Installing 1986 Cab and front clip on 1980 C10 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Deelli · 02-20-2004, 12:09 PM

Installing 86 cab on 80 frame

Need some help with installing cab and front end from a 1986 chevy silverado on a 1980 chevy C10. I want to know if the attach points will just line up? Can everything just stay in the cab with the swap? Thanks in advance for all help

Jonboy · 02-20-2004, 01:13 PM

everything should be fine in the cab. Tie the steering shaft up out of the way, and swap it over. I think the attachemnt points are the same, but I have not done the swap personally.

fanman · 02-20-2004, 03:43 PM

When I put an 86 cab on the frame of my 77K20, I didn't have any real problems. Under the front mount for the cab, I had to use a 1" spacer (hockey puck with some pvc around it). Other than that it all droped into place.

*1FaastC10* · 02-20-2004, 05:37 PM

use the mounts from the '80 truck (or buy new if they're bad) and everything should line up just fine. that's what im going to do with my '86 C10 when i put it on the '79 K10 chassis.

Free88 · 02-20-2004, 06:02 PM

Very good info on this topic. This is my idea as well, but do you do for the hood hinges if you want to use the fenders and hood of the 80? I just want to change cabs. Any suggestions or pics would be helpful.

*1FaastC10* · 02-20-2004, 08:13 PM

the only differences in that area is the wiper cowl (or lack thereof in the case of a 73-80), the length of the wiper stubs, and a slot in the cowl for the 81+ hinges. if you have an 81+ cab, you need to switch to the shorter wiper stubs, and remove the wiper cowl panel that is below the windshield on the newer trucks. then the 73-80 sheetmetal will bolt right on. going the other way (73-80 cab with 81+ sheetmetal) invollves installing the longer stubs, installing the wiper cowl, notching the upper part of the firewall so the hinges will drop in. as stated before, the body mounts must match the frame.

Free88 · 02-20-2004, 10:29 PM

Thanks 1Faast. Copied and posted this to the firewall so I don't have to dig too far for it when reassembly starts. This forum is great. Thanks again.

*1FaastC10* · 02-21-2004, 04:03 AM

no prob man, that's what we're all here for isnt it?

02-20-2004, 12:09 PM	#1
Deelli Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yorktown, VA Posts: 26	Installing 1986 Cab and front clip on 1980 C10 Installing 86 cab on 80 frame Need some help with installing cab and front end from a 1986 chevy silverado on a 1980 chevy C10. I want to know if the attach points will just line up? Can everything just stay in the cab with the swap? Thanks in advance for all help

02-20-2004, 01:13 PM	#2
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	everything should be fine in the cab. Tie the steering shaft up out of the way, and swap it over. I think the attachemnt points are the same, but I have not done the swap personally. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

02-20-2004, 03:43 PM	#3
fanman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Auburn, MI Posts: 156	When I put an 86 cab on the frame of my 77K20, I didn't have any real problems. Under the front mount for the cab, I had to use a 1" spacer (hockey puck with some pvc around it). Other than that it all droped into place. __________________ "When I start my car in the morning I want the neighbors to think the world is comming to an end." Homer Simpson I'm not stuck, I've still got some gas left"

02-20-2004, 06:02 PM	#5
Free88 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northwestern Ontario Canada Posts: 359	Very good info on this topic. This is my idea as well, but do you do for the hood hinges if you want to use the fenders and hood of the 80? I just want to change cabs. Any suggestions or pics would be helpful. __________________ 1986 Silverado Short box fleet side. project 2005 VW Tiguan 4 Motion 1997 Blazer S10 4x4 1990 Chevy Silverado K1500 Extended long box

02-20-2004, 10:29 PM	#7
Free88 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northwestern Ontario Canada Posts: 359	Thanks 1Faast. Copied and posted this to the firewall so I don't have to dig too far for it when reassembly starts. This forum is great. Thanks again. __________________ 1986 Silverado Short box fleet side. project 2005 VW Tiguan 4 Motion 1997 Blazer S10 4x4 1990 Chevy Silverado K1500 Extended long box

02-20-2004, 05:37 PM	#4
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	use the mounts from the '80 truck (or buy new if they're bad) and everything should line up just fine. that's what im going to do with my '86 C10 when i put it on the '79 K10 chassis.

02-20-2004, 08:13 PM	#6
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	the only differences in that area is the wiper cowl (or lack thereof in the case of a 73-80), the length of the wiper stubs, and a slot in the cowl for the 81+ hinges. if you have an 81+ cab, you need to switch to the shorter wiper stubs, and remove the wiper cowl panel that is below the windshield on the newer trucks. then the 73-80 sheetmetal will bolt right on. going the other way (73-80 cab with 81+ sheetmetal) invollves installing the longer stubs, installing the wiper cowl, notching the upper part of the firewall so the hinges will drop in. as stated before, the body mounts must match the frame.

02-21-2004, 04:03 AM	#8
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	no prob man, that's what we're all here for isnt it?

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