71 cab on 79 frame
 

Seen several posts talking about the differences and wanted to share a little. Let me start by saying I'm at the point of no return. Lol. Ibam putting my 71 cab on my 79 frame. Due to the work that was already done to the frame, im sticking with it. Currently the bed is still factory mounted, and will be removed at some point. The cab I removed yesterday and set down in the newer frame.

The front cab bolts are about an inch too far outboard. So I cut new holes for the 71 to set down. The back as some already know will require notching. In pics I will attach (struggled last time) the end result is the front cab mounts loosely bolted, and the rear of the can resting on the frame. Next step is checking how much notching I will have to do to get the cab to set down.

The original 78 mounts are inboard and have been removed. I took those mounts, shortened them almost 3", and drilled new holes for the mounts into them so I can weld them outboard once it sits down.

To back up my reasoning, my 71 was a long bed fleet side, and I wanted a shortbed stepside. My buddy had one that the cab was rusted clean out. Much worse then my 71.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Pics of the move and the cab resting on the frame rail

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Pic of the cab resting on the cab mount bolts prior to drilling the front mounts out. Still resting on the rear frame rails.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Looks good so far to me, a lot of work but as I always say my labor is free for my own interest's.:chevy:

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Agreed. Its already gonna be custom, but based on findings and the requirements to make it fit, there may be a lot more that goes with it.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Iron Station HUH! I graduated from East Lincoln in 78.
We lived on lake in Denver of the East.:chevy::chevy:

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Heck yeah man. My wife graduated from east. Lol. Small world! I grew up in this area.

Bout to do some work on the truck I hope to post some positive updates soon!

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Waiting for batteries to charge really sucks. But this gives me a min. To update. Basically, what imma try to do is notch along the frame rail cutting about a 3.25" wide. notch from the back of the cab 25" into the floor (from back of cab to front). This would make the notch end just short of the front of the seat.

The frame rail measured about 11" from the bottom to the top. (Flat frame vs the raised frame on the newer model)

Sorry for the upside down/fuzzy/blurry pics (haven't figured out how to hold the phone for them to be 100%). The 25" might be closer to 26. I plan to cut short and add as needed.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Battery charging round 2. Measuring 6.5" from the back of the bottom of the cab (between bed and cab). About 4.5" from the floor.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Original rear can mounts from the 79 while we wait compared to the after modification. Also comparing the og 71 mounts.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

:metal::metal::metal::metal:

Making good progress. :chevy:

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Cab sits level based on measurements! Pretty happy with how it turned out so far. Currentlybcab is resting on Jack stands in the rear.

Celebratory steak and beers!

Better pics tomorrow as weather permits.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Thanks for sharing Interesting project
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Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Figured I'd try to share, seems a lot of ppl convert the 4x4 version but give up on 2wd.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Sitting on all 4 corners. The mounts sit lower so I had to cut about an inch to inch and a half off the bottom of the mount so they wouldn't jang too much lower then the frame.

Ignore the mess. The bed is holding most of my potential parts.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Good job sir looks good and level also. That bed looks much better than the 90's bed on these.:chevy:

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

I cant stand seeing 90s beds on the old square bodies and older! It really looks pretty good. The other issue that might come up will be the wheel base difference. Right now it looks like its just the bed to cab gap. But we shall see. Ordered some new cab bushings for it, and waiting for some sheet metal to make the tunnels for the floor.

Gotta get my engine from my buddies house so I can plop it down in there as well.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

I agree. The bed on yours looks like it belongs there. Sometimes folks use what they have on hand (earliest hot rodders did this, because they had NO money).
Tell us more about the engine. That intake looks like a GM piece, iron?

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Lol, let's see.

The top end is gm 034 bowtie heads that have been shaved and milled for 2.05 / 1.60 valves with dual valve springs, 7/16 screw in rocker studs, and guide plates. We put in some 1.5 roller tip rockers. The intake is the cast high rise mariner intake port matched to the heads.

The bottom end is the 010 4 bolt main block with a comp 286ah8 cam. Standard bore with standard stroke. Stock crank, with crower rods and Manley pistons. HV oil pump. Double row timing chain. The oil pan is a hamburger 7.5 qt ( i think) oil pan with internal baffles.

Gonna be running the cheapo summit brand long tubes into some 3" "mufflers". Havent decided on the carb yet, probably going with a stock q jet 650 until i decide if imma go turbo or not.

The top end came from dirt track where I think it.ran on a 383, and the bottom end came from a circle track race truck. The sm465 that will be behind it is from an old bread truck. Lol. I drove this truck in high school (graduated in 08) and had a ton of fun with a lot less modification and the stock 3 on the column. I can't wait to get it back on the road again. Its sat for the last 6 years, and hasn't held up very well, but im bringing it back.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Found another engine pic.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

New cab bushings and bolts on the way along with pressure plate bolts. The next updates I predict will probably be a- patching the gas filler hole, b- making the notch tunnels, c- engine/trans tunnel install items, or d- cab bushing install.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Got some parts in today. The inlaws came today so no work done, but the gas filler fits perfectly straight out the mail. Lmc FTW! Can't wait for more parts and time. Smh.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

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Way to stick with it. A lot of these type of projects are abandoned before they get as far as you have. Looking to follow along.

LockDoc.

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Thanks! Unfortunately it had to wait before it really started taking off. Started a family and the usual story. Finding some balance now. I've hurt my back doing 99% of this by myself. Lol, but hopeful ill be on it again tomorrow. Updates to come soon!

Re: 71 cab on 79 frame
 

Those heads resemble the Brodix heads that were used in Nascar, years ago. THe flat areas would have had "Pontiac" on them. I could understand a Chevy enthusiast grinding that off...

Keep after it man! Wacky weather season is here. Got sleet, snow and ice here in Oklahoma.....in October, no less!!!