RUSTY top, replace cab or chop top??

[bmwhitt]

Ok guys....I have done the search thing but havent found exactly what I am looking for.... I have a 1964 GMC 3/4 ton. The top and especially above the windshield is completely rotted out. I have since purchased another GMC cab to do a swap with a perfect top but the floors will need to be replaced in that new one. Has anyone just chopped the top below the windshield and welded it back on? Wondering if it is worth the time to save my cab and just replace the top or completely restore the other cab. I want to keep as much of my original truck as possible but be most practical too...

[1961Apache]

I had a local body shop replace the panel you are talking about. It is available from quite a few vendors.

[65sub]

replacing floor pans and rockers is fairly common. lots of info on this site
to help. if you do decide to swap the top I would cut the A and B pillars
in the middle. remember measure twice cut once

[DPowers]

I would say replacing floors would be easier.

[sixysixss]

One thing to remember when replacing the cab is you have to go through the regulatory/legal process of changing the vin tag. Because of that, I decided to redo my rusted roof, rather than replace the cab. Just my .02!

[LostMy65]

Let's see some pics.
You could cut out of the donor cab just the pieces you need to patch your original cab.
There's a thread in these forums where someone patched the area above the windshield both outside and inside.

[spacedebris]

Just cut the top off and make a convertible.

[bmwhitt]

Here are some pics of what I am talking about....the top is SHOT!! and SH$T for that matter. I just hate to chop up my cab and not get the dang thing to line back up right. Good thing is dad is a top notch welder, and just up the road is a buddy of his that builds unbelievable hot rods and chops mercurys like its nothing....

[bmwhitt]

Sorry about the pics being sideways...

[LuckyLightning]

That's about as bad as mine.

[65sub]

is the rest of the cab in good shape ? if it is then swapping the top would be
relatively easy

[bmwhitt]

Yes it is in pretty good shape. My dilemma is i would have to replace most of the floor in the donor cab but the top is great. In my cab I would need to patch very little in the floor but you see the top....The places to cut are all double walled though...didnt know how this would affect anything. I wish there was a thread about this very situation...

[LostMy65]

Man that's bad.
.
If you do replace the whole top, please be sure to keep a large enough portion of the area around the VIN Plate. You're going to need it as a patch piece to preserve the trucks VIN on Title.
Don't cut the rosette rivets, it's illegal to swap VIN plates. Technically you're just patching your existing cab, but it's a sensitive area.
And discussions about swapping VIN plates in these forums is strictly prohibited because of the legal reasons.