1968 SWB cab swap

[dablack00]

My daily driver is a 71 SWB w/ a 460/C6 combo. Its rough but it usually gets me there. About four years ago I picked up a 68 SWB for $200. It was supposed to be a runner, that just wouldn't start anymore. I popped the hood and there was the straight six. I ran the codes and it is a plain jane straight six/three on the tree truck. I thought I would fix it up to be a driver and then I would fully restore my 71. Well, I started pulling the 68 apart and there wasn't a manual behind that six, it was a C4. GRRRRR, I really wanted a three on tree. Then I started looking at the six......doesn't look like any 240/300 I have ever seen. Turns out it is a 170/200. Not even a 250. GRRRRRR. Oh well. So now I really tearing it all down to do a cab swap. I don't have a lot of room so the old cab needs to be gone before I go get the new cab.
I've got the truck stripped down to the bed and cab.
Here are the pics of it in its current condition.

[dablack00]

Here is a shot of the interior.

[ezernut9mm]

sounds like fun! man, i wish i had a garage. i think i'd live there.

[jbanks]

So you're putting that cab on the PPE or is this going to be a seperate build?

[dablack00]

I've got three trucks going. My daily is the PPE (71 SWB w/ 460/C6). Another project is a 72 F250 Camper Special w/ 25,000 original miles....we just call it the brown truck. And the project above is the black truck. The black truck is getting the cab swap. I should really be working on the brown truck, but I need to go pickup this cab so the black truck is getting the attention right now.

[dablack00]

Here is a side shot of the black truck

[jbanks]

Dang, now I'm all jealous. I still haven't seen pics of the PPE.

So when you going to invite me over to check out the toys?

[dablack00]

I think I have some pics of the PPE at home. I'm busy this weekend, but what are you doing 24th?

[dablack00]

Oooops. I think something just fell off the truck.

The front mounts came off easy, but the rear mounts were tough. The nuts came off the bolts easy enough, but the bolt wouldn't come out of the rubber/frame/rubber/cab. I even tried to pound them up from below. I think the steal bolt seizes to the rubber.

Anyway, I know how you guys like pics. After I got the bolts out, I just pushed/lifted it off. Tomorrow I'm going to see if and how one man and an engine hoist can put it in the back of a 71 short bed. I think if I can get one end of it in the bed, then use the engine lift on the other end. We will see. If it isn't easy then I will stop trying and go get a utility trailer. Maybe I should film it and see if I can win any money on AFV.

Austin

[jbanks]

Nice looking shop there Austin. I'll be sending you an email shortly. Let me know if you need some help moving that cab, don't throw your back out or anything.

[dablack00]

Ok, I tried putting the old 68 black cab in the back of the 71 F100 SWB. Here are the pictures.

[dablack00]

Now we back up the truck and tilt the old cab into the bed.

[dablack00]

now we lift the low end of the cab and push it into the bad of the truck. I found out that it will only go so far befor it get wedged inbetween the wheel wells of the receiving truck.

[dablack00]

I should have taken another shot from the side to show that you could actually tie the cab down and move it just like this. Or you could get a buddy and lift it over the wheel wells of the bed. Either way would be fine to transport a cab. I did this on my own w/ just a shop jack. No big deal. If this was cab that I wanted to keep nice then it would have taken more time as I did dent the floor of the old cab w/ the tailgate of the receiving bed.

To go get my new cab, I'm going to rent a trailer so I will use that same trailer to get rid of the old one.

thanks
Austin

[Blue Cloud]

I always need a helper or two!