87 front clip conversion
 

Hi All,

Its been a while since I’ve been on the board. I got a question for you Mod kings.
I’m thinking if replacing the front clip of my 87 GMC with an 88 clip. Parts seem to be getting hard for fine for this model, it always 88 and up in the truck mags. I’ve never seen this nor attempted it yet, but just what parts are replaced? Hood, fenders( inner ), grill and clip for the head lights, what else?

I had an online conversation with BigArms awhile back, but forgot most of it. I just remember he did it to he’s 87. I’m sure there was a significant change from the GM factory from 87 to 88, just trying to cover all bases. I’m pretty sure it can be done.

Any other thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated. Oh one last thing, how much would one expect to pay for all the clip parts at a junkyard? (How much did you pay?):(

JTM

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

If by '88 you mean '89-91 Suburban and Blazer ('88 still looked like the '87)then you need the core support, harness, grill, headlight bezells, and headlights. Probably a few more smaller pieces.
The inner and outer fenders and hood are the same.
Its only really about a dozen and a half or so bolts - 5 or 6 on eash side to the outer fenders, 3-4 to the front edge of the inner fenders and 2 big ones to the frame horns.
The harness I think is the bigger issue, I haven't installed mine yet. The way the fuse block comes apart is different but I am not sure when it changed. On an '87 you might be lucky and it will bolt right to your fuse block, but I wouldn't count on it. Other than that I guess its a whole lot of cutting and splicing. Tedious but not difficult.

I paid 200 for mine but the same guy about a month later (he parts lots of 'burbs) was offering a complete front clip (inner and out fenders, hood, core support, grill, etc) for $250.
Expect to pay a lot more than that at a wrecking yard. Look for someone parting a 'burb or it might even be worth your while to buy a complete one with a dead engine or tranny. Locally I've seen them go for anywhere from (asking price) $500-$1500.
The guy I bought mine from said he won't pay over $500 for a complete and he has had three or four go through his yard since the spring.
If you only need the grill parts then you might be able to part it a bit and make a little of your money back. If given a choice between a dead engine and a dead tranny I would take the dead tranny. Its harder to show someone the tranny is still god with a dead engine than the other way a around. Also, an engine is a little more universal in its application than a tranny and it should be fuel injected (TBI).

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

I was thinking the same thing, but I believe he means 88-98 c/k style. I have seen it in mags and pics, but not in person. It looks great, but also looks like a lot of work to do it right and make it look like it was supposed to be there from the factory. Good luck and put some pics up.
BTW, a editors k5 in the latest 4wor mag is the most recent 1 I have seen.

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

There is a full writeup on going to the 89-91 Burb/Blazer grille here with the part numbers you are wanting...
http://chevy.off-road.com/chevy/arti....jsp?id=275128

Re: 87 front clip conversion to 88-98
 

Thanks felleas, but let me ask the right question so that I get the right answers.
1. Can the 88-98 model truck,blazer,or burd front end (fenders hood, grill, inside clip for the lights and radiator mount replace theses parts for a 87 GMC/Chevy?
2. If so, is it a complete bolt-up or is welding or mods involved?

Isn’t the hood and the front end a little more pointed on the 88 and up than the 87? Forgive me for the lack of knowledge of part terms. I’m talking more then just replacing the grill and lights.

JTM

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

Thanks Captkaos, I just got the site to come up after my sec post. This might be the route I'm looking for. I guess my questions can be disregarded; unless someone wants to answer them for knowledge sake. Best to keep it simple.

JTM

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

You question is crossing bodystyles so there isn't a yes or no question. This may help.

Can a 88-91 Suburban, Blazer or Jimmy R10 or V10 front end be swapped to a 81-87 C10 or R10 pickup?
Yes, you only need everything bolted between the front fenders. The hood, fenders and inner fenders are identical.

Can a 88-98 C1500 or K1500 front end be swapped to a 81-87 C10 or R10 pickup?
No. It could with some SERIOUS bodywork and fabrication skills (like 100's of hours). PLUS NONE of the bodylines will line up.

History lesson to hopefully help understanding.
In 1988 the NEW bodystyle of 1/2Ton pickups came out with a completely new design. ONLY 1/2 Tons were availible in this bodystyle.

The OLD R/V series that are actually Identical to the 81-87's were still used until 1991 for Blazers, Jimmy's, Suburbans and ALL 3/4T -up bodies.

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

captkaos, don't forget the light 3/4 ton, it followed the switch with new style in 88.
And I might be wrong, but weren't the new body available on 3/4-1 ton in 89 or 90 alongside the old bodystyle?

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

HOWEVER, if you would like the 88-98 (truck) front end and are ok with the idea of fiberglass there are some conversions out there.

http://www.hannemannfiberglass.com/

http://www.glassworksunlimited.com/shop/home.php?cat=9

There are more out there.. but those are the two companies that came to might that should/used to have them.

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

I could be wrong but I thought the only 3/4 and 1 tons that kept the old body through '91 were the crew cabs?

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

On the hanneman site they listed fenders and hoods for conversion but they don't have pictures. I would be interested to see the how the body lines work.

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

I will state for the record i got seat belts out of a 1990 gmc 1 ton with rear wheels it was the rv searies and i thought it was older because it was like a 88 to 91 burb front end. inside it was exactly the same! I am pretty sure he was wanting to out a C/K style nose on his c truck whic i thinkl would be way to much work! if you like that style alot go and buy one as they are getting cheap1 but your best bet is the 88 to 91 burb front end. or find a good front clip from a wrecked one

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

I was going to list those prerunner but I figured... nah..

This is the frontend conversion pic from Hannemann Fiberglass.
http://mkparker.com/goose/white74frt.jpg
http://mkparker.com/goose/Copyofwhite74.jpg
http://mkparker.com/goose/White_Blazer.jpg

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

Those are the exact pics I was going to post before I saw your post...

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

here, check out this link, its goes by the conversion step by step with pictures
http://www.geocities.com/abetterchem...rillchnge.html

i dont know man...i dont personally like the 88-98 front end on our trucks...that fiberglass set up, the fenders look like there pointing downward in the front or sumfin:crazy:

i personally love the 89-91 front ends on a lowered 2wd truck:metal:

jonnytechmech, dont sweat it, the conversion is a piece of cake, if you get a complete rad support, it just bolts right up...its that simple...all ya got to do that might be considered a "little bit" complicated is splicing into your existing wiring....but thats easy peezy too

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

Thanks BigArmzz, I probably should have PM’d ya, but at least it made for an interesting thread that others could learn from. Now ^….That’s what I’m talking about !!!!!! Not trying to be a total copycat; that’s a hard act to follow anyhow. I didn’t realize that all I was really looking for was an 89-91 front end. I thought it would be more to it like a hood, fender, front end, etc.

:agree: I am too… sold on the 89-91 front ends. I didn’t have to give it thought when I went to replace two headlights and the anchors for the adjustment broke, and then the GM dealer ran out of parts for the 87 stock headlight assembly. Long –short it’s time to change out my tired a$$ 87 stock front end; along with the engine.

Thanks to everyone for there comments and help.

JTM.

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

i friend of mine has the 91 gmc jimmy grille and it looks awsome! Its basically the same as the newer body style one but flat. he also has a new style 88 gmc and sitting side by side they look almost the same even though the body style is completly different.

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

I will be swapping the front cap from my partsmobile 89 k5 onto my 87 soon. They are getting harder to find every day. Glad I got mine.

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

Chris, I thought it was Blazers, Jimmys, Burbs, and crew cabs?? As far as I know, you could get a NBS 3/4 or 1 ton truck back in '88...but not an creb cab in the new body style.

Re: 87 front clip conversion
 

Missed your post...but I think you are right.