Cab differences 73-80, 81-87

[Free88]

What's the difference in these styles? Style difference between the 73-80, and the 81-87.

[rolson1039]

oh man did you get the right guy here for this answer

the cabs themselves will bolt right up but the frame mounts are different. the doors are different in the respect that the door panels are different and you could interchange them but then youd have to interchange the window cranks if equipped because the newer models are a half inch longer or so.
There is a difference in the power booster the older ones have a smaller circle where the master cylinder sits in there.
the columns wiring harness, fusebox, heater box and control ( non a/c truck , i dont know about air conditioned trucks) are all different and the clutch pedal/brake pedal assembly is different. I do not know if you already have the clutch pedal assy in there in a newer cab if it will work to the frame as i only took the cluthc pedal out of my 76 and wanted to put it in the 81 cab which didnt work. I currently am ordering a new set of brake clutch pedals with the metal piece they ride in to use them on my 81 cab.
also note the wiper arms are different the newer trucks are slightly bigger. You can do the swap you just need to strip the cab bare and do it that way.
the dash pads are different too but you can interchange them.
if you have more specific questions please ask i am in the process and almost complete doin this job on one of my trucks. also member Capt. Kaos is phenomonal with info on this swap I am also known as Old Rusty C10 here as my account is kinda messed up right now

[Free88]

Working on a 1980 right now and was wondering if they were interchangeable without too mush degree of difficulty. Seen many cabs advertised as 73-87, but had a feeling there were differences. Isn't there also a difference where the hood and fenders attach, as well? Door shells are interchangeable, correct?

[beaterC10]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but what is the difference in the clutch pedals? I have a set from both a 79 1/2T and a late 70's 1T. I was hoping to use one set to convert my 84 1/2T from auto to stick.

Dave

[Jonboy]

you can use the newer shells, but would need the newer guts too. The door shells are different 73-76 and 77-87. the main break as far as the cab is 81 and newer. The hood and wiper are 81-up, and they do have a little different dash pad and gauges. You could bolt the older fenders and hood up with little difficulty, but you have to cut the cowl for the 81-up hood hinges.

[Free88]

Thanks guys for the info. Looking to buy another truck so I thought I would find out for sure what parts can be used before buying. My son is building an 80 GMC and I want a daily driver the same so that parts are interchangeable. Has parts left from the work he has already done. So no use in buying anything over an 80. Thanks again.

[rolson1039]

if you have a 81-87 cab you remove the cowl and the hood hinges and use the 73-80 fenders and hood. switch out the wiper arms and its good to go if you want to use a 73-80 cab on a 81-87 you gotta cut the holes for the hood hinges

as for the guys for the pedals the part the bolt slides through on the clutch pedal top its longer on a 73-80 tan and 81-87 the same thing with the brake pedal

[rolson1039]

Originally posted by beaterC10
I don't want to hijack this thread, but what is the difference in the clutch pedals? I have a set from both a 79 1/2T and a late 70's 1T. I was hoping to use one set to convert my 84 1/2T from auto to stick.

Dave

if you have the whole assembly for the clutch and brake pedal in its houseng from the 79 you can fit that into your 84

[beaterC10]

Thanks,

I went and re-read the post. If I swap out the complete assembly everything will work.

Did you have any trouble finding the location for hole for the push rod from under the dash out to the z- bar on the frame? I assumed there was some kind of divit or mark in the sheet metal from the factory.