Cab swap - 86 cab - 76 1 ton frame

[guttyy]

I'm putting an 86 cab on a 76 1 ton frame - which body bushing kit should I use - the one for the 86 or the one for the 76 ? Everybody that sells them lists different part numbers, but does not show enough detail to see what the differrence is. I am using the cab from an 86 and the doghouse is from an 84 Burb. Thanks for your help.:huh

[79D604SPD]

I think the mounting locations and the size of the mounting holes on the frames throughout all the years is the same, but the distance between the rear bushing(next to the front of the bed) and the frame crossmember must change because the rear bushings are very different from my 79 K20 truck(are much taller, look like 3 stacked regular bushings) to my 82 C20 truck (one bushing). But I think the frame crossmember is the same on them so maybe something is different on the cabs built in the 80s. The bushings from the 80s also have different top and bottom bushing pieces with larger holes for the front 4 bushings. I would maybe go with a kit for an 80s truck if you went with a kit. But through LMC truck you can order bushings and bushing parts individually if you needed to or ran into problems. Their 73-87 catalog(p/n cc.33) has a pretty good view of both styles of trucks.
And just in my own opinion and from my own experience, I prefer rubber body bushings to polyurethane ones. I put a set of polys on my C20 and it seemed like I could feel more vibration and bumps because polyurethane is stiffer than rubber. It rides rough enough as it is. Rubber may not last as long under severe abuse, but has held up fine with moderate 4-wheeling in my 79 K20. Other than that, polyurethane bushings I think, work great in suspension or steering applications. I hope this helps.
:cool:

[guttyy]

Thanks for the tips 79D604SPD - what you say makes sense - the bushings should fit the cab - not the frame. You answered my main question - which was is the frame the same, or is the cab the same. Looks like the frame is the same, subtle differences in the cab. Thanks for your help - guttyy

[dfisher87k20]

Just to add my opinion, sorry if it is late. I had the same question but did not ask it 3 months ago. I installed an 87 cab on my 76 chassis. After long consideration and reviewing of my LMC catalog, I installed the full 76 kit. It worked great. Just be sure to save your old sleeves from the body mounts. My poly kit that I ordered from JC whitney did not come with them.