1976 K10 Body swap with 86 K10

[ArmySgt97]

How is everyone doing today. I have am having a hard time figuring out what to do here. I have a 1976 Scottsdale K10 that runs but the body is in rough shape. I also have a 1986 Scottsdale K10 that has no Engine or Tranny, the wiring, interior, instruments and a bunch of other stuff is not assembled and in the bed of the truck but the body is in excellent condition.

 I am trying to figure out if I should take the 86 body and put it on the 76 frame or if I should take the 76 engine, tranny, possibly the transfer case, axles, leaf springs and a few other things and put them in the 86 and try to assemble it.

I have never done any of these things but I am willing to learn and I am mechanically savvy.

What do you guys think? What would you do or suggest? I have searched the boards looking for clues as to how hard any of this would be but I was only able to find bits and peices on body swaps.

What all would be involved with doing either? The reason I say swap the axles from the 76 to the 86 is because the 76 has a 12 bolt rear and Dana 44 front and the 86 has 10 bolts all around. I read that 10 bolts arent to much weaker then the 12 bolt.

Anyway, any help from you guys would be greatly appreciated. I cant drive the 76 after November anyway because I havnt got the emmisions done on it and up here in Alasaka you can register emissions exempt March through November and the IM program is supposed to be going away in January so I may be starting this project in the next month or so.

Thanks in advance!!
Brian

[Captkaos]

If the 76 runs and you have the time, swap everything over to the 86 body.
As for detailing how difficult it is, that is hard to describe in a post, but you basically have to remove everything from one vehicle to another.

[ArmySgt97]

So you agree with swapping the axles as well or should I just roll with the 10 bolts on the 86?
I think the transfer cases are different between those 2 years as well but would the 86 transfer case work on the TH350 from the 76 or should I just swap the 76 transfer case as well?

Thank you, BTW, for the quick reply and help.

Also Is the wiring real hard to figure out and get installed on the 86?

[ArmySgt97]

I mean, I really like the way the 76 looks but It has way to much rust and holes for me to try to fix but it runs really well!!

Another question, where is a good place to find out everything that was emissions related for each year truck? I have looked in my Chilton but it is a span from 73-79 and it is not real clear what emissions is suposed to be in what year and my 76 has headers and an edelbrock carb, edelbrock intake and edelbrock aircleaner. It also has a Cam but I dont know the lift, duration, etc.. about the Cam. I dont know how that cam will effect emissions!!

[ArmySgt97]

If the 76 runs and you have the time, swap everything over to the 86 body.
As for detailing how difficult it is, that is hard to describe in a post, but you basically have to remove everything from one vehicle to another.

BTW, what do you mean by everything? Are you talking about the stuff I mentioned like Engine, Tranny, Transfer case, axles, etc.. or is there more stuff I should swap from the 76?

[Captkaos]

I would take the rusty parts off the 76 and put the good parts from the 86 on the good running gear of the 76.
front clip, Cab, Bed.
I would use the existing wiring from the 76.

Unless you don't need them, I would keep the 10bolts.  As long as you are going outrageous on the tires size you could use them as spares.  There is no much strength going from 12 to 10 or D44 to 10.

[ArmySgt97]

So, correct me if I have this wrong, but you are saying to take the cab, front clip and bed from the 86 and put them on the 76 frame? Also instead of using the 86 wiring just run the 76 wiring instead?

The 76 fenders, inner and outer are rusted, the rockers are rusted, the drivers floor board has a hole from the front  to midway up the hump that that the seat mounts to, the cab corners have rust holes, the bed floor has rust and holes in it and the bed panels are rusted on both sides. the whole body is in pretty bad shape.

So basically I would be taking the entire body from the 86 and mounting it on the 76 frame. As far as the 86 bumpers go, isnt there a way to mount them to the 76 frame by cutting the frame horns on the front or something like that?

If I can get way with using the existing 76 wiring with the 86 body that would be awsome. Then it would just be minor repairs to wire and some re-routing. I was really worried about running all he 86 harnesses and figuring all that out and making it work with the stuff from the 76 but maybe it wouldnt be that bad.

[Captkaos]

This is my opinion based on your options but yes if the body is so spent that you can't repair it or the 86 is in such good shape it doesn't need repair I would swap them out.  If you keep all the sheetmetal from the cab forward on the 86 everything will swap.  You HAVE to use the 86 complete doors with internals along with the door panels (the 67 won't fit on the 86)
The wiring will bolt right in.  Just unbolt it from the firewall and swap from the firewall back, unless you want to use the 86 cab wiring then you need to possibly trace the wiring to make sure it all will work (86 has blade fues)

You have to cut the front framehorn to get the 86 bumper on, but removing it from the donor will show you how to cut it.

ccz145a just did this on his truck: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9396.0

[ArmySgt97]

Alright, well that sounds good then!!! A little better then I thought. Sorry for all the repetative questions. I was just trying to clarify and I tend to do that from time to time. Thank you for all your help!! I really appreciate it!!!

[Laderhosen]

If the body on the 76 is that rusted away then surely the frame will be in bad shape too...??

[smitty77]

If the body on the 76 is that rusted away then surely the frame will be in bad shape too...??

Maybe not.....  I bought two parts trucks (79 & 80) where the body was like swiss cheese, but the frames were decent.  As one who is in the middle of a swap with no experience (only I'm going from 2wd to 4wd with two 1979 trucks) it does seem daunting at first but taking things step-by-step, taking lots of pics, and coming here for lots of help has made it just another big project.

And do use this forum as much as you need to.  There is a wealth of information here put forth by some really friendly people, and I've found there there's almost no question that can't be answered or a problem that someone hasn't tackled before.  There's also a lot of tips, tricks, and free advice supplied by those more experienced who want you to do it right the first time.  Just ask, even if it seems stupid.