Need info on cabs

[79GMC4x4]

Hello everyone my name is Eric, i guess you can say i am the new guy on the block.  First time posting but i have been reading all the poastings for a few weeks.  I have a 79 GMC 4x4 and the cab corners and left side floor boards are gone.  I have the chance to get a 79 2wheel drive for parts. They say that the cab is in great condition.  Trying to find out if there is any differences in the tunnel cover area that would hold me up from change cabs with out doing any additional welding.

[Blazin]

Welcome Eric, The center is a bit lower on the 2 wheel trucks. What I do when using a 2x cab is cut out the center section along the pre stamped line, unbolt the center section form the 4x cab and use large self drilling screws with rubber / metal washers to attach it back down. I also use some sort of sealant tape or butyl to seal the joint. I have found that the tape used to rund the length of the sheets when metal roofing works well.

[79GMC4x4]

so would i be correct in saying if i was to put a body lift on it then all i would have to do is cut out the hole for the shifter?

[roundedline]

yes, that would be correct.  Once you have the carpet up you can see the differences in the trans area.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[1976Scottsdale]

Also, if you decide to cut out the hump, the 4x4 hump will be too tall in the back and you would have to come up with something to fill the gap.  As far as lifts go, a 2" body lift will work fine.  I have placed a 76 2wd body on a 79 4wd frame to build my first 73-87.  Worked fine.  The shifter linkage for the trans had to be lengthened but that was easy.  A body lift will include an extension than can be welded to the end of the existing shifter and then smoothed out.  Also, a transfer case lowering kit may perform the same taks, it will lower tha transfer cast by about 1.5 inches.  I am not sure if that would be enough though as I have never used one.  Hope this helps.

Scottsdale

[roundedline]

You can solve the rear 2" gap problem by taking out the complete section back past the hump between the seats, but it requires cutting more of the floor.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[79GMC4x4]

I got it figured out i am going to go with the 2wheel drive as long as it is in good shape, which i find out Sat. i want to lift it any way so i am going to do about 2 inches on the body along with 5 to 8 on the suspension.  I thank everyone for the info, and i am sure i will have many more questions as i go long.  right now i have it down to the frame and hope to take the drive train and axles off in the next couple months so i can take the frame in and get it powder coated.  could not beleive the price.  $150 for powder coating my frame red.

Thanks again Eric

[Ziptar]

Did you ever get started on this project??

Would like to know also. I just looked at a 79 Auto A/C 4x4 truck with a cab that has rust bubbling out under the old bondo in the rockers and cab corners and new unpainted bondo slapped on in spots.

I have a Complete 79 Auto A/C 2WD truck sitting in the yard  with a very solid cab outside of light surface rust where the paint is evaporated on the roof and the A & B Pilllars. The floors, corners, and rockers that look almost new, ate least not older than 5 years. There is a single rust thought spot under the windshield on the passenger side about the size of a nickel. The 2wd cab would clean up great with a little soda blasting.

Would be nice to put the two trucks together but, I am not planning a lift, is that a problem when it comes to mounting the cab??

1979 Silverado C10 w/ Olds 5.7 Diesel

85 C10 Custom Deluxe

Edited by: Ziptar  at: 2/16/07 8:37 am

[Blazin]

You dont have to body lift it. You just need to cut the center hump otu and replace it with the 4x4 center hump. I have solved the rear of the hump not fitting pefect with a little massaging froma body hammer and self taping screws.

[Ziptar]

Great! Thanks!
Now to see if I can get it for the right Money and if My Doc will let me work on trucks again anytime soon.

1979 Silverado C10 w/ Olds 5.7 Diesel Looking for a Solid / Decent 78-79 truck to donate it's  drivetrain to.

Edited by: Ziptar  at: 2/17/07 6:22 am

[GMCTed]

i had the same situation when i restored my 85. all i could get was a 2 wheel drive cab and i didn`t want to start cutting it up so i put a 2 inch body lift and it was the perfect height, the shifter wasn`t any shorter in the cab. i just had to cut a hole for the 4x4 shifter.