I used to be a body tech

My 75 tub is beyond realistic repair. I have not been able to locate a good tub for decent money. I did find a 76 locally that is complete with no title for 1200. I'm holding off buying because of our new best top top. Can I swap the windshields to make this work, or is their more to it? I'm not worried about relocating mounting points and such.

Thanks gentleman.

 

The main difference is the floors, due to the completely redesigned frame for '76. The dimensions of the cowl are not changed. You should be able to put the older windshield on the newer body - the reverse works fine with a little hole realignment. But I don't know of anyone that has actually done it. The newer windshields are more plentiful, and that's usually the main issue.

I would consider making it a '76. The two main liabilities you get with a '76 vs a '75 are the weak rear axle (the AMC 20) and the boxed frame of the '76 tends to rust out. If the frame is ok, you can use the earlier axles if you relocate the pads on the axle.

Do you have a six or V8? If you have a six, the T-150 transmission from a '76 will be an upgrade from the factory T-14. But with a V8, the '75 has the stronger T-15 already.

If you swap the '76 body onto the '75 chassis, realize that the floors, firewall and wheel houses are different - only the exterior sheet metal is the same.

 

timgr...

that's good to know... how hard is it to drop a 76 tub on a 75 frame with the differences you mentioned?

 

Good question. Anybody done it? It's been discussed, and I thought that someone had done it. But you would at a minimum need to move the hat channels around and adjust the mount heights.

 

I believe your 75 windshield can be adapted to fit the 76 body................there are difference's in mount and hold downs but the difference in windshield angle at the cowl ...........may leave some interesting challenges to get your 75 Best Top and doors to fit correctly.........Pretty common using the 76 windshield , top and doors on the earlier 75..........but going back the way might be interesting?

 

well... i guess i may be one of the 1st to do it then... thats where im at... 76 tub on a 75 frame... glad my lovely bride is teaching me the importance of patience...

if i HAVE to... totally HAVE to... i'll get a new frame... gotta be easier to find than scrapping my tub for more garBAje...

thanks timgr

OK... just got back in from the garage... no dice... NONE of the holes line up at all btwn the 75 frame and the 76 tub... other conflicts as well... bellcrank etc... looks like i'll be shopping for a new frame, starting tomorrow

chainsawguy

my apologies for hi-jacking this thread

 

you might have to expand your craig's list search to surrounding states to find what you want. the extra distance traveled might get you a better deal. you never know.

 

true THAT!