'69 Highboy cab replacement

[skiziks]

Well after a lot of going back and forth I finally am getting things going.

When I bought my Highboy my original plan was to swap the body off of my '69 2 wheel onto the Highboy and have the truck that I always wanted.

After going back and forth over how to make this all happen and not upset the neighbors too bad my wife said "Why don't just look for a cab?". Sounded like a good idea to me so I did.

At the local junkyard they had five to choose from. As I looked over the first 4 I was thinking it was going to be a lost cause. Rust and damage dismayed me. When I made it to the fifth I was in heaven! Not only was the cab in decent shape with minimal rust, but the doors and fenders looked great too.

I picked up the cab, both fenders and both doors for $300.

Then the fun part of pulling it all. With the engine, trans and steering column already gone it made the job a little easier. I took me about 4 hours with a simple socket set and a few wrenches to get everything off.

Since it was a Ranger it had a complete wood trimmed gage cluster and that other wood trim piece that runs under the dash from the passengers side to under the ash tray that I left behind. If anyone is interested I can go back and grab these.

Now I can prep the cab and then put it up on the Highboy without destroying my 2 wheel drive.

Here is a link to the pictures. http://picasaweb.google.com/skiziks/NewCabForTheHighboy

[Thunderfoot]

Larry,
That looks like a good deal and the best way to go.
For those that don't remember here is his Highboy when he got it and why he is changing out the cab http://picasaweb.google.com/skiziks/1969F2504X4
Keep us updated as you go.

[CO684X4]

looks good. What yard did you get that at?

[skiziks]

Thunderfoot,

Thanks for putting that link in! I planned on doing that but just did not make it happen.

CO684X4,
I bought it at ABC. They thought they were going to have to help out a lot when I said I wanted the whole cab but all they had to do was remove the driver side rear cab mount bolt, both ends were turning and I could not get it by myself, and pick the cab up. I was not thrilled with the forklift blades through the windshield and tire pick up method but I had no input on that.

I will keep the pictures updated as I make progress.

[SteveC]

were was abc yard at?? cause if it is the one here in north platte im gonna go have to some nice words with them for lying to me

EDIT* course after rereading you said local so maybe there is more than one abc yard

[CO684X4]

yeah its a local yard here in Colo Spgs. If you need help give me a call.

[SteveC]

ok cause the abc auto salvage here in town is run by idiots. Asked them one time if they have any 67 -72 ford trucks...the response i got was oo no we dont have anything that old....but yet every time i drive by there i can see several old 60's and 70's cars back in the corner and one 60's truck i can see

Thanks

[H-DFord]

Congrats on the find. Thats nice parts at a good price. John

[skiziks]

Okay it is time for an update!!!!

Got the cabs switched out. Had a bunch of fun!!

Ran into a few problems along the way but nothing is a show stopper.

Had to get a in cab gas tank for the 72 because the in cab tank for the 69 had a different mounting method.

Got the back window back into place but tore the rubber on the windshield so I will get a new one on order soon.

Had to swap out the peddles as the donor cab was an automatic but things are going back together pretty smoothly.

If I had to do it again I would take off the fenders and inner fenders first to provide better access to the steering column and master cylinder on the drivers side and the heater box connections on the passenger's side. I was trying to save my neighbors a little bit of pain by keeping things together as long as possible plus they are already happy with the 6 cars we have. Now I have rolled it into the garage to finish off the rest.

Switching to a new blade style fuse block and once that is ready to be put in most of the wiring can be finished off.
Need to put the heater box and controls back into the truck.
Put the inner fenders and fenders back on but first I will mount the clearance lights on the top of the cab.
Plus a bunch of other things I will realize along the way.

Hope to have this truck back on the road before the 4th of July!

Here is a ling to the pictures. http://picasaweb.google.com/skiziks/HighboyCabSwap#

[CO684X4]

Glad you got it on. I was wondering the other day if you had finished it or not. Did that bumper ever work out for your truck?

[skiziks]

CO684X4,

The bumper will work out but I need to get the tabs cut off and welded on. If memory serves me right the F100 frame rails are 35" apart in the front and the F250 are 35 1/2" apart. Still debating on cutting off 1 tab and moving it 1/2" or moving both 1/4" out. Probably will do it right and move them both 1/4" out!

How is your truck coming? I saw that the floor of your bed is out, is the new one in yet?

After I get the cab all back together and the truck back on the road I will have to figure out what I am going to do about the bed on the truck. The box is tweeked pretty bad so I am thinking I either get a new bed or make it a flat bed. Still not sure.

Good to hear from you!

[rjewkes]

cool deal can you take some pics of the blade box when hooked up, and maybe describe what wire went where?

[skiziks]

Yes I will take pictures and write something up about it too.

I am hoping to get to this within the next week or two.

[rjewkes]

sweet. when it's all done, man it will be the sweetest thing in the world.

[Thunderfoot]

The bumper will work out but I need to get the tabs cut off and welded on. If memory serves me right the F100 frame rails are 35" apart in the front and the F250 are 35 1/2" apart. Still debating on cutting off 1 tab and moving it 1/2" or moving both 1/4" out. Probably will do it right and move them both 1/4" out!

The frame rails are all within .03 total width of each other (not enough to notice) from F100-F250 2wd and 4wd... You can look at the Ford Trucks Body Builders Layout Book here http://www.fordification.com/bodybuilder70.htm to see the factory dimensions of them... The F250 4wd uses adapter brackets to bolt the front bumper on but it is the same bumper for 2wd and 4wd.