Installing new cab mounts

[BillB]

Hi guys, newbie here wanting to bring my 84 SWB Fleetside back to life.  Was going to use the original cab but it is too far gone, want to swap cabs with a 86.  Working on the cab mounts, so far I have broke one socket and snapped one bolt, (passenger front) I have loosened the drivers side front but have had no luck with the 2 rear mounts.  Do the bolts bolt into the body or are the mounts sandwiched using a nut/bolt?  Any ideas on how to remove the 2 rear mounts?  The passenger side rear seems to be loose but will not pop out. If I grind the heads off the bolts will the cab lift off?  Appreciate any advice.......Thanks

[Irish_Alley]

there are holes in the cab that a nut is welded to. there was a write up on here about it and someone braking the welds on the nuts so the bolt just spins freely

[Irish_Alley]

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,24015.msg200742.html#msg200742
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,19107.msg157993.html#msg157993

[Blazin]

Best way is to put the impact to it. I good impact with some break free ft lbs of torque. If they break or spin free you will need to use a hole saw and make access from the top. The nuts are caged so they are don't spin or need to be held on the assembly line.

[Paul C10]

Hi All,

I am from South Africa, & bought a '79 C10 recently. (RHD). One of the things I want to do, is to replace the cab/bed mounts. I do not want to remove the cab/bed, is it difficult to remove the mounts with the cab/bed still on the frame ?

I would appreciate any comments.

Paul

[BillB]

Thanks for the input, I am going to look at replacement cabs today and with your help I now have a much better idea of what to look for when it comes to the 4 mounts.  In a perfect squarebody world I would find rust free cabs with nice clean mounting nuts to make for a real easy job.  Wonder what my chances are?   Will let you know..   

[pholliday1]

Don't kill yourself trying to find good "cab nuts" its actually a square nut that has metal around it to keep it still. Just do whats mentioned above cut out a hole above the nut to get it out that's pretty much standard procedure in our rusty truck world. I actually leave the hole exposed and once a year squirt a little  wd-40 (or equivalent) in there under the floor mat that covers it up. It allows you access  for in the future if need be. Gm probably could've done little better set up on the cab mounts. Make sure you upgrade from the stock rubber bushings before reassembly.

[Irish_Alley]

Hi All,

I am from South Africa, & bought a '79 C10 recently. (RHD). One of the things I want to do, is to replace the cab/bed mounts. I do not want to remove the cab/bed, is it difficult to remove the mounts with the cab/bed still on the frame ?

I would appreciate any comments.

Paul

well the bolt go threw the mounts. if you wan to try you can unbolt them. but all you have to do is lift the cab up a couple inches or cm to slide the old ones out

[Blazin]

The bed doesn't have mounts. It sits directly on the frame.

[BillB]

Found a donor truck, C20 with a 14 Bolt rear end, cab and front clip in great condition. I am going to cut holes in the floor of the cab to access the cab mounts, hopefully to make the swap easier. I understand the rear springs are the same 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton if I want to swap out rear ends, what differences are there in the front end, steering etc between the 1/2 -3/4?  Hope I have not bitten off too much as I have VERY limited shop space, good thing I am retired and have lots of time( just limited patience) Thanks for any input....