'83 2WD body swap onto '79 4WD?

[topside]

Hi, new to the board. I have a rusty '79 K10 4WD and a clean '83 C10 2WD, and would like to swap the complete '83 cab, front sheet metal & bed onto the '79. How doable is this? Are the cab floors different besides cutting the transfer case hole? Frame mount modifications needed? From what I've read here so far, it sounds like I should swap it complete, including wiring harness...
Thanks in advance.

[hotrod24]

yep you will be good just cut the hole for the transfercase and everything will line up.

[nucknoel89]

yep you will be good just cut the hole for the transfercase hole adn every thing will line up.

Maybe I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure the 73-80 frames are a little different than the 81-87s, mostly in relation to mounts, etc.

[hotrod24]

yea you will have to do some modifications there

[80stepsideguy]

The cab will bolt onto the 79 frame as well as the bed but you`ll need the 73/80 style body bushings as the perches changed in 1981. I know to change the newer body onto the older frame your gonna have to modify the front frame horns to make the front end sit properly. Heres the post on how to do the front frame horn modifications.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9042.msg60480#msg60480

thanks
pat

[Captkaos]

You will need the rear portion of the floorpan to clear the transfer case.

[topside]

Thanks for the variety of answers; I've heard the floor can be "clearanced" for the transfer case, and that body bushings changed some time between '79 & '83. Saw the Suburban front-end changeover; I'll have to print the pics and take a look at my frames. I'm thinking I'll use the '83 harness and luckily both trucks are single-headlamp ("poverty") models.
Any other weirdness to look out for? Will the '83 steering column work on the '79 gearbox? Any emissions or engine electrical issues using the '83 harness?

[Captkaos]

Frames changed with the sheetmetal change, 1973-1980 and 1981-1987.
the latter frames have "holes" to lighten them.

[80stepsideguy]

your 83 column should directly bolt up to the 79 gearbox. As far as electrical issues i dont see any if your just changing over to a 4wd frame basicaially taking the 83 body, electrical and putting it onto another frame and bolting everything and plugging all the connections back upand the grounds as well.But remember to get the 73-80 body mount bushing kit like i mentioned cause the 81-7 style wont work on your 79 frame as the frame perches are different fro mthe 2 style years, 80 was the last year of the older style till 81 like you got style of truck.But hows the drivetrain in your 83? If its ok then take that and put in the 79 chassis and then take the 79 drivetrain and put it aside or sell it or junk it.

thanks
pat

[topside]

Pat -
The 4WD '79 has a good 350, new brakes & no known mechanical problems; the 2WD '83 has a 305, wounded trans, been sitting for years. I'm in northern Idaho, and 2WD trucks are basically an anomaly. (My lowered '89 GMC dually (tows the race car) is the only one like it for probably 100 miles in any direction.) I bought the '79 to use as a plow truck and for stuff I won't subject the dually to.
I appreciate your input on the project, thanks.
Steve

[80stepsideguy]

Steve,
 i say forget the emissions and do the swap and you should be ok.

thanks
pat

[topside]

Pat -

My concern with the wiring is that I don't have some emissions idiot light glowing, or some weird wiring/sensor loop that causes problems.

[80stepsideguy]

Is the bed on the 79 gone as well? I think overal lthe body swap should be a simple one as i`m doing a 85 cab swap onto a 77 frame and had to use the older style body mounts. I`m doing al lthe conversions from a 1985 cab to a 73-80 style cab.Its taking some time but its comming out not as bad as i thought it would. Sad to think the 79 body is that bad to the point ya gotta swap bodies.Any pics on the 79 you can show us Sad to hear the body is that far gone..

thanks
pat

[hotrod24]

yea that would be nice to see

[topside]

I posted a pic with my reply a couple days ago but it got whacked. Too bad; I'm a newbie here, but I generally spend about $30,000 every year on my projects, and I'm currently involved with 8 Chevy/GMC trucks, after a couple of decades building Mopars. My money goes where I'm welcome.
I do appreciate the replies I received from the membership, best of luck to you.