Cab damage

[Patch]

I need some advice. I have my Dad's 1972 K10 short bed truck that he bought new in California. He has since passed and it is in need of repair and rebuilding. The cab has some rust in the cowl area that doesn't look good, the rockers of course are toast, the floor boards need new sections and the cab roof looks like it might need to be replaced. I realize all of this is possible to do, but does it make sense to do it if a decent replacement could be found? There is a lot of history and memories in this truck. He spent countless hours exploring the southern California desert and northern Mexico with his Dad and friends. I think it would kill me to move the project along without having the original cab, but If it's going to cost me 5x as much to get it right......sighhhhh. The only two areas that intimidate me are the cowl and the roof. I know they make replacement roof caps, but that inner cowl looks like a butt to get into. Anyone on here do this type of repair before that has some advice for me?

[Willys_MB]

I think some pictures of the damage would be really helpful here.

[cypressbog]

I think you're in a good part of the country to find a good clean 72 replacement cab.

[Patch]

I'll post some up shortly.....I have a hard time even pointing a camera at it....

Originally Posted by Willys_MB

I think some pictures of the damage would be really helpful here.

[dan s]

Without seeing it I believe if it were me I would try very hard to save the original cab. My Dad has been gone a long time, I wish I had more of his things to help keep the memories. What would he have done, replace or rebuild? If you like a challenge and would enjoy the time spent fixing his cab , go for it. If it would make you miserable, just buy a cab(almost all will need some metal repair). Just my 2 cents.

[Willys_MB]

I just noticed your name is Patch... you'll just have to patch the old '72 up! (feel free to roll your eyes and groan...)

[67ChevyRedneck]

With the damage you're mentioning, you're right, you probably are better off with a better cab, especially given your location, as you should be able to locate one that needs minimal work. You're intent is there. Save as much from the original truck as you can (door panels, seat, steering column/wheel?) and move on.

I have my dads 1967 Pontiac Firebird and it needs an entire front clip, doors, rear quarters, and floor. After all that's replaced there won't be much left of "dads" car, but the intent is there.

If there's a new floor, inner/outer rockers, cowl, and roof, what's left of the original cab anyway? The back wall and door jams?

[Patch]

Well....here ya go.

[greentruck]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

You're intent is there. Save as much from the original truck as you can (door panels, seat, steering column/wheel?) and move on.

I agree with this. If you were to sandblast the entire cab and then quantify what needs to be done, and done right, you would more than likely go after a better cab. The more you dig the more you're going to find. Especially after you peel that roof skin off and dig into that cowl. The work involved with repairing that cab would take a very long time.

[Patch]

And a few more. The underside and supports don't look too bad at all.

[slomotion]

I think if I were in your position I'd find a better cab, cut out the dash board from your dad's truck, refurbish that and the steering wheel, recover/rebuild the original seat and install these pieces in the "new" cab. These items are what your dad saw/felt.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by slomotion

I think if I were in your position I'd find a better cab, cut out the dash board from your dad's truck, refurbish that and the steering wheel, recover/rebuild the original seat and install these pieces in the "new" cab. These items are what your dad saw/felt.

Agree. You already have it that far apart.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

Yep replace cab

[71c10tim]

cab is smoked

[68is4me]

It is fixable, but it is going to take a lot of time, money, and all the correct tools to do it. You could be money ahead by finding a different cab but even the replacement cab will probably still require work.

PS the after market sheet metal for these cabs don't fit the best and still require modifying to fit correctly.

I would say its your call if you have all the time and money, fix it.

[KevinK7]

As others have noted, considering your location chances are pretty good you could find a replacement. The net is, repair or replacement it's still "Dad's truck", and the sooner you can get it rolling again, the sooner you'll be able to recreate similar memories driving it.

[StingRay]

Find a good desert cab and keep the one you have. You can always fix it later at your leisure and you still have the whole truck. You will get to enjoy it in your lifetime this way.

[dan s]

After seeing the pics I now agree with others here, save what you can to use on a replacement cab.

[67ChevyRedneck]

It has an uncut original dash, I like the idea of moving that to the new cab (assuming that one is cut up).

[mike16]

I know a guy down here in AZ who has rust free cabs.

[Patch]

I blame myself for not protecting it better over the years. I was deployed a lot in my Navy career and should have known living on an Island what the air around here would have done. Well....I think I am coming to grips that she's toast and to start looking for a donor. I do have the original seat. I will keep the original back window and drivers door window, steering wheel and column and complete dash assembly. I'll save whatever I can. The driver's door may even be salvageable. The spotlight and CB antenna have been on it since 1973 and every time I see that combo it reminds me of him, so I may just transfer that look over to the new one. The inside of the cab had a very distinctive sound from the antenna as we went down the road... Thank you very much for the sounding board on this. I'm not afraid of work, but I do not have an unlimited budget either. Should I also cut out the areas of the firewall that have the A/C holes in them and save them in case the donor does not have A/C?

[KevinK7]

As for holes needed in a replacement cab (ie. AC), I would simply refer to the old one and replicate, should be easy enough.

[Patch]

Well.....it's done. It's been a productive and somewhat sad day. I have salvaged every single thing I could. (The vin plate comes off tomorrow) The last pic is what was under the rear window weather stripping....as if to say "Don't give up on me!" Lol......too late for that crap.

[darrellyates]

Don't be sad or let it get you down about stripping your Dad's truck. My Dad had a '70 3/4 that I wish I could have rebuilt for my truck, but it was rusty and shot and would have cost even more than the one I wound up rebuilding.

It's very nice that you saved what you could save. I am sure you will enjoy the parts in the next cab, and it will remind you of your Dad every time you drive it.

I hope you enjoy your truck as much as I enjoy mine! Good luck with your project!!

[Patch]

Thank you......I needed that. I know it's just a truck, but man, I have a lot of memories in that thing. I didn't know it would hit me like this.... BUT...you're right....I'll get these items...and the seat in the new cab and move forward. What's done is done.

Originally Posted by darrellyates

Don't be sad or let it get you down about stripping your Dad's truck. My Dad had a '70 3/4 that I wish I could have rebuilt for my truck, but it was rusty and shot and would have cost even more than the one I wound up rebuilding.

It's very nice that you saved what you could save. I am sure you will enjoy the parts in the next cab, and it will remind you of your Dad every time you drive it.

I hope you enjoy your truck as much as I enjoy mine! Good luck with your project!!