Is this cab salvagable or should I find a new one?

Game over, find a new cab. On a cab with rust that extensive your going to have areas you can't access and its going to show up later on. 56 Ford cabs are still available enough that you don't have to settle for something that rough. Even if you dipped it you cant get rustproofing coverage into all of the hidden pockets.

 

Thanks guys, appreciate it.

The only way that I could fix the cab personally is to shave the drip rail, I see no way of patching it and keeping it from rusting in the future. Whats your thoughts on shaving it off....

And I agree with replacing corners and cab floor, If Im gonna sock 10-15K in a truck I want something I don't have to worry about down the road. As much as i hate to say it, I'd rather have the tawain patch panels than trash a good paint job.

Are dennis carpenters panels made in overseas, his stuff is a little more pricey but its claimed to be made with original dies???

 

It jooks just like my 55 that was given to me. It is now a finished truck and a traffic stopper.

All the panels were avaiable and I am retired so it gave me something to do for 8 months. My roof was bad and I searched the whole country for one and found a cut off less than 3 miles from home. There is always hope.

 

Here are some more pics........ Most of you still think its best to scrap?


Cab back and bottom


Door


Rocker


Firewall


Firewall


Visor


Lead Job

When did they quit leading???


Door Bottom


Door


Rocker

 

If I had that ole truck I would just try to patch weld it up and work with what I had.

If you dont want to do the work and have the cash to spend,why not just buy another truck altogether?

By the time you pick this one apart to make it perfect,you arent going to have much of the original truck left, so whats the use if it has no sentimental value to you.

I say stick this one back together and sell it to some old hack like myself
(not me,tho I would like to have it) who wants to fix (this truck) ,and go buy yourself one already done that meets your standards,maybe cheaper than what this one will cost

 

depends on what you want and how bad you want to work for it , id get it stripped then pick a spot and start welding patches , unless of course once it was stripped it looked worse than the pics , then it would be a good place for your dog to catch a nap in

 

I like doing that sort of stuff. anyone can fix up a nice truck, takes a real man to get something like that back together.

contrary to popular opinion, time is free. I got 24 hours today, and hopefully I'll get another 24 tomorrow. didn't pay one penny for them. I say go for it.

 

I think as of now, if I can get the roof repaired and looking good, I will work my way down. If I can't get those fixed I may start looking elsewhere.

Did anyone catch the old lead, when did they quit leading vehicles??

 

I know my kid bro is rebuilding dad's '67 fastback mustang for him and found a nice (looked factory?) lead job when he tore into the rear quarters.
JML

 

Here is how is usually works, while you start on that rusty cab and get deep into the repair/restoration with both time and money another cab will become available and then you will have to decide.

 

If you must have a 56, find a solid 53 - 55 cab and transfer the windshield & cowl section

 

If it was a Big Window cab, I would consider fixing it, but a small window...No Way!!!
My Dad built a 56 Big Window that had originally came out of California. He dipped it, and it came back clean on the bottom, but rusted through along the drip rail. He found a cab that was rusty for the roof patch to get the curves right. He said he would have rather put both cab corners in it than having to patch the roof section, and it wasn't as bad as yours.
Don't forget that the cabs are the same all the way up to the "Big Job" dump trucks!!! It maybe easier to find a big truck cab that is cleaner.
FWIW, there was a really clean 56 cab & doors at Iola this year that was marked $800 and sold right away.