1972 F100 cab - Salvageable ?

[Bullitt74]

I like this one. I have an older version of it:

https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/w ... der-m30024

[sargentrs]

I think you could find a good cab for $1k US and have it shipped for another $1k US.

Here in nirth Georgia you can buy a running, driving bumpside for that much. Fly down here and drive it back!

[Ranchero50]

Must have gas. Run .023" wire on a 120 volt machine because it'll run hotter with less amps as well as run colder on thin stuff. Floors qualify as thin stuff.

So that would be the Mig Pak 140 ?

Should work. I have a little 110 volt Lincoln running gas and it does thin stuff far better than my Miller 210 with .035 wire. Take an oxy acetylene torch and run it across the rusty parts at a moderate speed. It'll flash melt the thin rusty stuff giving you a solid surface to weld to. For repairs I'll cut sections of new metal out of the replacements and only replace as much as needed, not whack the whole floor out unless absolutely necessary. A torch will tell you what's necessary. The A pillar stuff will need sourced from another truck. I used stuff from a dentside for mine. My floors and cab mounts were sourced from a '78 Bronco and they welded in fine.

[Bill Ramsey]

i would walk away from that truck. Cant hardly give away nice cabs down here.

[cstoyer]

I bought a replacement cab from out west and shipped it to Pa for a cab that was a 1/4 as bad. The money I spent on a replacement cab was cheaper than the cab mounts, floor pans a small patch panels I would have needed to fix mine. The shipping wasn't bad, but in the long run I was way ahead on parts and time. I wouldn't ever discourage someone from DIY and learning a new skill but that may be a lot bigger job for a first go around.

cstoyer

[daveford72]

If the roofs good That should be an easy fix. I did mine with a Hobart flux core welder. About 3 evenings to do.

[daveford72]

Heres some more

[North56]

If the roofs good That should be an easy fix. I did mine with a Hobart flux core welder. About 3 evenings to do.

Thanks for the pics. Gives me a little more confidence to proceed with my cab. The roof is good.

[cep62]

That looks very nice Dave, but his looks waaay worse than yours did.

Don't take me wrong , but I live in Mi, and I patch way too much rust.
In my opinion a newbie should practice on a smaller first project.

Unless he starts cutting , fabbing and welding.,and then decides a new cab isn't all that expensive.

And that leads to other questions about the rad support and inner skirts , the fenders and doors.?
Then a southern truck that needs an engine seems like a good alternative .

[cep62]

If the roofs good That should be an easy fix. I did mine with a Hobart flux core welder. About 3 evenings to do.

Thanks for the pics. Gives me a little more confidence to proceed with my cab. The roof is good.

Sorry I don't mean to burst your bubble ,you posted this while was drafting my reply .
Nothing ventured , nothing gained.

I used to teach Adult Ed night class ,(like a supervised hobby shop) and I would say " every body will learn something, some people learn they never want to do body work again."

I saw a lot of people tear something apart and never finish it , so I give a pessimist's warning.

[North56]

I saw a lot of people tear something apart and never finish it , so I give a pessimist's warning.

I hear you, I know what you are talking about. This is going to take a long time. On the other hand I will have the winters off to cut firewood .

[Bullitt74]

This is an interesting thread - some folks are optimists, some pessimists...whatever route you take, know that these same good people on this forum will support you in whichever direction you take, and want to see you succeed.

I draw parallels to home improvement - some guys drywall, some don't...some people will do flooring, others can't be bothered. It is a personal decision. A successful hobby project boils down to 3 things: time, patience and motivation...if one of those pieces is lacking or missing, the project has less chance to succeed.

At the end of the day, these trucks are not 67 Shelby' or vintage Porsche 911's. These trucks are relatively cheap, easy to work on, and relatively useful when done. I was told the 60's Mustang hobby used to be like this.

Enjoy your project - we got your back!

[North56]

This is an interesting thread - some folks are optimists, some pessimists...whatever route you take, know that these same good people on this forum will support you in whichever direction you take, and want to see you succeed.

I draw parallels to home improvement - some guys drywall, some don't...some people will do flooring, others can't be bothered. It is a personal decision. A successful hobby project boils down to 3 things: time, patience and motivation...if one of those pieces is lacking or missing, the project has less chance to succeed.

At the end of the day, these trucks are not 67 Shelby' or vintage Porsche 911's. These trucks are relatively cheap, easy to work on, and relatively useful when done. I was told the 60's Mustang hobby used to be like this.

Enjoy your project - we got your back!

Thank you.

[Jacksdad]

Yep, ask away. We'll help any way we can.
Good luck