Body Swap: '76 C30 to '80's model...

[EvilleIron]

Hi,
I have a 1976 C-30 SRW Regular cab pickup.
I'd like to put an '80's model body & bed on it.

It has an M465 trans.

Has anyone done this? Will the clutch linkage be a problem?

And which 80's body is the best looking in your opinions?

Brian

[zieg85]

81-87 is pretty much the same except for subtle differences in the grill and the earlier 81-82 had turn signal lamps in the bumper.  You are going to need a high hump for the trans probably just use yours and cut out the hump if cab is from an automatic.  Clutch linkage is not a problem unless the donor cab is a stick already with a hydraulic clutch which is a nice upgrade however you will need the proper bell housing for it.  The 85 on up used the turnsignal/windshield wiper switch/dimmer switch combo so keep that in mind if you are planning on using your steering column from the 76 as there will not have the wiper switch on the dash of a 85-87.  The front frame will need to be cut to use the newer bumper.  I am sure there are other minor differences but the ones mentioned are what I recall.

[Captkaos]

Cabs for the most part are identical as far as exterior on all 73-87's.  The trans tunnel is different depending on the drivetrain.
Beds are virtually identical except Pre-78 has exposed gas caps, post 78 have gas doors.  (This is generalization as I consider 78 the transition year)
Front clips are way different and are split 73-80 and 81-87.

As to which people like better, there was a poll on the forum on this already.

If you need more info there are several posts about front clip swapping.

[EvilleIron]

Thanks,
My plan is to find a complete donor truck, perhaps with a bad motor for cheap. Do the automatics have factory knockouts/access for a clutch?
An automatic is probly the most plentiful out there.

Forgot to mention, my exposed gas cap is on the passenger side. I'm a fabricator by trade, I can get around this.

My cab and bed and fenders and doors are shot full of rust.
The floor has had plate welded in to keep the rain off my legs. The hump may be ok.

I guess the year wouldnt matter as billet grilles and custom lighting/bumpers are available and affordable.

Just doing the clip like the the one thread about the Suburban would not be enuff. My present clip is the best part, but I like the later fenders better.

Brian