Changing cabs. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Cheesewagon · 08-24-2005, 09:44 AM

Hey guys I got to borrow my old '85 truck that I sold 10 years ago. Wow what ten years can do to a truck!! Basicly it's was running on 6 cylinders, the whole truck is beat to crap. Theres not a body panel on it without a dent or rust hole. My question is can I use the '77 cab, and front end that I have on it? The '85 is a c10 and so was the '77. The reason I ask is the guy offered it back to me for $500. I could save the '85 cab with just cab corners and a little floor area work. But would the brand new repo doors from the '77 work on the '85 cab? Or would I be better off to just pass on it? I am setting on lots of '77 truck parts so trhat would save me a ton of money.

Latter Tom

beaterC10 · 08-24-2005, 10:06 AM

You can install the 77 cab if you use 85 cab mounts and trim the front frame for the 77 bumper. Might have to do some swapping if the truck has A/C, the compressors, hardlines, and hardware installation are different. You will also need the to use the 77 coupling shaft to mate the steering column to the box.

**Captkaos** · 08-24-2005, 10:23 AM

Frame won't need to be trimmed to fit a 77 bumper on a post 81 truck. If you were doing the opposite that would be true. Doors are the same from 77-91. Cabs were the same (read -everything will swap) from 73-87.

Cheesewagon · 08-26-2005, 01:08 PM

Beater, Capt, thanks for the replys, and good info. Been busy at dads trimming trees so I've plenty of time to think this over and over. Beater both cabs are AC cabs so thats in my favor. But I think I'll do cab corners and floor repair to the '85 cab. That will save me time and money. I will install new cab rubbers because of the age and the wear it's been through. Capt thats great that the repo doors will work, more money saved. The '85 interior is trashed really bad. Dash pad is a goner so is the headliner, and carpet. Dash pod made it ok, as the left side plastic tabs are not broken! Do you guys think I can use the '77 dash pad and headliner to replace the trashed ones? For carpet I'll look around in the yards as we get cooler weather. I wish I could trade someone the '77 front sheet metal for '83 to '85 sheet metal. I have the complete front cross member from the '77. So I plan to rebuild that, and unbolt the '85 and install the '77. I know I sound like I'm being cheap but with my divorce coming to a close I have to watch my money really close.

At best the truck is going to be a "mutt" when I'm done. But it will sevre me well for a few years if not more.

I'll try to post some pics as I start out on this project.

Latter Tom

**Captkaos** · 08-26-2005, 01:14 PM

The interior trim pieces/headliner will work from 77-87 also.

86 GMG · 08-26-2005, 01:27 PM

best luck

08-24-2005, 09:44 AM	#1
Cheesewagon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Perrysburg, Ohio, USA Posts: 409	Changing cabs. Hey guys I got to borrow my old '85 truck that I sold 10 years ago. Wow what ten years can do to a truck!! Basicly it's was running on 6 cylinders, the whole truck is beat to crap. Theres not a body panel on it without a dent or rust hole. My question is can I use the '77 cab, and front end that I have on it? The '85 is a c10 and so was the '77. The reason I ask is the guy offered it back to me for $500. I could save the '85 cab with just cab corners and a little floor area work. But would the brand new repo doors from the '77 work on the '85 cab? Or would I be better off to just pass on it? I am setting on lots of '77 truck parts so trhat would save me a ton of money. Latter Tom __________________ '91 suburban 350 TBI - R 700 4 new daily driver '72 Cheyenne Super 49,000miles 350/350 frame up resto w/ matching numbers.

08-24-2005, 10:23 AM	#3
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Frame won't need to be trimmed to fit a 77 bumper on a post 81 truck. If you were doing the opposite that would be true. Doors are the same from 77-91. Cabs were the same (read -everything will swap) from 73-87. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

08-26-2005, 01:08 PM	#4
Cheesewagon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Perrysburg, Ohio, USA Posts: 409	Beater, Capt, thanks for the replys, and good info. Been busy at dads trimming trees so I've plenty of time to think this over and over. Beater both cabs are AC cabs so thats in my favor. But I think I'll do cab corners and floor repair to the '85 cab. That will save me time and money. I will install new cab rubbers because of the age and the wear it's been through. Capt thats great that the repo doors will work, more money saved. The '85 interior is trashed really bad. Dash pad is a goner so is the headliner, and carpet. Dash pod made it ok, as the left side plastic tabs are not broken! Do you guys think I can use the '77 dash pad and headliner to replace the trashed ones? For carpet I'll look around in the yards as we get cooler weather. I wish I could trade someone the '77 front sheet metal for '83 to '85 sheet metal. I have the complete front cross member from the '77. So I plan to rebuild that, and unbolt the '85 and install the '77. I know I sound like I'm being cheap but with my divorce coming to a close I have to watch my money really close. At best the truck is going to be a "mutt" when I'm done. But it will sevre me well for a few years if not more. I'll try to post some pics as I start out on this project. Latter Tom __________________ '91 suburban 350 TBI - R 700 4 new daily driver '72 Cheyenne Super 49,000miles 350/350 frame up resto w/ matching numbers.

08-26-2005, 01:14 PM	#5
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	The interior trim pieces/headliner will work from 77-87 also. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

08-26-2005, 01:27 PM	#6
86 GMG Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 943	best luck __________________ square body trucks an addiction or an investment either way they consume all my extra time and money

08-24-2005, 10:06 AM	#2
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	You can install the 77 cab if you use 85 cab mounts and trim the front frame for the 77 bumper. Might have to do some swapping if the truck has A/C, the compressors, hardlines, and hardware installation are different. You will also need the to use the 77 coupling shaft to mate the steering column to the box.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.