Removing the Cab from the Frame

A couple weekends ago we removed the cab.  I thought it was going to be really difficult.  I thought I would need a big group of my strongest guy friends to help.  I wasn't even sure, exactly, HOW we were going to get it off the frame.  

We made sure to remove as much as we could to make the cab as light as possible.  We removed the doors, the gas tank, the steering column, the bench seat, and most of the dash.  I had 3 guys and 1 girlfriend to help....and it went a lot smoother than I thought!  

We pushed the truck out of the garage.  Unbolted the 4 bolts holding the cab to the frame (use an impact wrench.  It's SOOOO much easier).  We then put 3 4x4's under the cab to lift it up, then slid the cab (very very gently) down the 4x4's and off the frame.  Then the guys each took a side and were able to simple carry the cab over to the side yard where the cab will rest for the time being.  The cab is being stored on pallets and covered with a giant tarp.  

Ripping out the heart...in a positive way

Last weekend we accomplished a big step...we removed the engine and transmission! The guys did most of the heavy lifting but it was very exciting! It feels like now that the engine is out I can really get down to cleaning and removing other parts. Removing the engine was surprisingly smooth and easy. No issues getting bolts off or even pulling out the transmission with the engine. 

It's About Family

A lot of people have been telling me this whole project of restoring my dad's truck is a bad idea.
It's a waste of time and money.
It'll take years to complete.  

My response to that?

I don't care.  I don't care what they THINK is a bad idea or a waste of my time.  I knew going into this project that it was going to take some time and a bit of money.  But that's not the point of this whole project.  The point is that I've watched this truck sit in my backyard for 20 years, always thinking one day I will work on it, and one day i'll get to drive it.
To me...it's not about how much money I put into it, or how many years it takes.  To me, it's about my dad, my grandpa, my grandma, even my mom.
Fixing this truck makes me feel closer to them.

It's about family.