Advise please!--To remove cab or not?

[72step]

I am going to be starting some cab rust repair this coming weekend and I've been pondering removing the cab. Ideally the easiest access would be to rest the cab on it's back to deal with replacing the outer sections of cab supports; however someone on another forum said it's not a good idea because the cab wasn't made to rest on it's back and you can cause it to shift. The cab is actually pretty solid. The only rust it has is the driver rocker and cab corner and the very outer few inches of the cab supports. What would be the best thing to do to deal with this? I keep thinking that with the time involved removing and re-installing the cab I can pretty much finish the required work. I'm thinking if I lift the truck pretty high one side at a time it won't be too bad. It's literally the cab supports within the closest 2 inches from the inner rocker on those way low points of the cab supports. Thanks for any advice!

[1963c-10]

What condition is the truck in now? Completely assembled....partial torn down...etc? Its only 4 bolts to remove the cab, after wiring, steering column and fuel lines. Really not that bad of a job. Most guys do the repair on the cab as they sit, but if you have the time and tools I'd remove it personally just for better access.

[72step]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

What condition is the truck in now? Completely assembled....partial torn down...etc? Its only 4 bolts to remove the cab, after wiring, steering column and fuel lines. Really not that bad of a job. Most guys do the repair on the cab as they sit, but if you have the time and tools I'd remove it personally just for better access.

The truck is basically in running condition minus the front fenders which I removed to do rust repair. I'm going to remove the bed anyhow to replace a cab corner. It sure seems like most guys fix them on the truck especially if the rust isn't too extensive.

[vin63]

I had to weld up and fill more than 100 holes the previous owners had drilled into the firewall and floor of my cab. For the floor repairs, I did tilt it onto the back, and did my welding, grinding, etc. I then sprayed 3M undercoating. It was much easier to access the repairs, etc…

[72step]

Damn that looks good vin63! It's sure makes it look like my repairs would go quicker if it was on it's back. Would that require any bracing of my door openings?? cuz that'ssomethingto consider.

[vin63]

I didn't experience any issues with door fitment afterward. Then again, it only took me about two weeks to make the repairs to the floor, so the cab did not stay in that position for very long..

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by 72step

Damn that looks good vin63! It's sure makes it look like my repairs would go quicker if it was on it's back. Would that require any bracing of my door openings?? cuz that'ssomethingto consider.

hey those tilt boys are nice, but my back never felt better. i made a cradle and solo man lift jij, turned out great but the tilt is the way to go!!!

[Tennypicou1]

If I ever do it again I would remove the cab. It would have made life so much easier.

[BR3W CITY]

Gotta love Pickup trucks...the only vehicle that can be pulled apart into 2-4 MAJOR sections (front clip, cab, bed, frame) for a restoration. Good ol' GM erector-set engineering.