mattb73lt

Over the life of this cab model, I don’t think they ever deleted a single hole or attachment. So many unused holes, the old radiator support rod holes are still there for an LJ radiator, plus the bigger ones for the B radiator. A piece of angle iron added, I think that’s to support the big heater on the inside. A lot will get reused, but man there’s a lot. I guess if you bought it for an earlier truck, as a replacement, it would all still fit no matter the year.

No kidding. You’d think they would’ve deleted them as they weren’t needed. Nope, let’s just drill more!,

Final time putting the roof on, permanently this time. What a huge, tedious, pain in the ass getting the edges repaired. Took me about two weeks of fiddling and fussing to get it right and leave enough room for the gutters. The results were good, though. Door gaps look good and neither door binds or rubs. Just the front pillars to do and a bunch of small fixes to do and then on to bodywork and paint. I really can’t believe I brought this rusty, banged up cab back.

If he displayed the same attitude, no wonder he got popped. If you're driving a rolling cobbed up POS that wouldn't pass a dumpster, you're just asking to get stopped, ticketed and towed.

Never had any issues hauling anything anywhere with classic plates for 20+ years. In and out of state all the way to Colorado and Virginia.

The one change in CT I need to add to the above info I stated is that you need a DOT # exemption letter filled out for the application. Attached is a letter directly from CT DMV with the requirements of the letter that must be Notarized. Other than that, all remains the same as it has been for the last several years. I am amazed at the lack of knowledge that exists behind the counter at DMV offices and the variety of answers you can get from branch to branch. You can search through Title 14 of the Connecticut General Statutes to arm yourself in preparation to going there. VALS327, I would agree with you on that and the vehicle, mechanically, should be able to pass that. But, it is an added expense for most people at the hobby level to get one done. Hopefully, this will help those of us who live and register in Connecticut.

You shouldn't need the inspection. Just a vin verification. Have all your paperwork squared away and proof of ownership/insurance and registration application. I just coached someone having issues at the Danbury branch basically saying the same thing. I had them go to the Norwalk branch and they walked out with classic plates without issue. There's lots of misinformation out there within DMV. The vehicle will be used for personal non-commercial purposes, classic plates are appropriate.

One of my favorites. Saw it a few times at shows. I use it as my inspiration on how I want mine to look, but with red fenders.

These are the “Emergency”version for fire trucks. They should be loud!.

Laid out the new roof and drilled 23 holes to mount the clearance lights and dual horns. The roof was off a fire truck and had no clearance lights, just evidence of two different rotating beacons. Every now and then there's a little light that this is going to get done.

Nice to see this back together and running!!

That's really sharp!!

Big improvements from last year on 2/18/19 to now!

I have my days like that, too. But, I keep moving on. Went out to clean up today and still ended up fixing things. There are times I go out and think what should I work on? There's hardly anything I don't pick up that doesn't need some sort of repair. So I cut it, weld it, machine it, prime it and put it on the done shelf for installation. Even if it's something small, it get's done. I have several shelves in the hayloft of completed parts waiting for assembly, once I get this cab painted. That'll be a huge corner to turn and then, to me, this project will get fun. I can't wait for that time.

Believe it or not, it took a bout 10 minutes to fit the new door. Massage the upper hinge and lower right corner and no binding. Now I still have to get some sort of weather stripping to seal it, but I need a shock cord to keep both doors closed.

Finally, on to the roof and gutters!! Some fabricating and repair to it and the gutters before they get re-attached. But man, it's starting to look good!! Door gaps seem to be no better or worse than the factory. Some of the stuff Mack did putting these cabs together...leaves a lot to be desired. My door jambs came out good, it's tough working with used metal. So nice to work with the fresh stuff I've had fabricated.

Not likely, although I could bring some of it on the back of the B42.

Thanks for that. It's been a long time since I dragged this truck home. Tough at times to stay motivated, especially with this part of the restoration. It is great getting positive comments and different opinions and ideas as the whole thing is kind've fluid as I move along. Some things I'm set on, but others like products or methods people have used really help. I'm also amazed how long this thread is since I started it way back in 2015. The momentum is definitely building as things get completed.

A little teaser of things to come. Mocked up my mirrors and drilled holes in my brand new door and relocated the holes on the passenger door. Boxed up the mirrors, they shouldn’t be sitting too long!

That's really nice. Would that have the drop floor cab on it, just curious?

I had the idea, at one time, to fix the mechanicals and put it on the road as is. I think the cab would have fallen apart quickly and I would've had nothing to work with. Plus everything was coming apart. This was really the only way to do it.

It did do a lot of damage. The lower and upper center panels were replaced. It crushed the center vertical cab support, bent the center horizontal support and broke the lower rear frame of the cab. All of which have been replaced or straightened. The owner never said how fast he was going, but it had to of been hard or a fast hit.

The original owner told me the story. He came to get his trailer on a Sunday evening to start his week and he thinks some kids cranked it up higher after he left it.

There’s a L model cab, fenders and hood off a fire truck on EBay in Egypt, NJ(?) right now. Don’t know where your located, but there’s stuff out there.

I would say very tough to come by. Once in a while you'll see some pieces come up, a radiator shell, hood. I haven't seen fenders in a while. Cabs are tough, there was one (it was complete) on Ebay last year in Canada. Cabs can be rebuilt and parts fabricated, but it's slow and costly. I'm rebuilding a L cab for my B-73, it's hard and takes a lot of patience. But, keep hunting, you'll stumble on stuff.