5 Window cab conversion

[kgmunro]

Has anyone ever added the small corner windows to their early 50's truck? I love the looks and would like to do it to my truck (51).

[Dan Bowles]

There is a guy on Stovebolt.com that has done it. Make sure you get the inner parts as well as the outer and take your time welding! I sold the corners to a guy a while back but I don't know if he ever finished the job.

[enick72]

They had a build on the show Trucks on the Spike TV that they added corner windows to a cab. They bought the full inner and outer back cab panels and just cut out what they wanted. I looked for the article on the site but couldn't find it but that doesn't mean its not there. I'm sure it's available somewhere.

[av8tr33337]

Originally Posted by enick72

They had a build on the show Trucks on the Spike TV that they added corner windows to a cab. They bought the full inner and outer back cab panels and just cut out what they wanted. I looked for the article on the site but couldn't find it but that doesn't mean its not there. I'm sure it's available somewhere.

You might look on youtube

[MrTucker]

it isn't a very technical swap - it's just cutting and welding. On Trucks! they cut and welded the outer shell, then cut out the inner panel. I think they used adhesive and plug welds on the inner to avoid warping - not sure. Anyway, it seemed pretty simple. They followed seams in the cab to keep everything lined up.

But - if you price out the inner and outer shells needed to do this, you might want to look at just getting a new cab as well - depending on what shape your current cab is in. I've seen 5 window's go for ~$500, so it might just be a lot easier to simply swap them out.


Oh, and I think you can download episodes of trucks! on iTunes for like $1

[bwilli2]

The "Trucks!" episode was 'ClasSix part 6'
Link to the episode info.

They also have as part of their 'Powerblock Magazine' several articles on their AD build up, head/tail light frenching, fauxtina, but not the 5 window conversion yet.

[mr48chev]

I've never studied how the top is fastened to the back panel (spot welds or ?) but from looking at the Chevs of the 40's site http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/search....le+Site+Search
A guy can get an idea of how he might do the swap and where to do the cutting.

I'd cut the whole panel out as they show and drill out the spot welds that held the inner panel in so that I could weld and work the section in. I intend to do that when I chop the top on the new cab I am building as it is too hard to get the metal worked right with the panel in and it is the pits to try and weld up the panels if you cut access windows inside to reach the outer skin. A good number of spot welds to cut out first though.

[Steve@OldSub.com]

In the book How to Restore you Chevrolet Truck there is a chapter devoted to this swap. The method used is to cut through the windshield posts and through the floor just in front of the seat.

The advantage of this approach is that in minimizes the amount of metal finishing required. The disadvantage is that you are probably cutting cutting up a good cab to do it.

[solidaxel]

This is the way we did it, in the process we added 10" to the cab and "extra" windows,

[chevy49]

look at www.yarilscustoms.com he did it on a truck for someone on this site.

[bwilli2]

Trucks TV link to the episode.