which year cab interchanges

[jstrong394]

Im having to replace the cab on my truck. It is a 84 model. Which years will interchange?

[83GMCK2500]

How direct do you want? Is your wiper control above the headlight switch or on the column, I don't remember if '83 or '84 was the last year for dash mounted... There are small details like those switches that move around a bit.

If it is on the dash, I don't know when it starts but up to '84. If your's is on the column then '84-'88. There may or may not be some bolt-in vs. welded tunnel differences in there as well.

[jstrong394]

wipers are on the column. So basically 84 up?

[old Rusty C10]

they are basically the same cab you can swap anything from 73-87 but you will have some additional work to do the older you go. I believe 84 up is the one with the column wipers.. the 81 up cab can be swapped in and just change the wiring harness over

[79 silverado]

It really repends on what you want to re-use from your old cab, and how much change-over if anything you want to deal with. 1984 was kind of an odd-year for the cabs....

Here is my understanding on the cab differences, with a little bit of grey areas an overlap mixed in.

1973-74 had a smaller windshield wiper switch in the dash

Pre-1976 pickup cabs were lap belts versus shoulder belts, with the shoulder belts becoming an option in 1976, standard equipment in 1977. However, early shoulder belts had a different mounting points of attachment/linkage.

Around 1977 gm changed the anti-corrosion treatment and added extra gaskets, etc to help resist rusting a little better, which is why 76-down trucks are more prone to weird cowl rusting near the hinge pillar among other spots

In 1981 they went to the newer style front clip, with the slots for the hinge arms in the firewall.

I believe that 1983 was the last year of the floor mounted dimmer switch as opposed to column mounted, and the same for the dash mounted wiper switch... I cannot recall which year the dash mounted wiper switch went away for certain.

In 1984 they certainly had the column mounted dimmer switch and wiper switch, and it was the last year for the old style windshield wiper motor that dated back to the 1970s. 85-up used a unique wiper motor with different mounting attachment/linkage.

1987 will be wired up for an ecm due to the fuel injection coming into play.

If you go with a HD R/V series cab off a cab/chassis model from 88-91 you aldo get into other wiring issues, changes in the speedometer type, and a 1.5 Dinn radio opening as opposed to shaft style...

There are other minor things I left out, but, the big question is, how much do you want to swap over, re-use, etc... keep that in mind when selecting a replacement cab as far as how stripped out it is.

[jstrong394]

Would like to keep it as simple as possible. Also plan to re do the wiring hate was with a painless one.

[nekkidhillbilly]

if you have all the parts and just need the metal any would work. i mean you going to have to take most of the interior and all anyway if you plan to paint it and all. best to get a 81 up though so you have places cut for the hood hinges.

[jstrong394]

My cab is trashed.... So I will be completely gutting my cab and painting

[nekkidhillbilly]

then any would work then. all the other stuff is bolt in or out. the only thing is the hood hinges which is why i said 81 up but if you find a clean 80 back its still not a hard deal to make the later clip work.

[willett]

All of the small stuff is easy enough to work around:

Headlight switch location, wiper location, high beam switch etc. that can all be fixed with a little bit of light sheet metal switch.

What you need to worry about is getting an 80's cab. 70's cabs have external hood hinges and it looks like a major PITA to sneak hinge holes into an 80's cab to run an 80's front clip.

If you are running a 4wd and opt for a 2wd cab you are going to have to cut out and re-mount your old tranny hump. It can be bolted in if you leave enough space on the outsides.

[jstrong394]

Alright sounds fairly simple enough and mine is a 2wd

[jstrong394]

Would a c20 cab work?

[Your41Plague12]

Yes it will be identical as long as the tranny hump is the same.

[nekkidhillbilly]

he can use a 4wd hump on a 2wd even

[jstrong394]

Thanks for all the info

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

he can use a 4wd hump on a 2wd even

Not if he wants to keep his carpet

[jstrong394]

If I get new carpet just have to order for a 4wd?

[Evan's 1965]

Originally Posted by jstrong394

If I get new carpet just have to order for a 4wd?

If the cab you get is from a 4x4, yes.

[nekkidhillbilly]

and plug the shifter hole (in the metal not the carpet) but it would work on a 2wd fine.