Bed swap compatibility

[StanktheTank]

I have a ‘73 C10 8’ fleetside. Pretty rusted. I’ve found a near by bed with fuel fill on same side except it’s off a early/mid80’s C10. Fuel fill same side.
I’ve have a tuff time finding out if the 80’s should boot up just fine to my ‘73. I know it will look off. More concerned about ease of swap.
Thanks in advance

 

[78C10BigTen]

As ive asked this before i believe the 80s bed have a different filler hose and location then the earlier 70's.

 

[CorvairGeek]

Last year without filler doors is '78, but I would be concerned about all the running changes, especially with a '73. With that said, I don't know.

 

[Charlie]

 

[dvdswan]

Mounting bolts should be the same, filler neck maybe shorter or longer depending on the height difference of the filler hole.

 

[StanktheTank]

Good info so far fellas. Thanks. My post looks like great gibberish. Was just getting to sleep

 

[StanktheTank]

As ive asked this before i believe the 80s bed have a different filler hose and location then the earlier 70's.

It doesn’t seem like that should be too big an issue to work around. What did you end up going with?

 

[78C10BigTen]

It doesn’t seem like that should be too big an issue to work around. What did you end up going with?

Nothing right now. (Short pockets) Rust is still eating it alive, sadly...

 

[bucket]

As an assembly, the bed swaps over.

Tailgate hardware changed, the tailgate stamping changed and the fuel filler parts changed. So if you get everything, the only hangup is the fuel filler hose diameter. The older trucks had a smaller filler hose fitting on the tank compared to the newer models (changed around '83 I think). A reducer bushing should make the swap possible though, or an '81 or so filler kneck assembly.

 

[StanktheTank]

As an assembly, the bed swaps over.

Tailgate hardware changed, the tailgate stamping changed and the fuel filler parts changed. So if you get everything, the only hangup is the fuel filler hose diameter. The older trucks had a smaller filler hose fitting on the tank compared to the newer models (changed around '83 I think). A reducer bushing should make the swap possible though, or an '81 or so filler kneck assembly.

Thanks Bucket. The fuel tank end of the hose was something I was wondering about.

 

[K5ride]

I'm getting ready to do a bed / fender swap on my 75 stepside to have the fuel filler doors that started in 79. It appears they changed the fuel tanks in 84. They had filler necks that use the fuel doors and the old style tanks from 79 to 83. You just need to buy the right filler neck and hose and it should work fine.

 

[smoothandlow84]

X2 bed swap can be done, just modify the filler neck...hell people even swap beds from 90' chevy's.....

anywho...beds up to 87 work fine with minor mods. There is more involved swapping front clips then the beds.

 

[75gmck25]

I have an ‘81 bed on my ‘75, swapped as a complete assembly. Only change needed was the filler hoses, and I pulled them from the donor vehicle.

Bruce

 

[Lostranger]

I'd love to see photos of your process.

 

[75gmck25]

I have a picture of the truck after the swap, but nothing while in progress.

We drove our truck to the pick and pull where they had a complete bed assembly ('81 I believe) still on the truck. I spent about an hour laying under the bed in the muck and unbolting it and disconnecting the lights and gas tank hoses, and then went out into the parking lot and did the same to my truck. I also removed the metal fuel fillers and the rubber hoses connected to the tanks.

The yard guy lifted the bed off with a forklift that had long forks, and drove it right out to the parking lot. He then lifted my bed off and put the new one in place. We jostled it around until the bolt holes lined up, and bolted it back on the truck. I pulled the light housings and harnesses off mine, since they were in better condition, and just plugged them back in. I think I drove it home before we reconnected the fuel fillers.

I no longer have the correct '75 tailgate design (in my year the GMC logo should be centered), and have fuel filler doors instead of just holes in the bed. The hinges for the tailgate are also different, but not obvious when its closed. However, IIRC they only charged me about $150 for the complete assembly.

Getting the bed bolts off can be tough, since the recessed square section under the head is supposed to hold it while you unbolt it underneath. For stubborn bolts, I was able to sometimes clamp a vice grip on top and use a section of pipe for leverage to hold it.

Bruce