73-80 Cab Trim on 81-87 Cab

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Joshua Keith

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It appears that 73-80 cabs are identical to 81-87 but I honestly have no clue. So my question is will the 73-80 rear cab trim/band fit on an 81-87 cab with no issues. I really like the look of the older trim with the black striping on it. It matches the fender trim much better.
 
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Goldie Driver

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I would imagine the lower trim would work fine and that around the fenders.

Obviously the upper trim won't work,and I am having a difficult time visualizing what only the lower striped trim would look like apposed to the normal "slope nose" wider trim.

Might be cool, though!
 
Powerhouse Ranch

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cab should be great, front fenders will be minorly different (keep the 70s front clip if possible)
 
Powerhouse Ranch

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Joshua Keith said:
you’re talking about the trim below the rear window correct?
Click to expand...

excellent question. I was talking about all side trim, but i also BELIEVE (don't hold me to it) that that'll include the rear window band/trim. I THINK. ill have to look at my cabs tonight for comparison, i'll get a confirmation for you soon dude

BUT
Something else you should know, if you're swapping from like a early to mid 70s cab and getting an 80s, the doors change too, on the interior that is. your early 70s door panels will fit but don't cover all of the holes on the 80s door
 
Joshua Keith

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Powerhouse Ranch said:
excellent question. I was talking about all side trim, but i also BELIEVE (don't hold me to it) that that'll include the rear window band/trim. I THINK. ill have to look at my cabs tonight for comparison, i'll get a confirmation for you soon dude
Click to expand...

Yeah, I wasn’t very clear in what trim I was talking about. My bad. Thanks tho. I haven’t seen much talk about the trim swap online at all. I would think there’d be more questions about it
 
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So, the desire is to use the 70's cab band on an 80's cab?

Should work fine. I don't know if the little welded studs are in the same place for the clips, but if not, you simply grind them off and attach the clips with #8 screws.
 
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Joshua Keith said:
Yeah, I wasn’t very clear in what trim I was talking about. My bad. Thanks tho. I haven’t seen much talk about the trim swap online at all. I would think there’d be more questions about it
Click to expand...

confirmed, rear band will work
 
80BrownK10

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Joshua Keith said:
It appears that 73-80 cabs are identical to 81-87 but I honestly have no clue. So my question is will the 73-80 rear cab trim/band fit on an 81-87 cab with no issues. I really like the look of the older trim with the black striping on it. It matches the fender trim much better.
Click to expand...
Front fender on the early cabs matches the moulding. It doesn't the 81 up cab. Look at the two. Early ersions bouble out as I call it the later ones return to the front at an angle. Look around the front Park light, verticle vs horizontal.

I'm sure the other guys who have posted already that I haven't read have said the same thing.
 
gogo14910

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Joshua Keith said:
Awesome! Tha
Click to expand...
Powerhouse Ranch said:
confirmed, rear band will work
Click to expand...
So, I got the band and corners off a ‘79. I have an ‘87. I need the mounting clips. I understand that maybe the older band is wider? There are 2 different style clips. Which do i get? Specific of the band (‘79) or specific for the truck (‘87)? If the band is wider, then the clips would be A touch taller, and may mount differently. Has anyone completed it yet?
 
Joshua Keith

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@gogo14910 After doing more research, I’ve found out that the 73-80 band will not fit on an 81-87 cab without modification. Each clip that holds the band are attached to the cab by 2 studs. The studs on 73-81 cabs are farther apart which require a completely different set of clips. Bigger clips for wider 73-80 band.
So to answer your question. You will need the wider clips but will have to modify your cab to accept them.

Fast forward to 21:20 in this video and you’ll see that you have to drill out the new clip holes. Then you’ll have to install specific screws that will hold the clip. I would probably use some rtv on each screw to help seal the hole.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Here are the clips. 2$ a pc

1973-80 Cab Back Panel Molding

Shop from thousands of parts and accessories to help you restore, maintain, and customize your Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge or Ford truck or SUV. Keep 'em on the road with the right part, right price, right now.
www.lmctruck.com www.lmctruck.com
 
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gogo14910

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Joshua Keith said:
@gogo14910 After doing more research, I’ve found out that the 73-80 band will not fit on an 81-87 cab without modification. Each clip that holds the band are attached to the cab by 2 studs. The studs on 73-81 cabs are farther apart which require a completely different set of clips. Bigger clips for wider 73-80 band.
So to answer your question. You will need the wider clips but will have to modify your cab to accept them.

Fast forward to 21:20 in this video and you’ll see that you have to drill out the new clip holes. Then you’ll have to install specific screws that will hold the clip. I would probably use some rtv on each screw to help seal the hole.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Here are the clips. 2$ a pc

1973-80 Cab Back Panel Molding

Shop from thousands of parts and accessories to help you restore, maintain, and customize your Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge or Ford truck or SUV. Keep 'em on the road with the right part, right price, right now.
www.lmctruck.com www.lmctruck.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for the video. My truck is has the studs already on the body. I’m going to buy the older, wider clips and hope the stud holes are in the same place so the clips fit on. If so, everything will button up tight. If not, it was a $15 miss for the clips and I’ll find the correct year. Great thread, thanks!
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Joshua Keith

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@gogo14910 I dont think they’ll line up. You may be able to modify the larger clip to fit your cab.

Here’s the 73-80 clip

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Vs 81-87 clip

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