Newby, 1981 C20 cab on 1980 C10 frame

[BCorky]

Hello Team, Newby here. I am helping my 85 year old father in law restore a 1980 c10 4x4 truck he bought for his son back in the day. It is a 250 six with 4 speed. On the 80, the cab and front clip were toast. We bought an 81 donor truck to get the cab thinking that the cabs would easily interchange and we could use the front clip for a 1980? We would like for the truck to look like a 1980. So, can this swap be done? That is using the 81 cab on the 80 frame with the 80 front clip? If so, anyone got a how to and perhaps a parts list of what is needed? I realize this is a big ask from someone who has not contributed to the forum, but here we are. I would love to see a video of this swap if anyone has seen one someplace? Thanks in advance for any help. Best, B.

 

[animal]

 

[ali_c20]

Welcome from Austria.
It can be done but you need 73-80 fenders and radiator support for the grill and headlights to fit.
73 - 80 was the first style with the round headlights, 81 - 87 with the rectangular headlights.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_C/K_(third_generation)

This thread has some good pictures:

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=30893.0

Search function came up with this:

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/front-clip-swap.36752/

 

[legopnuematic]

Welcome from Missouri.

 

[BCorky]

Sorry Team, my mistake. It is an 80 K10 getting an 81 C10 cab. Sorry for the confusion, if that matters? Best, B.

 

[Sad Sack]

...from Husker Country!

 

[Keith Seymore]

Sorry Team, my mistake. It is an 80 K10 getting an 81 C10 cab. Sorry for the confusion, if that matters? Best, B.

Could be trouble.

A K10 is a "high hump" floor. A C10 could be high or low hump depending on Transmisson: column shift auto or column shift manual are low hump; floor shifted manual is high hump.

You might be able to put a low hump cab on a K truck but recognize that's not what the factory did and you'd be giving away some floor clearance.

K

 

[Keith Seymore]

The '81 hood hinges and cab cowl are different than the 80 as are the front bumper mounts.

It would be easier to keep the cab and front clip from the same generation.

You really picked the most unfortunate combination of model years, since they fall on the breakpoint between old and new versions.

K

 

[BCorky]

Thank you Kieth. Fortunately the 81 was a 4 Spd truck. It seems like we are headed towards the 81 cab with the 81 hood and likely fenders. Then, we will see if we can fab the 80 rad support that will allow us to use the 80 grill and bumper. fingers crossed. Thanks again to all. I really appreciate your advice and coaching. B.

 

[idahovette]

You need to spell his name correctly.....Keith.......NOT Kieth

 

[BCorky]

Ooops, my bad. Thank you Keith. B.

 

[David King]

Welcome from the FL Panhandle!

 

[JBswth]

Hello Team, Newby here. I am helping my 85 year old father in law restore a 1980 c10 4x4 truck he bought for his son back in the day. It is a 250 six with 4 speed. On the 80, the cab and front clip were toast. We bought an 81 donor truck to get the cab thinking that the cabs would easily interchange and we could use the front clip for a 1980? We would like for the truck to look like a 1980. So, can this swap be done? That is using the 81 cab on the 80 frame with the 80 front clip? If so, anyone got a how to and perhaps a parts list of what is needed? I realize this is a big ask from someone who has not contributed to the forum, but here we are. I would love to see a video of this swap if anyone has seen one someplace? Thanks in advance for any help. Best, B.

Yes, you can put the 1980 front clip on an 81 cab - they are all nearly the same. You will need to use 1980 inner fenders, as the holes will all be in the wrong places if you try to use 81 inner fenders. You will also have to use a 1980 style windshield wiper transmission. The only thing that will be wrong is that you won't have those two bolts that stick up and fit into matching holes in the hood.

J. B.

 

[Mr Clean]