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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Cab removal.

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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 07:55 AM
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Cab removal.

Hey guys, warm weather is right around the corner, and we all know what that means....time to work on the truck!!

I am in the process of buying a 3rd truck to complete my project. In the end, i'll basically have an extra cab I won't know what to do with other than put it on the frame of my current truck and ship it off to the junk yard or sell it as a project for someone?

I've seen loads of pictures of guys taking their cabs off, and I was wondering what's the best way of going about it?

Where are all the bolts located? How many?

Anything to watch out for when doing it? Any pointers?

I have access to a lift so i'm sure that will make things much easier. I don't have access to a bobcat or forklift where I could strap the cab to to lift it off, but I can manage otherwise.

Thanks.
 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 08:46 AM
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Depends on the year truck. On my 63 4x4, there were just 4 bolts, easily accessed from under the truck.

In terms of lifting it, lots of threads on using engine hoists and the like. I ended up buying a HF Gantry crane. Worked perfect and I was able to remove and install the cab by myself. Lots of uses for that crane; pulled the bed, the engine, moved my compressor, etc. One of the smartest buys I made.

I padded a 2x6 and ran it through the doors (windows down..) and hooked a strap to each end of the 3x6. The front end is heavier than the back so you need to find a way to keep things balanced.

 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by KsCop
Depends on the year truck. On my 63 4x4, there were just 4 bolts, easily accessed from under the truck.

In terms of lifting it, lots of threads on using engine hoists and the like. I ended up buying a HF Gantry crane. Worked perfect and I was able to remove and install the cab by myself. Lots of uses for that crane; pulled the bed, the engine, moved my compressor, etc. One of the smartest buys I made.

I padded a 2x6 and ran it through the doors (windows down..) and hooked a strap to each end of the 3x6. The front end is heavier than the back so you need to find a way to keep things balanced.

Nice looking truck cab you have there. I have an '86. So when you padded the 2x6, it didn't dent the door frames or roof or anything??
 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 09:02 AM
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nope. The top of the door frame is pretty strong. No dents or other issues at all.

Here it is the 'new' cab installed on the frame:



And with the front clip installed:



Using the crane, I was able to do it all by myself. Good thing because with my hours, I do most of the work on the truck between 11pm and 7am..
 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by KsCop
nope. The top of the door frame is pretty strong. No dents or other issues at all.

Using the crane, I was able to do it all by myself. Good thing because with my hours, I do most of the work on the truck between 11pm and 7am..
Wow, beautiful truck. I see your username is KsCop. Are you an officer in Kansas? I have a cousin who's on the Kansas City PD in MO. I too went to school for LE, but couldn't find a job, and when the bills came due, decided to go into something easier and isn't going to get me killed...IT, lol.
 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 09:21 AM
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I tried to get into LE when I was 21
Life happened and I needed to make money to support a new family - went into IT

Sound familiar?

20 years later finally made my dream come true

Got hired, went through the academy, finished #1 in my class and have been working the streets for 6 years
Also an LE firearms instructor
 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 09:22 AM
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Originally Posted by KsCop
I tried to get into LE when I was 21
Life happened and I needed to make money to support a new family - went into IT

Sound familiar?

20 years later finally made my dream come true

Got hired, went through the academy, finished #1 in my class and have been working the streets for 6 years
Also an LE firearms instructor
Good job man, maybe one day I can follow my true dream too. But for now, gotta make the money and pay off that wonderful education i'm not using

Thanks for the pointers, i'll have to look into one of those cranes. Where'd you find yours?
 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 10:23 AM
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I've removed one in the JY once (pictures up here someplace) this was several years ago but, as I remember it, four bolts, all accessible from inside the cab. Two behind the back seat beneath some black, plastic boo-boo plugs, two up front on the floor pans beneath silver-colored aluminum (or some such) covers.

Of course, you still have the steering column, electrical, HVAC, front fenders, etc. to remove, first.
 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by ctubutis
I've removed one in the JY once (pictures up here someplace) this was several years ago but, as I remember it, four bolts, all accessible from inside the cab. Two behind the back seat beneath some black, plastic boo-boo plugs, two up front on the floor pans beneath silver-colored aluminum (or some such) covers.

Of course, you still have the steering column, electrical, HVAC, front fenders, etc. to remove, first.
I was wondering about those plates. Mine on the driver side is a little rusty, but should be able to get it out and get the bolt out.



 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by ctubutis
I've removed one in the JY once (pictures up here someplace) this was several years ago but, as I remember it, four bolts, all accessible from inside the cab. Two behind the back seat beneath some black, plastic boo-boo plugs, two up front on the floor pans beneath silver-colored aluminum (or some such) covers.

Of course, you still have the steering column, electrical, HVAC, front fenders, etc. to remove, first.
I'm guessing letting the bolts sit with some Aero-krol or WD-40 for a few weeks will help me in the end?
 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 10:53 AM
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I dunno; I didn't need any of that but I'm in Colorado, we don't have the rust & corrosion problems that you guys have (I'm from the Chicago area originally).

I guess if it were me, I would first wire brush any threads I can see and follow up with some sort of penetrating fluid (50/50 acetone + ATF has got a great reputation) but I'd let it sit for only 24 hours max.

I forget the head size of the bolts but they're metric - 15mm or 17 mm or some such.

Looking at your picture (rear) I see the two black plastic boo boo plugs but what sticks out are the two exposed bolt heads kinda nearby to them, I honestly don't remember what they hold in place but. given their size, I'd imagine they're structurally integral and would need to be removed but you'll need to look underneath to verify that.
 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by ctubutis
I dunno; I didn't need any of that but I'm in Colorado, we don't have the rust & corrosion problems that you guys have (I'm from the Chicago area originally).

I guess if it were me, I would first wire brush any threads I can see and follow up with some sort of penetrating fluid (50/50 acetone + ATF has got a great reputation) but I'd let it sit for only 24 hours max.

I forget the head size of the bolts but they're metric - 15mm or 17 mm or some such.

Looking at your picture (rear) I see the two black plastic boo boo plugs but what sticks out are the two exposed bolt heads kinda nearby to them, I honestly don't remember what they hold in place but. given their size, I'd imagine they're structurally integral and would need to be removed but you'll need to look underneath to verify that.
Thank you for that. If I remember correctly, I thought I remember reading someone saying that there are 6 bolts total, but once the snow melts and I can finally get outside (-17 today in MN) to work on it, i'll be posting the pics. Maybe a write-up on it too?
 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by SVTDriver97
...i'll be posting the pics. Maybe a write-up on it too?
If it's descriptive and useful, we can add it to the HOWTOs.
 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by SVTDriver97
Thank you for that. If I remember correctly, I thought I remember reading someone saying that there are 6 bolts total, but once the snow melts and I can finally get outside (-17 today in MN) to work on it, i'll be posting the pics. Maybe a write-up on it too?
just grabbed some pics from the 84 build thread for my uncles truck


there are only 4 bolts that hold it on. you do not have to remove the rubber plugs for the rear ones, they are indeed the two beefy bolts you see next to the rubber plugs.

then the 2 fronts are under those rusty covers on the floor pans you showed.

then you have the steering shaft, the trans linkage if auto, or the shifters if manual(not necesary but gives a little more room to play with. we didnt on the 84) there is a ground that goes from the cowl to the engine block, and then wiring harness,

here are some pics, we just always use the boom on our tow truck, open the doors of the cab we are moving, run a recovery sling for wrecks, through the cab, then shut the doors, and center the sling, hook the cable and up and away it goes. oh and notice the ratchet strap to firewallish area, back up to other cable, the cabs are firewall heavy like stated above, so choose a method good for you to stabilize the cab





















 
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 11:17 AM
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The front under the cover ones may be a little rusty, mine were. Your rear bolts are like mine, right in the open. The left side may be a slight problem, these have nuts on the bottom and the left side is not very accessible with the front tank installed.

I took my front ones loose and jacked one front corner at a time up to remove the upper frame gusset bolts for the C6 after I installed the E4OD.
 
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