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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: 78ScottsdaleK20 on November 21, 2006, 10:49:00 pm

Title: 81-87 Front clip
Post by: 78ScottsdaleK20 on November 21, 2006, 10:49:00 pm

I have a 78 Scottsdale K20 and wanted to put the 81-87 style front clip on. Found out the hard way that the cabs are different where the hinges fold into on the later model. For someone with little fab exp. is it worth the trouble to fab the later model cab to accept the newer clip, or try to find a newer cab (since mine needs a lot of work-rust).

Might even find a later model donor and do some swapping...Might be better off that way so I will have extra parts...I guess I just answered my question.

Thanks anyway for everyones input.

Mike
78 Scottsdale K20
350 / 4 spd / NP205
4 inch lift w / 33's

Title: Re: 81-87 Front clip
Post by: 80stepsideguy on November 22, 2006, 03:45:00 am

Mike,
i am actually going backwards of what your doing i am going to put a 73-80 nose setup on a 85 cab and i am cutting out the sections where the hinges sit.If you want i am in the process of working on a deal to get a section out of a 73-80 model and i am gonna carefully cut these sections out so if you want them and can wait a little bit i`ll give the sections for the hinges to you for nothing..PM me if your interested...
thanks
pat

Title: might be better
Post by: lotopp79 on November 22, 2006, 06:07:00 am

If you get  a newer cab in better shape it will save you a lot of head axh its not supposed to be to bad to do the small amount of work to make the new nose fit but life would be easier just bolting on

Title: Re: 81-87 Front clip
Post by: Blazin on November 22, 2006, 08:23:00 am

I welded in the sections to install newer nose on older cab for a guy once he was doing his own work but didn't have a welder. I also installed rocker cab cornes etc. for him.
As for putting the newer nose on the older cab I have done this several times. I leave the holes behind. I have welded a patch over them before. More recently I take a peice of rubber roofing material and glue it down with wndsheild urethane and a few large head rivets.

Title: Re: 81-87 Front clip
Post by: 78ScottsdaleK20 on November 22, 2006, 01:00:00 pm

Yeah Im not sure if I want to make an attempt at tracing out the spot to do the cutting, since I dont do much fabbing. It almost seems better to get a hold of a newer cab in better shape and swap that over. Or even go as far as trying to locate a complete donor that has bad running gear and good body. There is no shortages of these trucks in teh Northwest.

Thanks for the tips.

Mike
78 Scottsdale K20
350 / 4 spd / NP205
4" lift w / 33's

Title: Re: 81-87 Front clip
Post by: 80stepsideguy on December 06, 2006, 03:33:00 am

Well after spending 600.00 for a cab i rather go the route n remove the sections and put in the ones i purchased.Besides the cab is virtually rust free and its a a/c cab as well and i couldnt complain he also delivered it to my doorstep and dropped it off in my shop.From what i had and what i got its well worthto do the swap..

But the old saying goes TO EACH HIS OWN...


thanks
pat