Has anyone replaced the entire cab before (due to rollover, etc.)?

[HSchroen]

Just wondering if anyone here has replaced the entire quad cab on a 3rd Gen before. Is it a long, arduous task? Can the dash, wiring, cab, etc. all be replaced as one unit?

I'm consdering purchasing one that has a smashed cab from a rollover accident. thanks.

 

[DieselMinded]

NOT SURE ON THE 3RD GEN BUT... ... ... .....



EEP



Coverted a single cab into a QUAD CAB.



CONTACT THEM MAYBE THEY CAN GIVE YOU SOME DETAILS



DM

 

[JHardwick]

NOT SURE ON THE 3RD GEN BUT... ... ... .....



EEP



Coverted a single cab into a QUAD CAB.



CONTACT THEM MAYBE THEY CAN GIVE YOU SOME DETAILS



DM

Hey man, where are you in Perry County ... ... ... ... . I used to 4-wheel a bunch off of the 595 trail head in New Straitsville ... ... ... ... dated a girl who lived on "old town", lol.

 

[supersonic]

My 98 12v was a total that had a cab fire and I replaced the cab on it. Wasn't a bad project except for the smell of burnt plastics, etc. Have you found a new cab? A 3rd gen will still be kinda hard to find as they haven't been out for a real long time. The best place I've found for dodge parts (specifically 3/4 and 1 ton diesels) is Davis Auto Salvage in Corbin, KY. Give Herald a call, hell set you up if he has anything, Usually gives you little stuff you mught need (like pieces of wiring harneses, interior bits an pieces). As far as the actual dissasembly and assembly goes there's nothing to sweat, There are a few main wiring harneses, everything on the fire wall can be taken off and laid in the engine compartment, don't have to break any fluid lines (except for heater/AC and winshield washer), the steering shaft comes off easily, you have the parking brake and the cab bolts underneath. Don't forget to do a thourough inspection around the cab to check for ground wires or anything else hidden that could break when you lift the cab. Most importantly though you should have fun, fixing wrecks gave me some of my best memories/lessons, and you can learn alot and better comprehend what the truck is by restoring your own vechicle that you would have missed if you just went out and bought it.

 

[HSchroen]

How did you lift the cab up and off the frame? Did you leave the dash,wiring, and everything in the replacement cab? How long did it all take you? Thanks.

My 98 12v was a total that had a cab fire and I replaced the cab on it. Wasn't a bad project except for the smell of burnt plastics, etc. Have you found a new cab? A 3rd gen will still be kinda hard to find as they haven't been out for a real long time. The best place I've found for dodge parts (specifically 3/4 and 1 ton diesels) is Davis Auto Salvage in Corbin, KY. Give Herald a call, hell set you up if he has anything, Usually gives you little stuff you mught need (like pieces of wiring harneses, interior bits an pieces). As far as the actual dissasembly and assembly goes there's nothing to sweat, There are a few main wiring harneses, everything on the fire wall can be taken off and laid in the engine compartment, don't have to break any fluid lines (except for heater/AC and winshield washer), the steering shaft comes off easily, you have the parking brake and the cab bolts underneath. Don't forget to do a thourough inspection around the cab to check for ground wires or anything else hidden that could break when you lift the cab. Most importantly though you should have fun, fixing wrecks gave me some of my best memories/lessons, and you can learn alot and better comprehend what the truck is by restoring your own vechicle that you would have missed if you just went out and bought it.

 

[HSchroen]

Guys, please start your own thread or email. thanks.

Hey man, where are you in Perry County ... ... ... ... . I used to 4-wheel a bunch off of the 595 trail head in New Straitsville ... ... ... ... dated a girl who lived on "old town", lol.

 

[PJ]

I have restored several 67-72 Chevy trucks. I always do a body off restro. When doing so, I use my John Deere backhoe and a tow strap to lift the cab and other parts off the trucks. You can also use a cherry picker by removing one of the doors and welding up a 3 or 4 point hook up inside to lift the cab. Ive done that only once because its just so much easier to use a backhoe.

It really isnt hard at all. The first time I ever did a body swap was back in the 80's when I flipped my 4x4 Ranger. I only had the min insurance on it so the repair was on me. With only one good arm, I used a sawzall and cut the smashed cab off. I bought a complete front clip and cab from a wrecker. I had the frame from my truck betewwn two tall pine trees that I had used a chain hoist to lift the replacement front clip. Within 3 or 4 hours, I had the truck bolted up and running. It took another day or so to shim and check all bolts and fittings to feel safe driving it. Then another year to get around to matching the paint!

Good luck! It really is a fun hobby to do if you like to tinker with trucks. That rolled Ranger was what got me into the Chevy restro hobby.

 

[ZRacer]

Done a number of frame swaps on the DR trucks at work. It is easiest to swap the cab with the fenders attached to the core support. On a Quad Cab there are 8 "19 mm" bolts that hold the cab in place. You have to remove the hoses, disconnect the brake lines, disconnect the parking brake cable, disconnect the wireing from the engineand that's about it. We usually pull the cabs off the frame with either an overhead crane or an above ground 2 post hoist. The body harness and interior stay intact. Hope this gives you some idea how to go about it. 2 guys using air tools usually can have the cab off in about an hour, not really busting a hump.

 

[PJ]

Like I said, Its easy!

 

[HSchroen]

Cool, doesn't sound too bad at all! And that was for the 3rd Gen right?

Done a number of frame swaps on the DR trucks at work. It is easiest to swap the cab with the fenders attached to the core support. On a Quad Cab there are 8 "19 mm" bolts that hold the cab in place. You have to remove the hoses, disconnect the brake lines, disconnect the parking brake cable, disconnect the wireing from the engineand that's about it. We usually pull the cabs off the frame with either an overhead crane or an above ground 2 post hoist. The body harness and interior stay intact. Hope this gives you some idea how to go about it. 2 guys using air tools usually can have the cab off in about an hour, not really busting a hump.

 

[ZRacer]

Yes, that is the process for a 3rd Gen. One note to swapping the cabs, the body mounts have to be torqued or the cab will shift on the frame. I think the torque is 80 ft/lbs, but you should check the Service manuel for sure. The reason we swap so many cabs and frames is for Seat Belt Anchorage Testing. If the Body Mounts aren't torqued properly, you run the risk of the cab pulling off the frame during a 7000lb Hydrylic load test! Boy is it a site to watch a Body rip apart on that machine! Sure gives you a new appreciation for how much load can go through the Selt Belt Anchors! Of course we test them at a load that even the largest person would never be able to apply during a 40 MPH Offset Crash into a solid barrier! Sometimes my job can be fun!

 

[HAnderson]

I did a new frame. Justed lifted the cab with floor jacks and jack stands. rolled out the old frame . rolled in new and lower cab Howard