Well, I brought my 53' home and started some work on it. The cab, much to my dismay, had more work than I had anticipated. So, I decided to look for a new cab. I found one in Massachusetts that looks really nice, but there's no way I can drive to there, considering I live in Arkansas. What would be the best alternative to taking a heck of a road trip? I've looked at www.uship.com, but I'm thinking there's a cheaper way, considering it's just the cab and doors. Any seasoned vets have a suggestion for a rookie in the world of Effies?

 

No suggestions as far as shipping.

You said you are in AR? There is an AR chapter on this site.

Arkansas Chapter - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

I know there are a few of us old truck members in AR.

 

Unfortunately, "just cab and doors" is sometimes harder than a rolling chassis. It would help greatly if they could palletize it, or even crate it. A lot of trucks won't bother, because they have to be sure that there's a way to off-load it, when it gets to your place. I'm guessing about 1500 each way, were you to drive? With trailer, guessing 15 mpg, that would work out to 200 gallons of gas, or around $750...

I think you'd be better served looking for a cab, closer to you that you can pick up. I don't know how you found it, in Massachusetts, but I would be very concerned about rust in any cab out of there, unless you either know the people, or can get REALLY good pictures, inside and out, and in all the nooks and crannies that are notorious for rust.

I have seen a LOT of cabs (ok, maybe not LOT'S, but quite a few), around Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, and those probably have less rust, and are a LOT closer to you. You'll probably pay a bit more, but if shipping is not involved, your money might be better spent on nearness and quality, than transportation of a cab.

And I've found that price isn't always the best factor - I passed on a complete cab for $110, after driving 3 hours to see it - just wouldn't have been worth anything to me, anything that WAS nice to have was either gone, or in worse shape than what I already have. Better to drive 300 miles round trip, to look, than drive 300 miles, having already paid, and having to drag it home, just to cut it up and push it over the scales. I mean, this cab was absolutely worthless, except for one small section in the rear...you might be better off, if you wait. The right cab will come along, in better circumstances, possibly (probably). Of course, I don't know all the circumstances, so maybe that cab is perfect in MA, but surely something HAS to be closer...

Just curious, what did uship quote you?

R

 

If it were me I would not bother with a cab so far away and take a little time looking closer to home. I see trucks/parts all the time in your neck of the woods, as I recall I just saw a pretty nice project truck in Mo. I bet there are quite a few good cabs real close to you, it just takes a little searching and patience. The last truck I bought from out of town I just rented a U-Haul one-way and loaded the truck in the back and drove home. A rolling chassis is 1 inch shorter than the box on a 16 ft rental truck! Good luck...

 

I don't know where you are in AR, but Tommy might be able to help

Tommy McNeice, 806-781-1956, Lubbock Tx.

I bought my 56 from him, and he was going to Dallas for something and brought the truck to me there. saved me a ton of time & money.

Sam

 

I can't remember the exact figures from uship, but I'm wanting to say it was something around $450? I figured with the condition my cab is in right now, every patch panel known to man is gonna be bought, as well as floors, glass, new seals, the works. Here's the link to the eBay ad for the cab.

eBay Motors: 53,54,55 f 100 cab very good condition (item 260267508706 end time Aug-02-08 08:15:05 PDT)

And just in case it matters, I'm from Cabot. It's about a 20 minute drive north of Little Rock.

 

I have been to Cabot several times. A friend I grew up with used to live there.

The AR chapter gets together somewhere around little rock every once in a while. The next one (tentatively is Sep 6th in Conway).

I won't be back in Little Rock until the 14th of August myself.


You might want to check the craiglist for the little rock area for a closer to home cab. In a few days that cab could be a lot more expensive, plus all the shipping costs.

 

You might also want to request a picture of the drip rail at the top of the cab that are not displayed in the ebay ad.

 

Anderson, I live 120 miles west of you just off I40. I have a few cabs you might want to look at for reasonable prices- $200 - $350. They have the original paint on them, so it would be easier for you to see what you are paying for. You need to beware about what lies beneath those repaints. If interested respond back on here and we can make arrangements to contact each other.

 

So far all the guys have given you good advice on this thread. However, if this is the one you must have and it's a deal you can't let go, U-Ship is probably your best bet. A lot of times there are folks on there that are just hoping to cover their dead-head with a little fuel money and it will be a lot cheaper than the big carriers. In most cases they will at least help load and unload it. Most likely it would be someone with a low open trailer and that makes it easy to get on and off. There is some built-in protection for you and the transporter with U-Ship. I have worked with u-ship as both a service provider and a customer. With today's fuel prices it's going to high no mater what you do.

Later Man...

 

Any trucking can ship . can ship. It has to be put on a pallet and strapped down .that how I ship my....but it cost more then i pay for the cab
p.s just have it ship to shipper and you pick up at there dock.. it cost less and can use there fork lift

 

Contact Rodney--lastchance56--he has several 55 cabs -I believe and may sell them. His truck is a 56 and maybe will sell the 2 cabs he has to you.
He is in Ardmore Alabama--on the border.

I have bought quite a few cabs and going tomorrow to get another complete 56 in pieces. The cab with glass is heavy and to me--is a better buy to buy whole truck. I pick up all my trucks ,and hope this will help....Bill

 

I'm definately interested. Are you located around Van Buren or Fort Smith? What condition are the cabs in? I appreciate all the replies guys, this is definately making this experience a learning one.

 

Anderson, I'm near Clarksville, 55 miles east of Fort Smith, 100 miles west of Little Rock.The two cabs you may want to look at have suface rust but no major rust holes. One has a one inch rust hole on the bottom of the rear corners. Floors on both look solid with no rust through. You're welcome to come look at them and check out the 53 I'm in the final stages of building. You can call me at 1-479-497-2192 for more info.