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/

[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]

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

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.

Colorado Springs. Getting it to CA would rock, as I have 4-5 friends that haul east -west.

Either way, I need parts from that rig... although I am not sure I can store it until May.

I asked my sons this morning what they thought. Repair it was their answer, as it was Granddad's... they never met him.

My older son (he's 8) responded with: "plus it gives us more time in the garage to do stuff".

I guess this is frame off #4.

My wife said, fix the cab, but a small spot at a time... I guess she doesn't realize I would pretty much replace the entire floor.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by grendel

Colorado Springs. Getting it to CA would rock, as I have 4-5 friends that haul east -west.

Either way, I need parts from that rig... although I am not sure I can store it until May.

I am making a trip to CA I have to be in Lake Isabella no later than may 1st.

The route I am going to get there will be 1605 miles, if I had to go up through CO. Springs, I would be looking at another 674 to my route because I would have to take a large swing north. I used to be a OTR Trucker, so doing that in a day and loading the trailer would be no issues, and with my dually I dont have to run a log book.

If you are talking about hooking up with a buddy who is a trucker pulling a flat bed, loading it onto him would be realitively easy, I am building my goose neck trailer with 10' high streingth aluminum ramps and air ride, I will have the ability to jack the trailer all the way up, or lower it all the way down. and I will have a winch on the front of my deck.

Worst case scenario is we could have to call a flat bed wrecker out to pull it off of my trailer and load it on his, I have done this many many times. (I used to pull step deck flat bed)

It is somthing to keep in mind, if you dont get it figured out let me know. Also my trailer I am working on is going to have a 38' deck, and be a tripple axle, so I should be able to fit 2 long beds on it no problem.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

I am making a trip to CA I have to be in Lake Isabella no later than may 1st.

The route I am going to get there will be 1605 miles, if I had to go up through CO. Springs, I would be looking at another 674 to my route because I would have to take a large swing north. I used to be a OTR Trucker, so doing that in a day and loading the trailer would be no issues, and with my dually I dont have to run a log book.

If you are talking about hooking up with a buddy who is a trucker pulling a flat bed, loading it onto him would be realitively easy, I am building my goose neck trailer with 10' high streingth aluminum ramps and air ride, I will have the ability to jack the trailer all the way up, or lower it all the way down. and I will have a winch on the front of my deck.

Worst case scenario is we could have to call a flat bed wrecker out to pull it off of my trailer and load it on his, I have done this many many times. (I used to pull step deck flat bed)

It is somthing to keep in mind, if you dont get it figured out let me know. Also my trailer I am working on is going to have a 38' deck, and be a tripple axle, so I should be able to fit 2 long beds on it no problem.

They are long haulers, with 53' low deck enclosed trailers. They also have ramps to put it on, no problems there. It also rolls very easily. I'd pay the gas, not a problem there, but the time line is. I need to get it out there before the snow flies here.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by grendel

They are long haulers, with 53' low deck enclosed trailers. They also have ramps to put it on, no problems there. It also rolls very easily. I'd pay the gas, not a problem there, but the time line is. I need to get it out there before the snow flies here.

It is too bad you dont have a trailer there, I know some one who could get it down to I-40 for you, but she will be through there next weekend.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

It is too bad you dont have a trailer there, I know some one who could get it down to I-40 for you, but she will be through there next weekend.

Are you coming through Albuquerque?

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Are you coming through Albuquerque?

The trip I have planned I will be in California Maty 1st, I will be driving from Corpus Christi, Tx to Lancaster CA, then up to Lake Isabella, From there I will be Running Empty to Livingston Montana. I have a full trailer load I am running with from there back to Texas.

Moving somthing from Albuquerque west would be no big deal, it is hardly out of the way.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

It is too bad you dont have a trailer there, I know some one who could get it down to I-40 for you, but she will be through there next weekend.

It's on a trailer now, but the trailer would need to go back to CO.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by grendel

It's on a trailer now, but the trailer would need to go back to CO.

PM me your phone number and I will call her and find out. Also, I need to know is there an engine and tranny in the truck? How much do you think the trailer is going to weigh?

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

PM me your phone number and I will call her and find out. Also, I need to know is there an engine and tranny in the truck? How much do you think the trailer is going to weigh?

Can do... no engine or trans in the truck. 3500lbs, maybe?

[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".