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Author Topic: 85 to 70's cab swap question  (Read 5277 times)

Offline dirtracer81_2

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85 to 70's cab swap question
« on: December 30, 2009, 03:16:02 pm »
Ok heres the deal...I have a 85 chevy and I was working with my bolts on the cab so I can put some bushings in it. It had set down in the back so I always figured it was just the bushings...Well come to find out when i jack one side up the mount was pushed way up in the cab and you can look straight through the floor. What really sucks is this cab is extremely solid everywhere else floors, rockers, and corners.
So I just went and talked to this old guy about a cab down the road from me and he priced it right and I had to buy it...Its a BARE cab with nothing. Im pretty sure its in the 73-80 range and he couldnt remember. Now my question is how much trouble would a swap be? I have heard that you have to have older cab mounts to make up the heigth difference. My plans were using everything out of my cab and placing in the other one.

Anyone done this before?

Thanks
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Offline ccz145a

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Re: 85 to 70's cab swap question
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2009, 04:18:17 pm »
There's good news and bad news. The bushings to use are the ones you have already, the frame determines this. Thats the good news.

The bad news is you are going to have to create some openings in the cowl area for the hood hinges, swap over your cowl valence cover and wiper mechanism.

There's a post on here where someone did a good writeup on swaping a newer from clip on a 70's cab truck, the steps are in there.

found it...
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9070.0
« Last Edit: December 30, 2009, 04:20:52 pm by ccz145a »
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Offline zieg85

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    • 73-87 GM squarebody extended cab and conversions up to 91 R/V series
Re: 85 to 70's cab swap question
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2009, 06:02:07 pm »
Also if the cab is some of the earliest the VIN #'s are not by the windshield.
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Offline 1980c10

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Re: 85 to 70's cab swap question
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2009, 08:07:11 pm »
I'm thinking it might be easier to repair your existing cab being that the rest is solid. have you ruled this out for some reason?
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 85 to 70's cab swap question
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2009, 09:11:52 pm »
Repairing your cab is a lot less work.
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Offline dirtracer81_2

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Re: 85 to 70's cab swap question
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2009, 09:18:19 pm »
Ok thanks....havent made it back up there yet because of this dumb snow and his driveway is a bit rough...My dad said if he was thinking correctly it is a newer style so im hoping so....

I have thought about fixing my original one but after looking at it with it jacked about 5 inchs off the frame I really dont think theres much left fixing it back there...I thought about plating it but the whole brace along the back is a big soft and flimsy.
Im getting this other cab for $50 and it looks really solid.
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Offline dirtracer81_2

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Re: 85 to 70's cab swap question
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2010, 04:12:10 pm »
Thanks for all the help guys but I got some good news...I took a peak at that cab and it is a newer model so im in good shape hehe....
Now if the weather permits maybe I can get that thing and continue with my project lol.
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