Is it worth it - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Porkchop · 07-24-2003, 10:26 AM

I have my truck stripped down to nothing but the cab on the frame. I don't know if it would be worth it to fix the cab though. It needs rockers, cab corners, all the mounts, the floor near the front of the cab, firewall has a few holes, and the floor near the back around the gas tank bolt holes. I asked about oxy-acetylene welding a while ago and I have tried it many times but with no luck. So, what I am wondering is if this cab is even worth fixing. Would you guys even bother to fix it?
thanks for any info
brad

*Randy70C-10* · 07-24-2003, 10:51 AM

Sounds like the same shape that my cab was in. I used a Lincoln SP-125 mig welder and replaced the rockers, cab corners, door pillars, parts of the floor, alot of the windshield frame and rear window frame, the door bottoms, and most of the upper firewall. It takes patience but I think that it was worth it. The way I look at it, I saved a cool truck from going to the scrap yard.

*Randy70C-10* · 07-24-2003, 10:55 AM

Here it is!

Porkchop · 07-24-2003, 10:57 AM

Yeah, I wanted to say that I saved a truck from a scrap yard too. How much do those Lincoln welders usually go for? I have looked at a few tool rental places to rent a welder but I have not seen any. Do you know if it is common for a tool rental place to rent welders? Is the lincoln hard to use? Thanks for the help
brad

Figment412 · 07-24-2003, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy70C-10
Here it is!

Are you planning on putting the fuel tank back into the cab?

VTKidder · 07-24-2003, 12:16 PM

Doesn't sound like it's in much worse shape than most of our trucks started out. I had to do both floors, inner and outer rocker, cab corners, all 4 cab mounts, then some random patchwork up where all the crap falls down through the cowl to the left and right 's*@t holding areas. I think mine was probably as bad as you could get and still save the darn thing. Definitely would have done things differently if I did it again. Wait....if?

*Randy70C-10* · 07-24-2003, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Figment412
Are you planning on putting the fuel tank back into the cab?

Na, I still have to fill in the gas hole, I'll be using a fuel cell between the rails.

I've seen rental places rent welders, but as much work is required to restore a truck, it's cheaper to buy one. Mine was around $800 with the hoses, regulator, and gas bottle.

Porkchop · 07-24-2003, 03:19 PM

Yeesh, 800 bucks is a little more than I want to spend. That is why I was wondering about renting one. About how many hours do you guys have into your cabs? I originally wanted the truck to be completely done minus paint this summer... hhmmmm... well, I don't think that will happen. The only thing that I am worried about getting done now is the cab. It is holding me back from doing the frame and all the other body parts. I figure I could finish the cab and the frame this summer and then I could use the welders at school to do the minor fender and box work. So, do you guys think that if I set aside a weekend to work soley on the cab that I could get it done?
thanks for any advice
brad

Longhorn Man · 07-24-2003, 03:45 PM

800 bucks will get you a damn nice cab.
However, you can't use the cab to fix everythign else that needs welded.

**1971Stepside** · 07-24-2003, 03:47 PM

My cab was in similiar shape, but I did not have any holes in the firewall area. Anyway, I have been working on mine since January. Now that is a couple hours at a time, but there is no way you will be able to rent a welder to do this job. It takes time! A lot of time.

I bought my Lincoln PRO135 Mig from Lowes for $400.00. It works great on the sheet metal. I have bought about $400 worth of replacement panels for the cab alone.

It would be much cheaper and less time consuming to buy a rust free cab out west and drive and get it, but then it just wouldn't be the same truck. Good luck

07-24-2003, 10:26 AM	#1
Porkchop Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Dowagiac, MI US Posts: 579	Is it worth it I have my truck stripped down to nothing but the cab on the frame. I don't know if it would be worth it to fix the cab though. It needs rockers, cab corners, all the mounts, the floor near the front of the cab, firewall has a few holes, and the floor near the back around the gas tank bolt holes. I asked about oxy-acetylene welding a while ago and I have tried it many times but with no luck. So, what I am wondering is if this cab is even worth fixing. Would you guys even bother to fix it? thanks for any info brad

07-24-2003, 03:47 PM	#10
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	My cab was in similiar shape, but I did not have any holes in the firewall area. Anyway, I have been working on mine since January. Now that is a couple hours at a time, but there is no way you will be able to rent a welder to do this job. It takes time! A lot of time. I bought my Lincoln PRO135 Mig from Lowes for $400.00. It works great on the sheet metal. I have bought about $400 worth of replacement panels for the cab alone. It would be much cheaper and less time consuming to buy a rust free cab out west and drive and get it, but then it just wouldn't be the same truck. Good luck __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-24-2003, 10:51 AM	#2
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Sounds like the same shape that my cab was in. I used a Lincoln SP-125 mig welder and replaced the rockers, cab corners, door pillars, parts of the floor, alot of the windshield frame and rear window frame, the door bottoms, and most of the upper firewall. It takes patience but I think that it was worth it. The way I look at it, I saved a cool truck from going to the scrap yard.

07-24-2003, 10:55 AM	#3
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Here it is!

07-24-2003, 10:57 AM	#4
Porkchop Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Dowagiac, MI US Posts: 579	Yeah, I wanted to say that I saved a truck from a scrap yard too. How much do those Lincoln welders usually go for? I have looked at a few tool rental places to rent a welder but I have not seen any. Do you know if it is common for a tool rental place to rent welders? Is the lincoln hard to use? Thanks for the help brad

07-24-2003, 12:16 PM	#6
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	Doesn't sound like it's in much worse shape than most of our trucks started out. I had to do both floors, inner and outer rocker, cab corners, all 4 cab mounts, then some random patchwork up where all the crap falls down through the cowl to the left and right 's*@t holding areas. I think mine was probably as bad as you could get and still save the darn thing. Definitely would have done things differently if I did it again. Wait....if?

07-24-2003, 03:19 PM	#8
Porkchop Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Dowagiac, MI US Posts: 579	Yeesh, 800 bucks is a little more than I want to spend. That is why I was wondering about renting one. About how many hours do you guys have into your cabs? I originally wanted the truck to be completely done minus paint this summer... hhmmmm... well, I don't think that will happen. The only thing that I am worried about getting done now is the cab. It is holding me back from doing the frame and all the other body parts. I figure I could finish the cab and the frame this summer and then I could use the welders at school to do the minor fender and box work. So, do you guys think that if I set aside a weekend to work soley on the cab that I could get it done? thanks for any advice brad

07-24-2003, 03:45 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	800 bucks will get you a damn nice cab. However, you can't use the cab to fix everythign else that needs welded.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.