HELP Please 85 GMC body fit on 74 chevy frame

[onesmokinduramax]

Hi im pretty sure this would fit but i just found a nice 85 GMC cab,dog house and bed for 200 bucks... this will bolit right up to me 74 chevy4x4 frame right with out any mods? just want make sure befor i make the drive to get this body.. Is there any thing to look for on the cab to watch out for? This is my first time doing a swap with a body.


Also whats the difference between these years on the wirings meaning how do i find out witch wire is what?

thanks
Mark

[wildlandfirefighter]

Right now i have a 84 body on a 73 2wd frame without any problems at all. so i would say you would have no problems, but maybe there is something different with the 4x4s. And look for rust cab corners, rockers, floors, and on my cab i have rust on my front window seal area in which i dont know how i an going to fix.

[onesmokinduramax]

Ok i thought it would. Only place the guy said there was rust on the cab was a few small holes in the rocker.. The bed has a big dent in it by the tail light but i dont think that is a big deal.. The cab inside not bad shape its alot better then what i have! but it would need a new seat

Heres a few pic

[old Rusty C10]

the only issue is you have to use the rubber body moounts that work with the frame IIRC.I did this with a 76 frame and an 81 cab. you may want to shoot a PM to CaptKaos as he is our resident expert there are other things if you are going to use the nose of a 73-80 on and 81-87 cab tho do you need that info?

[dooce]

I thought you used cab mounts for the year of cab? I may be wrong, its been a while. I know they aren't the same though!

[wildlandfirefighter]

i used mounts for the frame not the cab, and i had no problems.

[Rollinsqrbdy]

I took a 86 4x4 body and put it on a 77 2wd frame and used the body mounts of the 77.

[73chevyman]

i know that 4 wheel drives have a higher center hump. theres a high hump and a short hump and most of the high humps been on 4X4's

[wicked_sky_gazer]

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

the only issue is you have to use the rubber body moounts that work with the frame IIRC.I did this with a 76 frame and an 81 cab. you may want to shoot a PM to CaptKaos as he is our resident expert there are other things if you are going to use the nose of a 73-80 on and 81-87 cab tho do you need that info?

Hey I'm doin the same 81truck on a 76 frame use 76 body mounts and there is no isues?

[onesmokinduramax]

Well i picked up the truck to day. I got there and he let the frame go with it. Its a 2 wheel drive frame so i can not use it. But got a question with this being a 2wd will i have to replace the hump in the cab to fit my 4x4 frame? I will be puting a 3 inch body lift on it..

By the way the cab and dog house is in great shape lot better then the pic shows! could not pass the deal up that he give me.

[ChaseDale3and8]

Since the high hump floor is just for clearance of the transfer case and you plan to use a 3" body lift I see no problems since 3" should give you plenty of clearance. You'll just have to cut the hole for your transfer case shift lever.

If you decide to replace the rubber mounts in the frame be sure to buy them for the year of frame, not the body. 81-87s are different than 73-80s. I'd suggest installing polyurethane ones. They are much better than the stock rubber ones and will last a lot longer. Good luck and be sure to post up pictures! ...Joe

[thinair]

Originally Posted by ChaseDale3and8

Since the high hump floor is just for clearance of the transfer case and you plan to use a 3" body lift I see no problems since 3" should give you plenty of clearance. You'll just have to cut the hole for your transfer case shift lever.

If you decide to replace the rubber mounts in the frame be sure to buy them for the year of frame, not the body. 81-87s are different than 73-80s. I'd suggest installing polyurethane ones. They are much better than the stock rubber ones and will last a lot longer. Good luck and be sure to post up pictures! ...Joe

good answer.

[Captkaos]

Sorry I have been away for a shot time.

Everything posted is correct.
Cab will work
You MUST use at least a 1" Body lift to clear the trans/transfer
You MUST use body bushings specific to the Frame not the body. All 73-87 body pans are identical, it is the frame mounts that changed.

[wicked_sky_gazer]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Sorry I have been away for a shot time.

Everything posted is correct.
Cab will work
You MUST use at least a 1" Body lift to clear the trans/transfer
You MUST use body bushings specific to the Frame not the body. All 73-87 body pans are identical, it is the frame mounts that changed.

thanks

[onesmokinduramax]

Im doing the swap now i got the old body off and the new cab just siting on the frame... I have looked on ebay and all over the web and cant find a body mount kit for my frame. can you tell me some where to get them? the frame is in the year 74-79. Also the old body did not have any body mount bushing at all just had a 3 in body lift in place. Is there any thing that i would need to buy with the body mount I have been working on it and just ran in to this issue.

Thanks Mark

[wicked_sky_gazer]

Summit sells them, brand name is energy suspension I believe local parts houses Cary to, around here anyways

[Storm Chaser]

LMC carries the body mounts also.

One question for everyone doing the 73-81 frame with a 82-87 cab (or vice versa)... what are you all doing at the front bumper? I know the frame changed there for the different bumper and corresponding mounts.

[wicked_sky_gazer]

Originally Posted by Storm Chaser

LMC carries the body mounts also.

One question for everyone doing the 73-81 frame with a 82-87 cab (or vice versa)... what are you all doing at the front bumper? I know the frame changed there for the different bumper and corresponding mounts.

Mine will be custom.... But the bumper I'm using is off of a completely different vehicle also so I don't think that's of help to you

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by Storm Chaser

One question for everyone doing the 73-81 frame with a 82-87 cab (or vice versa)... what are you all doing at the front bumper? I know the frame changed there for the different bumper and corresponding mounts.

for 73-80 frames with 81-87 frontends you have to cut the frame ends

[1978-Chevy-Step-Side]

Originally Posted by wicked_sky_gazer

thanks

So as long as you use the bushings specific to the frame the body's should transfer
Posted via Mobile Device

[bbbc10]

talk about a thread being brought back to life!

[chevhot]

i just did a frame off on my 1980 GMC used mounts for year of frame also the VIN tag is in a diff location and the wipe switch you need to cut a new hole for that. and wiper arms from the 74 and also the the light switch need to relocate that's all if you are using the 74 dash and interior and nose from the 74

[buck1983]

Originally Posted by wildlandfirefighter

Right now i have a 84 body on a 73 2wd frame without any problems at all. so i would say you would have no problems, but maybe there is something different with the 4x4s. And look for rust cab corners, rockers, floors, and on my cab i have rust on my front window seal area in which i dont know how i an going to fix.

I'm starting this very swap. 84 body over to a 73 frame. what did you do about the bumper and core support? I see cut the 73 frame, but no other details...

[KrazyRay]

Use 73 core support bushings and your 84 core support will work. Cut the horn off the frame and use the 84 bumper brackets.

[buck1983]

Originally Posted by KrazyRay

Use 73 core support bushings and your 84 core support will work. Cut the horn off the frame and use the 84 bumper brackets.

what is the best way to measure/mark where to cut the 73 frame? all photos I've come across are side view only