Cab Support Removal?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

muddpile · 04-19-2006, 03:22 AM

How do I go about removing the cab supports from the bottom of my truck? I have the cab laying on its back right now, so access and space are not a problem, but I can't figure out how to get them off the body frame piece. I assume there are spotwelds, but how many and where are they? Also, what is the best tool/technique for this job? The back ones look a lot easier, as they are mostly rusted away with minimal welds. The front ones are really screwing up my progress, however. Thanks!

longhorn70gmc · 04-19-2006, 03:31 AM

Interesting Question/thread!
Respectfully

pierce · 04-19-2006, 08:50 AM

An air chisel works great. Removes them quick and easy.

davidh · 04-20-2006, 02:27 PM

ttt

67ChevyRedneck · 04-20-2006, 02:39 PM

The front bolts typically have a small spot weld holding them to the floor (the front bolts go through the floor from inside the cab). You can sometimes tap the socket on well enough to break them with a pipe (like I did on the passenger side of my cab) but on my driver side I had to use a hammer and a sharp chisel to break the spot weld. An air chisel would work great too. So would a dremmel with a ginder thingy on it. I'm not sure if a cut off wheel or grinder would fit in the hole without cutting the floor, I don't think it will....

The back bolts (at least on my truck) go on upside down, so the bolt doesnt go through the cab from the inside, but underneath. SO, in my cab there was a little cage looking thingy underneath the gas tank that held the nut in place, and it also keeps the nut from spinning when your trying to remove/install the new bolts. My nuts were in good condition (ok y'all, quit laughing now) so I left them in place. I think all you have to do is "peel" the cage apart with a screwdriver to get the nuts out. You will need to remove the gas tank to get to them.

Hope this helps fellers.

Southpa · 04-20-2006, 10:11 PM

I had to remove my supports with the cab still on the frame, but jacked up a bit w/ 2X4 spacers to get the mounts out successfully. I don't think I want to do that again, VERY messy. Crap getting into your eyes, ears, nose and hair.

At least I kept my mouth shut!

Be careful when trying to separate the 2 flanges of the support from the floor. Its very easy to tear holes in the floor when hammering away at spot welds with a chisel. Its hard enough to locate the spot weld under all that crap. I just decided to cut the support off at the corners, leaving the flanges behind. But next time I will drill the spot welds slightly, if I can find them and then do some gentle prying.

muddpile · 04-21-2006, 12:51 AM

Got em off with an air chisel and a drill bit. Thanks for the help guys!

72armyswbtruck · 04-21-2006, 02:07 PM

Does anyone here have some pics?

04-19-2006, 03:22 AM	#1
muddpile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 1,371	Cab Support Removal?? How do I go about removing the cab supports from the bottom of my truck? I have the cab laying on its back right now, so access and space are not a problem, but I can't figure out how to get them off the body frame piece. I assume there are spotwelds, but how many and where are they? Also, what is the best tool/technique for this job? The back ones look a lot easier, as they are mostly rusted away with minimal welds. The front ones are really screwing up my progress, however. Thanks! __________________ 1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open

04-19-2006, 03:31 AM	#2
longhorn70gmc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ridgecrest. CA, USA Posts: 1,715	Re: Cab Support Removal?? Interesting Question/thread! Respectfully __________________ Billy 1970 GMC Sierra Grande 402/TH400 (Longhorn)14 years and counting rebuild! 1975 (Build) Chevrolet SWB 4X4 350 SB Lifted 6 inches 1970 Ford F250 Ranger 390 BB 2010 Ford Super Duty F250 XLT W/4 inch lift kit and Pro Comp Tires Hub Cap Freak! *I need another truck like I need another hole in the head!* I'M IN THE MARKET...AS IT WERE!

04-19-2006, 08:50 AM	#3
pierce Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cincinnati,OH,USA Posts: 464	Re: Cab Support Removal?? An air chisel works great. Removes them quick and easy. __________________ 69 GMC 1 Ton Longhorn 37 Chevy Coupe

04-20-2006, 02:27 PM	#4
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,221	Re: Cab Support Removal?? ttt

04-20-2006, 02:39 PM	#5
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Cab Support Removal?? The front bolts typically have a small spot weld holding them to the floor (the front bolts go through the floor from inside the cab). You can sometimes tap the socket on well enough to break them with a pipe (like I did on the passenger side of my cab) but on my driver side I had to use a hammer and a sharp chisel to break the spot weld. An air chisel would work great too. So would a dremmel with a ginder thingy on it. I'm not sure if a cut off wheel or grinder would fit in the hole without cutting the floor, I don't think it will.... The back bolts (at least on my truck) go on upside down, so the bolt doesnt go through the cab from the inside, but underneath. SO, in my cab there was a little cage looking thingy underneath the gas tank that held the nut in place, and it also keeps the nut from spinning when your trying to remove/install the new bolts. My nuts were in good condition (ok y'all, quit laughing now) so I left them in place. I think all you have to do is "peel" the cage apart with a screwdriver to get the nuts out. You will need to remove the gas tank to get to them. Hope this helps fellers. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 04-20-2006 at 02:41 PM.

04-20-2006, 10:11 PM	#6
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,410	Re: Cab Support Removal?? I had to remove my supports with the cab still on the frame, but jacked up a bit w/ 2X4 spacers to get the mounts out successfully. I don't think I want to do that again, VERY messy. Crap getting into your eyes, ears, nose and hair. At least I kept my mouth shut! Be careful when trying to separate the 2 flanges of the support from the floor. Its very easy to tear holes in the floor when hammering away at spot welds with a chisel. Its hard enough to locate the spot weld under all that crap. I just decided to cut the support off at the corners, leaving the flanges behind. But next time I will drill the spot welds slightly, if I can find them and then do some gentle prying. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

04-21-2006, 12:51 AM	#7
muddpile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 1,371	Re: Cab Support Removal?? Got em off with an air chisel and a drill bit. Thanks for the help guys! __________________ 1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open

04-21-2006, 02:07 PM	#8
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,034	Re: Cab Support Removal?? Does anyone here have some pics? __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"



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