cab swap ??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*1FaastC10* · 08-06-2003, 09:47 PM

i've been planning on thinning my fleet for a while now. and with the recent addition of my 91 K1500, i've been considering making it my big toy. i asked about swapping AC into my 82 a while back, and got to thinking about doing it. DUH! i have a complete loaded Silverado that i could just put on the SWB frame, and call it a day. my question is, how to get the cab off of the frame without damaging it so i can put it on the SWB frame. as of right now, it has no cab corners, but everything is solid and the interior is near mint. i dont have access to a hoist/lift and i'll be working out of my 1 car garage and driveway. thanks in advance.

beaterC10 · 08-06-2003, 09:59 PM

Take the doors off and the seat out and four guys can pick it up. Or two guys, a bottle jack, a couple 2x6's and a few conrete blocks and you can jack it up from side to side until it is clear of the frame. I'm sure there are more elegant solutions, but either of those two will work in a pinch.

There was a post a few days back were someone had rigged a sling inside the cab and used and engine lift.

**old Rusty C10** · 08-06-2003, 10:16 PM

youll have to remove the front fenders and hood too to move the cab theres like four bolts holding the cab to the frame take off the doors and the seat disconnect the steering column and HEAVE!!!! with four guys

kballan · 08-07-2003, 01:00 AM

I just switched my cab onto a shorty frame about 2 weeks ago. Same story here. 4 guys and a lot of grunting! Took off the doors and no problem.

*1FaastC10* · 08-07-2003, 09:10 AM

i'm well aware of having to remove the doghouse, and the locations of all of the body mounts. i took my 82 completely apart, and rolled the cab off of the frame (literally) by myself. in doing so, i did a little bit of damage to it. that is okay for that truck, since it needed extensive body work anyways. i just dont want to tear up the 86 cab, and i'd like to keep the interior in it if possible. i talked to a friend of mine last night, and he suggested a 4x4 or 2 through the interior (doors open, not removed) and a chain hoist on one end, a come-a-long on the other. it worked for him, but im worried about ruining my roof if i do it like that. any more suggestions?

bigblock73 · 08-07-2003, 12:26 PM

run a couple boards (HD ones, 8 or 10 ft'ers) between the frame and cab, then lift up enough to set them on top of some saw horses...then simply push out the frame from underneath. You are really restricting yourself if you are going to do this in the garage and you are also making it more difficult without removing the heavy stuff like doors and seat.

...Jeff

*1FaastC10* · 08-07-2003, 08:14 PM

Jeff, i never really though of that. will the rocker panels be enough to support the weight of the cab? other than that it sounds like a great idea, and i could probably get away with doing it myself, since most people who would help me are either asleep or working when im working on it (3rd shift makes things interesting).

bigblock73 · 08-07-2003, 08:22 PM

Mine is sitting on its rockers...haven't had any problems. I believe they are more than strong enough to support the cab.

Jeff

08-06-2003, 09:47 PM	#1
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	cab swap ??? i've been planning on thinning my fleet for a while now. and with the recent addition of my 91 K1500, i've been considering making it my big toy. i asked about swapping AC into my 82 a while back, and got to thinking about doing it. DUH! i have a complete loaded Silverado that i could just put on the SWB frame, and call it a day. my question is, how to get the cab off of the frame without damaging it so i can put it on the SWB frame. as of right now, it has no cab corners, but everything is solid and the interior is near mint. i dont have access to a hoist/lift and i'll be working out of my 1 car garage and driveway. thanks in advance.

08-06-2003, 10:16 PM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	youll have to remove the front fenders and hood too to move the cab theres like four bolts holding the cab to the frame take off the doors and the seat disconnect the steering column and HEAVE!!!! with four guys __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

08-07-2003, 01:00 AM	#4
kballan Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada Posts: 373	I just switched my cab onto a shorty frame about 2 weeks ago. Same story here. 4 guys and a lot of grunting! Took off the doors and no problem. __________________ Kent Ballan ANY MAN CAN BUILD A TRUCK, BUT IT TAKES A REAL MAN TO CUT ONE UP!

08-06-2003, 09:59 PM	#2
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	Take the doors off and the seat out and four guys can pick it up. Or two guys, a bottle jack, a couple 2x6's and a few conrete blocks and you can jack it up from side to side until it is clear of the frame. I'm sure there are more elegant solutions, but either of those two will work in a pinch. There was a post a few days back were someone had rigged a sling inside the cab and used and engine lift.

08-07-2003, 09:10 AM	#5
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	i'm well aware of having to remove the doghouse, and the locations of all of the body mounts. i took my 82 completely apart, and rolled the cab off of the frame (literally) by myself. in doing so, i did a little bit of damage to it. that is okay for that truck, since it needed extensive body work anyways. i just dont want to tear up the 86 cab, and i'd like to keep the interior in it if possible. i talked to a friend of mine last night, and he suggested a 4x4 or 2 through the interior (doors open, not removed) and a chain hoist on one end, a come-a-long on the other. it worked for him, but im worried about ruining my roof if i do it like that. any more suggestions?

08-07-2003, 12:26 PM	#6
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	run a couple boards (HD ones, 8 or 10 ft'ers) between the frame and cab, then lift up enough to set them on top of some saw horses...then simply push out the frame from underneath. You are really restricting yourself if you are going to do this in the garage and you are also making it more difficult without removing the heavy stuff like doors and seat. ...Jeff

08-07-2003, 08:14 PM	#7
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	Jeff, i never really though of that. will the rocker panels be enough to support the weight of the cab? other than that it sounds like a great idea, and i could probably get away with doing it myself, since most people who would help me are either asleep or working when im working on it (3rd shift makes things interesting).

08-07-2003, 08:22 PM	#8
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	Mine is sitting on its rockers...haven't had any problems. I believe they are more than strong enough to support the cab. Jeff



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