85 to 78 front clip swap
 

im getting ready to begin a 85 to 78 model year front clip swap and i got a few questions.
will the headlight harnesses swap out without modification?
can someone clarify on what needs to be done with the wiper linkage?
i have heard rumurs that the frame needs to be modified to fit the radiator support? is this true or will they just swap out evenly?

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

the 85 has longer shafts on the wiper linkage you need to swap out the linkage for the one from the later year... 85 has either two or four headlights and a 78 has two so they need to be modified if you have the four headlight on there.
On the blazer im not sure about the frame but you need to use the 85 mounting bushings on the core support other than that it should be easy

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

thanks for the help my question bought the harness was this. i have a full 1978 headlight harness and i know it plugs into the back of the fuse box the same as the 85 but are the prongs inside the plug in different locations then they are in the 85?

and thanks for the offer winchster but i also have a scrap 78 which has all the parts i need. btw you cut the roof off that truck?

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

No I didn't. I bought it that way. I'm only using the frame so it didn't really matter to me. I tell you though, whoever did it needs to go back to sheetmetal school. 'Course I'm just a tin bending duct guy, so maybe I'm a little biased, but they did a really bad cut job.

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

yeah im not to great with metal my self but im pretty sure i coulda done better then that even wit a sawzaw

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

so far i have the radiator support and 1 fender mounted and the wiper linkage set up but the radiatior support just dosesnt seem to be ligning up correctly are you sure you have to use the 85 style core support mounts?

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

Please please continue to post on this. I just bought a 78 front clip, to swap onto my '86 k5. The wiring dosnt scare me, Its the wiper parts that I didnt get that worry me

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

Let me know what parts you need and I'll give 'em to ya.

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

You've got a PM

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

If you are who I think you are. Lmao. I replied to your PM. I'm supposed to meet your dad with the clip today. I will pull whatever wiper parts this weekend. We got over a foot of snow last night.

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

u have to use the 78 wiper setup otherwise your wipers wont clear the hood

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

help!! the radiator support does not lign up with the supports mounted to the frame? am i doing something wrong? do i need to cut the supports off the frame and move them up? any info would be greatly appreciated!

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

What body mount bushings are you using. Try switching them out.

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

i did already and both have the same issue and the 78 ones are also too short so i am guessing i am gonna have to relocate the two supports bout and inch forwards

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

uh oh. Let us know, man. That dosnt scare me away, just lets me know to buy a 12-pack, and bring my welding friend over..

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

When I did my swap, I got a set of rad core brackets off a 78 and fit everything up, drilled and bolted it together. Couldn't get the 88 brackets to work. If you need a set let me know. Ive got a set on a old 77 I can cut off.

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

yeah i got the truck finished up i have picks and i cheated a bit on how i did my swap but it worked out really well so i didnt have to relocate the frame to core suppport brackets. ill upload the pics as soon as i get my camera.

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

here are the pics

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

top picture was with the original 85 front clip back in the summer when the soft top was on truck. lower picture is with the new front clip on the truck and a pos tube bumper that is waiting for powder coat.

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

i like it a lot if i could i would do the swap but i mite go with the 988-91 blazer /suburban/4 door truck look. but let u in a little info that u mite have not heard but the 73-80 clips are less arrow dynamic and weight about 300 pound more supposidle from what lmc said in there info on 73-80 trucks. Dont get me wrong love the look of the truck

Re: 85 to 78 front clip swap
 

ehh yeah i knew that before the swap but honestly im already getting like 8mpg so i really dont care bought the weight. the truck is a weekend wheeler so unfortunatly the new clip will probably aquire some bumps and bruises over time. next in store for it is some buschwacker fender flares.