Will an 81-87 cab bolt onto a 73-80frame?

[notyettoday]

Hey ya'll,

My 78 gmc from michigan has terminal body cancer all over.. and i was wondering if i could put an 81-87 cab on this frame? i learned the hard way that the bumpers are not interchangeable so i figured i best ask first.

I'm also contemplating swapping to a manual tranny cab while i'm at it, but i'm curious as to whether there would be a good improvement in fuel economy over my brand new th350 w/shift kit.. i dont know of any overdrive manual trannys that they put in these trucks, but thats something i'd like to look into.

Thanks alot for any thoughts,

Will

[RunTMCfan]

I have an 86' cab/front clip on my 74' 3/4ton longbead. Bought it that way. I don't think the late model bed will fit though.

[Captkaos]

The cabs will swap, you just have to use bodymount specific to the frame year. The later bed bolts moved location so you would have to drill new holes to use them.
700R4's were used starting in 1982 and it a simple swap.

[magnethead]

he wants manual overdrive...

You'd probably be best off with something like a NV3500 or something like that. Thats what alot of S-10 conversions use.

[notyettoday]

bodymount specific to the frame year? meaning the bushing? also, is an nv3500 the ld tranny used in s10s or would it be able to stand up to the punishment it would get being in a truck that i drive? heh. also, i'd like to use a 78 or 79 front clip, will the older front clip bolt up to the new bed? i'd like to get the "luxuries" of wipers and cruise on the multifunction switch, and power windows/locks without creating a new circuit... thanks alot for the replies guys

[Captkaos]

Yes. If you have a 73-80 frame, use the bushings on the frame not the ones from what the cab came from. The cab mounts the same

NV3500 is the S-series tranny. Fullsize used a NV3550 which is a little stronger. As for what type of drive you do I don't know, but as long as you are on street tires you should be ok. I suggest the fullsize NV3550....

73-80 clip will bolt to a 81-87 cab. Wiring is different along with the connectors, but you can make it work since it is only signal and headlights...

[us111]

hello,,isn't there something about having to move the hood hinges or something when using a early model front clip on newer cab or am i thinking of something else???

[72 CustomCamper]

Originally Posted by us111

hello,,isn't there something about having to move the hood hinges or something when using a early model front clip on newer cab or am i thinking of something else???

You're think of the swap the other way. 73-80 hood hinges bolt to the fender only. 81-87 hinges bolt to the fender and have a pivot that bolts to the cab...


Chuck