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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: Kren420 on January 07, 2015, 12:26:51 pm

Title: Box options
Post by: Kren420 on January 07, 2015, 12:26:51 pm: I am in the process of very slowly rebuilding my 1986 LWB chevy C10, and it needs a new box. I found one from a 1980 GM half ton. Is there anything I should look out for? I plan on doing the rest of the body on my truck and painting at the same time, so a little tweaking is ok, but any major alterations required to make it fit? He says it does not come with a tailgate, will my existing one work? Thanks everyone in advance!
Title: Re: Box options
Post by: Jason S on January 07, 2015, 02:31:06 pm: Tailgate is a direct swap.

If you have a dual tank truck (2 gas tanks), then you shouldn't have any problems swapping the bed. If your '86 is a single tank truck and the 1980 bed is a single tank, then you may have to move gas tank to the opposite frame rail.
Title: Re: Box options
Post by: Kren420 on January 07, 2015, 05:06:51 pm: Awesome! My truck currently is dual tanks so that's good news. Thank you very much!
Title: Re: Box options
Post by: Blazin on January 08, 2015, 08:16:02 pm: Its only good news if the bed is from a dual tank truck!
Title: Re: Box options
Post by: Kren420 on January 09, 2015, 01:44:21 pm: Yes I figured I would lose use of my drivers side tank, which is ok with me because I never use it. HOWEVER... do you know if it would be a considerable amount of work to modify the single tank box into a dual tank? (I do realize "considerable amount of work" is a relative term.)
Title: Re: Box options
Post by: Jason S on January 09, 2015, 03:38:33 pm: You can cut out the filler door section from one bed and weld it into the other bed.

Another alternative is to modify the filler so that you could fill the tank at the wheel well. A lot of trucks with in the 60's and 70's with single tanks had an added tank setup like this - it's not the most convenient way to fill the tank, but it works. I actually have my '74 like this.
Title: Re: Box options
Post by: Captkaos on January 09, 2015, 05:55:03 pm: Pics please Jason.
Title: Re: Box options
Post by: Jason S on January 10, 2015, 12:52:01 pm: Quote from: Captkaos on January 09, 2015, 05:55:03 pm
Pics please Jason.

Per request. I've mostly used the passenger tank as a reserve tank. Filling at the pump isn't difficult, but you may rub your arm on a wet tire if it's been raining... This is a shortbed with 15-gallon tanks.

Edit: I just noticed... Post no. 1,000!
Title: Re: Box options
Post by: Captkaos on January 10, 2015, 01:02:05 pm: Is it just hanging there? Right now mine is filled from the wheel well and I hate it... But it is lowered with a Blazer tank....

BTW congrats on breaking 1000.
Title: Re: Box options
Post by: Jason S on January 10, 2015, 01:29:23 pm: It could use a bracket to firmly secure it to the bed crossmember, but it doesn't flop around.

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Right now mine is filled from the wheel well and I hate it... But it is lowered with a Blazer tank....

I understand... This is on a stock height K-10. In my case, since it's generally used as a reserve tank, it hasn't been too bad.

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BTW congrats on breaking 1000.
Thank you!