How'd you remove your cab?

[vht]

I pulled mine off with the doors on using a eng hoist. It helps to have 1 that will extend out a good bit, some don't. If you build a cab cart I'll give you a heads up, don't do it like the guy did mine. I got it with the truck, but he built it so my hoist won't roll under it. You need it where you can roll your hoist under it so you can drop the cab on. Plus he built ti for a 6 ft 5 guy when he was only around 5 ft 8. Don't think there was much planning there.

[roger55]

[Mgicm]

whats that attached to in ceiling?

[roger55]

Originally Posted by Mgicm

whats that attached to in ceiling?

I anchored a 2"X6" flat across the 3 of the 2"x6" rafters. The eyebolt is 12" long and secured to the flat 2"X6" with washers and nuts on both sides of the board. I'm sure it's good for way, way more weight than the cab weighs.

The sling and the crank hoist both came from HF.

[Mgicm]

I have a 20 foot huge metal beam across my garage..like an ibeam . This thing is huge...but what could I use on it to pull up the cab? Wouldnt want to drill into it...maybe like some sort of hoist trolley? Dont want to spend much.... looking for ideas. thanks

[ghettoluxury]

Throw a chain around the beam and put a bolt through it. Now you have something to attach a chain fall or hoist to. It is very cheep and easy, I have been pulling motors this way for many years but I just have a 4x4 slid across my rafters.

[ghettoluxury]

Originally Posted by paintman

Just finished up taking my cab off without the use of a hoist.
I slid a 2x12 under the back and a 2x6 under the front. Then I took a floor jack and SLOWLY jacked up the front and put cribbing under the jack stands . Then did the same on the back. I went back and forth raising the cab about 2" at a time until i got it high enough to slide my cradle under. Took some time but when you don't have any help or a hoist......

This is when you start to get nervous

It's not rocket science.

This is a very effective method and the only way I have removed a cab from a 4x4 truck.

[LEEVON]

On my '50 I have used the engine hoist, however the bare cab (no doors, glass, etc.) only weighs in the neighborhood of 250 lbs so the last time I needed to move it I just asked for help, we lifted it straight up off the dolly and I was actually able to walk right over the frame backwards no less and set it down. Not hairy at all...the hoist however did get away from me once.

[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.

[57ToyBox]

I lifted my 87 chev cab with a portable gantry

[57ToyBox]

I lifted my 87 chev cab with a portable gantry

[vht]

Just watch out for those running board brackets sticking out there. Those things are murder on your leg. After 3 times I'm starting to learn', slow learner I guess.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by vht

Just watch out for those running board brackets sticking out there. Those things are murder on your leg. After 3 times I'm starting to learn', slow learner I guess.

If you have one of these trucks or their frame with the running boards off and the brackets on and you haven't nicked up your shins you haven't been spending enough time working on the truck.

Ot rig but yep the gantry like 57Toy box showed is pretty handy for cabs or roofs. A few years ago I lifted the roof off this van


Rolled the van out of the way and set the roof on this van the day before it snowed.

[Mgicm]

any rough guesses as to what the cab weighs?

[gale]

Originally Posted by Mgicm

any rough guesses as to what the cab weighs?

My rough guess is 4 to 500 bare, no glass, seat, or doors. A long time ago (1970) four of us picked up the cab and carried it. I just remember thinking it was a dumb thing to do if one of us stumbled. On the plus side, it was quick.

[gale]

Originally Posted by 57ToyBox

I lifted my 87 chev cab with a portable gantry

Where did you get the gantry? That looks like it could be dismantled quickly.

[tlorber]

I can't believe I went 48 years without this thing. I'll never go back!

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by tlorber

Attachment 1186668

I can't believe I went 48 years without this thing. I'll never go back!

Yeah, I remember when I didn't have an air compressor. If you're over 25 and you don't have a compressor you should have your man-card revoked!

The lift is another level (pun intended). I've had mine for 11 years, and what did I do? I parked a car on it 4 years ago and it hasn't been down since. Mom didn't raise any smart kids...

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by tlorber

Attachment 1186668

I can't believe I went 48 years without this thing. I'll never go back!

Yes and a few more years after that!!
Sure beats the H3ll out of the shade trees I worked under for 50 years

[1958Warrior]

Expensive tools and big garage would help a lot .
I'm a poor boy I removed mine similar to paintman , On my 58, I lowered the frame instead of raising the cab.
I had raised the rear of the truck up to remove the rear end, springs and mounts

After removing the rear end and springs, ect. (note:I had removed the front sheetmetal and done a Camaro clip)

I put jack stands under the cab steps and raised the cab just enough to clear the frame so it is stable

I then lowered the very rear of the frame onto a furniture dolly ,the front had tires on and simply rolled the frame out from under the cab

Then cleaned and painted frame, did C-notch, trying to get the bottom of the cab blasted and painted now if the weather would cooperate.

After I get the bottom of the cab done ,I'll roll the frame back under ,set it down, and install the rearend .

I'm doing this all outside on my slab and a half driveway
(1 car garage, full of parts, tool box, welder, no room to turn around in)

[msaintg]

ya, lifts are great, but they don't do much if your garage only has a 8' ceiling.

I used an engine hoist like everyone else. But I didn't have one of those either when I started my build.

I just went the poor mans route to remove my donor vehicle cab.... and that be-otch was HEAVY! floor jack, blocks, 2x4s. All alone! Very dangerous, I do not recommend this, but if the need is there.

[Zach B]

Last time I did it I had nothing to help me lift it. The tractor was not working and it has a front end loader. I had 6 friends help me lift it and we lowered it onto a home made cart

[tlorber]

SolidAxel, those are some nice looking trucks. I hope to get mine there someday.

[Task Force Era]

The first time we removed my cab. (Super ghetto and sketchy as hell)




The second time we were like "lets build this big mofo!!" (Way less sketchy)