How'd you remove your cab?

[hotrodsbyray]

Have a '57 that I put a Trans-Am subframe in. Been one problem after another with the fender - radiator - bumper mounts. Pretty frustrated. Have a chance to buy a reasonable restored frame and I am considering just going back to stock.

Problem - what is a good way to lift or remove the cab from the frame? I tried to do a search but just didn't reveal much. If you've removed yours - could you direct me to your thread so I can get some ideas?

[blue57]

seen it done with an engine hoist or if you have access to a forklift

[akdg87]

IF you have a engine hoist:

take a 2 by 10 board that is long enough to protrude out both sides of the cab, then take some 2 by 4's and screw them almost perpendicular to the 2 by 10 tight up against the inside of the door frame at the top (the cab angles inward towards the front, so they wont be square to the 2 x 10), then you can get the engine hoist in and center it on the cab from the side through the window and jack it up. It may take a few try's to find the center of gravity. TWO people is best to do it.

[OrrieG]

Build the shop with lift points designed into the trusses. Use an old cast iron chaing hoist. Fabric strap thru the door openings.

[LOW A D]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Build the shop with lift points designed into the trusses. Use an old cast iron chaing hoist. Fabric strap thru the door openings.

What he said. I have also hung the cab from a tree when I had a garage with a low ceiling

[Hogger54]

Beer = friends. :p

[tpimuncie]

I just took mine off on sunday, lifted cab up placed on jack stands put 4x4s in between frame and cab slid cab off. Was really easy Good luck!

[DransportGarage]

The cab really doesn't weigh much. I use a HF engine hoist and a single 2x4 notched at the door openings. If you don't think that's strong enough, use a 2x6. Still worried? Use a 2x8, etc.

[Stepside Jim]

I also did the engine hoist. I used wood planks and on the one that meets the cab I cut small grooves so they fit the window openings, these kept the cab from moving or sliding off the plank of wood.



Now that it's in the air I needed to move it outside to sandblast, these yard wagons are so universal.

[Flames97]

I've used friends. With no glass and no doors or anything else in the cab myself and one other person lifted it. But it was a very short distance and about all I really wanted to do. I've also lifted it with 4 people and really that's just right.
And of course when I could used the tractor:-)
I like that engine hoist idea but I don't have one.

[_Ogre]

4 friends and a 12 pack
same going back on

[Daze57]

ogre
you got off easy !!!
four guys and a 18 pack for me ( than i had to bbq !!!!)
it was worth it !!

[Angryman117]

Engine Hoist with ratchet straps.

[Trekster]

I used my engine hoist and built a beam to lift my cab, just like some of the other guys. I was able to install the cab by myself. Good luck.

[meter swinger]

I have done it by raising the truck, cribbing up the cab with vertical support from underneath, and then unbolting and dropping the frame from underneath minus axles, and rolling it out. The engine hoist method would be much easier and quicker if you have one or can rent one.

[Kim57]

Here's some pics of what I use lifting a 54 Ford body off its frame.
The truck cabs are much easier to do as they balance better. I've done mine alone this way several times.
Kim

[roger55]

[solidaxel]

Had to wait for the tree to get high enough, use what is handy !!

[Mgicm]

Awesome info... when you guys did this lift on the AD cab, it is a must to take the doors off? I am assuming it is. How difficult is that to do?

Also...what other disconnections were there besides the body mounts. How did you guys disconnect the steering column? And what else ? Obviously this would be my first time removing it so want to make sure I do it right. Sure appreciate it.

thanks

[ghettoluxury]

Originally Posted by Mgicm

Awesome info... when you guys did this lift on the AD cab, it is a must to take the doors off? I am assuming it is. How difficult is that to do?

Also...what other disconnections were there besides the body mounts. How did you guys disconnect the steering column? And what else ? Obviously this would be my first time removing it so want to make sure I do it right. Sure appreciate it.

thanks

The cab for my 48 was a 2 ton truck and sat rather high. For it we rolled down the windows slid 2 4x4's through and wrapped a chain around them, stretched over the top. We then took the bucket of the tractor and lifted her free of the frame. All the wiring and the steering box were unbolted, left the column bolted to the dash.

[mechanixman]

Originally Posted by Mgicm

When you guys did this lift on the AD cab, it is a must to take the doors off? I am assuming it is. How difficult is that to do?

No it isn't but taking the doors off certainly helps.

Originally Posted by Mgicm

Also...what other disconnections were there besides the body mounts. How did you guys disconnect the steering column? And what else ?

Assuming your truck is stock, You'll have all the cables going through the firewall that either need to be disconnected or removed. (removed is better. I left my gas pedal and linkage in my cab for a couple months because I thought I couldn't get the pin out. And every so often I would forget that the throttle linkage still stuck out from the cab, and my shins regretted it. ) Other than those two, the steering column and the shifter are the last two things you'll have to worry about.

To take the steering column off, you'll need to
-remove the steering wheel
-remove the steering support under the dash
-remove the pitman arm
-remove the bolts holding the steering to the frame.
-slide the steering column out of the cab through the firewall.

I can't imagine taking the steering column out without taking the front clip off first. Once I did all those steps, I had to slide it down and I moved the steering box just outside the frame and it cam right out. You want be able to do that with the inner fender in the way.
That being said, I think the removing the steering box from the frame is the hardest part. I had to use some vice grips on one of the bolts, and I couldn't keep turning it because there was stuff in the way, so I had to clamp down, rotate a third of a turn, unclamp, reclamp, rotate half a turn, etc.

This was was the best picture I could find of my old column. The red arrows are the directions the column needs to go.

I hope that helps.

[gale]

Originally Posted by Mgicm

Awesome info... when you guys did this lift on the AD cab, it is a must to take the doors off? I am assuming it is. How difficult is that to do?

Also...what other disconnections were there besides the body mounts. How did you guys disconnect the steering column? And what else ? Obviously this would be my first time removing it so want to make sure I do it right. Sure appreciate it.

thanks

I've done three different AD trucks. Most recent was by myself with an engine hoist. I'm 73 but still in good shape. I try to outsmart the problems. The steering box unbolts at the frame, remove the steering wheel, and it will slide out of the firewall.

By all means remove the doors. They weigh quite a bit and this will be the easiest time to handle them.

Same goes for the glass. While the cab is still mounted to the frame is the best time to get rid of whatever you can.

If you have three strong and willing friends that will work, if they are OK taking directions. Have a platform built in advance so you have a place to set it down.

I've also used an overhead hoist and that is overkill.

I fabricated a simple rotisserie that my '54 cab is on now. Very handy to remove all the stuff behind the dash while the cab is tilted on the passenger side.

Also, if you have any welding to do such as cab floor, rocker panels, and cab corners, make sure the four mounting points are level or you may wind up with a cab where the doors won't close properly.

[_Ogre]

the more weight you get off the cab the less chance of damaging the cab or backs of friends.
my cab was bare; no doors, interior or glass


kim; pretty amazing body lift you did there.

[72bowtiestepper]

Engine hoist with doors removed.....extra set of hands helps also...piece of cake.....no problem.

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

the more weight you get off the cab the less chance of damaging the cab or backs of friends.
my cab was bare; no doors, interior or glass


kim; pretty amazing body lift you did there.

thanks Ogre.
It's just some 2x4s spaced to straddle the boom of the hoist.
You need a couple of guys when doing a car because of all the weight at the rear but it still worked out just fine.
Kim