73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: LiveInspired on May 04, 2015, 11:51:25 am
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Just bought my first truck. I plan to use it as a learning experience. Being a gal with a lot of mechanics in the family I have decided to try to pick up on the car/truck hobby myself. I've got a 79 C30 and one of the gas tanks leaks. I found a guy on Craigslist with a brand new tank and two brand new outer shell doors (which I could use down the road) He also has a tailgate that is new. Apparently the parts were for an 87. From my limited knowledge I have tried to research whether those years are compatible for these specific parts. So far it seems the tailgate won't work, the doors will, and I can't find anything concrete on whether or not the tank will work. Could anyone give me an answer for sure? The guy said he thought the tank could work for either side of the truck, but he lives far from me so we both want to be sure its gonna work before I make the drive. Thanks much!
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I'm pretty sure the earlier style (with round gas tank holes) have a smaller filler neck size then the later style (square gas tank cover) Not sure on the exact years though sorry.
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Welcome to the site!
The door shells for an '87 will work fine on a '79 and have the correct stamping for the larger door panel ('77-'87 ('91))
If your truck has tailgate lights, the '87 tailgate may not have the holes for the marker lights and be slightly different stylewise, but will mount onto the '79 bed and work with your '79 hardware. If it's a tailgate shell, the '79 latch parts will swap in except for the hinge/pivot on the bottom which is bolted on an '87.
The '87 gas tank would have internal baffles that your '79 shouldn't need, but will bolt in. If I remember correctly, 73-81 were the smaller 1 3/8" tank neck diameter and '82 -'87 was the larger 1 3/4" tank neck diameter... Get the filler neck and hose for the '87 tank, if you can; otherwise it may just be easier to get the correct tank.
If there's something I missed, others should correct me...
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=15684.msg122759#msg122759 (http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=15684.msg122759#msg122759)
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=29219.0 (http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=29219.0)
Good luck with it, post some photos of your truck when you get a chance.
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Super helpful info! Thanks!