Remove My Cab

[allforfun]

Ok I have a standard two car garage. I've got the bed off and on blocks to one side. I park the truck in there as well. What I need is help on a cheap idea for getting the cab up so that I can do bushings and clean-up and rust repair to the usual places. A friend of mine says that the cab is close 1000/Lbs. There is about a 1'-2' above the cab as it sits on the frame now. Any ideas?

[cdowns]

i'm confused??? you start saying the cab is off and on blocks, then you're asking how to lift to put bushings in??

[68gmsee]

He's got the bed off and need to lift the cab...

If it's only lifting and not completely removing it, I'd start by disconnecting the components like, shift linkage, brake lines, electrical stuff, steering column from the gear box, all of the mounting bolts, etc.. Then just start jacking it up.

That's what I intend to do to replace bushings. I'll be using wooden blocks to support it on the frame as I raise it up..

[68gmsee]

Forgot to mention, I have made some wooden saw horses sturdy enough to support it if I need to go that route...

I've heard mention that the cab is not that heavy. I thing someone mentioned around 750 lbs and maybe 500 stripped??? Someone else may remember the exact numbers.

[msgross]

for one thing a full cab with doors removed is more like 500 lbs.. (less totally stripped and more with doors) With only 2" then you can only lift the cab 2" of course, use a floor jack and a 2x4 to support it on the frame rails. Or let the air out of the tires (or remove them) and get more room. You could alos prop the cab on it's back (onto the frame) and have full access to the floor...

[68gmsee]

He has 1 to 2 feet above so that should be plenty to do what he needs. Just have to shimmy it as he raises it.

Others have used engine lift (if you happen to have one) and all sorts of ideas from chains and metal straps to 4X4's, etc. to lift the cab.

[PanelDeland]

Someone posted a thread on lifting their cab just the other day.They lifted with an engine hoist.

[allforfun]

All are good ideas but I thought I could not jack from the bottom supports. Now I know I can! So I had been given bad info.. Sorry this is my first resto project so everything I do is a learning lesson. So if I understand everyones input I can take a 2x4 under the cab use a jack and bring it up or simply lay it on its back on the frame. Correct?

[mr48chev]

Ok, we have a lot of confusion here and I'm one of the confused.
How much space do you actually have above the top of the cab to raise it up?
cc
Is the truck up on blocks now or does it just sit pretty high?

The simple one guy way is to use a cherry picker with a 4x4 or other beam on top so that you slip it in the door way of the cab, lift it up and with it balanced on the beam roll it back and set it down. Or roll the frame out from under it and set it down.

I have slid cabs from one frame to another by my self by raising the cab up a bit and putting a pair of planks under it and sliding it to the other frame and then pulling the planks out. You could slid the cab off the truck this way.

It might be easier for folks to give you some good ideas if we can see photos of what you are facing as far as how it sits now.

[allforfun]

1. I have 1' to 2' above the cab max. (Unless I take off the wheels)

2. The truck is current sitting on its own wheels we just took the bed off yesterday.

3. I will try to get photos tonight.

Sorry to confuse anyone.. I figured I would start at the rear and work forward since it appears to be an easy beggining since I'm a newb..

I just need the cab to come up or off which ever is the easiest. So I and some friends of mine can clean up the frame. Do the cab corners and inner and outer rockers along with a floor patch on the passanger side goin up to the firewall. Just kinda dreading that part and since I've never done this. I don't want to buckel or damage the cab anymore than it already is. So I wanted to get input on the best methods to remove the cab and complete these tasks easily but correctly. I should have titled the thread better sorry..

[mr48chev]

Ok, tall truck, short garage.

If you just want to raise the cab to work on it I would just pull the wheels off and set the truck on the floor. It might be a bit of a chore but that would be the simple way out.

The other way is to get every thing loose, roll the truck outside, take the cab off and roll the frame back inside.
Several of the guys have shown dollies in their photos that they set their cab on to roll it around. 4 caster wheels and some lumber and you can move it around in the shop an or driveway.
You can build it high enough to be able to work on the sheet metal with out laying on the floor and still clear the door an celing. Just a thought.

[msgross]

ok, sorry 1-2 feet is another story then.. look at my 68 build thread about half way or so and you'll see al kinds of pice of the cab. I would lay it on its back on the frame to keep it a 1-2 man job (4 if you remove it all the way!). Clean the frame up and nay major issues on the cab floor. Then lay it back on it's main supports on the frame to do corners, rockers, floor pan etc...

Might not hurt ot pull the back windown out (easy) and remove the doors. it would be eaier to pull the wheels and lower the truck though. I then supported my firewall to the ceiling with a ratchet strap...

[msgross]

Here is what I did... the engine lift didn't work since mine was a 4WD and to high to clear the shifter

The last picture is the new one-piece floor install..

[Roland]

If you are planning to do a lot of work on your cab or planning to move it and flip it and sand and weld and paint, then check out this fellow's plans for Cab dolly, Bed lifter, etc. They're good stuff.


http://www.lewisfabricationdesign.com/products.aspx

[allforfun]

Sweet! Thanks for the info! I will get a build thread started later tonight.

[Jim Osborne]

I have one question, is the front end still on the truck, if it is you need to loosen the radiator support bolts or your fender to cab bolts.It will be less strain on your fenders.