Cab swap Questions

[Ken B]

I am getting close to removing my rusted out cab off my 81c10. Steering and engine wiring harness I think all that remain. Any suggestions/ advice to disconnecting the steering? I Need the steering column to go into the donor cab....

 

[75Monza]

Pretty easy, I would disconnect the steering shaft first, a lot easier to pull through without it connected. I remove the firewall bolts first, then the column cradle bolts, then the wiring. To each his own, lol.

 

[Powerhouse Ranch]

i know this is unrelated but keep in mind the floor humps (4 wheel drive, manual transmission) compared to 2wd automatic. You may need to cut holes or patch holes, depending on what you got

 

[Ken B]

thanks. i got a k10 cab going on to a non 4 wheel drive . so yes i will have holes to fill in the hump, wish there were bolt on metal covers i could grab....
I got the shaft bolt out. gotta get the other bolts loose.
If you study it for a bit you can figure alot on these trucks.

 

[Powerhouse Ranch]

i mean you could cut out a floor hump of a 2wd junkyard cab or something if you can find it, bolt that down or weld it, depending on how much you wanna do

 

[75Monza]

I'm doing the reverse, '89 c30 cab onto '80 K30. Cut the center section around the K30 hump and cover and welding it into the C30 cab since it's a solid hump. Dash, wiring and cluster from 80 fit right in the 89...difference is the wiper switch. 80 has it in dash above headlight switch, 89 area blanked because switch is in the column.

 

[RoryH19]

I've thought about a cab swap or just do a lot of metal work on my k10.
Depends if I can find a good one without spending a fortune.

What are you doing about the VIN numbers?

73-80 (IIRC) is by the door jam, 81+ is by the windshield.

 

[Ken B]

i found a k10 rust free from florida, i am taking the engine and cab. gonna sell the rest. recoup some $$ from buying the whole truck

 

[75Monza]

Think '79-'87 vin is in the windshield cowl...my '80 same spot as '89.

 

[Ken B]

I have them both registered, then there are some forms for BMV that I will have to submit to "change the VIN".

 

[RoryH19]

I figured there would be some "official" way to change the cab instead of just swapping vin tags.

 

[eskimomann209]

I figured there would be some "official" way to change the cab instead of just swapping vin tags.

That would depend on the state. Out her in commifornia you need to present both sets of paperwork to the dmv. Typically the registration out here follows the frame. The vin will be changed on the paperwork to match the new cab to the new frame.
then the other should be destroyed or submitted as wrecked.
Few ways to skin this cat. Easiest way, swap em, keep your mouth shut and only you and the people that helped you haul metal around know.

 

[bucket]

If you don't mind a little drilling and welding, you can put your original dash into the replacement cab. Then you have a little more 'heritage' preserved and you don't have to do anything with the VIN's.

With the windshield removed, you can see the spot welds that fasten the dash panel to the cowl. The lower corners simply bolt to the interior of the cab.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I've thought about a cab swap or just do a lot of metal work on my k10.
Depends if I can find a good one without spending a fortune.

What are you doing about the VIN numbers?

73-80 (IIRC) is by the door jam, 81+ is by the windshield.

78 or 79. my 1980 has windshield but the 81 vin is longer

 

[Ricko1966]

In Kansas it's a felony to swap the VIN tags. You can go to the Highway Patrol with some forms and money etc and they will renumber your cab. As for me I've never messed with the VINs but on those 2or3 occasions that I didn't do it I swapped dashes.