will a 79 or 80 2wd body swap for a 81 K10 frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Destructo · 01-08-2006, 02:37 PM

Me and my Fiance are working on a K10 for her, and we have two trucks, the 81 body is shot, the 79-80 body is in better shape but need some patch panels, so I believe the older body will swap right onto the 81 frame, but just wanted to be sure, the only issue we'll run into is the gas tanks are on different sides, but thats pretty easily fixed.

us111 · 01-08-2006, 04:18 PM

hello,,what i do know is if your planning on leaving the k-10 a 4x4 and put a 2wd body on it you run into the issue of having to cut out the high hump area out for the transfer case and tranny,i done it on mine and not even a body man so that part can be done,i have also heard with a lift kit you dont have that isuue..just a couple thought's..

Destructo · 01-08-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by us111

hello,,what i do know is if your planning on leaving the k-10 a 4x4 and put a 2wd body on it you run into the issue of having to cut out the high hump area out for the transfer case and tranny,i done it on mine and not even a body man so that part can be done,i have also heard with a lift kit you dont have that isuue..just a couple thought's..

The 81 K10 has a bolt in tranny hump, were going to swap the tranny humps, I just need to know if all the body mounts are the same, which I believe they are, theres only a 1 or 2 year difference between the body and frame.

us111 · 01-08-2006, 05:40 PM

i did the same thing,thought i could just bolt in tranny hump,did that,painted everything then realized that there is also a peice that goes back under seat that has to be changed also,if these pic's work you can see in the one pic where just the bolt in hump was done,then where i had to go back and cut out the other peice.

Destructo · 01-08-2006, 07:56 PM

I see, luckily that won't be a problem, the 81 K10 cab is junk but the middle of it is good, so we'll have all the parts we need to fix it up.

us111 · 01-09-2006, 12:13 AM

cool,,if u look on the old 4x4 cab that xtra piece i am talking about is all there and spot welded in,,just get it out,clean it up and put back in 2wd cab floor,,sorry but as far as cab mount's etc. goes i'm not sure about all that other than to say i put a 78gmc 2wd cab on my 76 4x4 frame...good luck..

Destructo · 01-11-2006, 11:54 AM

Anybody got a definite answer on if all the body mounts are the same between a 1980 2wd shorty and a 81 K10 shorty?

01-08-2006, 02:37 PM	#1
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	will a 79 or 80 2wd body swap for a 81 K10 frame? Me and my Fiance are working on a K10 for her, and we have two trucks, the 81 body is shot, the 79-80 body is in better shape but need some patch panels, so I believe the older body will swap right onto the 81 frame, but just wanted to be sure, the only issue we'll run into is the gas tanks are on different sides, but thats pretty easily fixed. __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.

01-08-2006, 04:18 PM	#2
us111 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: ashland oh Posts: 660	Re: will a 79 or 80 2wd body swap for a 81 K10 frame? hello,,what i do know is if your planning on leaving the k-10 a 4x4 and put a 2wd body on it you run into the issue of having to cut out the high hump area out for the transfer case and tranny,i done it on mine and not even a body man so that part can be done,i have also heard with a lift kit you dont have that isuue..just a couple thought's..

01-08-2006, 05:40 PM	#4
us111 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: ashland oh Posts: 660	Re: will a 79 or 80 2wd body swap for a 81 K10 frame? i did the same thing,thought i could just bolt in tranny hump,did that,painted everything then realized that there is also a peice that goes back under seat that has to be changed also,if these pic's work you can see in the one pic where just the bolt in hump was done,then where i had to go back and cut out the other peice. Attached Images

01-08-2006, 07:56 PM	#5
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Re: will a 79 or 80 2wd body swap for a 81 K10 frame? I see, luckily that won't be a problem, the 81 K10 cab is junk but the middle of it is good, so we'll have all the parts we need to fix it up. __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.

01-09-2006, 12:13 AM	#6
us111 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: ashland oh Posts: 660	Re: will a 79 or 80 2wd body swap for a 81 K10 frame? cool,,if u look on the old 4x4 cab that xtra piece i am talking about is all there and spot welded in,,just get it out,clean it up and put back in 2wd cab floor,,sorry but as far as cab mount's etc. goes i'm not sure about all that other than to say i put a 78gmc 2wd cab on my 76 4x4 frame...good luck..

01-11-2006, 11:54 AM	#7
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Re: will a 79 or 80 2wd body swap for a 81 K10 frame? Anybody got a definite answer on if all the body mounts are the same between a 1980 2wd shorty and a 81 K10 shorty? __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.



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