cab swap :confused:

[andrist1]

After diving into my 1975 truck project it became quite apparent that I was going to need a donor cab due to rust and the cost/time to repair my existing cab. I have found several 1981-1985 cabs in my area that are rust free and inexpensive, but I am not sure if a later cab will mate with my early front sheet metal? I have been told that 1980 and later cabs were different and won't work. Is this true? Should I be looking for a 1973-1980? Any help would greatly be appreciated.

[Eyegore]

I don't know much on this but here is a start. The dog house will be different specically the hood, 73-80 use hinges to fender, 81-87 hinges to firewall. So you will need a new radiator support, headlight and so on. Also headlight dimer switch moved to column where earlier was on the floor board. I believe that the cab still mates to the frame, but here is a start at least, others will chime in soon.

[andrist1]

Eyegore,

Thanks for the info, it is very helpful. Back in December I passed on a 1979 cab at the local Pull-A-Part that was in good shape because at the time I didn't know who bad mine was. I have been kicking myself since.............

[Eyegore]

check craigslist in your area sometimes you come across people parting these out, or buy a whole truck and sell off what you don't need.

[kevinr1970]

Search this forum as it has been covered quite a few times.
The crib-notes version is yes you can use the cab but it will require some slight modification in regards to the hood and fenders. More of a PIA to put newer front clip on an older cab. Or maybe I got that backwards? Like I said, its been covered by people that know a lot more than me about it.

[Captkaos]

81-87 cab on a 73-80 frame
1) use the 73-80 cab bushing
2) 73-80 fenders will bolt up to the 81-87 cab
3) 73-80 hood mount to the fenders so this isn't an issue
4) 81-87 wiper arm are LONGER and will hit, must be replaced with the 73-80 version ( hole will need to be offest AND drilled)
5) unless you don't care, 81-87 cabs have hinge holes and at the back is where the catch stud normally is located on the 73-80 version

[ChaseDale3and8]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

81-87 cab on a 73-80 frame
1) use the 73-80 cab bushing
2) 73-80 fenders will bolt up to the 81-87 cab
3) 73-80 hood mount to the fenders so this isn't an issue
4) 81-87 wiper arm are LONGER and will hit, must be replaced with the 73-80 version ( hole will need to be offest AND drilled)
5) unless you don't care, 81-87 cabs have hinge holes and at the back is where the catch stud normally is located on the 73-80 version

This is exactly right. I put an 85 cab on the 77 that I once owned over 10 years ago with no problems. I bought all new 73-80 GM front sheetmetal. Everything bolted right up. Had to remove the cowl panel and change the wiper shafts to the shorter 73-80 style off of my 77 cab.

I wish that I had a scanner because I have a lot of pictures of this swap and would post them up because this seems to be a frequently asked question. Anyway, it is a fairly easy swap. Did mine over one weekend. We tore it apart on a Saturday morning and had it all put back together and drivable by Sunday afternoon so I could drive it to work on Monday.

The main difference as has already been pointed out is that you need to buy cab bushings for the year of your chassis and not the cab that you intend to use because the 73-80 and he 81-87 are not the same, and many times people doing a cab swap will buy the wrong bushings. ...Joe

[andrist1]

Thanks to everyone who kicked in some good info. Last night I check on Craigslist for donor parts and scored a 1985 SWB 4x4 cab, doors, and bed on a rolling chassis minus the motor and trans for $600! The truck has already been stripped down and 85% of the body work has already done with not an ounce of cancer as it was an Eastern Washington truck that was garaged. I am pretty grateful to be the recipient of a project that lost steam. Now the only dolly lama is wether to keep my original plan of building a 2wd 75' or building it as a 4wd....................

Thanks again for the help.

-J

[DESTRO]

Go 4x4