When is it too much

[FormerMember]

So, I looked at the cab on my Dad's 70 GMC (I own it now, he passed on in 97, but it's still his).

It needs floor supports, cab corners, inner and outer rockers, probably floor repair and firewall repair.

Should I swap a cab that needs less work?

[dan42]

yeah, I would, unless there is real sentimental value. It also depends on how much time and effort you have to do it.

[Hart_Rod]

Agree. Let me know if you need one. I've got a couple of pretty decent ones out here that need minimal work.

R/

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Agree. Let me know if you need one. I've got a couple of pretty decent ones out here that need minimal work.

R/

Pics please.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by grendel

Pics please.

It will probably be next week before I can get some. AC or non-AC? What other stuff do you need?

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

It will probably be next week before I can get some. AC or non-AC? What other stuff do you need?

AC, although I can install a different dash.

inner fenders
GMC core support
doors


sadly, I have a complete truck sitting in CO that would be a great donor, but having problems getting it shipped.

May actually be easier from AZ, as I have friends that drive through there frequently.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by grendel

AC, although I can install a different dash.

inner fenders
GMC core support
doors


sadly, I have a complete truck sitting in CO that would be a great donor, but having problems getting it shipped.

May actually be easier from AZ, as I have friends that drive through there frequently.

I think I have most of that, except maybe the core support. I have a set of buddy buckets in phoenix that need to come to Albuquerque if you know anyone coming this way.

R/

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by grendel

AC, although I can install a different dash.

inner fenders
GMC core support
doors


sadly, I have a complete truck sitting in CO that would be a great donor, but having problems getting it shipped.

May actually be easier from AZ, as I have friends that drive through there frequently.

What part of colorado? I am heading out to California in May, I will have an empty trailer, if you want to cover the cost of the gas I could swing a day out of my way possibly and drag it far enough south into Arizona for your friend to grab, or possibly drag it all the way to cali if you needed to meet up with some one there.

[Hart_Rod]

Do you need a Big Block 402?

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Do you need a Big Block 402?

No thanks, I have plenty of engines.

This is staying SBC. I have a 500hp 383 being built for it.

[special-K]

It would take a real gone cab for me to scrap these days.Most of what goes wrong in the bottom is made these days.With complete floors and full-length floor extentions it`s tough not to repair them.With rust showing in most places,now,on western cabs I think it`s rare to outweigh the cost of purchase and transport against a repaired eastern cab.Figure that light rust on the floor or pitted/tiny holes metal from out west has got to have the same panels replaced.If a California rocker or cab corner isn`t bubbled yet,it will be once you bring it back here.Might as well replace before you paint.It`ll be a nicely painted truck with bubbles before too long.Well,unless you never hit rain and keep it in a heated garage to keep the humidity down.
A cab or other major component has to be real crusty for me to scrap.Like nothing good to weld to that`s just going to keep rusting.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by special-K

It would take a real gone cab for me to scrap these days.Most of what goes wrong in the bottom is made these days.With complete floors and full-length floor extentions it`s tough not to repair them.With rust showing in most places,now,on western cabs I think it`s rare to outweigh the cost of purchase and transport against a repaired eastern cab.Figure that light rust on the floor or pitted/tiny holes metal from out west has got to have the same panels replaced.If a California rocker or cab corner isn`t bubbled yet,it will be once you bring it back here.Might as well replace before you paint.It`ll be a nicely painted truck with bubbles before too long.Well,unless you never hit rain and keep it in a heated garage to keep the humidity down.
A cab or other major component has to be real crusty for me to scrap.Like nothing good to weld to that`s just going to keep rusting.

That's kind of what kept me up last night.
It's also a matter of effort... I know either will require repair. It's the extent of the repairs that's boggling me... heh, 3 frames offs in progress now.

[ChevLoRay]

The connection that you and the truck have with your late father is not something that another truck can replace. This makes your decision difficult and emotional, like it or not.

My truck (picture follows) needed floor pans, rockers and kick panels and supports, too. After having that done, a later event ensued and due to some poor planning and someones' health issues, more rust damage has emerged. The sad fact is that I knew "some" of it was in existance, but not to the extent. Everything else on the body (fenders/hood/bed, etc.) is rust-free and has never been hit, i.e., no bondo anywhere. The financial logistics are a conumdrum. I don't want to throw good money after bad, nor do I want to take on a project like swapping cabs if this one can be repaired. The doors still line up, although the driver's door needs new bushings/pins. The passenger door is fine.

For me, there is no fatherly tie-in, unless you talk to my kids/grandkids. They want me to finish it. It ain't their money, though. I want it done, too. I love driving it, and can't wait until it is done....but I will have to.

Here's a picture of the firewall. The damage around the heater/ac area is evident. What you can't see are the perforations of the metal where the pinch weld attaches the toeboard to the upper cowl. It sucks.

[MrBeast]

I know for myself, if I had my fathers or grandfathers cool ole gmc, there isnt much I wouldnt do to repair it.

You can buy a complete cab floor, and you can get a complete firewall, I think it is well worth the while, if you look at the TRI-po thread they show taking a cab, cutting the floor out and replacing everything.

The thing to keep in mind, that will be stuck in the back of your head, is always and forever you will know that the cab you are riding in is not dads if you swap it out.

I dont know about you but that would bother me always and forever.

[72BlckButy]

I have to agree with MrBeast... not to add more weight to your mind, but it had family value I would repair it no matter what. Good luck with the decision, but it ultimately comes down to how much it will cost to repair and how much you have set aside for the repair.

[FormerMember]

Well, I need to add above the doors and rear window to the mix. It's not simply a cut the floor off and replace with one of Jon's. I now have to do the firewall on both sides, above the rear window and above the passenger's side door.


This cab was never aired out in ten years, with a ton of moisture trapped inside. I really, really want to kill my half brother.

I am leaning towards a cab replacement, and keep this one to repair it. Quite frankly, it's what my father would do. He also said work "Smart AND Hard but if you can only do one, make it Smart".

He also used to say "Poop in one hand and wish in the other... see which fills faster".

[67mater]

First off, Special-K is dead on; a little rot is teh same as a lot in those outer panels. The other thing I'm beginning to find as I dig in is that rockers are one thing, but if the supports need replacing, you necessarily have to get into the cab mount areas, and it's a big project. my $.02

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by 67mater

First off, Special-K is dead on; a little rot is teh same as a lot in those outer panels. The other thing I'm beginning to find as I dig in is that rockers are one thing, but if the supports need replacing, you necessarily have to get into the cab mount areas, and it's a big project. my $.02

Yep... two of my frame off's used sheet metal from out west.

The cab required outer rockers, two dog legs, a kick panel and some creative welding on the bed floor.

The K5 was outer rockers, floor pans, kick panels and dog legs.

These were both "rust free" California sheet metal...

[mahanian]

If you're interested, I have an Arizona cab from a 67 with a big window that only has one spot of rust on the passenger kick panel. The rockers and cab corners are rust free. I bought it for my 67 but the city is giving me a lot of grief about my truck parts. The cab has a small dent in the back that can be easily massaged out. It also has snaps on the inside rear window for a camper boot. I figured it's easier to weld up a couple holes and not have to worry about rocker panels. I'm looking to get $500 for it.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by mahanian

If you're interested, I have an Arizona cab from a 67 with a big window that only has one spot of rust on the passenger kick panel. The rockers and cab corners are rust free. I bought it for my 67 but the city is giving me a lot of grief about my truck parts. The cab has a small dent in the back that can be easily massaged out. It also has snaps on the inside rear window for a camper boot. I figured it's easier to weld up a couple holes and not have to worry about rocker panels. I'm looking to get $500 for it.

Not sure I can get it out of there in a timely fashion for you.

Pics would also be helpful, but this is not a WTB thread.

[mahanian]

I will get you some pics....

Sorry, I assumed it was a WTB thread since it's posted in the classifieds

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by mahanian

I will get you some pics....

Sorry, I assumed it was a WTB thread since it's posted in the classifieds

Interesting... I didn't post it here. Ok, that works then.