55.2-59 replace top half of cab - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lynx5653 · 05-13-2020, 07:23 PM

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 · 05-13-2020, 10:46 PM

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 · 05-14-2020, 12:45 PM

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 · 05-14-2020, 02:15 PM

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 · 05-14-2020, 03:25 PM

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 · 05-16-2020, 03:10 PM

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

mr48chev · 05-16-2020, 11:03 PM

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 · 05-17-2020, 12:10 PM

Quote:

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 · 05-17-2020, 02:39 PM

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

mr48chev · 05-17-2020, 02:57 PM

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

05-13-2020, 07:23 PM	#1
lynx5653 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lagrange,ME Posts: 349	replace top half of cab need info on replacing upper portion of 55-2 cab due to bent A pillars and sunroof. thanks in advance for any helpful info __________________ 1955 2nd on 86 chassis Daily driver

05-13-2020, 10:46 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,286	Re: replace top half of cab 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. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

05-14-2020, 12:45 PM	#3
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,667	Re: replace top half of cab 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 Attached Images __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

05-14-2020, 02:15 PM	#4
jwhotrod Registered User Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: DeKalb, IL Posts: 153	Re: replace top half of cab 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.

05-14-2020, 03:25 PM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,286	Re: replace top half of cab 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. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

05-16-2020, 03:10 PM	#6
lynx5653 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lagrange,ME Posts: 349	Re: replace top half of cab thanks for info. guess I will just live with it the way it is __________________ 1955 2nd on 86 chassis Daily driver

05-16-2020, 11:03 PM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,286	Re: replace top half of cab 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. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

05-17-2020, 02:39 PM	#9
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,286	Re: replace top half of cab Ok. Case of someone who doesn't know what they are doing causing more damage than they fixed. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

05-17-2020, 02:57 PM	#10
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,286	Re: replace top half of cab 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 __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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