Dreaded upper cab rust...

[mechanic58]

I posted an earlier thread about a pretty rare '63 SWB pickup that I recently acquired. The truck has a plaid valve cover'd 305 with a powerglide behind it and is very original and un-molested - runs and drives, good. The only real problem it has is the roof is damn near rusted off of it. The area where the windshield gasket is (along the top of the glass) and the top portion of both door jambs. I've done some searching and haven't really found any repair panels for these areas. I'm wondering if any other forum members have tackled this issue before and if they documented it with pictures. Post 'em up if ya gottem. The rest of the body on my truck is in pretty good shape; the bed is essentially rust-free and the floors have minimal rust. Small rust in the cab corners and at the bottoms of both front fenders, behind the wheel. All that stuff is easily repaired though...the roof has me worried. Here's a few pics of the damage:



http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CPickup016.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CPickup015.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...CPickup010.jpg

[LostMy65]

That pic along with the others you linked, it does look bad.

[rbar]

Looks like a major task. I'd get a different cab, or if you are really wanting to stay with that cab, I think I would look at a roof swap. Pretty much would be a chop top without shortening it. Find a donor inner panel and make it a big window while your at it.

[mechanic58]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

That pic along with the others you linked, it does look bad.

Yeah, I get pissed off everytime I look at it. :|

Originally Posted by rbar

Looks like a major task. I'd get a different cab, or if you are really wanting to stay with that cab, I think I would look at a roof swap. Pretty much would be a chop top without shortening it. Find a donor inner panel and make it a big window while your at it.

I wouldn't have a problem swapping the cab...IF I could find one that was worthy.

It appears that there is some insulation of some sort up inbetween the inner and outter skin of the roof. I don't know if it is there from the factory or if maybe some mice brought it up in there - either way, I am pretty sure its the cause of the rust. It held moisture up in that area.

[jbgroby]

Meck,

The roof panels were insulated with a 1/2" thick pad. pm me on ideas for a repair.

Jake

[Rich 5150 69]

Originally Posted by rbar

Looks like a major task. I'd get a different cab, or if you are really wanting to stay with that cab, I think I would look at a roof swap. Pretty much would be a chop top without shortening it. Find a donor inner panel and make it a big window while your at it.

I agree with rbar....that would be the easiest way out...

[1963c-10]

Your in the right part of the country to find a donar, thats what Id do.

[mechanic58]

Are the cabs from '60-'66 all the same or are there some silly little differences amongst the years like Ford had on the '61-'66 F-series?

[mechanic58]

I'm a good metalsmith - I could repair this, however what you see in the pictures here is only the tip of the iceberg. By the time I got done removing all the bad metal so that I could get a point where I could weld to - there wouldn't be any roof left...lol.

[1963c-10]

60-63 and 64-66 are your different cab models for c10-c30. There were some minor differences in the 60-62 and 63 cabs. The 60-62's had an access plate on the driver side of the cab to access the harness for the rear of the truck (lights). The 63's ran down the firewall/frame to connect to the rear. But any 60-63 cab will work for you.

[Rich 5150 69]

Someone on here posted pics of that Texas wreckers that had a couple dozen of 60-66 trucks some with pristene cabs, maybe close to him, someone have a link...?

Ok I found the thread maybe this will help...Texas auto wrecker.....
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...t=salvage+yard

[mechanic58]

Thanks for that link Rich - that's not too far from here at all. Little over 2hrs north.