My 65 F-250 4x4 was involved in a rollover and I need to figure out what my options are for a repair. I am starting a full restoration and would like to know if it would be better or easier to find a completely new cab or weld on a new top. If a new top was welded on, are there professionals that can make it fit as well as a new one pice cab? How about strength? The current cab is relatively rust free except the top has been beat up from the rollover. I have been trying to locate a cab with little luck thus far - most cabs I come accross are only 2wd F-100s. Does anybody have any suggestions??

 

You can use a 61-64 4x2 cab also, (step inside door) if that helps you in looking. I'd imagine you can still find a decent rust free cab from out west if you look hard enough. I've heard good things about Desert Valley Parts in AZ. Shipping can be pretty steep on a big piece like that. (It was gonna cost me about $700 to ship a front clip for my 63 Galaxie from AZ to Indiana)
If the roof is the ONLY place there's damage, I don't see why a good shop couldn't replace yours with a decent donor roof panel and fix it. Finding a good roof panel should be easy even if it's a rusty cab, the roof should be useable.
Good luck,

 

I have a simular problem with a car, the roof needs to be replaced. After I found one of the very few shops that would do this work I had to sit for a while after they gave me a price range. Most body shops won't do this kind of work around here. The just want the big $$ ins work.

I found a welder that would do it for about $1000 to replace the roof and that was with me stripping the headliner and other parts out.

It's really better to replace the whole cab, but if that's not going to work and if you can't find a body shop to do it, try the welding shops or custom fab shops.

 

Is it hard to find a new cab in decent shape? I got a 66 with a lot of rust and I was wondering the same thing myself. Where would you look for one? What would one cost?(Ballpark idea)

The one I am getting it appears that nearly every piece of the body needs replaced. Bed too.(photos of it are in my gallery. What do you guys think?

 

Bill, it looks like the same Rust mites got to your truck, that ate mine up! I wondered where they went.
All kidding aside, if you don't have a MIG welder and some welding / fabrication skills you're gonna have a ton of money tied up in that project just getting the body decent again. They say ya can "fix" anything, but you have to weigh that cost against starting with better stock in the beginning.
All that said, looks like you'll need a hood, both floor sections, cab corners and front mounts.
The curved door jamb areas have to be made, there are no repro's.
The fenders are probably repairable with patch panels.
Couldn't see the bed floor, but the tailgate's gone so that will have to be replaced too. At least you CAN buy a new one of those. Also didn't see the core support, but it's gonna be pretty bad too and again, there are no repro's. A good used support is $150-200 + shipping.
If you don't mind the hard labor, you may be better off with a better western or southern cab & bed. Even a whole "project" truck if you can find one. Sometimes you can pick up a whole truck for under a grand, and you'd have more than that in a rust free bed and cab. Especially if you figure in shipping! ( It was gonna cost me about $600 to get a front clip sent to me from DVAPin AZ ) Take a look on Ebay and see what turns up. It's a lot easier to change out a cab then fix all that damage.
Good luck, Phil (also in Indiana)

Try Desert Valley Auto Parts too.

http://www.dvap.com

 

try here for a cab...

http://car-part.com/index.htm

 

Thanks guys!

Thanks Phil. What you said was exactly what we figured. I will keep an eye out for some newer parts.

I have a friend who is an expert MIG welder so I think I got an In there. I also found I can buy the body parts here in town too. (Fort Wayne auto parts). I will save on shipping at least.

Right at the moment I want to fix it "Just enough" to make it a daily driver. I am then going to start gathering parts little by little until I can afford (and have time to) do it justice.

Right now the motor runs (all it needs is an exhaust manifold) and I imagine a set of tires. I got the truck for $100.00 so I can't kick to much and I can afford to put a little money in it to make it decent. I doubt if it will ever be a show truck. But I think I will keep an eye out for a different bed. I will also check out the link for the cab too.

Where in Indiana are you? I am in Fort Wayne area. I just asked FTE for an Indiana charter. Hopefully they will say yes. Are you intrested?

Bill

 

Good to hear you found a parts source. I'm in Terre Haute, all the way across the state from you. I'd like to hear more about the "chapter" thing ?? Later,

 

Hey Phil -

Cruise down the main forum board until you get to the State Chapters - You'll find that the Indiana chapter has already been created.

 

Phil, as of now it is just in the planning stages. We need a moderator and maybe some ideas on what to do. Come on over and add your opinion

If this will get off the ground we will need all the help we can get.

Bill