ok... it's finally time to start tearing apart my truck. I'm getting ready to lift the old cab and put down a new (donor) cab. I was wondering if anyone has any tips, hints, suggestions about where to start? I have a good bit already out of the inside, seat, stearing, accesories, misc. The fenders are off and I'm ready to tackle the electrical. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Rob

 

Looks like you are on your way there. I just did this by myself about 6 months ago.

Disconnect all of your electrical from the connections outside of the firewall. Don't forget those ground wires either.

Remove the inspection plates on the front of your cab mounts.

Remove the bolt from each of these locations.
Now unbolt the rear cab mounts .

Look behind the seat. You should have 2 rubber gromets. Remove these to get access to the top of the bolts.

Now remove both of the doors to make it lighter.

If everything else is disconnected, then you are ready to lift the cab off.

Go get 5 of your buddies to help. Or, if you are like me and got rid of the free loaders. And want to do it yourself.

Try this setup at your own risk of getting hurt or worse.

Get 2 heavy duty chains and some grade 8 bolts, nuts and washers.
Remove the cover from the center hump of the cab.
Install 1 chain from the right rear seat bolt location to the left front cab mount by going thru the center opening.

Then do just the opposite for the other side.

You will want them to cross just as close to the front of the cab as possible. This is were all of the weight is located. Get your engine/cherry picker hoist and enter thru one of the door openings. Don't extend the boom any more than you have to. As this makes it very unstable. Hook on to where the chains cross. I would also recommend a piece of plywood and carpet between the dash and the chains.
I already ruined 1 dash pad.

This is were you really need to take your time.

Get a couple of 2x6's or 8's to lay across the frame. Just in case you need to readjust your chains.

Slowly raise the hoist. If you have the chains in the right place it should come off fairly level. If you have too much tilt to the front. It will roll over and cause severe pain.

This is were you would place your boards across the frame.
Let it back down and re-adjust.
Once you have it safetly attached .
Only raise it enough to clear the frame.

I pulled mine back and set it on 6 each 8x8x16 concrete cinder blocks.

You need to keep it off of the grond as to have access for the legs of the engine hoist. Of course this may not be the easy way. And it is not the safe way. But when you got to get it done. We all become mechanical engineers. Always be aware of your surroundings and double check all of the connections at every point of the project
Good luck to you.