73-80 to 81-87 cab swap

[cody.baker92]

Hello, I have a 1978 Chevy C-10 SWB 4x4 and i have a bunch of rust on the cab. I was wondering if there would be any trouble replacing the 1978 cab with a 1981 or new cab without running into too much trouble with the front clip. I want to stay with the 78 style front clip.

[Blazin]

You will need to swap out the wiper stubs for the older ones. The newer cabs are to tall and the hood will hit them. Two of the three holes on each side are off about a half a hole. A fine round file like a chain saw file will modify them to fit. Will want to make a cover for the holes from the newer cabs hood hinges. If you do a search this has been covered a few times here before too.

[Captkaos]

If you are using a 81 cab and plan to keep the 73-80 frontend, you have to use the 73-80 wipers, and you have to use the 73-80 body bushings.  everything else will bolt on.

[80stepsideguy]

Also if you want to get in particular as well.The slots for where the hood hinges on the 81 cab will need to be covered or do what i did here. This was a 85 cab i modified it to be a 73/80 cab. I had removed the corners where the hood hinge pockets were with sections from a 73-80 cab.. Also on the 81 cab there are 2 indentations where the windshield wiper squirters bolt to as the 73-80 doesnt.These are just some of the areas if your particular with the 73-80 year vintage...

thanks
pat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA2r_JhGBZc

[jbird526]

I swapped an 85 cab on my 80 and ended up cutting the spot welds that hold the valence on both and swapping the 80 over to the 85. Its a lot of patient drilling but not difficult. You then have the right wiper holes and removed the later style hood hinges.

[Darnell]

Hi I have 1979 gmc 4x4 and I want to do a cab swap from and 1985 2wd the things I would like to know is will the fenders from a79 bolt onto the 85 cab? And if not will an 85 rad cradle bolt onto 1979 frame/ chassis thanks I would really appreciate the input of what you have to do to perform the swap I am picking the cab this weekend. I would like to put the can from the 85 on the 79.

[bake74]

Hi I have 1979 gmc 4x4 and I want to do a cab swap from and 1985 2wd the things I would like to know is will the fenders from a79 bolt onto the 85 cab? And if not will an 85 rad cradle bolt onto 1979 frame/ chassis thanks I would really appreciate the input of what you have to do to perform the swap I am picking the cab this weekend. I would like to put the can from the 85 on the 79.

      First off welcome to the site (see it's your first post).  It is possible to bolt the radiator support to the 79.  I believe you might have to drill a couple of holes, but not positive.  Sounds like that is what you want to do.
     You should stop by the "general site info" section and introduce yourself in the "welcome" section so everyone can say hello.