1988 V30 Crew Cab Removal ?? Should I?

[CJ8]

Just looking for the friendly voice of experience.....

I've got this 88 crew cab dually. It was a p/u truck and the truck bed has been removed and a flat bed has been installed on it. I've removed the flat bed in order to repaint it. The truck is amazingly clean. There is no rust on this truck. I have a vision of what I'd like this to be eventually but probably not looking to do a full exterior restoration on it just yet.

It does need a new motor. The original one has major issues (that'll be a different thread).

My thought is to sandblast and repaint the frame. Since I've removed the flat bed already, with the intent to repaint it, and knowing that the motor has to be replaced, and thinking that it would be nice to put in a transmission that has overdrive (4L80?), I'm considering removing the cab with the thought that repainting the frame, installing the motor and trans will be easier/cleaner to work on. This might also give me a chance to repaint the underside of the cab while its off the frame and in the air on the lift. I have a friend who has a two post lift that i could use to do this but I'm a little hesitant to dive into this in his shop and it ends up taking a lot more time than what I expect and I cause him a problem.

If anyone who has done this can chime in on how many man hours I might expect to pull the cab I'd really appreciate it. Thanks

 

[imiceman44]

Just looking for the friendly voice of experience.....

I've got this 88 crew cab dually. It was a p/u truck and the truck bed has been removed and a flat bed has been installed on it. I've removed the flat bed in order to repaint it. The truck is amazingly clean. There is no rust on this truck. I have a vision of what I'd like this to be eventually but probably not looking to do a full exterior restoration on it just yet.

It does need a new motor. The original one has major issues (that'll be a different thread).

My thought is to sandblast and repaint the frame. Since I've removed the flat bed already, with the intent to repaint it, and knowing that the motor has to be replaced, and thinking that it would be nice to put in a transmission that has overdrive (4L80?), I'm considering removing the cab with the thought that repainting the frame, installing the motor and trans will be easier/cleaner to work on. This might also give me a chance to repaint the underside of the cab while its off the frame and in the air on the lift. I have a friend who has a two post lift that i could use to do this but I'm a little hesitant to dive into this in his shop and it ends up taking a lot more time than what I expect and I cause him a problem.

If anyone who has done this can chime in on how many man hours I might expect to pull the cab I'd really appreciate it. Thanks

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I can't tell you man hours but I did the cab bottom, frame cleaning and paint in a few days but if you want to keep the cab off until you get the engine and transmission in, then it will be longer and depending on whether you have everything ready and have the hours to put it in

 

[CJ8]

I can't tell you man hours but I did the cab bottom, frame cleaning and paint in a few days but if you want to keep the cab off until you get the engine and transmission in, then it will be longer and depending on whether you have everything ready and have the hours to put it in

Thanks. That doesn't sound too bad. Did you use a lift? and did you just paint the bottom of the cab while it was on a lift?

 

[imiceman44]

Thanks. That doesn't sound too bad. Did you use a lift? and did you just paint the bottom of the cab while it was on a lift?

Yes

 

[imiceman44]

Thanks. That doesn't sound too bad. Did you use a lift? and did you just paint the bottom of the cab while it was on a lift?

My suggestion is to get the cab done quick then put it down on rollers and put it aside, take your time doing the frame and engine then put it back using the lift