Since my '56 cab is pretty much trash I looked for something a bit more restorable. I found this '53 F-800 cab. Only needs driver floor, right rear cab corner and the bottom of the left rocker.
Anyone need any air brake parts?

 

It looks like a nice start, but the shame of it is it's not a 56 cab, and that's what makes the 56 unique from all the other years. You lose significant value there by having the incorrect cab on it.
That said, let me pose this question to the other, more knowledgable folks regarding these trucks that might be helpful; is the back of the cab and firewall/lower cowl the same between the 53-5 and the 56? Could the roof-windshield frame-cowl top section be removed at the factory seams from the two cabs and graft the 56 top to the 53-5 lower? Is that do-able?

 

Nice find.The 56 is a good looking truck but I prefer
the looks of the slant cab.

 

Very solid cab. It will be a slant cab with a 56 title? Do you have the title to the 56? I know how hard it is to find a clean cab...especially 56.
I have sold 5-6 cabs this year and have 2 now. The market seems to stay around 400-8-- for a nice cab....but now have seen them for 2500......and that is a clean cab but that is alot of money!
If you do the swap....maybe you could find a slant cab title.
LASTCHANCE56 did the 55 to a 56 swap......and it is super awesome!!!

 

Congratulations on the upgrade!

 

I think it is do-able but would be alot of work, the back seam, front cowl, top of firewall and the dash would especially be a chore. There is a ton of spot welds to deal with but well worth it for the 56 cab. It really depends on what you prefer, some just love the look of the 56 while other just prefer the slant. I like both but prefer the 56. Like Bill ( Walford's 56)mentioned you'll end up with a slant cab with a 56 title and if you got the title for the slant cab it will be titled as a f800, it gets kind of mixed up and might make it difficult to sell if you have to or want to some time in the future.
Your slant cab looks like it 's in very good condition but do you have any pictures of the 56 so we can see how bad it looks,it may not be as bad as you think as you can purchase just about everything to repair a cab.

 

Another thought, did you get doors with the 53 cab? Your 56 doors won't fit any more.

 

Vermont doesn't title cars after 15 years or so. I have Bill of Sales for both the 56 and 53 cab with VINs. Most likely I would have the state issue a new VIN since I don't want to pay extra on registration for a 22000 GVW pickup. And yes, I have a set of 53-55 doors..

The 56 needs inner and outer cab corners, inner and outer front lower cowls, rockers, lower door jams, front cab mounts are nonexistant, triange gussets are bad, floors are gone. Just too much for someone with no welding experience. Parts alone were going to be more that what I paid for the 53.

I can always keep the 56 and fix it when I have the skills.

 

thanks for the pictures!! working on my 54 and didn't know about the changes,so you just saved me a wasted trip and frustration of not seeing what to look for!!I understood 53 to 56 were nearly all the same...sure makes it easier to understand ...

 

How are the roof skin/drip rails on the 56 cab??..

 

That's a good point, I can see where you decided to look for another cab as it is in very rough condition but everything that is rotted away is replaceable.

 

With winter approaching, if I were in Vermont, I'd have that 56 cab in the garage and ready to get to work. Skills come with experience, this would be a great winter project and by the time the weather breaks you'll have a solid 56 cab to begin your truck build. All the panels that you need are readily available from various vendors. If you are not a proficient welder then find someone locally who can work with you as you restore your cab. There are many of us on this forum who have done this work and who are more than happy to walk you through the process. Which ever way you choose to go good luck with your build, nothing better than a finished truck that you have built yourself.

 

I have 2 spare 1956 cabs and after speaking to a guy in Indiana, who runs a truck salvage yard and sells alot more than me, have decided to weld up the 56 cabs that I have in the back.
For the cost of patch-panels and some welding and fitting....I will repair both cabs.
It is very expensive looking and buying a nice cab......so I am welding mine and think the 56 cab is worthy of repair also that you have.
I understand the slantcab swap though......it is alot of fab work for someone who never did it.
That slantcab is in really nice shape. There is onenear me for sale and I should buy it, but have tooooooo many trucks now. LOL

 

Oh sure....'good point'... cause I definetly was NOT asking if he'd cut it off and send it to me...NOooooo No No No...
hahahaha

 

LOL....What you don't need any rusty old cab corners or cowl sections to salivate over, either? LOL
I consider the 56 better looking, but the slantcab is really solid......so your choose!