joemac Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 (edited) Based on some recent daydreaming, I found myself searching out old derelict fire apparatus. What I've found was an overwhelming majority of open cabs. Since I strongly prefer closed cabs, the idea of enclosing one began to swirl around in my head.Would such an accomplishment be considered in bad form?Heresy? Sacrilege? Mildly frowned upon?If I were to do such a thing, it would be my intent to make it look as though it had been an enclosed cab from the beginning.Just wondering what the consensus is.Has anyone done this? Edited February 15, 2014 by joemac Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb502 Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Don't do it, the open cab trucks are disappearing quick. Quote "Any Society that would give up a little LIBERTY to gain a little SECURITY will Deserve Neither and LOSE BOTH" -Benjamin Franklin"If your gonna be STUPID, you gotta be TOUGH" "You cant always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you get what you need" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-232696 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyRebel Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Don't know if it is an option or not, but could you find a closed cab on a semi tractor that needs restoration and swap cabs, offering up the open-cab body to someone who wants it for their own restoration project? I have't looked at too many old fire trucks to see if their cabs are part of the body or a separate unit. Hell, an open-cab semi tractor would be pretty neat in the summer...'specially since I don't have AC. Anyway, if it can be done, swapping out that way would probably give you the look you want without depleting the world of another increasingly rare cab type... Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-232707 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Covert Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Watch the video post of the Kenyan airplane first. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-232716 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickfarms Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Build a fiberglass top that attaches to the existing mounted points. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-232849 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 There are plenty of closed cab rigs out there if you keep looking. Adding a roof to a semi-open cab is perfectly feasible, but why go to the expense and frustration? If the truck is so rare a closed cab version cannot be found it would be heresy to close it up IMO. Just be patient and you will find what you want.And BTW buy the rig in the very best condition you can afford, not a side of the road derelict. You will be way ahead money wise. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-232885 Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemac Posted February 16, 2014 Author Share Posted February 16, 2014 Thanks, that's what I was looking for; different perspective.I like the idea of possibly switching cabs, especially if they're bolted to the frame.I got an offer from a guy at the other end of the state last night.He has a parts truck that still has a usable enclosed cab that he would allow me to remove what I needed. I'm more inclined to restore something back to original, rather than modifying.As to the restoration itself; I spent nearly thirty years in business restoring cars for a living.Fabricating and modifying sheet metal is old hat to me. I enjoy a challenge and I would much rather get something that no one else would consider restoring, and bring it back to a showpiece.You wouldn't believe some of the rusted hulks that I've dealt with.I started writing a book on restoration, then the Interwebz came about and changed everything. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-232895 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 If that is the case start looking for a rare older rig that will benefit from your skills. There are some pretty unique rigs out there that should be saved, but are so far gone most of us wouldn't touch them.Here is a picture of a friend's ALF that he found in such tough shape he actually had to weld the hood shut to lift it off. Another friend said he wouldn't buy it as a parts truck. He is currently doing a very unique 37 GMC cab over four door fire truck that came out of a junk yard. 1 Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-232989 Share on other sites More sharing options...
609albert Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 hi Carl, I can't wait to see DR.Mikes GMC when it is done ,what a project. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-233038 Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemac Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 That Type 92 is gorgeous! Man, would I love to have one of those!Does anyone know if the 700 ALF cabs are bolted to the frame, or are they welded? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-233151 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 well a buddy of mine tryed to unchop a model A ford,,and bring roof back to stock,,,he said if he knew it was going to be such a chore,,,he never would have attempted it,,,my oppinion is...unless you got loads of spare time ,,,dont try it.lol.bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-233154 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 If that is the case start looking for a rare older rig that will benefit from your skills. There are some pretty unique rigs out there that should be saved, but are so far gone most of us wouldn't touch them.Here is a picture of a friend's ALF that he found in such tough shape he actually had to weld the hood shut to lift it off. Another friend said he wouldn't buy it as a parts truck. He is currently doing a very unique 37 GMC cab over four door fire truck that came out of a junk yard.some nice work...bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-233155 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldogboy Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Back in the '80s several former Long Island Mack "B" and "C" model fire trucks weresold to volunteer fire departments in New Hampshire. One was a 1965 "C" modelladder truck that was sold to Hopkinton, NH. It was a straight truck with a semi-cab.HFD later found an old "C" model pumper, cut the roof off, and added it to their ladder truck.I'm not sure if they also used the windshield from the pumper; I saw the pumper later atDick Kemp's in Hillsborough and the roof and windshield were missing.A "C" model semi-cab can be made into a canopy (crew) cab because it already has thejump seats. An semi-cab "L" or "B" model can only be made into a coupe cab because itwould not have rear seats. I have never seen a semi, crew cab, "E", "B", or "L" model. bulldogboy Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-233255 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 joemac; contact cf685f on this site. He has totally rebuilt a 700 series.I remember watching Continental Fire Apparatus in Hopkinton, MA put a roof on one of the very few CF open cabs for Newton, MA. They used a roof off of an F model tractor. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-233275 Share on other sites More sharing options...
609albert Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I believe in Harvey Echard L model book their is a photo of a semi open L with a back seat. If you could dream it, MACK would build it. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34694-making-a-semi-cab-into-a-canopy-cab/#findComment-233792 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.