6.4 cab removal tips

webb06 · Jun 25, 2013

I've pulled my fair share of 6.4 cabs and everytime there are some things that I just hate so ill make a list and if you have a tip or better suggestion throw it out there

- cab bolts, I usually use a handheld propane torch to heat the head and then use a 1/2" drive ratchet to slowly work them out. Takes forever and sometimes the nuts still spin. If they spin I weld them in.

-Power steering reservoir and hoses, I always make a huge mess when I empty this thing

- lower coolant hose, always end up getting showered in coolant

- hoses on front end going to coolers, drip drip drip, gets annoying

ghohouston · Jun 25, 2013

Why not use a 1/2" imoact on the cab bolts???

Derek@Vision Diesel · Jun 25, 2013

ghohouston said:
Why not use a 1/2" imoact on the cab bolts???

Generally speaking it wants to break the nut loose. No good way of doing it but heating them up is definitely the best I have seen so far

webb06 · Jun 25, 2013

ghohouston said:
Why not use a 1/2" imoact on the cab bolts???

It'll bust the cage nut loose everytime.

SEABEE08FX4 · Jun 25, 2013

I break the cab bolts loose with a ratchet then hit them with an impact, haven't had an issue yet. On the misc hoses I also use assorted sizes of vacuum caps and also hose pliers/clamps to keep from spilling much. 6.4's are pretty easy to pull the cab on compared to the 6.0 .

webb06 · Jun 25, 2013

You've gotten lucky then. I agree with the 6.4 being easier. You don't have to pull any interior pieces unless the cage nuts spin

ghohouston · Jun 25, 2013

the guys at work use impacts everytime they pull a cab, they never have to heat them, and we have like 50 plus 6.4's

Spatel23 · Jun 25, 2013

the nuts are probably welded then

Big Angry Hillbilly · Jun 25, 2013

I cut the heads off the bolts with the torch. Once the cab is up I heat the loctite / cage nut directly. Then wind em
out with vise grips.

It's unfortunate that Ford wants the dealer techs to reuse the bolts now. That's how I did all of them.

mike@haller's · Jun 25, 2013

I have plugs I put in place on all the trans and p/s lines as soon as theyre off. for the lower hose don't seperate it under the truck. lift it up a few inches then take it off the radiator instead. really saves taking a bath in coolant.

webb06 · Jun 25, 2013

mike@haller's said:
I have plugs I put in place on all the trans and p/s lines as soon as theyre off. for the lower hose don't seperate it under the truck. lift it up a few inches then take it off the radiator instead. really saves taking a bath in coolant.

Post a picture so I can see what you mean

mike@haller's · Jun 25, 2013

webb06 said:
Post a picture so I can see what you mean

of which one?

webb06 · Jun 25, 2013

radiator. you mean lift the cab a few inches and pull the hose off of the radiator right? then it'll just all sit there while the radiator goes up? where can i get an assortment of vacuum caps?

mike@haller's · Jun 26, 2013

webb06 said:
radiator. you mean lift the cab a few inches and pull the hose off of the radiator right? then it'll just all sit there while the radiator goes up? where can i get an assortment of vacuum caps?

yes disconnect it from the radiator and leave it hang while the cab goes up. its high enough the coolant wont dump everywhere. then once cab is up pore it out. you can get caps at parts stores usually or use hoses big enough to go over the lines then plug the other end of the hose with a bolt. makes a cheap disposible plug.

John@Outlaw_Diesel · Jun 26, 2013

We also just pull the coolant hose off the passenger side of the radiator like mike was talking about, keeps from making a mess. We use latex gloves and zip ties on the lines to keep everything from dripping. For the cab bolts we just use the impact and cross our fingers. Lol normally at least have 3 or so break the nut loose, so just have some one else hold the nut while taking the bolt out.

SEABEE08FX4 · Jun 26, 2013

webb06 said:
You've gotten lucky then. I agree with the 6.4 being easier. You don't have to pull any interior pieces unless the cage nuts spin

As long as you don't go crazy with the impact you shouldn't have an issue, just trigger bump it till it spins freely. You can use an air ratchet too if you want something thats slower with less force.

webb06 · Jun 26, 2013

You guys must be lucky. Every time I use and impact they spin. No matter which one I use or method of trigger bumping try. Usually my 1/2" snap on impact won't even break them loose

SEABEE08FX4 · Jun 26, 2013

It wont break them loose, our snap on is rated to 7XX something on full tilt and wont do it either. But thats why I use a ratchet first to get them loose then use the impact and bump the trigger till they are spinning freely then full blast till its out.