Taking the cab off.

[pfarber]

The TMs show a hoist and harness. Problem is unless you need a hoist large enough to clear the steering wheel its gotta be about 20 ft tall. Mine is only 15, less when you have the chain fall and load leveler.

We finally decided to:

Remove the steering wheel/shaft/gear.
Simply lift the cab by hand and walk it forward (everything forward of the cowl was already off).

The cab was pretty well stripped (no doors) and might weigh 200lbs, if that. Its just front heavy and top heavy.

Sad part is that the cab is in less than stellar shape. The other cab is in better condition... so another cab may be coming off.

[pfarber]

Lowes sells some metal brackets... I used them to make my ghetto cab dolly:

Just about everything forward of the transfer case is out. Bed comes off tomorrow then next week sand blast a thon!

[pfarber]

I've settled on pressure washer sand blasting the chassis (both of them). The costs involved with a professional sandblaster ($450 per frame, plus towing to/from @ $75 each frame each way = $300) was simply to high. Even though the guy had no work all week he wouldn't do it for less... now he gets nothing.

For $800 I could rent a 185CFM compressor and 2cu.ft media hopper but that would entail covering the entire neighborhood in sand. Not a realistic option.

So I ordered the pressure washer attachment from Northern Tool:

For $60 and will be renting a professional sized (3000psi, 3.8GPM) washer for a week, total cost $375 for two frames.

Another good thing was the local Tractor Supply had 40/80 grit (really fine stuff) 50lb bag for $8. Got 200lbs for the cabinet. This will allow me to use the smaller nozzles and have more hood time.. the media I have now requires a 1/8th in orifice and a 50lb pot lasts about 25 minutes... and my compressor runs constantly at only 60PSI.