Cab & bed swap question (s) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

turbo350 · 04-09-2011, 03:05 PM

Looking at maybe swapping the nice cab and bed ('78) off my stock 2wd frame and onto a nice 4x4 frame ('86 or '87). A 4x4 is what I need with towing my boat, etc. Anyone have a thread here that did the same thing on a 73-87? I searched but can't seem to find one. How difficult is this for basically a somewhat seasoned novice

? I've done engine/trans swaps but nothing this involved. What major obstacles would I be facing and what special equipment would I need? I do have some mechanically inclined friends for help but if I can do the bulk of the work myself I'd prefer that.

jitteryguy · 04-09-2011, 05:46 PM

I aint sure bout the cab mount's, should be the same (some one will chime in and verify). but '87 will be fuel inject'd and would require a lot of wire'n mod's. I think you'd be fine with a '86 or older.

Brian76GMC · 04-09-2011, 06:16 PM

There will be issues with a 2wd cab on a 4wd frame, IE trans tunnel/floor hump clearance issues.

ozark · 04-09-2011, 07:36 PM

Its a easy swap. I have done it several times. You will need the 4x4 trans hump and part of the floor board under the 4x4's seat to match the 4x4 trans hump and transfer that to the 2wd cab.

turbo350 · 04-10-2011, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozark

Its a easy swap. I have done it several times. You will need the 4x4 trans hump and part of the floor board under the 4x4's seat to match the 4x4 trans hump and transfer that to the 2wd cab.

I 'm pretty sure I can get the 4x4 floor with trans hump. Do you have a thread detailing any of your swaps? I'm looking for some specifics if possible as I've never gone this far before. Also do you have a rough estimate of man hours in this project and any special tools you used or needed to do this swap?

Thanks for the replies everyone please keep 'em coming.

04-09-2011, 03:05 PM	#1
turbo350 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 316	Cab & bed swap question (s) Looking at maybe swapping the nice cab and bed ('78) off my stock 2wd frame and onto a nice 4x4 frame ('86 or '87). A 4x4 is what I need with towing my boat, etc. Anyone have a thread here that did the same thing on a 73-87? I searched but can't seem to find one. How difficult is this for basically a somewhat seasoned novice? I've done engine/trans swaps but nothing this involved. What major obstacles would I be facing and what special equipment would I need? I do have some mechanically inclined friends for help but if I can do the bulk of the work myself I'd prefer that. Last edited by turbo350; 04-09-2011 at 03:06 PM.

04-09-2011, 05:46 PM	#2
jitteryguy GoatLube Experss Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: clarksville, Tn. Posts: 1,337	Re: Cab & bed swap question (s) I aint sure bout the cab mount's, should be the same (some one will chime in and verify). but '87 will be fuel inject'd and would require a lot of wire'n mod's. I think you'd be fine with a '86 or older. __________________ *Goat Lube Express*, locations in Qalat,Afghanistan & Clarksville, Tn. '87 R30 dually 454/TH400 '85 1/2 ton CCSB '92 S10 350/350 '84 MonteCarlo 383/PG/9"ford '78 Malibu wagon 350/350 '78 Cutlass (project family car) '96 S10 Jimmy (Moma's)

04-09-2011, 06:16 PM	#3
Brian76GMC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 82	Re: Cab & bed swap question (s) There will be issues with a 2wd cab on a 4wd frame, IE trans tunnel/floor hump clearance issues. __________________ 79 Chevy Big 10 350/T350 My GMC's that I sold

04-09-2011, 07:36 PM	#4
ozark Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eureka Springs AR Posts: 179	Re: Cab & bed swap question (s) Its a easy swap. I have done it several times. You will need the 4x4 trans hump and part of the floor board under the 4x4's seat to match the 4x4 trans hump and transfer that to the 2wd cab.



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