What parts will I need?

[Shifty One]

To swap my 1987 single headlight grill/bezels/turn signals to the 1981 style?

[Slammed84]

post pics of the current and desired assemblies.

In most cases at the very least you will need the correct radiator support because the lights and grill all attach to it.

You very well could also need to adapt the light pigtails into your harness, I am assuming you want to keep your current harness instead of going back in time to the 81' harness

[Liberty]

Weren't the turn signals in the 81 in the bumper? They are in my 82.
So I assume he would need a different bumper too.

[Slammed84]

Originally Posted by Liberty

Weren't the turn signals in the 81 in the bumper? They are in my 82.
So I assume he would need a different bumper too.

You are correct! I didn't even think about that. If it were me I would be upgrading to the 89-91 Blazer/Burban front grill.

Looks sweet on squarebodies

[Shifty One]

Argghhh! This looks like it would be more of a project than just a simple grill/headlamp bezel swap....

[Shifty One]

From what I can glean from intrawebnet sources, it looks as if the core support is the same for 81 as it is for 87. Both would be single headlight grills, so that part of the wiring should be ok, I'd think. I think it's down to the parking lights. Could I sneak the later-model behind the grill quad headlight style parking lights behind the 81 grill?

[jetmech85]

To make an '87 grille into an '81-82 grille, bezels, front bumper, etc. You will need from the donar truck or purchase new:
Grille
Headlight bezels
Bumper
Park lights
Trim around grille opening
Filler panel between bumper and grille
The parking light sockets are the straight ones like you already have. It is just a question of if they will reach the bumper mounted lights.

[Shifty One]

So JetMech, the grill opening molding is different between the two? And, I'm attempting to figure out a way to use the turn signals like the quad headlight 87 that go behind the grill.

[Shifty One]

I'm not worried about it being "correct" BTW, just more pleasing to my eye. The truck will never be a collector's item...

[jetmech85]

The grille opening mouldings are a different profile. They don't have the 'step'. Just sort of smooth. Your mouldings will work just fine. The grille itself has a lower mounting hole on each side that you will have to leave the screw out because the filler panel between the bumper and grille has a different bolt pattern for those. Only two small screws and shouldn't be a big problem. As far as the parking lights go then some fabrication/modification will be required. May be as simple as some glue on tabs. I have an '86 single light grille on the way that I am going to have to mount park lights into or switch to a park light bumper. Of course you will need the four lights, buckets, retainer rings, core support and associated hardware and four light harness.

[Shifty One]

I'd be doing the single headlight 81-82 set-up...

[jetmech85]

Got my single headlight grille delivered an hour ago. FedEx is working late today. Haven't even opened it yet. Too dang cold here!

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by Shifty One

To swap my 1987 single headlight grill/bezels/turn signals to the 1981 style?

If you are coming to Ca anytime this year, I can make you a good deal on my 81 front clip, including radiator support ,front chrome bumper and brackets...