Cab repair stabilizing

[Art Vandelay]

Cab is currently on a rotisserie (which is awesome). I will begin the cutting and replacement of floor, rockers and kick panels (one side at a time). Looking for advice on stabilizing cab to keep square. Was thinking of using boat stands with the cab still on rotisserie to keep level or putting back in the frame. What’s the safest way?

 

[Ricko1966]

Cab is currently on a rotisserie (which is awesome). I will begin the cutting and replacement of floor, rockers and kick panels (one side at a time). Looking for advice on stabilizing cab to keep square. Was thinking of using boat stands with the cab still on rotisserie to keep level or putting back in the frame. What’s the safest way?

When I cut out major sections like rockers etc. I weld angle iron across the inside of the door opening as low as I can and still be able to work.Cut your angle and grind the welds after you are done

 

[bucket]

And if you are cutting out a lot on either side, like rockers, floor pans and cab supports, it wouldn't hurt to weld in a length of angle iron across the cab to tie both lower a-pillars together.

 

[Ricko1966]

And if you are cutting out a lot on either side, like rockers, floor pans and cab supports, it wouldn't hurt to weld in a length of angle iron across the cab to tie both lower a-pillars together.

That's a dam good idea,I never thought of it and never had a problem,but if a person welded angle across both door openings and then welded angle to that across the cab front and back of the door openings,that cab would be stable enough to do anything to.

 

[ali_c20]

This is what I made for my K5 body...used thick walled square tubing.

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[Art Vandelay]

Interesting how in a lot of the YouTube videos they don’t brace and cut out both sides.

 

[legopnuematic]

On my 79, the outer rockers while rusty, were still structurally sound, I cut out the remainder of the floor and inner rockers and kick panels, replaced all that and tied that back together leaving the old rockers in place, after I got the inner structure back and tied in I cut one rocker off at a time and welded the new ones on.

Is it the best way? Probably not, but worked for me.

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[idahovette]

^^^^^^^^^^And the crankshaft just rolled out from it's storage????.......lol^^^^^^^^^ @legopnuematic

 

[legopnuematic]

^^^^^^^^^^And the crankshaft just rolled out from it's storage????.......lol^^^^^^^^^ @legopnuematic

I figure that’s about as good of a place as any for a 305 crank

 

[waterpirate]

I saw a tool once that clamped on the striker and bolted to the door hinge holes in the cab. Same outcome, keep it straight.
Eric

 

[Strick]

And the crankshaft just rolled out from it's storage????

It probably fell out of the cab corner area like a bunch of other junk when you go to removing the rotten metal...

 

[Art Vandelay]

This is as much as I cut before starting this thread.

 

[Craig Nedrow]

Did this on my 64 Nova, basically removed the whole back half of the car. My body shop buddy told me to weld braces in the body to the floor, and doors and trunk, so I did. two full rear quarters, and full trunk, everything lined up as good as can be expected, doors and trunk shut nice. Basically build a fixture to hold position, r&r, remove braces, grind and sand welds, unnoticeable after its done.