82 body onto 74-76 frame?

[Redcap]

To make a long story short, the frame is pretty severely damaged on my 82 K20 due to unfortunate choices made by another driver. I have a '74-'76 4WD frame sitting out back...are there any problems switching a later body onto an earlier frame?

[Dalaigh]

The front frame horns at different, but with a little modification they'll work. Other then that the mounting points are different, but I believe if you us the bushings meant for the frame (74-76 bushings), it'll work.

Edit: Oh, IIRC, the core support mounts are off, in the neighbour hood of 2" I think, so you'll have to relocate them too. I'm not completely certain with that, but maybe someone else will know.

[old Rusty C10]

make sure you use the body bushings that match the genre of the frame..the front horns will be different but can be modified.. i am not positive about the issue with the core support as when i did this swap, i put an 83 cab on a 76 frame but used the 76 nose

[ChevyMutt]

My 79-87 is on a 79 frame. Body parts are 80's and yes, the core support is (pretty sure) 2" off, but I can't remember if it's 2" forward or backward. You will run in to a few wrinkles, but it can be done without too much work (as if a frame-off isn't enough work already).

[Redcap]

Right on. I'll be using all same-era body parts. My cab is fine and I have a new 4-headlight front clip off of a late '80s truck. I'll check LMC for body bushing prices.

Thanks guys!

[esbstuff]

NO diff in the radiator support mounting... if you had issues, you have had a bent frame.

On the frame horns, use the inner 81-87 bracktets and mount the 73-80 bumper. You will need 2 longer bumper bolts and 8 flat washers on the lower center bolts.