Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Putter · 11-19-2010, 11:02 AM

Okay, please don't just blurt out "Swap the cab".....

My '69 (grandpa's truck) was a big rear window (naturally). After finding TONS of rust in the rockers, corners, and across the windshield (he added cab lights), I located a '68 small window cab is great shape. 95% rust free, and minor dents.
Swapped them out years ago. But now I want to go back to the full size back glass.
Is there a GOOD way to just swap out the rear of the cab? I know it has outer/inner skin, but is there a suggested process? Like, cut here on one....here on the other. Brace here....weld here....blah blah blah.
And I am not looking for hard-core-step-by-step planning, but a general idea.

Heck, is it even possible?

If I can't do it that way, I will be forced to (a) find a big window board member to swap with, or (b) just put a 67-68 front clip on it and roll.

Anyway, suggestions needed & welcomed.

**too much stuff** · 11-19-2010, 11:10 AM

Anything is possible with enough time and $$$. Your other cab would be a 67 with the small window.
I would think a cab swap would be easiest, otherwise maybe cut below the rear window and the front pillars and swap the whole roof. Not an easy job no matter what you decide.

**special-K** · 11-19-2010, 02:30 PM

It can be disassembled and re assembled as they were originally built.The question is time vs cab replacement time and cost.There's a market for the small window and it could actually be less labor to swap cabs.If you do go at replacing the back panel,just cut the donor oversized,then see about cutting the welds or possibly figure a way to lap it.I had a cab that was clean but damaged in the back panel and my buddy wanted me to get him a back panel,which never happened.The cab ended up in a friend's hands and he had the it fixed by cutting the a-pillars to the back of the floor.

Putter · 11-19-2010, 03:19 PM

I am not totally against swapping the cab, but the BIG window one would need to be in fairly good shape from the start.
The '67 cab has zero rust, has been sanded, primed, sealed and covered in DynaMat sound deadner. Also tank removed and hole filled.
I hate to have to start completly over on a different cab.

LilD · 11-19-2010, 04:32 PM

Are you a good welder/body man? Find a donor cab thats rusted away and cut the back of the cab out around the window. Cut the same size hole out of your cab so you can lay it in there and butt weld it or you can cut the hole slightly smaller and flange the hole in the cab so the new window frame will lay over it. Check out some top chop build threads for some of the old 40s and 50s cars on rod sites. They do the same type of thing so they dont have to replace the rear glass. Cut out the rear glass area, drop the top, weld it back in and add some filler panels around it. If you see pics its easier to understand.

*Fitz* · 11-19-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilD

Are you a good welder/body man? Find a donor cab thats rusted away and cut the back of the cab out around the window. Cut the same size hole out of your cab....

This is good advice. Flanging it is the way I would do it if I did not want to swap out the cab. If you're good with a welder, jump right in but if you're not...I would look for a big window cab. This is the kind of project that lots of "bodymen" really screw up. And once they've hacked up your cab there aren't many alternatives; you'll have a lot less money AND no cab.

**bignbad** · 11-19-2010, 05:38 PM

It can be done.A guy on here went form big to small window.I think it was 67mater.You might want to message him..Good luck..I want to go form big to small window.I have the done panel,just not the time right now.Hopefuly in the spring...

**bignbad** · 11-19-2010, 05:41 PM

I found his build thread for you...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=303622

**Palf70Step** · 11-19-2010, 06:52 PM

Thanks for the link bignbad....that build has lots of usefull info in it.

It's been a while since I have seen the original cab Putter, but I would just cut out the window of the 69 cab, then splice it into the 67 cab. It should not be too bad a deal, and you have both pieces already. Have lots of patience so you don't warp it, and it should come out real good!

bw4sale · 11-19-2010, 09:24 PM

I would vote to find a different cab first. The smaller window is kind of rare and in my opinion desirable. Heck, you're tempting me to offer a trade on a nice cab I have. Sigh.

**bigsnookmaster** · 11-20-2010, 09:33 AM

I would do the swap. I've chopped and done roof replacements on these trucks. IMO it wouldn't be worth what you're trying to do, unless there were no cabs to be found.A roof replacement is a piece of cake, but what youre trying to do would be very complicated. Welding and grinding and doing body work inside a cab is not real fun. Good luck! Also, by the way, I have a pristine rust free cab! Hint hint

tdp67 · 11-20-2010, 10:39 PM

I wouldn't do it! Why mess with the original beauty of a small widow?

Putter · 11-20-2010, 11:17 PM

Well, as it turns out...another member contacted me about this delima. He is from Brandon, MS (I have a Brandon mailing address) and he works in Vicksburg (I work in Vicksburg). He has a "spare" big window cab is pretty good shape (per his description).
He will be unavailable during Thanksgiving week, but I plan to meet up with him the week after and get a good look at it. He hasn't stipulated if he wants to sell me his, swap me, or what....but there is at least the potential of a big window in my future.

And if that happens, there will be no slicing & dicing of a very nice '67 small window.

Putter · 11-29-2010, 12:17 PM

The guy called me this morning (name withheld until he says it's okay to give him props!)...anyway, he called me to remind me to come look at the cab. I am headed over there to look at lunch time. I sure hope it's a usable. (cross your fingers)

Putter · 11-29-2010, 03:05 PM

So....I just met with the guy. Screen name is Roland. Super nice guy. And had a very nice project going. It's scattered all over the room at the moment, but if you put it all together in your head, it's going to be awesome.

Anyway, I said that to say this.....the cab he has as a 'spare' is going to get me WAY ahead of the game. I have all the glass already, so I can just do some minor work to the floor (PO before him cut a hole for a floor shifter), then paint it and transfer my interior parts. This thing is in such good shape.

Then I will try and pass my good fortune on to someone else with my '67 small window cab once I make the swap.

**Palf70Step** · 11-29-2010, 06:03 PM

Sounds good Putter.

Where's the pictures....You done yet?

11-19-2010, 11:02 AM	#1
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? Okay, please don't just blurt out "Swap the cab"..... My '69 (grandpa's truck) was a big rear window (naturally). After finding TONS of rust in the rockers, corners, and across the windshield (he added cab lights), I located a '68 small window cab is great shape. 95% rust free, and minor dents. Swapped them out years ago. But now I want to go back to the full size back glass. Is there a GOOD way to just swap out the rear of the cab? I know it has outer/inner skin, but is there a suggested process? Like, cut here on one....here on the other. Brace here....weld here....blah blah blah. And I am not looking for hard-core-step-by-step planning, but a general idea. Heck, is it even possible? If I can't do it that way, I will be forced to (a) find a big window board member to swap with, or (b) just put a 67-68 front clip on it and roll. Anyway, suggestions needed & welcomed. __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

11-19-2010, 11:10 AM	#2
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,791	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? Anything is possible with enough time and $$$. Your other cab would be a 67 with the small window. I would think a cab swap would be easiest, otherwise maybe cut below the rear window and the front pillars and swap the whole roof. Not an easy job no matter what you decide. __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

11-19-2010, 02:30 PM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? It can be disassembled and re assembled as they were originally built.The question is time vs cab replacement time and cost.There's a market for the small window and it could actually be less labor to swap cabs.If you do go at replacing the back panel,just cut the donor oversized,then see about cutting the welds or possibly figure a way to lap it.I had a cab that was clean but damaged in the back panel and my buddy wanted me to get him a back panel,which never happened.The cab ended up in a friend's hands and he had the it fixed by cutting the a-pillars to the back of the floor. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-19-2010, 03:19 PM	#4
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? I am not totally against swapping the cab, but the BIG window one would need to be in fairly good shape from the start. The '67 cab has zero rust, has been sanded, primed, sealed and covered in DynaMat sound deadner. Also tank removed and hole filled. I hate to have to start completly over on a different cab. __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket** Last edited by Putter; 11-19-2010 at 03:20 PM.

11-19-2010, 04:32 PM	#5
LilD Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 186	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? Are you a good welder/body man? Find a donor cab thats rusted away and cut the back of the cab out around the window. Cut the same size hole out of your cab so you can lay it in there and butt weld it or you can cut the hole slightly smaller and flange the hole in the cab so the new window frame will lay over it. Check out some top chop build threads for some of the old 40s and 50s cars on rod sites. They do the same type of thing so they dont have to replace the rear glass. Cut out the rear glass area, drop the top, weld it back in and add some filler panels around it. If you see pics its easier to understand.

11-19-2010, 05:38 PM	#7
bignbad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: highspire,pa Posts: 423	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? It can be done.A guy on here went form big to small window.I think it was 67mater.You might want to message him..Good luck..I want to go form big to small window.I have the done panel,just not the time right now.Hopefuly in the spring... __________________ '72 chevy k20 '06 H-D Springer softail http://www.bluemooncruisers.com/ http://www.enginecycle.com/ ~Eric

11-19-2010, 05:41 PM	#8
bignbad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: highspire,pa Posts: 423	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? I found his build thread for you... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=303622 __________________ '72 chevy k20 '06 H-D Springer softail http://www.bluemooncruisers.com/ http://www.enginecycle.com/ ~Eric

11-19-2010, 06:52 PM	#9
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,251	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? Thanks for the link bignbad....that build has lots of usefull info in it. It's been a while since I have seen the original cab Putter, but I would just cut out the window of the 69 cab, then splice it into the 67 cab. It should not be too bad a deal, and you have both pieces already. Have lots of patience so you don't warp it, and it should come out real good! __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

11-19-2010, 09:24 PM	#10
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? I would vote to find a different cab first. The smaller window is kind of rare and in my opinion desirable. Heck, you're tempting me to offer a trade on a nice cab I have. Sigh. __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

11-20-2010, 09:33 AM	#11
bigsnookmaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St.Petersburg,Fl Posts: 1,270	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? I would do the swap. I've chopped and done roof replacements on these trucks. IMO it wouldn't be worth what you're trying to do, unless there were no cabs to be found.A roof replacement is a piece of cake, but what youre trying to do would be very complicated. Welding and grinding and doing body work inside a cab is not real fun. Good luck! Also, by the way, I have a pristine rust free cab! Hint hint __________________ greg http://community.webshots.com/user/68406Stepside

11-20-2010, 10:39 PM	#12
tdp67 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rowlett, TX Posts: 325	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? I wouldn't do it! Why mess with the original beauty of a small widow?

11-20-2010, 11:17 PM	#13
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? Well, as it turns out...another member contacted me about this delima. He is from Brandon, MS (I have a Brandon mailing address) and he works in Vicksburg (I work in Vicksburg). He has a "spare" big window cab is pretty good shape (per his description). He will be unavailable during Thanksgiving week, but I plan to meet up with him the week after and get a good look at it. He hasn't stipulated if he wants to sell me his, swap me, or what....but there is at least the potential of a big window in my future. And if that happens, there will be no slicing & dicing of a very nice '67 small window. __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

11-29-2010, 12:17 PM	#14
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? The guy called me this morning (name withheld until he says it's okay to give him props!)...anyway, he called me to remind me to come look at the cab. I am headed over there to look at lunch time. I sure hope it's a usable. (cross your fingers) __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

11-29-2010, 03:05 PM	#15
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? So....I just met with the guy. Screen name is Roland. Super nice guy. And had a very nice project going. It's scattered all over the room at the moment, but if you put it all together in your head, it's going to be awesome. Anyway, I said that to say this.....the cab he has as a 'spare' is going to get me WAY ahead of the game. I have all the glass already, so I can just do some minor work to the floor (PO before him cut a hole for a floor shifter), then paint it and transfer my interior parts. This thing is in such good shape. Then I will try and pass my good fortune on to someone else with my '67 small window cab once I make the swap. __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

11-29-2010, 06:03 PM	#16
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,251	Re: Swaping from small to LARGE glass. How would you do it? Sounds good Putter. Where's the pictures....You done yet? __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!



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