78 body and 72 body compatibility ?

[SFROMAN]

My 78 pig has some rough areas. I am currently trying to purchase a 72 body from another mud member.
I want to use the roof and all the pillars from the 72 as well as rear quarter panels. Also I want to use the 72 floor boards up patch mine.

I know there are subtle differences like tail lights and I think some doors are different I think.

Ideally I would just have the 72 body completely restored then put it on my 78 but again I know there are differences and I would really like to salvage what I already have.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I plan to start a build thread and do a proper intro tonight when I get off work.

 

[Gonzo55]

I used a 76 body on my 74 frame. I cut the funky tail light sheet metal off the 76 ( sorry guys) and welded in my 74 sheet metal for tail lights. Everything matched up cool .The only advise I have is keep the pillars and roof intact with the body you choose, cutting and transplanting them is an art and the end result could mean a f*** up body lines and one mother of a leaker during the wet season not to mention fitting glass properly .

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

I know FOR SURE that the front 2 sets of body mounts will work; don't know about the back 2 sets...there are differences in some of the sheetmetal parts, so not every piece will swap from one to the other, but many of them will. I am fairly sure that the rear body mounts will also work- I don't think there is a diff in frames, just body parts/panels. HTH


edit: pillars are the same, and doors are the same- the window components are different. the roof will swap. you will have less work swapping bodies completely if the 72 is in ok shape. the 72s tail light are cooler BTW, but the wing windows are expensive to seal. that will be the hardest part to figure thru- the 78 has rounded upper leading corners on the front door window frame; might go a full body swap, and source some 74-76 front doors as they have the same profile as the 72 doors sans wing window.....again HTH

 

[Gumby]

I have a 73 body on a 78 frame. I know that part works.

 

[PabloCruise]

That '78 body is cool with the rare tail lights...