Repair or Replace

[ekgguy]

I posted this in the Bodywork section, but there doesn't seem to be as much traffic there as there is here, so I am linking this thread to that one and adding some more pictures.

Roof rot... this pretty much goes across the top of the windshield



Drivers Floorboard



Engine Compartment Firewall






Here is the link to the other thread. There is a lot more detail in there.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=673572

From the comments on the other thread, I am not starting to look for another cab. Please chime in and let me know your thoughts.

[Boog]

Well if you have the metal working experience to tackle this project. I say for every bit of cancer you see there is a whole lot more you don't see.

[Kennuck]

Why are you set against looking for another cab? It will take a lot more to repair this one.

[cooperhw]

Replace. Period. Even if you spent all the time to dig out all the "visible" rust, fixed it, and painted it. One day it will rear it's ugly head again.
That thing is a roach. JMO.
So easy to swap cabs.
No offense meant.

[Tinkermc]

Looks like you need a real good parts cab or a replacement cab.

[leddzepp]

Replace the cab.

[57taskforce]

Replace it. Way to much time and money spent to get that one back to life. There's still plenty of decent cabs around.

[ekgguy]

Believe me... no offense taken to any comments. I put this up because I want to hear everyone's opinion. Most people on this forum have WWAAAAAYYYY more experience than I do. There is something to be said about tackling a job like this and finishing it, but there is something to be said about being smart too....

I don't have any issues with replacing the cab except the whole VIN thing. I have heard that can be an ordeal.

Thanks for the comments.... still thinking.

[Grumpy old man]

That's one of those whats the big deal topics about changing vin plates or rosette rivits ...Well their both illegal and yes guys do occasionally sell them at swap meets and ebay and alibaba and some get busted . most don't you can do it the right way and I'm pretty sure every state has it's own process . and forms like this one for Fl .


http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/forms/bre/84490.pdf

But on many of these complete frame up rebuilds the vin plate is the only thing that may actually be original on a 48 year old truck ,LOL !

[In The Ten Ring]

I am in the same boat.....finally decided to get another cab.

[WarMonger]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Replace the cab.

X5 Replace the cab. Faster and a lot less work

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by ekgguy

Believe me... no offense taken to any comments. I put this up because I want to hear everyone's opinion. Most people on this forum have WWAAAAAYYYY more experience than I do. There is something to be said about tackling a job like this and finishing it, but there is something to be said about being smart too....

I don't have any issues with replacing the cab except the whole VIN thing. I have heard that can be an ordeal.

Thanks for the comments.... still thinking.

As long as you get a clear title with the new cab you should be able to work out the other details with the DMV. They may make you title it home built and assign a vin but it all depends on each states regulations.

[ekgguy]

Thanks for all the replies. I am still up in the air about what I am going to do. One side of me says to tear it apart and build up some skills and the other says be smart... buy a new cab. The money seems to be about the same. All the sheet metal is going to run approx. $700, and I can get a new to me cab for about the same if not a little cheaper.....

What to do.... What to do....

[TheSeeker]

Buy the replacement cab, keep the junk one and learn metal work on it in your spare time. If it gets ruined, who cares and if it turns out really well, sell it on

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by ekgguy

Thanks for all the replies. I am still up in the air about what I am going to do. One side of me says to tear it apart and build up some skills and the other says be smart... buy a new cab. The money seems to be about the same. All the sheet metal is going to run approx. $700, and I can get a new to me cab for about the same if not a little cheaper.....

What to do.... What to do....

Cost may seem the same but the time taken to Fix the old cab vs. swapping a better one is guaranteed to be much different. Once you start cutting into rust you will only find more.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by ekgguy

be smart... buy a new cab...

You said it yourself

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by ekgguy

I posted this in the Bodywork section, but there doesn't seem to be as much traffic there as there is here, so I am linking this thread to that one and adding some more pictures.

Roof rot... this pretty much goes across the top of the windshield

Drivers Floorboard

Engine Compartment Firewall

Here is the link to the other thread. There is a lot more detail in there.


From the comments on the other thread, I am not starting to look for another cab. Please chime in and let me know your thoughts.

Looks like you have a series of symptoms that are all related to one thing. Water has entered through the roof flowed down the inside of the A pillars on both sides and rotted out the firewall on both sides, the floor pan on the drivers side and I will bet you the price of a new cab that the inside of those A pillars are gone as well. When the weight of the doors start to cause them to droop you will know that your cab is completely unsafe. Before doing ANYTHING contact your state Highway Patrol. They can tell you if you can transfer your VIN tag to a new cab or if you need to find a cab with a good title and transfer frame and mechanicals to the new title and re-register the truck under the new VIN. Here in Arizona they have a special class of title for that swap and it's no big deal but in the peoples left coast state of Cali they confiscate and crush the vehicle for a swapped VIN tag.

[turp mcspray]

How do so many rusty Camaros get restored when they have the vin rivited to the dash panel, or Barracudas/Cudas that have the tag attached to the dash pad itself? You would think selling dash panels, and dash pads for those cars would be illegal, since you have to remove and reinstall the vin tag. Hmmm.

[Dustytrix]

Just wanted to say in south Miss. to all those who say get a another cab, well they are all gone down here. I wish it was that easy to find an almost rust free cab.

[litew8]

Sometimes it's best to realize it's just not doable/worthwhile and move on to something else.

[Sklptrljay]

There is only one resource you can never truly replace.....your time.

Spend the money on a better cab and enjoy the results with more time and less stress.

[old Chevy guy]

Money well better spent on another cab if you can find a good one. You can spend tons of time repairing that much rust especially if your not completely skilled. The parts are one thing but don't discount your time, just because you do it yourself doesn't make it free, Your time is worth something too.

[67ChevyRedneck]

If you've never done rust repair before... this is not an easy project for a novice. Rockers, door bottoms, floors... all easy stuff to learn on... cutting up an entire cab takes a lot of skill. I'm all for saving original metal... but that one is beyond reasonable repair. By the time you're done, the only original metal left will be the back wall of the cab.

[ekgguy]

Thanks all... I have been looking for a new cab since I started the thread...and there doesn't seem to be a lot up for grabs. I have only found a few, and none of them around me. The closest one I found is in Garland, not too bad, but I haven't heard back from the seller....

Still looking.

Maybe it is time to just bite the bullet and do this:

http://www.usbody.com/Pages_Trucks/67-Chevy.htm

New Cab, tilt front end.. hmmmmm, wish I could afford that.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by turp mcspray

How do so many rusty Camaros get restored when they have the vin rivited to the dash panel, or Barracudas/Cudas that have the tag attached to the dash pad itself? You would think selling dash panels, and dash pads for those cars would be illegal, since you have to remove and reinstall the vin tag. Hmmm.

The entire dash of that rusty Camaro comes out with the VIN tag intact but that won't do you any good. The firewall has a cowl tag which is affixed to the firewall....if it doesn't match the dash tag you could lose your car.

I really don't know where you're getting your info on the Cudas either. The Cuda has a Rad support number, a fender tag, a cowl tag AND the one on the dashpad. Again, here in Arizona when you go to re-register it ALL of them better match or you can lose the car.

This is what got Boyd Coddington, Doug Hasty (Unique Performance 'Eleanor' mustangs ) sent to jail. It's a crime in most states and it's called "Title Washing". Here in AZ it's a class 4 felony unless it is determined that the replacement hull has a partial VIN that comes up stolen an any state, Guam or Puerto Rico. Then it's a class 1 felony called Grand Theft Auto.

Have a good time and stay out of jail!