72 front clip swap??

[bbc]

HI i was wondoring if i can swap my 83 frnt clip and cab to a 72 cab and frnt end? would it be a direct swap or would there have to be some fab work???

 

[Swims350]

tons of fab work 72 is a completely different body style.

Now 73 up to 80 works.

Holes must but cut in the cab for the hood hinges, I've heard some say the front rad. mounts give you troubles, and others say they bolt up perfectly.

Now if you're gonna bolt the 83 front end to an 83 cab then that's works perfectly, as far as bolting them to a 72 frame not sure.

I was thinking at first you meant front clip swap to another cab.

 

[bbc]

i meant i have a 83 right now, and im wanting to have a 72 cab and frnt clip on a 83 frame.

 

[Swims350]

ok not sure if any of the body mounts wil line up or not haven't seen it done I don't think.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Look up Kleedus's build thread, he's doing the same thing now.

 

[Swims350]

his truck body is even older though.

 

[Old77]

HI i was wondoring if i can swap my 83 frnt clip and cab to a 72 cab and frnt end? would it be a direct swap or would there have to be some fab work???

I don't want to be a jerk here but look at the huge difference in body lines between a 72 and an 83 body style truck. Now answer the question of if this is a "direct bolt on" or not. They don't even come close to lining up. Of course, it'd take a TON of work to get the clip of the 83 to look right on any 67-72 body style.

 

[smurph20]

I think the way im reading it is he wants to use the 83 frame and put a 72 cab and front clip on the 83 frame

 

[Old77]

I think the way im reading it is he wants to use the 83 frame and put a 72 cab and front clip on the 83 frame

oohhh...maybe I completely read it wrong then. Always a distinct possibility

 

[Swims350]

you did same as me, he cleared it up for me afterwards, where he said he wants to use a 72 cab and front clip on an 83 frame.

 

[bucket]

I was just wondering about the very same thing last week. I doubt I'd ever do the swap, but I'm still curious.

 

[kleedus]

ok a couple things 63 to 72 chevy trucks use almost the same frame the rear cab mounts are the only differnce as far as body mounts.
the front frame horn for bumper mounting is different and in 67 they changed the frame for a power steering box other then that same frame.
i also own a 71 c10. lots of experiance with 60 to 72 chevy trucks other than these trucks they are my favorite body styles not much i don't know about them.

i have a 63 that i swapped to a 72 frame and a 63 that i am putting on a 68 frame.

and my mud truck witch is a 64 on a 87 frame
the 87 has a longer wheel base then a 63 to 72 truck does. but mine is lifted and runs 44'' tires so i don't care if the wheels are in the right place.


i cut the 64 cab mounts off the 64 frame and fit them to the 87 frame that worked good. mine are set back to give more room at the fire wall for a big block.

the core support mounts do not line up. and the bed sits on the frame ok probally just drill new holes for it.

the biggest problem if you want it to look right will be wheel base. you can move the rear spring mounts forward to shorten the wheel base or cut and shorten the frame.

63 to 72 short box 115'' wheel base
73 to 87 short box 117.5'' wheel base


you can do it with minimal fabrication but it is alot of work.

 

[Trinidad 83]

Glws

 

[Old77]

Glws

Where I'm from GLWS = good luck with sale and I don't think this is a for sale thread

 

[Swims350]

good luck with the swap?