Cab swap?

[79K15 HIghSierra]

Wanting to get a new cab for my 79 k15, mines a bit rusty. Problem is, all I can find used around me are 81-87 cabs. Would that have significant issues with swapping? Thanks! also mine is 4 speed floor shifter so I’m planning on having to make that mod unless I can find a manual trans cab.

 

[jjester6000]

Wanting to get a new cab for my 79 k15, mines a bit rusty. Problem is, all I can find used around me are 81-87 cabs. Would that have significant issues with swapping? Thanks! also mine is 4 speed floor shifter so I’m planning on having to make that mod unless I can find a manual trans cab.

It should pretty much bolt right up to the body mounts, and doors but you might have to drill a couple of holes and stuff to mount the dash, pedals, and maybe the fenders, but many have done the swap in the past.
(I've never done the swap myself, but I assume that any differences can be taken care of pretty easilly)

I'd just cut the trans tunnel out of your old cab and weld, screw, or rivet it in place in then new cab to make it all work.

 

[SDJunkMan]

I think putting a early clip on a late cab is ok, harder to go the other way because of the hood hinges. Everything else should be a direct fit (I hope so, cause I plan to put a late cab on my 80).

 

[bucket]

The cabs are basically the same. There will be extra holes leftover in the upper cowl panel from the hood hinges and seals. The top bolt holes on the fenders will need opened up some because the bolt holes are slightly more inboard on the newer cabs. New bolt holes will need drilled for the wiper posts. There will be speaker openings on the dash corners where dash pad clips are supposed to go. '84-up cabs will not have the opening in the dash for the wiper switch and the headlight switch will be in a different location because of that.

There's probably a couple more minor details I'm forgetting.

 

[Turbo4whl]

It will work. Need the wiper drive from the round eye. The mounts are longer on the newer front. The top of the fenders on the cab mount don't sit perfect, but they are close. Like @bucket stated, slight mod needed.

Save your floor trans cover. You will need a piece of the floor behind it as well if the cab you get is from a 2 wheel drive. Cut the floor before you attempt to set the cab on the frame.

 

[79K15 HIghSierra]

All this is such great info thank you guys!

 

[Turbo4whl]

Depending on the years swapped you may need the taller rear body mounts too.

 

[bucket]

Depending on the years swapped you may need the taller rear body mounts too.

Wasn't that just '73-'74?

 

[Turbo4whl]

Wasn't that just '73-'74?

You are probably correct. I swapped '81 cab to a '74.

 

[Ken B]

Good Information, I just bought a donor vehicle for just such a swap.