfect pressing down with your hands or pulling/prying with a magnet of srewdriver.

[Richard H.]

Originally Posted by tbags

What did you use to make the curves in the panels?

This is what I'm using for the same problem.

[BurnoutNova]

Originally Posted by tbags

Yeah i want to shave them - the rest of the cab is in great condition, better than i could get in a used. It looks like the po tried to braze it back in the day

thats what i was gonna say... i thought it looked kind of wierd having the bronze colored spots on it

[Dano69c10]

I had a buddy with cab rust like yours and he cut out the rusted areas and took them to a metal fabricator who was able to recreate the pieces fairly close. Then he brought them home and had a friend weld them in. He had to do some some body work to get the roof looking good, but now his truck looks great. I'm sure some else will chime in with more useful advice.
Dano

[muscletrucks]

Hello: Do you know what type of media material ws used to blast the cab?

[tbags]

Originally Posted by muscletrucks

Hello: Do you know what type of media material ws used to blast the cab?

He used a 3 step process - plastic media, walnut shells and sand in some areas. Turned out very nice

[Ace in the hole]

I am in kalamazoo mi and have 2 cabs, one I am fixing and a cab I am cutting up for patches to fix the other. If you want to patch your cab and your interested I can take some pics of it.

[tbags]

Originally Posted by Ace in the hole

I am in kalamazoo mi and have 2 cabs, one I am fixing and a cab I am cutting up for patches to fix the other. If you want to patch your cab and your interested I can take some pics of it.

Yeah i am take some pics and soot me some prices

thanks

[Ace in the hole]

Originally Posted by tbags

Yeah i am take some pics and soot me some prices

thanks

Ok I will take some pics tomorrow.

[19673ontree]

you can fix that rust at home yourself like kyll67 did it's just time consuming , I am glad my 67 did not have any rust on the top !! but if it had I would have just fabed and welded !!!

[muscletrucks]

I was thinking about sandblasting my own but not sure if I will or not.

[tbags]

Originally Posted by muscletrucks

I was thinking about sandblasting my own but not sure if I will or not.

I tried doing my frame myself and i will never try to sandblast another thing in my life - unless you are setup for it it makes a total mess! plus the media is just as expensive - i got a good deal on the blasting (i think) i paid $250 for the cab and the front grille. I would suggest to send it out

[BurnoutNova]

Originally Posted by muscletrucks

I was thinking about sandblasting my own but not sure if I will or not.

not only is it a rediculous mess, and the abrasive material is expensive... ive found the cheap 100- some dollar harbor freight or similar sandblasters are quiter frustrating to operate. you need a BIG air compressor, with alot of volume, and you need to mess with the valves all the time and its just a real PITA

[tbags]

Originally Posted by BurnoutNova

not only is it a rediculous mess, and the abrasive material is expensive... ive found the cheap 100- some dollar harbor freight or similar sandblasters are quiter frustrating to operate. you need a BIG air compressor, with alot of volume, and you need to mess with the valves all the time and its just a real PITA

I agree I would never do it again!

[Eichorst69]

The April 08 Custom Clasic Trucks Mag has an article on shaving the drip rails on the 67-72's.

Rob

[tbags]

Originally Posted by Eichorst69

The April 08 Custom Clasic Trucks Mag has an article on shaving the drip rails on the 67-72's.

Rob

Hey thanks so much! i have never seen the mag where do they sell it?

[muscletrucks]

Sounds like good advice. I will stick to sandblasting the tractor I am restoring.