Cab differences
 

Ok, I may have found a cab,maybe free, it's a 76 cab and appears to be cancer free. Are the cabs the same as the 80's cabs. I'm told the difference is in the front clip. I plan to remove everything from mine and reinstall on the 76 cab. At least that way I didn't waste the money fixing the driver door like I did fixing the floors
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Re: Cab differences
 

On the 73-80 trucks the hood hinges went from a 1 pc to a 2 pc on the 81-87, so the hinge on the cowl folds away into the upper cowl. I have cut those sections out and welded them into a mid 73-80 model cab before. It can be done it's just a little more work. Rust free cabs are hard to find so it may be worth it. The doors and all interior parts can inerchange w/ little to no mods.

Re: Cab differences
 

Also, the wiper posts are longer on the 81 up cabs to clear the cowl panel. They are interchangable, but you may need to drill a couple holes for the screws.

Re: Cab differences
 

Would my hood bolt to the old hinges . I can keep them greased to prevent the hood from bending
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Re: Cab differences
 

Here are some pics from a 85 cab i made to back to 73-80 specs


Welded up the holes for the cowl panel
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b.../firewall2.jpg

Corners were taken from another cab and welded up to fit
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b.../corner1-1.jpg

Even took the metal dash out from a 76 cab and changed it over cause 84 and up cabs had the wiper switch on the column and this truck has it on the dash,plus this truck originally didnt have a/c and the cab i got had a/c i went back to the original roots and fixed all that.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0481.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0493.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0496.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0494.jpg

thanks
pat

p.s. i know i went a little overboard but its not a everyday driver.

Re: Cab differences
 

Thats pretty cool, wanna come to Texas and do mine (lol)

Will my hood fir the old hinges ?????

Re: Cab differences
 

The seat belt mounts changed a couple times over the years . i know they changed in 78 to a different style , position , and angle . Might look at that first but the overall cab is the same from 73-80 and 81-87.
Frank

Re: Cab differences
 

Done it a couple of times, "80stepsideguy" pretty much covered it all, Ron

Re: Cab differences
 

Well found a rust free 86 cab, going to pick it up tomorrow, should nt have a problem at all with anything then right
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Re: Cab differences
 

You should be good, just keep the old cab for parts if you plan on doing the coversion i did.I will say it isnt for the beginner but if you take your time itll come out great.Just be patient..

thanks
pat