Interchangeable parts

[Riley012]

I am new to this. I have a 1982 k20' I am looking at a 1985 K10 for parts. Can anyone tell me if the parts are interchangeable. Especially the body parts. Thanks
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[superwade57]

Body parts and many many others are most of.these trucks are interchangeable watch for small differences
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[Riley012]

Thank you, could you give me an example of small differences.

[Rubble]

The front axle is the same,except for the rotor,backing plate and possibly the shoes.I have swapped parts back & forth on these,but can't remember about the shoes.Rear axle is heavier,probably a 14 bolt semi float in that year of truck.Might be a full floater.. Springs are the same length,just more of them in a 3/4T.(rear springs) That should be about all,if I missed something somebody will correct me ...
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[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Rubble

The front axle is the same,except for the rotor,backing plate and possibly the shoes.I have swapped parts back & forth on these,but can't remember about the shoes.Rear axle is heavier,probably a 14 bolt semi float in that year of truck.Might be a full floater.. Springs are the same length,just more of them in a 3/4T.(rear springs) That should be about all,if I missed something somebody will correct me ...
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The 6 lug 14bolt semi floater wasn't used till GM started building the T400 chassis trucks in '88... I'm not sure that it was even used on those in the 80s.

[Rubble]

Originally Posted by hatzie

The 6 lug 14bolt semi floater wasn't used till GM started building the T400 chassis trucks in '88... I'm not sure that it was even used on those in the 80s.

No,I was talking about the 14 bolt semi float 8 lug axle...I maybe read the op wrong,thought he had the K10 & was buying the K20 for parts truck.
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[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Rubble

No,I was talking about the 14 bolt semi float 8 lug axle...I maybe read the op wrong,thought he had the K10 & was buying the K20 for parts truck.
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They started using the 8lug 9.5" 14bolt in 86 or 87 and only on the light duty 3/4 ton. There's almost no danger of ever seeing one of those.

[Riley012]

The 85 does not have a title, the person that had it died in Jan. and his dad could not find it.Thanks to everyone so far that has commented.

[Rubble]

Originally Posted by hatzie

They started using the 8lug 9.5" 14bolt in 86 or 87 and only on the light duty 3/4 ton. There's almost no danger of ever seeing one of those.

Maybe it's a Canadian thing,my 82 K25 has a 14 bolt semi float & I have a 82K25 parts truck that had one in as well.The parts truck was original and almost positive the other is too.
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[Riley012]

Thanks, I want to switch the box, fenders and cab from the 85k10 to the 82k20.

[superwade57]

That'll work
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[SamsAutoParts73-87]

The fuel necks for the fuel tanks are not the same, so you will need to use a 84-87 neck on your tank (s). Everything else is the same I believe on the bed.

The fenders are the same

Cab is similar, but not exactly the same, the biggest issue I can think of is the wiper switch location (not a big deal, just use the steering column out of the 85)

-Sam

[Riley012]

If I use the steering column from the 85 how is it wired for the wipers.
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[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Riley012

If I use the steering column from the 85 how is it wired for the wipers.
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Is the 85 column a Tilt or has some other desirable feature? Or is the 82 cab beat to death??

In 83 GM moved the wiper switch to the Turnsignal stalk. Marrying an 83 or later column to the 82 cab harness would be an adventure but not impossible... given time, patience, and a full set of wiring diagrams for both years.

If you're swapping the cabs just keep the 85 cab harness and column. You can re-pin the 82 engine compartment bulkhead plugs to match the pinouts of the 85 cab socket. Most of them will probably match already.

I assume you'll be getting a current title to go with the VIN plate riveted to the 85 cab... That's the only real gotcha on a cab swap.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by hatzie

Is the 85 column a Tilt or has some other desirable feature? Or is the 82 cab beat to death??

In 83 GM moved the wiper switch to the Turnsignal stalk. Marrying an 83 or later column to the 82 cab harness would be an adventure but not impossible... given time, patience, and a full set of wiring diagrams for both years.

If you're swapping the cabs just keep the 85 cab harness and column. You can re-pin the 82 engine compartment bulkhead plugs to match the pinouts of the 85 cab socket. Most of them will probably match already.

I assume you'll be getting a current title to go with the VIN plate riveted to the 85 cab... That's the only real gotcha on a cab swap.

As he said mostly little things, but 84 was the year that the wipers changed from the dash to the turn signal stalk on the column.

Placement of the front turn signals differ also. 82 turn signals are in the bumper, 83 and newer went in various places of the grill.

[Riley012]

Is it ok to keep the 82 steering, so I don't have to worry about the wiper switch and how about the cruise control. Thanks

[motornut]

Originally Posted by Riley012

Is it ok to keep the 82 steering, so I don't have to worry about the wiper switch and how about the cruise control. Thanks

the high/low beam switch moved too,watch for that

[Riley012]

I plan on removing all the body parts from the 85 and replacing the cab floor on the drivers side and the rockers on both sides this year. An start next spring on replacing the parts on the 82. The 82 has a 6.2 in it and I am not sure what the 85 has in it, the 85 was hit in the right fender but everything else seem ok.

[Rubble]

The steering should be the same too for the most part.
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[SamsAutoParts73-87]

Originally Posted by Rubble

The steering should be the same too for the most part.
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Agreed

-Sam

[Riley012]

It is a 14 bolt, how do you tell if it is a semi-float.
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[SamsAutoParts73-87]

Full floater looks like this.

-Sam

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

Semi-floater looks like the rear axle on this 81 K20

-Sam

[Riley012]

Can anyone tell me where you can get new wing window frames for the 82 k20.

[Riley012]

I just looked, it is a semi-float. Thanks