Anyone ever repaired a .....

[f.monroe]

I am buying a truck tomorrow that the owner installed a sunroof in . Anyone ever repaired a cab that had one of these in it or would it be better to replace the cab ? The truck is worth saving from this owner modification .
Frank

[bigblock73]

Honestly, I'd replace the cab...especially if it needed any other metal work on it. Rust free cabs should be easy to find in TX right?

[454HO]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Rust free cabs should be easy to find in TX right?

Yeah, right.....

[N2TRUX]

Rust free cabs should be easy to find in TX right?

Not near as easy as they once were, but still out there. Frank unless you have the ability to replace the roof skin, it would probably be cheaper to replace the cab. Or you could wait another 10-15 years and it might come back in style...

[bigblock73]

Why not? It's not like you get large amounts of snow and perhaps not salt on the roads when it does...

OK, how about AZ then?

[454HO]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Why not? It's not like you get large amounts of snow and perhaps not salt on the roads when it does...

No snow here in Houston, but there is the salt air from the Gulf of Mexico at least on the south side of town. Seriously, we do get a lot of rainfall here. And when these truck are left for months or even years without being washed, and they have caked on mud underneath, they WILL rot.

I thought my current truck was pretty rust free when I bought it, except for the rear cab corners. Now that I'm tearing into it I am finding more rust in places I would not have suspected. Yeah, it's getting harder and harder to find a truely 'rust free' truck here.

[bigblock73]

I paid a higher than average price for my '73 back in 1995...but it was from AZ and was in real nice shape. The only parts I had to replace were the right fender and inner fender due to battery corrosion...but other than that is was super nice. I always assumed most S/SW states had really nice sheet metal.

[streetstar]

sometimes the temperature extremes can cause condensation that sits in the problem areas -- Houston is somewhat coastal, but the band from Oklahoma to Dallas can have weather extremes ranging from over 100 in the summer to well below freezing in the winter -- usully not for very long on the freezing part, but they do salt down the roads and the cumulative effect over the years works on 'em.

the 87 is the last year for this generation of trucks and it is now 21, with a 73 being 35 --- lots of time to rust , even in a perfect climate

geez -- i remember when i thought 20 year old vehicles were old

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by streetstar

the 87 is the last year for this generation of trucks...

Technically '91 was the last year

But I see your (and others) point.

Regardless, back to Franks question...if I recall, he said it needed other sheetmetal work in his other thread. Soo, if he plans to do that and patch the sunroof hole...and knowing how he likes NICE trucks, I would replace the cab if I were him with a nicer one.

[f.monroe]

Anyone have a rust free cab for sale ? I will need one . Frank

[N2TRUX]

Frank, I'll keep an eye out for one. There was one here a few months back that would have been perfect for ya. It was a stripped out 87 with everything gone but the cab and a SWB frame.

[f.monroe]

Thanks Ken . I know from recent experience that you can find things . I appreciate the help on the bowtie emblem . As far as cabs go , the search will be a little harder because of yearmodel differences . I will need a 77 or older cab since the seat belt mount points changed in 78 . I think I am right on that one . Also the 81-87 cab is out since the cowl area is a little different because of the hood hinges that recess into the cowl . Small changes but I am going to be looking for a 75-77ish cab . Frank

[Slonaker]

I would consider cutting the roof out of a junkyard truck and welding it in. It would be hidden from the inside by the headliner. This would help you avoid potential problems with titling and stuff.

Slonaker

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by Slonaker

I would consider cutting the roof out of a junkyard truck and welding it in. It would be hidden from the inside by the headliner. This would help you avoid potential problems with titling and stuff.

Slonaker

That's what I was going to recommend also. The outside can be just flat metal, the inside will be a little trickier, but it will be covered by the headliner. How big is the sunroof?

[xtreme80]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

That's what I was going to recommend also. The outside can be just flat metal, the inside will be a little trickier, but it will be covered by the headliner. How big is the sunroof?

That's what I was going to say too. It would be similar to chopping a top, only a lot less hassle. I don't think it would be too hard to do.

[Kaysenmc]

Frank, i live down the road from a junkyard here in Marietta and I know they have mostly rust free stuff, and alot of 73-79 chevy's out there. If you are dead nuts set on swapping the whole cab, I will get you the nicest one and have it pulled waiting on ya (maybe meet in the middle). Just let me know if you are interested. Kaysen

[smashingchuck]

filled the sunroof in on the 78 that was installed when it was chopped. it was not easy.... and it's going off this winter for someone to make a second attempt at it. on the inside I'll be covering the mess with a custom headliner. Bottom line here.... it can be done, but it's a lot of work and expect the roof to warp like mad.