Tractor cab conversion

skytracker · Sep 14, 2014

Picked up a cab from a Ford 4000 I am going to setup for my 3000. Guy took it off because front and back glass were cracked and roof mounted heat/ac quit.
The rest is very good. Its fiberglass with a steel tube frame and integral heavy rops bar. Will have to move my fenders out 2" each side and adj for different loader control position. Will post more pics later.

Sportsman762 · Sep 20, 2014

That cab should work well for your 3000. You will loose lots of visibility, however the ability to stay warm is a great benefit. Post pics of pre and post cab installation. Do you plan on hooking up the A/C?

skytracker · Sep 20, 2014

I think it will be great. Visibility will be cut down but it has lots of windows. Been too busy with the horses to do much yet. I did take the heater/ac off the roof and cracked front and rear glass out. Trying to find best source for safety glass for front and maybe lexan for back. I will have the heater and ac back. Had a 10A ac and 15A heater and lights circuit to redo. Will post pics. First thing will be moving fenders out. I need two inches each side and I have to make 3/8 plates with 3/4 in holes to move them out.

Sportsman762 · Sep 21, 2014

Any local glass shop should be able to cut you a piece of flat glass. I am missing some windows in my cab and when time allows I am going to trace it and take it to a glass shop.

chim · Sep 21, 2014

When I built my cab I priced safety glass at some local shops. The best deal came from a hardware store. I'm pretty sure they use one of the shops I had price it. I made 1/4" luan underlayment patterns that fit my openings and the people at the glass shop used them as templates. That took the worry out of fitting the glass to the openings.

skytracker · Sep 23, 2014

Thanks for the luan template tip. Local glass shop will make me the front for 45 and back for 52. Basically ten a square foot. About a week to get them.
Now I am going to move the fenders out. Then see how much of a cutout to make for the loader controls and contour for instrument cluster.

chim · Sep 24, 2014

$10/SqFt sounds like a good number. I had to shop around to get mine for that two years ago.

One thing I'm in the process of changing right now is the area below the front windshield. All other areas are tinted safety glass. The area below the windshield (around the hood) was originally done with clear plastic strips like you see on doorways for refrigerated rooms so forklifts can drive through them. It worked out well for installation, but the performance is lacking. That material became quite cloudy and spotted. I'm now replacing that material with Lexan. The left side is cut and in place but still needs a little finish work. I was able to make that in one piece. The challenge will be the right side because of the hoses, brackets etc.

skytracker · Sep 25, 2014

I think its a good price. First two places wanted 13 or 15sq ft.
I did find a 20 in x 40 in x3/16" piece of lexan for $20 at a yard sale.
I have safety glass on the left side up front. The tricky part is around the loader valves and bracket. Current cutout is 5 in x 20 in. And a little high up. I need it 8 3/4 by 14 or so but about 5 in lower. The fiberglass will be easy to cut but I have to cut into the steel tube frame between the cutout and the hood opening. Looks like in need to take about 6 in out. Probably rigid enough without it. If not can put in a u shape section or crossbar to the side. The two pics show the areas.