cab and frame salvation - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

robby · 12-18-2002, 09:50 PM

I have been thinking about this for a while so here goes. Some of us (not me) have outstanding metal working skills. Every day all over the country our trucks are smashed and gone forever. Many of the parts that are lost can be replaced but the very essence is gone. Most of the cabs could be fixed with over the counter patch panels and some real skill.

What if:
There was a way to round up cabs and frames and other parts that are junk to most of us and get them to some regional folks who had the skills to fix them? Maybe the body men could only charge for parts and labor in order to compensate them for their time and we all can have the satisfaction of helping the cause. I junked two fixable cabs this year myself. I would have gladly trailered them some distance the with no compensation. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY!
What are your thoughts?

bigvinnie · 12-18-2002, 10:53 PM

panel replacement is some of the most expensive work you can have done... that's why a lot of people are doing it themselves... until the scarcity of quality cabs becomes an epidemic, I don't think your idea will be attractive, if ever....

Hooter · 12-19-2002, 01:47 AM

But one day we might be regreting it. I dont see it happening anywhere in the near future because there are over a million 67-72's that rolled out of the chevy factories

Longhorn Man · 12-19-2002, 02:19 AM

Once you've spen 10 hrs on one repair...things seem to chainge when you look at the rest of the vehicle needing work done on it.
and this is all before the primr is first squirted too.

Quick68c10 · 12-19-2002, 02:24 AM

yes do that
it would be great because i need a cab

Bushmaster · 12-19-2002, 05:08 AM

I could use a short bed frame if somebody had a extra they needed to get rid of.

robby · 12-19-2002, 08:37 AM

I agree it would be cumbersome. But it may be a niche for someone who is really good at the work. Hey-we sent a man to the moon you know.

robby · 12-20-2002, 12:08 AM

opinions, anyone?

ChevLoRay · 12-21-2002, 12:31 PM

Best bet would be to have a dry, i.e., desert-like, place to store the remains of the vehicles. So, you gotta have some acreage. Then, you gotta have money to buy the relics from people who think they're worth a ton of money. Some are. Many aren't. Those that are, will not be the kind you find in a salvage yard.

Speaking of salvage, each state has laws governing the disposition of salvage vehicles. Texas has a "line" behind which vehicles are scrapped. Others are for parts. So, the legalities will drive how the salvage vehicles are stored and how the parts are sold.

Then, there are snakes, spiders and scorpions to do battle with as they seek to remain in the home they have while you are tryin to retrieve that one part that you needed.

SO, I don't have an answer to your idea. Just some thoughts. I paid $750 to have new rockers, and floor pans welded in, along with replacing the body mounts and cushions. I still have a ton of work to be done, to be started in the spring of '03 and finished by the spring of '05.

3damnboyz · 12-21-2002, 12:40 PM

i got about 3.5 acres ya'll can donate your "junk" to .........lol!

imaindianoutlaw · 12-21-2002, 12:58 PM

um? I need a non a/c cab! Firewall is messed up! distance is a problem for me so nearby states!

robby · 12-21-2002, 05:28 PM

I'll bet that through the board one of the real body men or the amatures would take donated cabs and put parts in them, no paint just metal. Someone would be pleased. I see "I need a cab" all the time on the board.

hanssolo · 12-21-2002, 07:24 PM

I think someone makes fiberglass cabs. Lighter and no rust.

bigvinnie · 12-21-2002, 07:47 PM

yeah, they make your wallet a whole lot lighter, too... only $4600 from www.usbody.com

12-18-2002, 09:50 PM	#1
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	cab and frame salvation I have been thinking about this for a while so here goes. Some of us (not me) have outstanding metal working skills. Every day all over the country our trucks are smashed and gone forever. Many of the parts that are lost can be replaced but the very essence is gone. Most of the cabs could be fixed with over the counter patch panels and some real skill. What if: There was a way to round up cabs and frames and other parts that are junk to most of us and get them to some regional folks who had the skills to fix them? Maybe the body men could only charge for parts and labor in order to compensate them for their time and we all can have the satisfaction of helping the cause. I junked two fixable cabs this year myself. I would have gladly trailered them some distance the with no compensation. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY! What are your thoughts? __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)

12-18-2002, 10:53 PM	#2
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	panel replacement is some of the most expensive work you can have done... that's why a lot of people are doing it themselves... until the scarcity of quality cabs becomes an epidemic, I don't think your idea will be attractive, if ever.... __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

12-19-2002, 01:47 AM	#3
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,083	But one day we might be regreting it. I dont see it happening anywhere in the near future because there are over a million 67-72's that rolled out of the chevy factories __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

12-19-2002, 02:24 AM	#5
Quick68c10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: San Antonio Tx Posts: 219	yes do that it would be great because i need a cab __________________ 68 C10 lwb Blue 350ci 4:11 gears Mine 70 c10 lwb Green all oringinal execpt for the seats and steering wheel Dad's email=TriToRemember@yahoo.com Texan

12-19-2002, 05:08 AM	#6
Bushmaster Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Holbrook, AZ Posts: 25	I could use a short bed frame if somebody had a extra they needed to get rid of. __________________ If You Can't Spark It Park It...

12-19-2002, 02:19 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Once you've spen 10 hrs on one repair...things seem to chainge when you look at the rest of the vehicle needing work done on it. and this is all before the primr is first squirted too.

12-19-2002, 08:37 AM	#7
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	I agree it would be cumbersome. But it may be a niche for someone who is really good at the work. Hey-we sent a man to the moon you know. __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)

12-20-2002, 12:08 AM	#8
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	opinions, anyone? __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)

12-21-2002, 12:31 PM	#9
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Best bet would be to have a dry, i.e., desert-like, place to store the remains of the vehicles. So, you gotta have some acreage. Then, you gotta have money to buy the relics from people who think they're worth a ton of money. Some are. Many aren't. Those that are, will not be the kind you find in a salvage yard. Speaking of salvage, each state has laws governing the disposition of salvage vehicles. Texas has a "line" behind which vehicles are scrapped. Others are for parts. So, the legalities will drive how the salvage vehicles are stored and how the parts are sold. Then, there are snakes, spiders and scorpions to do battle with as they seek to remain in the home they have while you are tryin to retrieve that one part that you needed. SO, I don't have an answer to your idea. Just some thoughts. I paid $750 to have new rockers, and floor pans welded in, along with replacing the body mounts and cushions. I still have a ton of work to be done, to be started in the spring of '03 and finished by the spring of '05. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

12-21-2002, 12:40 PM	#10
3damnboyz Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: east texas Posts: 42	i got about 3.5 acres ya'll can donate your "junk" to .........lol! __________________ 72 short wide 55 stepside- 2nd generation "come on honey, we need more old trucks to fix up for the boys to drive, they will be driving before ya know it!"

12-21-2002, 12:58 PM	#11
imaindianoutlaw GMC SHORT FLEET F/S Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT PENNSYLVANNIA Posts: 2,117	um? I need a non a/c cab! Firewall is messed up! distance is a problem for me so nearby states! __________________ CHARLES WADE HEIN HVACR FOREMAN. LEWISBURG U.S.P.

12-21-2002, 05:28 PM	#12
robby Semper Fidelis Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cedar City, Utah Posts: 654	I'll bet that through the board one of the real body men or the amatures would take donated cabs and put parts in them, no paint just metal. Someone would be pleased. I see "I need a cab" all the time on the board. __________________ 72 Chevy C 20 with 402 For sale 85 GMC K2500 83 Trans Am Cedar City, Utah (Missouri Native)

12-21-2002, 07:24 PM	#13
hanssolo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: central Ill. USA Posts: 447	I think someone makes fiberglass cabs. Lighter and no rust. __________________ 69 C10 longbed: 357c.i. /TH400/3.73s/AC/ beige primer/saving $ for paint ______________________________

12-21-2002, 07:47 PM	#14
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	yeah, they make your wallet a whole lot lighter, too... only $4600 from www.usbody.com __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project



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