Questions about 1978 c10 parts on a 1974

[ivorton74]

So I have a friend who's parting out a 78 big 10 and he told me give him $200 and I can have whatever I want from it. But I'm not sure about fitments of the 78 parts on my 74. I'm taking the tilt steering column, tailgate band, parts of the front clip(fenders and inner fenders, core support, bumper),driver side door, seat belts and gauge cluster.

1..Is there anything I have to do to make the tilt column work in my truck?

2..Also I was thinking about swapping the dash but my truck is a non a/c truck and the 78 is...will this be able to work?

3..Next is how do I fit the tailgate band on my tailgate?

4..Can the 78 door cards fit on a 74 door? I'm only taking on the driver side door off the 78 because the passenger side is rusted

5..Is the wiring for the 78 gauge cluster different from the 74?

[ivorton74]

here's my 74

[old Rusty C10]

just for fun make sure you take upper and lower parts of column it will make sure you have all the stuff you need
the dash pad just unbolt the center of it once you have it off and you can use your old one
you take off the tailgate band by unscrewing it... make a template and just drill the holes in your tailgate
the guage clusters will interchange if they are both the same kind if one is guage and one is idiot light you need to modify the harness and senders
the door will physically fit but the inner panels are different

[cadillac_al]

I'd buy the whole truck. I don't see anything wrong with it. Looks sharp.

[ivorton74]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

I'd buy the whole truck. I don't see anything wrong with it. Looks sharp.

The front clip is solid...the rest of the truck is pretty rusty. The motor is going in another truck and tranny is sold. Would've been great if I could get the box too but its way too rotted. My cab is still pretty solid but needs cab corners and rockers and some parts of the floor needs to be replaced. Once I get those done and get a box I should be really to get it resprayed.

[slotard]

I swapped a tilt column into my '73, don't remember donor year though. Worked fine, there wasn't anything difficult. I still ought to pick up XJ parts and upgrade the steering stuff though, and the wheel is crooked because I just unbolted at the rag joint and for some reason it means I'm close to 90 degrees from straight.

[MichaelStclair]

After looking at the pictures I also think that the truck is in pretty good condition. The deal would be good.

[Dead Parrot]

If the tailgate is in good shape, take it and ALL of the mounting hardware from the bed sides. It should work on your truck as is.

The front bumper looks decent in the pics. One minor oops on the ice and you will need it.

If the rim hole patterns match, grab the best two tires as your tire chain tires.

Work a deal with your friend that a couple of days before it goes to the scrap yard, you can come over and strip a bunch of the small hard to find stuff like light sockets, dual tank gear(if equipped), etc.

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

Column will physically bolt in if you use the lower steering shaft from the steering box up, only other issue is you may have to change the turn signal switch, but I would replace that anyway if your going to do the swap.

Tailgate band will fit if you dill the holes, make a template in CAD (cardboard aided design) from the old tail gate.

Dash cover will be a direct swap, just use your trim. I see your 74 has the good aluminum trim, that is hard to find, but easily swapped. The later plastic trim in the 78 will probably come out in pieces.

Cluster is not the same, your 74 has a AMP meter, 78 has a volt meter

[ivorton74]

No the truck is pretty rusty thats why its getting parted out. Truck is from Minnesota so the salt got to it. The rockers, cab corners, pass side door and the box are all rotten. Has a solid frame though.The tailgate is pretty rusted on the inside...my tailgate is in way better shape but i want the band...been looking for one since i got my 74. The cluster in my truck currently doesnt work apart from the fuel gauge cuz of my 5.3 swap...havent bought the adapters n stuff to get them working yet but i just like the look of the later gauges better. Im taking two tires also for spares...he said i can have pretty much anything i want from it...hes going to start taking it apart next week and ill be there to take whatever. Another thing is the truck has a 3.73 rear end...i kinda want it cuz mine has 3.08 but i dont know what wants to do with it yet

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

Originally Posted by ivorton74

No the truck is pretty rusty thats why its getting parted out. Truck is from Minnesota so the salt got to it. The rockers, cab corners, pass side door and the box are all rotten. Has a solid frame though.The tailgate is pretty rusted on the inside...my tailgate is in way better shape but i want the band...been looking for one since i got my 74. The cluster in my truck currently doesnt work apart from the fuel gauge cuz of my 5.3 swap...havent bought the adapters n stuff to get them working yet but i just like the look of the later gauges better. Im taking two tires also for spares...he said i can have pretty much anything i want from it...hes going to start taking it apart next week and ill be there to take whatever. Another thing is the truck has a 3.73 rear end...i kinda want it cuz mine has 3.08 but i dont know what wants to do with it yet

In that case, your going to have to do some mods anyway to use your cluster so I would swap the newer cluster in, or an 81-87 cluster. All will physically fit, just the circuit boards and plugs differ in later years. oh and the 78 may have a mechanical oil pressure gauge.

If your running a trans with a electric speed sensor look for 90-91 Suburban/blazer clusters.

[ivorton74]

@sam...how come i have to change the turn signal switch?

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

I think the plugs are different, when you pull the column just cut the pigtail from the donor trucks harness, and you can splice it into your harness, just verify the wires color/function and you should be good to go. IIRC the older style 73-76 switch will fit in the newer column 77-83, so that is an option as well. Tilt and straight columns with the same turn signal switch.

Make sure to use the tilt columns ignition switch, the wire harness from the 74 will right into it, but the ignition switches are not the same for tilt and straight columns.

The turn signal switches get brittle with age, so I usually replace them if swapping columns.

LMC shows 3 turn signal switches, 73-76, 77-83, and 84-87

[SamsAutoParts73-87]

I would grab the rear if you can, would be a direct swap.

[1774btcrew]

Hard to tell from the pictures as I am looking from my phone but if the hood is good grab it.

[ivorton74]

I already replaced my hood earlier this year with a rust free one from a 77...the one on the 78 has some rust on it.
@sam ok thanks ill be sure to switch out the turn signal switch...the one on the 78 has cruise control on it so i wont need it. I thought about getting the 91 cluster but i wanted to keep the 100mph speedo and get the cable x converter box...running a 4l60 trans. I really want that rear end but how would the 3.73 gears make the truck run vs the 3.08s? Im still a noob when it comes to gearing n all.
Aside from all the rust the trucks been really taken care off...came with a bunch of receipts. The engine runs really good...he swapping it into his sons 82 4wd 6.2 diesel

[ivorton74]

Well I went and inspected the 78 a lil bit today to see what else I want from it and turns out the front fenders and inner fenders are rotten as well. But the main thing that I want from that front clip is the rad support n its in good order so I'm still happy. I'm also getting the 3.73 rear end so that's a big score for me. Decided not to get the door cuz I don't want mismatched doors on the truck. Decided to keep my dash cuz don't plan on running a/c anyway. I'll probably take da hood since its straight n has no kinks in it along with the hinges cuz mine are shot.