windryder

Has anyone swapped cabs on 80's c/k Trucks? I have a 1989 R3500 chev. truck that has a rotted out cab. What I'm thinking of doing is to take the cab from a 1982 Chev. Silverado diesel that is in very good shape and swap with the 1989 R! I will use the front clip of the 1982 also.
These trucks seem to be the same basic design,with only slight changes. Will the 82 cab bolt to the 89 frame with out major headaches/
I have swapped cabs several times before, but they were closer in age. I know that gauge cluster,maybe wiring harness,radiator,etc will be swapped also.
By measuring and pulling hair out they seem to be the same! Any hints or info will be greatly appreciated.. Thanks Jim

jveik

i know they discontinued the body style after 87, but like you sed, its a one ton, which went into the nineties didnt it? if so, i have seen people use a cab from, say, a 74 and put a more boxy mid-eighties front clip on it, so if that was compatable, yours should work as well... people use eighties boxes on seventies trucks all the time in order to get a fuel door instead of the fuel cap being right on the side... it looks original to anyone that doesnt know any better lol... it should work great...

churbo

I have a 90 Chev 1 ton and replaced the cab with from an 86 silverado. Your 82 cab will mount right up. on the 1 tons I am sure they will match up to 92

GOLIATHGMC

This is one that GM did right.
The "square" body trucks are all basically the same from 1973 - 1987. In 1988, the 1/2 ton (1500) & 3/4 ton (2500) PICKUPS ONLY changed to the next style body. Blazers, Suburbans & 1 ton (3500) pickups continued with the square body thru 1991. For model year 1992, they all moved to the next style body.
That being said, you can feel safe that the swap you are contemplating will work.
I am currently swapping a 1989 Crew Cab shell to replace my rusted to the bone factory 1985 Crew Cab.

windryder

Thanks for the replys! I'm just about finished with the swap.
The cab fit like a glove.I had to cut the transmission hump for the 4 speed transmission. Iinstalled my old pedal assembly, and changed out the wiring harness and computer. I still have to find room for the computer under the dash.The 89 cab has a indention and bracket for the computer that the 82 cab doesn't have.The heater lever hits the computer if I mount it in same place as 89.I also used the 89 steering column because of the wiring.Thanks again,and thanks for this forum!!!! Jim