Pickup cab and frame questions

[K588]

I'm building my Dad a truck from parts I have, I just want to make sure what I have is going to all go together. I have a rust free 2wd 1985 pickup cab. I finally found a good 8' bed 4x4 frame, it's an early one not sure of the year it has the rounded front frame horns it was advertised as a 73-87.

Will this cab and frame go together? Mount holes etc line up? Truck is getting a flat bed it's what my dad wants. So my main concern is the cab and frame working.

I know the trans hump is different being a 2wd cab. I was going to use the 1" lift body mounts or worse case put in a new tunnel.

The drivetrain components are an '88 350/700r4/208 and a rebuilt set of D44/14B 3/4T axles. From a '75 IIRC.

Anything else I should look out for with this combination of parts?

Thanks for any help.

 

[nvrenuf]

It should work fine. The only issue I can think of is the frame horns dictate the bumper style so if you want to use the factory style for the 85 cab you'll likely have to do some fab work.

The rounded frame horns are 73-80, the body mounts on the frame (specifically the holes for the bushings) are different 81+ so use body bushings for the frame year not the body.

Is the frame a 1/2 -3/4 ton or a 1 ton? If 1 ton, some of the rear suspension brackets are workable but different.

Get the trans crossmember that came with your 700/208, they can be different shapes depending on year (up to '84, '85+) but they'll both bolt to the frame. You will have to redrill the frame though since the 700 trans was introduced after '80.

 

[sweetk30]

use the 73-80 cab bushing mount kit . as your frame is rounded front horns . cab dont care the year of the frame just the mounts to frame are specific . the cab is also 73-80 or 81-91 for the front nose unless you mod the cab for 73-80 front end .

i currently have a 2wd low hump cab on a no body lift k30 frame with th400/203/205 doubler and it dont hit other than were i have yet to cut the hole for the tripple stick shifter setup to come threw the floor .

now your 208/241 shifter will prob need the 4wd tall hump to work . but might work with out the mod i am not sure .

otherwise bolt it up and have fun .

 

[6872xtc]

From what I understand, you should use the mounts which match the frame, and the cab will go on fine. I have never actually done it to a truck, though.
The rounded front frame is an '80 and older. The '81 and up has an angle cut, as you probably know.
I did put a '90 K5 on a '79 frame and all worked out.

 

[K588]

Thanks for the info!

How could I tell what the frame is from 1/2,3/4-1T?

I have the crossmember for the trans, should this frame have a rear cab crossmember or is it the 2 body mount looking mounts on inside of the frame?

I have an aftermarket Ramsey bumper/winch I bought from a member here it looks like it will work.

I'm guessing the mounts for the core support are the same for a years correct?

 

[sweetk30]

whole body fits both frames for a truck . just use the body mount style for the frame .

and not much different 1/2 to 3/4 for the most part i recall . but 1 ton the rear shocks are inboard of the frame and the whole frame from firewall back is 2" taller / deeper .

 

[K588]

It's a 1/2,3/4t frame has the mounts outside thanks.

So the rear cab mounts on the 73-80 frames is the 2 inboard mounts on each side , there is not a crossmember that goes from one frame rail to the other like on the later frames?

 

[sweetk30]

some frames got full cross member some just got 2 ears .

my crew cab frame i cut down had 2 ears for the rear . but i was able to direct swap in a c-10 2wd cab crossmember 1 piece unit .

 

[K588]

Gotcha, I guess if its similar to the one on my '89 crew cab it looks like I can mount it without the piece that goes between the frame rails.

Or should I be hitting the junk yards, I'm guessing that isnt a reproduced or available piece.

 

[sweetk30]

i did the swap cause i just wanted it in there for a good beefy work truck build point .

 

[skunked]

Or should I be hitting the junk yards, I'm guessing that isnt a reproduced or available piece.

You can tie them together with a piece of square tube pretty easily.