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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: sameold on July 22, 2014, 06:10:45 pm

Title: body change
Post by: sameold on July 22, 2014, 06:10:45 pm: Hey Guys I am a newbie here but born and raised GM my whole life.
I have a late 1979 chevy K30 350 400 trans 4wd NP205.
I am changing the body soon and have a couple question and will just present them and maybe you can answer. The donor body is a 85 2wd and I know I need to transfer over the windshield wiper linkage. Any info would be great!!

Obviously, I need to cut an access panel for the 4wd linkage on the floor.
Do I need to cut a bigger hump? Can I install a body lift kit to clear the np205?

The 79 has a very primitive dash and dash pad. Will it transfer over?

Anything else please let me know .
Title: body change
Post by: roundhouse on July 22, 2014, 08:33:08 pm: I dont think the dash pad will work on a newer cab

You will have to use a 81 up pad

If your k30 has a removable hump it should transfer over

Dont think you will need a body lift
Title: Re: body change
Post by: sameold on July 23, 2014, 06:28:48 am: I don't have a removable hump. Can I just cut a little access hole for the 4x4 shift levers like in the old cab?
Title: Re: body change
Post by: bake74 on July 23, 2014, 07:56:47 am: Here are some threads that should answer your questions and be some good reading materials.

Cab swap: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=27782.msg231272#new

Windshield wiper linkage: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9070.0

Trans hump: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11838.0
Title: Re: body change
Post by: roundhouse on July 25, 2014, 11:53:37 am: Quote from: sameold on July 23, 2014, 06:28:48 am
I don't have a removable hump. Can I just cut a little access hole for the 4x4 shift levers like in the old cab?

That should work fine

You could also cut the hump out of the rusty old cab and use it
Title: Re: body change
Post by: pholliday1 on July 25, 2014, 12:21:51 pm: Sometimes putting in a simple body lift takes care of the hump issue.
Title: Re: body change
Post by: BADAZ chevy guy on July 25, 2014, 02:48:26 pm: Just curious. Are you going to register it as an 85 or a 79? You're going to have different VIN numbers on the cab and on the frame.
Title: Re: body change
Post by: roundhouse on July 25, 2014, 10:27:27 pm: Quote from: BADAZ chevy guy on July 25, 2014, 02:48:26 pm
Just curious. Are you going to register it as an 85 or a 79? You're going to have different VIN numbers on the cab and on the frame.

Meh. Just swap the VIN plate on the dash

Keep the existing one and put it on the new cab

You will be the only person that knows
Title: Re: body change
Post by: Blazin on July 26, 2014, 10:16:23 am: Yup, Yellow Snow is and 83 C10 cab, it is registered as an 86 K2500 as thats what the VIN plate on the dash says it is. Came off the old cab
Title: Re: body change
Post by: sameold on July 26, 2014, 06:52:42 pm: thanks a lot! You have a nice forum here and I will need some help .
I am going to swap the plate and get rivets on ebay.
Title: Re: body change
Post by: sameold on July 26, 2014, 06:58:50 pm: body mount bushings.
I have get bushings for the frame . Its a late 79 and the rear upper mount had a sleeve that went thru the old bushing. The sleeve was rotted away and more or less destroyed. What would you guys suggest?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Prothane-73-80-Chevy-GMC-2WD-4WD-Regular-Cab-Body-Mount-Bushing-Kit-1-2T-3-4T-1T-/271391548136?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1979%7CMake%3AChevrolet%7CModel%3AK30&hash=item3f303262e8&vxp=mtr

I was going to get this bushing kit. Can I cut the sleeve flush and weld on a new sleeve?
Does this new mount kit bypass the sleeve or can I use a smaller bolt?
Title: Re: body change
Post by: Blazin on July 26, 2014, 09:00:47 pm: I have welded a new tube onto the top bushing plate in the past.
Title: Re: body change
Post by: roundhouse on July 27, 2014, 02:51:10 pm: Also hockey pucks make a
Inexpensive 1" body lift

Lot cheaper than buying a body lift
Title: Re: body change
Post by: sameold on July 27, 2014, 04:11:50 pm: whats the chance of the np205 and 400 trans clearing the tunnel? Would I be able to shim the rear cross member down slightly? The fit looks close on the new cab going on and I am not sure if the 400 trans and 205 case will clear.
Title: Re: body change
Post by: bake74 on July 27, 2014, 06:34:13 pm: Quote from: sameold on July 27, 2014, 04:11:50 pm
whats the chance of the np205 and 400 trans clearing the tunnel? Would I be able to shim the rear cross member down slightly? The fit looks close on the new cab going on and I am not sure if the 400 trans and 205 case will clear.

The 85 cab, does it have a small hump or big hump ? Did you see the thread on the differences in hump styles ?
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11838.0
Title: Re: body change
Post by: Blazin on July 30, 2014, 12:20:57 pm: If your gona lift the body do it right, get a kit.
Title: Re: body change
Post by: sameold on August 02, 2014, 07:24:01 am: Guys I appreciate all your help. I had to remove the entire heater core case and install it in the new cab. I had to cut an access hole and install a metal plate because this new cab had A/C.
The NP205 fits perfect under the cab with the new body mounts, it standard height. The body bushings were in horrible shape along with the sleeves were rusted away. I found 2 different sizes of pipe and cut it to length for the new sleeves. The donor cab was a 85' 2wd low hump.
Title: Re: body change
Post by: pholliday1 on August 03, 2014, 08:14:18 pm: So no raising of cab was needed?
Title: Re: body change
Post by: sameold on August 04, 2014, 07:25:45 am: no body lift was needed with bushings used from ebay 271391548136.
Title: Re: body change
Post by: pholliday1 on August 04, 2014, 09:40:18 pm: Copy that