lets talk removing the cab from the frame

[86chevred1tun]

Im contemplating taking on some possible challenges,( box frame, maybe cage. etc) havent completely convinced myself to do so just yet, however while staring at my truck, it seems like it would be possible to remove the cab with the front clip still installed or possible remove the front clip as a whole, and then the cab. Im considering this as a way to keep pieces together and reduce the clutter in the shop.

Has anyone ever done this?

I know plenty of people have taken fenders, rad supt, inner fenders etc apart and then flown the cab off. Ive just never seen it done on these trucks as one piece.

Im looking for pics or possible links if anyone has any.

 

[ryoken]

sure, it could be done... but you'd be better off just storing it that way, once apart.. clip is only held on with 6 bolts, 3 in each fender... well, and the 2 in the rad support.. just have to realize the load you would be putting on those attachment points when moving around.. you wouldn't want to lift it from the front with cab weight unsupported.. pull the clip, pull the body... store however...

 

[86chevred1tun]

So you're saying I should pull the clip as a whole then pull cab is that correct? Or would you pull the clip in pieces ie grill, rad supt, fenders etc?

 

[86chevred1tun]

If I do this I will do it however you recommend

 

[ryoken]

nah, pull the clip as a whole.. 2 front rad support body mounts and the 6 bolts holding the fenders to the cowl.. plus disconnecting everything that is on that sheetmtal, overflow bottle, battery, rad, wiring, etc....

than pull the body..

 

[ryoken]

oh, and you could manage the front clip with 2 people usually, 3 is easy peezy..

 

[ryoken]

oh, forgot 2 bolts at the rear of the wells too...

 

[86chevred1tun]

Cool. That's what I wanted to know Will this make re aligning easier?

 

[ryoken]

yup, especially if that's all you disassemble and leave the doors on... before you disconnect the fenders, take a sharpie and mark around each bolt/washer your undoing so it helps putting it back together later...

 

[dyeager535]

Slightly different app, but when I put my truck together (every frontend piece is from a different truck) lining everything up was horrible.

I've got an '87 that hasn't been disassembled. All the panels are gapped correctly, both doors shut correctly, the hood opens and closes like a new vehicle.

When I pull the body, the front clip is staying on it. I just don't want to screw up the alignment. Problem is figuring out how to get the thing up high enough to roll the frame out from underneath it, since the cab mounts in the front can't be spanned with the trans in place.