How big of a job is this?

[mr4454]

Hello everyone, I'm a newbie and want to know how difficult it is to fix all the holes and rust on this cab.
I have watched hours of videos but it seems no one has rust in the middle of the cab just passed the transmission where the hump disappears (see photos) except me. Is there a piece to buy like floorboards or just weld something in?
I have rust along both sides of the cab
the floorboards
and middle of the cab just passed the transmission area
If you could tell me what parts I need and cost
Also, should I look for a donor cab?
Thanks

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[82Diesel]

Boy... that sure is one heck of a job. Guess It justs depends on how Deep your wallet & Time is A lot of guys would have just found a new cab but ultimately it's your decision.

I would look for a Donor cab yes. My c20 is like that but not that bad! majority of it is the Rockers are totally gone and eating into the cab. haha.

 

[eskimomann209]

Hehe
I asked the same question a while back
I haven’t seen any rust at the seat pan
So that’s weird.
The floor board part you can buy.
As been mentioned here many times... it’s hard to explain but once you start cutting and seeing no how things come apart
You can see how they go back together...
But everyone is different and welding skill is a biiig part.
I have welded maaaany times on thicker steel
This sheet metal if there is any rust it’ll pop a hole in it like right now
It is a big job
And depending on how clean a cab you can find might be worth it.
I did elect to get s new cab
Paid for it
Got it home and found rust.
Amen pleeeeenty of it
However still not as bad as my original cab.

 

[eskimomann209]

Oh and maybe you can edit out the multiposted pics

 

[Rusty Nail]

My cab floor looks kinda like that too.
The floor pan patches are cheap.
Cut em out, weld em in.

How bad could it be?

 

[DBarre]

As far as I know, no one makes replacement panels for under the seat area. That cab must have sat outside with no doors for a while to get that bad.

You'll probably need floorpans, outer rockers and inner rockers for both sides. Possibly cab supports, but they may still be good. And a lot of patience to cut all of the rust out and weld it back together.

Depending on price and welding skill, a donor cab is a good idea.

 

[eskimomann209]

Are those holes plugged from the factory?
I have been under the carpet of about twenty looking for my replacement cab and they were all unpluggedmight be part of the reason the water sat and ate through it

 

[Frankenchevy]

Mine are open. I’m lucky though, zero rust on mine.

Maybe it’s karma for the rotten vw pans ive had to replace.

 

[82Diesel]

My cab floor looks kinda like that too.
The floor pan patches are cheap.
Cut em out, weld em in.

How bad could it be?

I guess the Answer to that is Majority of the guys I've met want Original sheet metal, Meaning Genuine/NOS Or Steel I've looked on eBay Daily-Weekly now for about 1 year. But really it's up to them. Cheap ones Don't hold up... I had a truck I put some into and they'd already started rusting and bubbling after 2 1/2 to 3 yrs.

Found all of my Major NOS Cab Parts & some I already had... only thing left to find is my Drivers Floor Pan which shouldn't be that hard.

 

[Snoots]

Are those holes plugged from the factory?
I have been under the carpet of about twenty looking for my replacement cab and they were all unpluggedmight be part of the reason the water sat and ate through it

Some holes are there to allow primer to flush out during manufacturing. They are plugged after the frame comes out of the dip tank.

 

[eskimomann209]

I guess the Answer to that is Majority of the guys I've met want Original sheet metal, Meaning Genuine/NOS Or Steel I've looked on eBay Daily-Weekly now for about 1 year. But really it's up to them. Cheap ones Don't hold up... I had a truck I put some into and they'd already started rusting and bubbling after 2 1/2 to 3 yrs.

Found all of my Major NOS Cab Parts & some I already had... only thing left to find is my Drivers Floor Pan which shouldn't be that hard.

Well that’s strange
First I have never seen anyone upset about replacing steel as long as it’s steel and not bondo.
I have heard of people wanting all oem fenders core supports, etc butpatches?
Where did your patches rust ?
That sounds like a bad weld to me. Steel doesn’t just rust without exposure to water.
Maybe bad primer?

 

[dvdswan]

2 ways to go about this. 1) pull the cab and gut it, sand blast it and find ALL the rusty spots, and repair. 2) find a good donor cab with possibly some very minor rust, repair and swap it.

It really all depends on if you want an original truck or a rust free truck.

 

[mr4454]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions, it seems as though a donor cab will be the way to go. I forgot to mention that I have never welded before. Also, I'm embarrassed to say I found a donor cab an hour away from where I live in a lot paid the guy as he was going to deliver it to me as I have no way of transporting it, and of course he is nowhere to be found now and phone has been disconnected. I'm just feeling so stupid, I'll buy your ocean front property in Arizona
you live and learn I guess

 

[82Diesel]

Well that’s strange
First I have never seen anyone upset about replacing steel as long as it’s steel and not bondo.
I have heard of people wanting all oem fenders core supports, etc butpatches?
Where did your patches rust ?
That sounds like a bad weld to me. Steel doesn’t just rust without exposure to water.
Maybe bad primer?

That's just what i hear a lot on Facebook and so on, Every single post I find upon There's everyone asking if it's Genuine or Aftermarket and Usually, if it's aftermarket everyone stays away from it I have seen it all over facebook Even I have been looking for genuine doors around 1 year now.

Anyhow. It was Very very cheap flimsy rock auto metal Go Figure. It was super quick patch job so I expected it to rust but I'm in Michigan I live a 1/2 mile from Lake Michigan so lots of salt in the air and on the roads... From the usual spot, it started Drip rails on down to the Cab into the rockers.

 

[eskimomann209]

Doors make sense repo doors are pretty terrible

Were the welds lap welds?