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.

[Hogger54]

Beer = friends. :p

[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

[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

[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

[_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.

[mr48chev]

Be careful if you use a cherry picker with straps like Angryman117 showed in post 13 as I put a couple of small dents in one of my cabs lifting it off that way when it swung around a bit.

[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

[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.

[hotrodsbyray]

Thank you guys so much! These are great ideas. It's just me doing this and I do have an engine hoist so will probably go with the notched wood through the door opening idea.
Maybe one day I will finally start a build thread and document all the messes I have made and had to redo so maybe someone else won't do the same.

[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.