85 body on a 74 frame - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ivorton74 · 10-30-2016, 03:22 PM

A friend of mine found a nice 85 c10 for sale that isnt running for a good deal and i want to get it...my 74 is getting quite rusty so my plan is to swap the 85 body on the 74 frame. My question is would this body swap bolt on straight up? My 74 also has a 5.3/4L60e swap so i figured it would easier to just swap bodies

bbbc10 · 10-30-2016, 06:59 PM

Yes but u will need body bushings for the 85 cab an front end.....also will have to cut the front frame horns at a angle to get the 85 bumper to fit

Nick_R_23 · 10-30-2016, 07:45 PM

Its a fairly direct swap, I just did one myself (86 body on 78 frame). You do NOT need to cut your frame horns, but the bumper brackets will need to be modified, which is easy.

ivorton74 · 10-30-2016, 08:18 PM

Ok kool thanks

bbbc10 · 10-30-2016, 09:09 PM

that's why ur brackets had to be modified cause you didn't cut ur front frame horns at an angle....if you cut ur frame horns you can use the 81-87 bumper brackets

ivorton74 · 11-03-2016, 11:03 PM

Update... Picked up the new truck tonight(its actually an 83) and on the way home the 74 broke down...turns out it bottomed out somewhere n punched a hole in my oil pan and my motor is toast...so im on the hunt for another 5.3 now

74CustomK20 · 11-04-2016, 07:58 AM

That sucks. Since you need another motor now, think it would be easier to swap all your ls stuff straight over to the 83 n use its frame?

ivorton74 · 11-04-2016, 11:20 PM

Yeah actually my buddy who helped me build the 74 said we should just do that instead...btw what gear ratio does an 83 have? My 74 has 3.08s at the moment but would like 3.73s or something

ivorton74 · 11-04-2016, 11:24 PM

Heres the new truck

ivorton74 · 11-04-2016, 11:25 PM

Another pic

SquareBox86 · 11-05-2016, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbc10

Yes but u will need body bushings for the 85 cab an front end.....also will have to cut the front frame horns at a angle to get the 85 bumper to fit

...I thought you used the frame's year for body mount regardless the year can??? Yes/No??

74CustomK20 · 11-05-2016, 10:03 PM

Yes. Always use the frame bushing kit regardless of cab. Ivorton the only best way to find out is pull the cover and count. Plus you can inspect what you're working with.

**hatzie** · 11-05-2016, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivorton74

Yeah actually my buddy who helped me build the 74 said we should just do that instead...btw what gear ratio does an 83 have? My 74 has 3.08s at the moment but would like 3.73s or something

What does the SPID say?

ivorton74 · 11-06-2016, 04:23 AM

The RPO says GQ1 standard rear axle...theres no other codes. I dont know if its a 10 or 12 bolt rear end....ill have to look n see

**hatzie** · 11-06-2016, 09:29 AM

Get the 1985 vehicle information PDF from the GM Heritage center. You can look up the standard axle ratios based on series (10, 20, 30), 2wd or 4wd, Engine, and transmission.
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html

ivorton74 · 11-07-2016, 01:19 AM

Looks like it might be a 2.73...will be swapping in the 3.08 from my 74

10-30-2016, 03:22 PM	#1
ivorton74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Dakota Posts: 916	85 body on a 74 frame A friend of mine found a nice 85 c10 for sale that isnt running for a good deal and i want to get it...my 74 is getting quite rusty so my plan is to swap the 85 body on the 74 frame. My question is would this body swap bolt on straight up? My 74 also has a 5.3/4L60e swap so i figured it would easier to just swap bodies __________________ 1983 C10 Silverado 5.3 swap 1974 C10 lwb 5.3 swap(sold)...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/sh...d.php?t=614122 2001 BMW 530i 5 speed 2019 Nissan Titan SV Midnight 1979 Datsun 210 4 door 1980 Datsun 120y(back home in Trinidad)

10-30-2016, 06:59 PM	#2
bbbc10 Diggin The SquareLife Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: garland,tx Posts: 1,933	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame Yes but u will need body bushings for the 85 cab an front end.....also will have to cut the front frame horns at a angle to get the 85 bumper to fit

10-30-2016, 07:45 PM	#3
Nick_R_23 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Willow, Alaska Posts: 877	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame Its a fairly direct swap, I just did one myself (86 body on 78 frame). You do NOT need to cut your frame horns, but the bumper brackets will need to be modified, which is easy.

10-30-2016, 08:18 PM	#4
ivorton74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Dakota Posts: 916	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame Ok kool thanks __________________ 1983 C10 Silverado 5.3 swap 1974 C10 lwb 5.3 swap(sold)...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/sh...d.php?t=614122 2001 BMW 530i 5 speed 2019 Nissan Titan SV Midnight 1979 Datsun 210 4 door 1980 Datsun 120y(back home in Trinidad)

10-30-2016, 09:09 PM	#5
bbbc10 Diggin The SquareLife Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: garland,tx Posts: 1,933	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame that's why ur brackets had to be modified cause you didn't cut ur front frame horns at an angle....if you cut ur frame horns you can use the 81-87 bumper brackets

11-03-2016, 11:03 PM	#6
ivorton74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Dakota Posts: 916	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame Update... Picked up the new truck tonight(its actually an 83) and on the way home the 74 broke down...turns out it bottomed out somewhere n punched a hole in my oil pan and my motor is toast...so im on the hunt for another 5.3 now __________________ 1983 C10 Silverado 5.3 swap 1974 C10 lwb 5.3 swap(sold)...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/sh...d.php?t=614122 2001 BMW 530i 5 speed 2019 Nissan Titan SV Midnight 1979 Datsun 210 4 door 1980 Datsun 120y(back home in Trinidad)

11-04-2016, 07:58 AM	#7
74CustomK20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tell City, IN Posts: 637	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame That sucks. Since you need another motor now, think it would be easier to swap all your ls stuff straight over to the 83 n use its frame? __________________ Big Nate Carp. Local 224. Buy made in the USA! 03 F350 6.0 Daily Race Truck. 79 C70 366 Project Dump.

11-04-2016, 11:20 PM	#8
ivorton74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Dakota Posts: 916	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame Yeah actually my buddy who helped me build the 74 said we should just do that instead...btw what gear ratio does an 83 have? My 74 has 3.08s at the moment but would like 3.73s or something __________________ 1983 C10 Silverado 5.3 swap 1974 C10 lwb 5.3 swap(sold)...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/sh...d.php?t=614122 2001 BMW 530i 5 speed 2019 Nissan Titan SV Midnight 1979 Datsun 210 4 door 1980 Datsun 120y(back home in Trinidad)

11-04-2016, 11:24 PM	#9
ivorton74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Dakota Posts: 916	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame Heres the new truck Attached Images __________________ 1983 C10 Silverado 5.3 swap 1974 C10 lwb 5.3 swap(sold)...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/sh...d.php?t=614122 2001 BMW 530i 5 speed 2019 Nissan Titan SV Midnight 1979 Datsun 210 4 door 1980 Datsun 120y(back home in Trinidad)

11-04-2016, 11:25 PM	#10
ivorton74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Dakota Posts: 916	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame Another pic Attached Images __________________ 1983 C10 Silverado 5.3 swap 1974 C10 lwb 5.3 swap(sold)...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/sh...d.php?t=614122 2001 BMW 530i 5 speed 2019 Nissan Titan SV Midnight 1979 Datsun 210 4 door 1980 Datsun 120y(back home in Trinidad)

11-05-2016, 10:03 PM	#12
74CustomK20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tell City, IN Posts: 637	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame Yes. Always use the frame bushing kit regardless of cab. Ivorton the only best way to find out is pull the cover and count. Plus you can inspect what you're working with. __________________ Big Nate Carp. Local 224. Buy made in the USA! 03 F350 6.0 Daily Race Truck. 79 C70 366 Project Dump.

11-06-2016, 04:23 AM	#14
ivorton74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Dakota Posts: 916	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame The RPO says GQ1 standard rear axle...theres no other codes. I dont know if its a 10 or 12 bolt rear end....ill have to look n see __________________ 1983 C10 Silverado 5.3 swap 1974 C10 lwb 5.3 swap(sold)...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/sh...d.php?t=614122 2001 BMW 530i 5 speed 2019 Nissan Titan SV Midnight 1979 Datsun 210 4 door 1980 Datsun 120y(back home in Trinidad)

11-06-2016, 09:29 AM	#15
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,950	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame Get the 1985 vehicle information PDF from the GM Heritage center. You can look up the standard axle ratios based on series (10, 20, 30), 2wd or 4wd, Engine, and transmission. https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

11-07-2016, 01:19 AM	#16
ivorton74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Dakota Posts: 916	Re: 85 body on a 74 frame Looks like it might be a 2.73...will be swapping in the 3.08 from my 74 __________________ 1983 C10 Silverado 5.3 swap 1974 C10 lwb 5.3 swap(sold)...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/sh...d.php?t=614122 2001 BMW 530i 5 speed 2019 Nissan Titan SV Midnight 1979 Datsun 210 4 door 1980 Datsun 120y(back home in Trinidad)



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