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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: Hotrodrobert on July 24, 2014, 02:34:26 pm

Title: Bed swap 87-77
Post by: Hotrodrobert on July 24, 2014, 02:34:26 pm

I have a 77 4x4 with a totally rusted bed and a 87 with a near perfect bed.
What will I need to make it fit? 
Will it just bolt on??

Title: Re: Bed swap 87-77
Post by: Jason S on July 24, 2014, 03:11:52 pm

The '87 bed will bolt on to the '77 truck.  If they're single tank beds, you'll have a fuel tank on one side and filler door on the other. Fuel tanks can be swapped side to side.  Also, you will need to swap fuel filler neck/hoses and possibly the fuel tanks to use the '87 style filler.

Title: Re: Bed swap 87-77
Post by: Hotrodrobert on July 24, 2014, 06:07:31 pm

Thanks, Jason!!!!
That is just what I wanted to know. 
Actually, the 87 is a dual tank bed and I intend to use both tanks.  This truck has special sentimental value for my nephew or I would just trash it as it needs EVERYTHING!!  We are changing the cab and front end from a 74 that is in great shape and the bed, adding Vintage Air and upgrading the drive train and suspension.
His dad told him HE had to do as much of the work as possible and so far he is all for it.  That influences me to help him as much as I can.
Help like this is why I posted here.
THANKS

Title: Re: Bed swap 87-77
Post by: BADAZ chevy guy on July 25, 2014, 07:29:10 am

I ran into this same issue on my 77 C10. PO put a 1984 bed on it. There were two different size filler necks. "On the tanks" 73 to about 81 had the smaller filler pipes and 82 to 87 had the larger. "On the beds" 73 to 78 had filler caps on the outside of the beds and 79 to 87 had doors. So, 1979 to 81 beds had the door(s) and the smaller filler tubes and can be used with your existing tanks. 82 and later beds will also have the doors, but will have the larger filler tubes. All that being said, the filler tubes in the beds can be swapped from early to later years. The trick is finding a doner truck that has the correct filler tubes to match the tank you have.

Title: Re: Bed swap 87-77
Post by: pholliday1 on July 25, 2014, 10:33:04 am

Shooting from the hip here, I'm guessing the larger filler neck in 1982  may have coincided with the diesel application. (most diesel pumps used to have larger filler nozzles).

Title: Re: Bed swap 87-77
Post by: Hotrodrobert on July 25, 2014, 12:34:07 pm

Thanks guys.
I am using all the hardware and bed from the 87 so I don't expect any issues.  Both trucks are here so we can scavenge all we need.

Title: Re: Bed swap 87-77
Post by: BADAZ chevy guy on July 25, 2014, 02:28:19 pm

Quote from: Hotrodrobert on July 25, 2014, 12:34:07 pm

Thanks guys.
I am using all the hardware and bed from the 87 so I don't expect any issues.  Both trucks are here so we can scavenge all we need.

The part of the filler tubes I'm referring to are from the neck to the tank, and the actual tube welded to the tank itself. The rubber hoses are different sizes also. It's not where you put the fuel nozzle in. I don't know why GM made the change, but I suspect it had more to do with unleaded fuel.

Title: Re: Bed swap 87-77
Post by: Hotrodrobert on July 25, 2014, 07:28:39 pm

Thanks, but I have both complete trucks and can get everything from the 87