Modifying 81-87 cab?

[benscool1]

How hard is it to modify an 84 cab to work with a 73-80 front clip? I know you have to modify the cowl? Can you just put a 73-80 cowl on the new cab? Do you have to modify the dash? I want to know because I'm thinking about buying a newer cab to go on my 73...

[1FaastC10]

Originally Posted by benscool1

How hard is it to modify an 84 cab to work with a 73-80 front clip? I know you have to modify the cowl? Can you just put a 73-80 cowl on the new cab? Do you have to modify the dash? I want to know because I'm thinking about buying a newer cab to go on my 73...

its not hard at all, all you need is a 73-80 front clip, and 73-80 wiper linkages. you will also need a mix of cab busings, the 81-87 cab will require 81-87 bushings under it, but 73-80 bushings will be required under the core support.

IIRC, the dash pad from your 73-80 truck will bolt right in, the newer sqared off dashes are hollow inside, it looks VERY similar to the 73-80 trucks without a dash pad on it.

[red450ih]

benscool1,
I have done cab swaps before. If you are putting the 84 cab on the 73 frame, you will need to use the 73 cab mounts. The cabs are made the same. Frame cab mounts differ in year and if it's 1/2 ton through one ton. Are you just replacing the cab that's on your 73 now? The 73/74 trucks have a smaller junction where the under hood wiring harness plugs into the fuse block. As far as the wipers and cowl go, pull the 84 cowl cover/grill off, change the wiper mechinism over to the short 73-80 style. The 73-80 fenders will bolt up. After you get your 73 fender on, you will have the 73 hood hindges in place ready to go. The 73 dash pad will fall right into the 84 cab. Keep in mind that the 84-87 cabs have the wiper switch on the column and there is no place for them on the dash. Keep your 73 glass if it original. the 73-75 glass is much thicker than the 76-87, or at least that is what I have found building these trucks.

What's wrong with your 73 cab? Let us know if you have any other questions

Keith

[1FaastC10]

oops, my bad, the bushings must match the frame, not the cab.

[benscool1]

My 73 cab is basically junk. Interior is perfect, but it was really rusty, and as soon as we removed it from the chassis it settled and now the doors won't shut. The cab mounts are totally gone, rockers and cab corners are gone, there are holes in the floor, etc. All glass is good, and the interior is in great shape.

So I can go ahead and use all my interior from the 73 cab in the 84? Except door panels right? I don't think they will fit, correct?

[red450ih]

The 73 door panels will fit the 84 doors. The dash wiper switch area is what you need to be concerned with. I have a few questions.

Will you use an 84 column and wiring harness and change your cluster too? The wiper and dimmer switch is on the column in 84-87 trucks.

Do you want to use your 73 wiring harness and dash cluster?

Or will you cut the dash from the 73 and install it into the 84?

Will you use an after-market harness?

If it were me, I would recommend another 73/74 cab or a 75-83 cab, but I understand if you have to work with what you have.

Keith

[1FaastC10]

i jsut went and looked at my 86 cab, i dont see any reason why, with a little inginuity you couldnt make the 84 cab work with the 73 guts. all you would have to do is cut out the hole (where the headlight switch is now) for the wiper switch, and drill a hole for the wiper switch.

[benscool1]

I planned on using the 84 column since it is already in the cab, and my 73 column is a non-tilt, however I'm not sure the harness is included with the new cab, so I don't know if it would work to use my 73 harness and cluster w/the new column. I was hoping to be able to install basically everything from my 73 into the good 84 cab, using my 73 harness. However, like I said, I don't know if it will all work. I'm also looking at another 81-87 that is complete, and everything has already been changed to work w/a 73-80 however it was a little more than I could afford. The more I think about it, the more I think I'll just try and save a little money and pick up the complete, converted cab. Thanks for all the info.