Swapping from a 1991 Burban front to 78 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

matchstick · 02-02-2012, 04:45 PM

What all will I need to go this swap? Fenders, hood , grille, radiator support, and bumper. Anything else I will need to know?

cory d · 02-02-2012, 05:01 PM

you have to slot the firewall for the hingess

**old Rusty C10** · 02-02-2012, 05:01 PM

I believe there is a difference in the frame horns too for the mounting of the front bumper.. other than that its pretty easy

RandyP · 02-02-2012, 05:24 PM

wipers

Prerunner1982 · 02-02-2012, 05:58 PM

Funny most people convert to the 91 front end... not many people go the opposite way.

motornut · 02-02-2012, 06:52 PM

something to consider some have inside opener,
some outside....hood catch changes with it too

light wire harness,
front side markers,
the newer will fit over the hole for the older but tapered and look weird
fill piece under the grill to the bumper

ghettoluxury · 02-02-2012, 08:18 PM

I did this last summer. You need the entire front clip including the wiring harness. The wiper posts need to be changed as well because the 70's were under the hood and the 80's were above the cowl. The only thing I found that would discourage anyone from this swap was that the top fender bolts on the cowl did not line up. You could weld a piece of metal to it and drill a new hole. I opted to drill the spot welds out of the brackets for both sets of fenders ( since mine were rotted ) and weld the 80's brackets to the 70's fenders.

Rogue_Alphonse · 02-02-2012, 08:20 PM

Going from newer to older?

You either have to shave the newer bumper at the top corners of the very ends or use the older bumper. Body mounts are different but I combined both to make it work. Need EVERYTHING for the wipers except the motor. Honestly the older wiper track is better. The holes for the posts won't line up but 2 bolts are just as good as 3. Arms... 1980's arms rub under the hood, but work. [I was forced to use the newer ones thanks to Rain-X Latitudes not making adapters... and I love the stainless ones

]

My top fender bolts didn't line up [the ones beside the hood hinges] but you don't need them really...

this was an "instant thought and say" post... there;s a lot I haven't covered but others have or will anyway

02-02-2012, 04:45 PM	#1
matchstick Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Crossville, TN Posts: 156	Swapping from a 1991 Burban front to 78 What all will I need to go this swap? Fenders, hood , grille, radiator support, and bumper. Anything else I will need to know?

02-02-2012, 05:01 PM	#2
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	Re: Swapping from a 1991 Burban front to 78 you have to slot the firewall for the hingess __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

02-02-2012, 05:01 PM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: Swapping from a 1991 Burban front to 78 I believe there is a difference in the frame horns too for the mounting of the front bumper.. other than that its pretty easy __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

02-02-2012, 05:24 PM	#4
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Swapping from a 1991 Burban front to 78 wipers __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

02-02-2012, 05:58 PM	#5
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: Swapping from a 1991 Burban front to 78 Funny most people convert to the 91 front end... not many people go the opposite way. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

02-02-2012, 06:52 PM	#6
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Swapping from a 1991 Burban front to 78 something to consider some have inside opener, some outside....hood catch changes with it too light wire harness, front side markers, the newer will fit over the hole for the older but tapered and look weird fill piece under the grill to the bumper __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

02-02-2012, 08:18 PM	#7
ghettoluxury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waynesfield Ohio Posts: 1,991	Re: Swapping from a 1991 Burban front to 78 I did this last summer. You need the entire front clip including the wiring harness. The wiper posts need to be changed as well because the 70's were under the hood and the 80's were above the cowl. The only thing I found that would discourage anyone from this swap was that the top fender bolts on the cowl did not line up. You could weld a piece of metal to it and drill a new hole. I opted to drill the spot welds out of the brackets for both sets of fenders ( since mine were rotted ) and weld the 80's brackets to the 70's fenders. __________________ 1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71

02-02-2012, 08:20 PM	#8
Rogue_Alphonse Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Gap PA Posts: 280	Re: Swapping from a 1991 Burban front to 78 Going from newer to older? You either have to shave the newer bumper at the top corners of the very ends or use the older bumper. Body mounts are different but I combined both to make it work. Need EVERYTHING for the wipers except the motor. Honestly the older wiper track is better. The holes for the posts won't line up but 2 bolts are just as good as 3. Arms... 1980's arms rub under the hood, but work. [I was forced to use the newer ones thanks to Rain-X Latitudes not making adapters... and I love the stainless ones ] My top fender bolts didn't line up [the ones beside the hood hinges] but you don't need them really... this was an "instant thought and say" post... there;s a lot I haven't covered but others have or will anyway __________________ 1991 Mustang GT Vert, T-5 w/ Pro 5.0, Trick Flow upper & lower, BBK cold air intake, 3:73, BAMA chip, etc. 1988 K5 Blazer, [coming soon] TBI 400, SM465/NP208, 12 bolt rear, 3:08's, looks like a 1980. 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 fully loaded daily driver! Where there's a will, there's a rig!

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