Cab shopping! Don't I need one that was originally a 4x4?

[Patsfan34]

This just dawned on me, since I'm building a 4x4 SWB don't I need to find a cab that was a 4x4? If memory serves me correctly there's a special housing that is bolted into the cab floor on a 4x4 that covers the tranny and t-case. Is there an easy conversion if I find a good 2wd cab? Or is it gonna be a ****load of fab work to get a housing to fit right?

Thanks

[CPNE]

Nope, done it twice. All you need is a bolt in high hump from a 4x4 (or 2wd if you want to cut t-case shifter hole). Cust out the floor where hump goes and bolt in the high one.

The real trick is to find an affordable cab in the Northeast

[Patsfan34]

Ok, next question. If I found a cab that is in good shape but needs new floor it there a company out there that has a new floor pre-fabed for a 4x4 so I can just weld new floor in and bolt high hump on?

[too much stuff]

If the cab you found needs a whole floor, i would check the rest of it pretty closely. You could also use a cab from a 4 speed truck, a high hump big block cab, or the 4x4 cab.
I can't help you on the repro floor question.

[72armyswbtruck]

Best advice when it comes to cabs, is either purchase a complete truck and part it out to pay for the cab.
Or
Pay some real money for a nice one from the west coast.
Good luck on the project.

[Wreckless_71]

Agree totally. Find a good cab first. The hump can be either cut out and replaced with the bolt in 4x4 or if you find a factory big block truck with a TH400 it will have a bolt in high hump also, just missing the hole for the x-fer case shifter which can easily be cut...

[special-K]

The only repro floor is the one piece low-hump.You can cut the loor around the hump and piece it in.Or,just fab your own raised floor.But,it`s nice to have top access,so make it removeable.

[oldno7]

I used to deliver to a little bar in Effingham Il. The owner had this 3/4 ton 71 GMC. He said he would take 3500 for the truck when I had asked him about selling it. I passed and I'm glad I did. About two years later the old guy ditched the truck and trashed the front end. It sat at an auto body shop for about six months and the guys there told him it had to go. He had gotten ahold of me and I picked it up for 300 bucks. Solid bed and cab. Great parts truck. Anyway the 3/4 ton had a high hump in it. You could look for a 3/4 ton doner.

[72swbcamo]

I think Grendel had a cab he was looking to sell. He's in NH.

[Longhorn Man]

a 3/4 ton would not automaticly have the high hump.
All 4 speed trucks.
All 4X4 trucks
most big block/Th400 trucks
By truck, I mean all C & K vehicles, in 5/10/20/or 30 series... or, in GMC talk, 5/1500/2500/3500.

[otsenre]

Originally Posted by Patsfan34

This just dawned on me, since I'm building a 4x4 SWB don't I need to find a cab that was a 4x4? If memory serves me correctly there's a special housing that is bolted into the cab floor on a 4x4 that covers the tranny and t-case. Is there an easy conversion if I find a good 2wd cab? Or is it gonna be a ****load of fab work to get a housing to fit right?

Thanks

Too bad you are so far, as I just picked up a 72 GMC AC original bb, engine is gone though. The cab supports on this are very solid, has a little surface rust showing at kick panel-floor area. I will be parting this out, pics will be on on parts probably tommorrow

[Patsfan34]

Originally Posted by CPNE

The real trick is to find an affordable cab in the Northeast

I'm going to look at a 72 GMC 3/4ton on Monday or Tuesday. The guys says "the body is mint". I asked him how the floor was and he says, "oh well that's the only thing that has rot". So much for being mint. If the rest of the cab is truely mint then I think it would be worth the investment to just replace the floor. Guy has it listed for $1,000 but he also says the front nose is perfect as well. I'll keep you guys updated.

Thanks for all the responses!!!

[jb4short]

I think Hart_Rod has a decent cab for sale. Being a New Englander myself trust me when I tell you that the shipping charges to bring a cab from New Mexico or Arizona are a BARGAIN compared to repairing a Northeast cab.

BTW....come back Tom Brady

[msgross]

i'd take a road trip and find a better cab as well...

[otsenre]

Originally Posted by msgross

i'd take a road trip and find a better cab as well...

I just posted the one I am talking about on parts, Check it out!

[Patsfan34]

Originally Posted by Patsfan34

I'm going to look at a 72 GMC 3/4ton on Monday or Tuesday. The guys says "the body is mint". I asked him how the floor was and he says, "oh well that's the only thing that has rot". So much for being mint. If the rest of the cab is truely mint then I think it would be worth the investment to just replace the floor. Guy has it listed for $1,000 but he also says the front nose is perfect as well. I'll keep you guys updated.

Thanks for all the responses!!!

UPDATE:

Mint..BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! There was so much rot on both sides of the floor I could get my boots threw. The rockers were replaced and already starting to rot again and I'm assuming the cab corners were replaced because they were in good shape. Fire wall had spots on both sides rusted right threw, and both doors at the bottom were starting to get bad but might have been salvagable.

The guys said the engine and tranny were original 350/TH350 and the guy told me the trucks been sitting for a couple years but was running fine when he parked it. Engine looked in decent shape but he told me the main seal was leaking, then I noticed all kinds of weird stuff. The tranny linkage was disconnected, one of the valve covers was totally unbolted and just sitting there, I literally just picked it up and was able to look right at the lifters. And the powersteering pump was disconnected from the bracket and just laying there.

One positive note, the front click was in excellent condition, the inner fenders looked brand new and this would make a really good parts truck. I told the guy if he still has it in the spring I'll make him an offer. He was looking to get $1000 today for this truck that has a "mint" body. I'm glad it was only an hour away.

This was actually a 72 GMC 1/2 longbed. The wheels were in good shape but were 5 lug. And the bed had some potential.

[CUSTOM/10]

Sent you a PM

[Patsfan34]

The excitement of just going to look at these trucks is great. I feel like a little kid again!

[msgross]

fun ain't it?


run from a truck like that... I have seen a few in my area for $200 that are fixable but require work...

[Patsfan34]

Lots of fun! I would only purchase a truck like that for various parts. And I think the most I would've gave the guy is $400, only for the engine/tranny and front clip!