85 K5 FaceLift!?!?

[3QTRTONS]

Couldn't find info elsewhere - so here goes. I would like to take the doors and nose off my '85, and replace them with 73-80 parts. What am I looking at for problems??? Trim lines? Wiper motor/connectors replacement? Any and all input is appreciated..... Thanks

[Psycho71]

Not completely up to speed on K5's, but I do know that earlier model K's had a removable top that went all the way to the windshield, and the later models stopped just behind the front seats. That would definitely make the door different, as well as the whole body. Not sure what year they changed this design, and I know you can cut later model doors off to use on the earlier models, but it would be very different trying to go the opposite way.

Now the front clip should interchange rather easily, you'll just need the core support and body parts, with the bumper, to do the swap. Not sure on the trim either, but the body lines should match up so just yank the trim off the whole thing and fill the holes.

[3QTRTONS]

Thanks Psycho71,
I'd like to own one of the full convertibles someday. I've got parts up the wahzoo (never a bad thing) so replacing the rusted panels won't cost me much. My friend owns a Body Shop and cuts me a real break on doing the rocker panels, wheel arches and tail pan work. Having two '74 trucks, I wanted to 'complete the look' with the K5.

[4pilgrim4]

I don't think the doors are different on the outside. Probably no need to swap unless the existing ones are damaged or rusted.

The front clip interchanges easily too. Most later models had dual headlights, while the earlier ones had single. So you may need to do some minor wiring changes. I prefer to run individual solenoids for each light anyway, so would modify the headlight wiring anyway.

Seems like a lot of work to make the change if all you get out of it is a styling change. I'm an old guy now -- but I remember my younger days when I'd such a venture on a whim. So I say, if you want to do it, why not?

[Mr. 250r]

When switching to dual headlights from singles on my suburban the wiring was exactly the same a 2 piece plugin block clipped together and held in by an 8mm bolt i think not sure if it changes for blazers

[68Timber]

The cowl/wipers are different on the 70's trucks, not sure what year the change was made.

[Boog]

i think that would be '81 for the change.

[Rogue_Alphonse]

I put a 1980 clip and doors on my 1988, the top bolts in the fenders [by the hood hinges] don't line up, so they didn't go in, I recommed using the '70's bumper because the '80's bumper will crunch into the fenders [or you could shave the top corners of the bumper off] and the body mounts have to be combined in an odd way I can't remember. Also have to change out the windshield wiper assembly, I left the windshield washer in it but hooked the plumbing into the hood, had to rig my 2wd 1986 C-10 aluminum rad into the support BUT they do make the right clamp-downs for it, had to use the 1980 radaitor overflow, and I'll have to use the '73-'80 air conditioning condensing coil and line set for the A/C.

At least that's what all I went through. Totally worth it.

[Berg]

If you want to run the older style nose just make sure you block off the old hinge pockets for the 81-91 style nose. Ditto on the different wiper linkage and cowl panel swap. I'd stick with the 85 wiper motor and keep the original washer jar. You can cut and splice your original harness to work with the single headlights if you are running dual headlights now. Your original doors will work fine. 73-77 doors had a different part number from 78-91 doors. The main difference is the trim panel holes. Make sure you get everything needed for the rad support/hood latch assembly. All the little parts, clips, wheel wells, battery tray(s) will nickle and dime you if you buy it all separate. Maybe you'll get lucky enough to find a complete front clip. If you go with the early style bumper you need the little angle top brackets to bolt to the frame rails and the outer bumper brackets are different for the early style. You need to fab up a bottom mount or cut the front frame horns off an earlier model. If I remember correctly you need to use the 73-80 radiator support bushings for clearance reasons on the bottom of the support. The late 70's models also had a big bolt that kept the hood from coming back through the windshield bolted to the top of the cowl panel on either side and an angle bracket with another bolt mounted to the top of the firewall in the center of the hood as well. These are there for safety and I see a lot of guys leave them out. Being in the Fire Department, let me just say it could get ugly if you get into an accident and they aren't there. Off the top of my head that's all I can think of at the moment. I do know I used my original radiator with the older style hold-down and shroud but it was a big block truck so I don't know if it made a difference or not. They have different size hold-downs for all years depending on engine.