Cab off? Stop the maddness

[F-100Ranger]

I'm thinking it would be a shame to put that nice '79 suspension I've been working on in a dirty '68 frame. It's just got surface rust and no undercoating.

The seat's out of the cab and the engine and tranny are out. How hard would it be to take the cab off to clean and paint the front half of the frame.

It appeals to me to re-install the I-beams, radius arms and shocks in an open environment. But what I really like is the idea of installing the big block and tranny without lifting it 6 ft in the air. Taking the old 390 out by myself scared the crap out of me.

I have no interior space to work on it, so I'd have to lift it off and do quick work of the frame and the above work to beat the bad weather here in Pittsburgh.

What do you all think?

Make me stop.

[oldschoolrods]

Since you live in pittsburgh I reccomend you come a little north to where I live and I'll give you a hand Reoving the cab just requires the removal of all attached linkages and stuff, then removal of the 4? bolts that hold it on... You might have to take your front fenders off to get to the front bolts because they have a cover on them.

[F-100Ranger]

So where do you live Oldschoolrods?

[oldschoolrods]

Butler, about 45 mins north of pittsburgh, assuming you live in town.

[F-100Ranger]

Hey neighbor, I live in Industry, Beaver Co. Unfortunately, the truck is inoperable right now with the engine out. If I could, I'd bring her on up.

[oldschoolrods]

howdy. Where around here are you finding parts for your truck, cause none of the boneyards up here have anything. There is one parts store that seems to stock alot of old parts but other than that its been slim pickens...

[F-100Ranger]

I'm not having very much success either. I was fortunate to get my 68 in very good shape a couple years back. The 79 donor truck I found in Freedom. But all it had was a cab and rusty frame. I didn't have anywhere to keep the cab, so it's sitting at a scrap yard now.

The last junk yard I was at the owner said that most of the old Fords have been gone for years.

I believe that I am sitting in the heart of Chebby country. But I hope to do my part in changing that. Helped my son find a 79 F-150 a year ago. That's the next project.

If you don't mind divulging your source, what store carries the Ford parts?

[oldschoolrods]

Kern Auto parts in prospect or portersville, usually if you call either store if one doesn't have it they'll find out if the other one does...hell they had a water outlet IN STOCK for me when i needed it.

(724) 865-9218 is the prospect one and 724) 368-3398 is the portersville.

[FORDification]

As oldschoolrods mentioned, the cab itself is only held on by four bolts. If you've already got the front of the truck stripped down, I'd almost say 'go for it'. You'll probably never have another opportunity like this again.

Sounds like you're falling for what got ME into trouble though. When I bought my '67 to use as a daily driver, it had a rusted-out cab, and all I wanted to do was replace it. But as things started coming apart, I kept saying "Well, as long as I'm at it, I might as well fix/replace this or that piece" which eventually led to the full frame-off project that I'm working on now.

About all I can say is be practical. If you don't have space to work, then you're going to have to plan this out fairly well to get it done quickly. Having a few buddies who wouldn't mind giving up a weekend to give you a hand would sure be nice.

...and since you'll have the cab and front-end off, you might as well remove the box and to it right. Whoops...there I go again!

[crazy larry]

"Well, as long as I'm at it, I might as well fix/replace this or that piece"

that sentiment almost got me a divorce.

[F-100Ranger]

What's crazy is that my wife is encouraging we to go for it. She said I work hard and have no bad habits so I deserve a hobby. What a woman!

[shrektruck]

Man!
She sounds almost as good as mine! She bought me my 70 F-100 to restore for Christmas two years ago. A couple weeks after that I saw an ad for the crewcab I've always wanted. I showed it to her and said something like "Look at this one! Woulda been cool if we could afford it..."
She looks at me and says "Honey, why didn't you buy it? We can afford it."
You guys stay away! She's mine and I'll fight you for her!

[flyboy2610]

Sounds like you're falling for what got ME into trouble though. When I bought my '67 to use as a daily driver, it had a rusted-out cab, and all I wanted to do was replace it. But as things started coming apart, I kept saying "Well, as long as I'm at it, I might as well fix/replace this or that piece" which eventually led to the full frame-off project that I'm working on now.

Sorta reminds you of the kids song "There's a Hole in the Bucket, Dear Liza".