Author Topic: Conversion questions  (Read 4518 times)

Offline Chevy Truck Guy 86

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Conversion questions
« on: May 19, 2012, 08:13:55 PM »
I have a '86 right now but I want a 78, so I thought couldn't I keep my '86 frame and drop a '77-79 cab on there? But would it work to put a '77-79 cab on my '86 frame? Also I have an '87 box so would that match up with a '77-79 cab? Will I run into mounting issues and a messed up body line?
If there was no rust when you restore a vehicle, it would be to easy.

Offline zieg85

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    • 73-87 GM squarebody extended cab and conversions up to 91 R/V series
Re: Conversion questions
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2012, 09:11:43 PM »
I have a '86 right now but I want a 78, so I thought couldn't I keep my '86 frame and drop a '77-79 cab on there? But would it work to put a '77-79 cab on my '86 frame? Also I have an '87 box so would that match up with a '77-79 cab? Will I run into mounting issues and a messed up body line?

It is all interchangeable with subtle differences in frame mounts.  You have to use the mounts meant for the frame.  The front frame horns differ between the 73-80 and 81-87.  That is the beauty of our era of trucks/
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
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Offline Chevy Truck Guy 86

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Re: Conversion questions
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2012, 08:01:30 PM »
I found this post off of a different site:
Quote
You still have to consider the way fenders mount to the cab. 73-80 for sure interchange, 81 up interchange for sure. Difference being the 73-80 have the hood and cowl as 1 piece with the older style springs and hood hinges. 81 up uses the newe style hinges and the cowl is seperate from the hood.
Also the body mounts and bushings are different from 73-80 and 81 up. But, the cabs do interchange on the frames without problems, SO LONG AS, you use the correct mounts for the frame, not the cab. So in his case, he'll want to use the 73-80 mounts and the cab will bolt right on.

What I got out of this is that a 1978 cab will drop onto a 1986 frame without troubles but the cushions won't. I know in my catalog there is a cab mounting set for '73-80 and '81-87 so if I put the '73-'80 cab mounting set I will be fine. So do you guys think this is right?

If there was no rust when you restore a vehicle, it would be to easy.

Offline zieg85

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Re: Conversion questions
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2012, 08:08:21 PM »
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,9070.0.html  covers the difference in the front ends.  I thought you wanted a 78 so I thought you would have that style front end as well....
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline werewolfx13

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Re: Conversion questions
« Reply #4 on: May 21, 2012, 10:02:27 AM »
You want the cab mounts for the year of the frame you're using....for an 86 frame and a 78 cab, use the 81-87 mounts.
Chris
'83 Chevy c10 Silverado SWB
'76 Chevy k20 LWB 6.5'x8' Flatbed
“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”