Dashpad vs Cab years

[Shack]

So the dash pads from 73-80 are different than the pads from 81-87. My question is, is the inside of the cab different. My original cab is an '85 and I found a '73 cab in much better shape. Will my 81-87 dashpad fit in this cab? It's a new pad and I'm building for show so I want it to look right. Just asking before I pull the trigger on the cab.

I can't imagine GM having changed the interior structure but then again, the Chicago Cubs won the world series. Thanks in advance for the help!!

Shack

 

[CSFJ]

I believe the pads will interchange, but GM made some slight changes to the cluster over the years, and am not sure if all the gauge surrounds will work with both pads.

 

[Shack]

Thanks. So far that's the general consensus. How about the pass thru for the steering column? Is that funky somewhat of a triangle hole the same on all years?

 

[CSFJ]

I think so. I just pulled a column from an 87 last week, and it brought back vague memories of the 79 I swapped a tilt into back in high school.

 

[Craig 85]

I changed the dash in my 79 to an 81-87. A couple things are different. The hole for the VIN is not the same. Only half my VIN was visible after the change. I can't recall which part stays visible. The passenger side A/C vents are different, but the 81-87 fits into the older dash no problem. The 73 steel dash has the headlight switch in a different location than 81-87's. The wiper switch was above the headlight switch. You may have to modify the dash.

 

[75gmck25]

The older dash also does not have any cutouts for left and right dash-mounted stereo speakers. Newer trucks had dash stereo speakers as an option, and I assume they have cutouts for the speakers in the dash and in the dash pad.

Bruce

 

[BillyP]

Not to mention, the hood hinges are also different on the older cabs and GM added an extra part to the cabs for the hoods

 

[Shack]

I ended up going with an '84 model cab that I found at a reasonable price so the hinges weren't an issue.