55.2-59 replace top half of cab

[lynx5653]

need info on replacing upper portion of 55-2 cab due to bent A pillars and sunroof.

thanks in advance for any helpful info

[mr48chev]

Treat it as if you are chopping it but there is no chop.

At the back I'd cut it where finishing the metal work is the simplest. Probably though the rear window where you can also make yourself a gauge before you cut it to get it set exactly at the same height. The other way and maybe better is to split at the original seam.

Front and I hope Martinsr chimes in on this is to cut layers of the posts off at varying lengths so when you weld it back you weld the inner layer, then weld the outer layers. that way you have each layer welded individually rather than just welding the outside layer and no welds inside.

[_Ogre]

bent A pillars can be straightened, we dropped my cab from 3 feet up onto the firewall
sunroof hole can be patched with a section or whole new roof
imo... i'd replace the cab before replacing the top of cab

[jwhotrod]

big window or small? I have a small back window roof that is cut below back window and about 1/2 way down the A pillars. Im in Illinois 50miles west of Chicago.

[mr48chev]

If you don't already have one a factory assembly manual might be a real prudent investment right now.

This for example although most all of the truck trinket vendors sell them along with others.
https://www.amazon.com/1955-1959-Che.../dp/B006YBPSM4

That would let you figure out where the original welds were and how it was assembled at the factory.

[lynx5653]

thanks for info. guess I will just live with it the way it is

[mr48chev]

How bent up are the A pillers? Tweaked to where the doors or windshield don't fit or just dinged up on the outside? Good photos would help get you some solid advice there.

[lynx5653]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

How bent up are the A pillers? Tweaked to where the doors or windshield don't fit or just dinged up on the outside? Good photos would help get you some solid advice there.

The pillars are tweaked side to side from an apparent hard hit on passenger side It appears previous owner tried to push out passenger side by bracing against drivers side and achieved the opposite result, drivers side pushed out instead of passenger side moving doors and windshield fit and operate just gaps are off . Tried a frame machine but they were not able to tweak them back all the way due to not wanting to damage the new dash that was installed.
My body guy says he can make it work and look presentable so time will tell.
Hard to see in pics so didn't even try

[mr48chev]

Ok. Case of someone who doesn't know what they are doing causing more damage than they fixed.

[mr48chev]

This is an excellent video on welding in a patch panel. A Bit long but well worth spending the time to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u31t13QO6A