81 to older style front end

[atopper]

looking for any info on the swap from my 81 style front end to the 70's front end. any pics or links to info would be great. thank you !!!

[sjreno]

Morning. I got an 87 with the dual square headlights and was looking to retro fit the single round headlights.....guess what??????? The real kind guys on the board here were pollite to inform me that it requires the whole clip from a 79 and earlier. Truthfully, it blew my mind that the hood, fenders, rad support, and I think windshield are all different!

[atopper]

has anyone on here done the conversion ? or is it not even worth it . maybe the 91 burb grill is the better way to go. i hate this 81 2 bulb grill . ugly !

[sjreno]

Im sure someone has, dont know them personally. Is it worth it? Well, do the cost analysis. Is it cheaper to look for a complete 73-79 vs sourcing out nose clip, ripping off orig, then installing retro parts? For me, its not worth all that trouble. Some guys propbably love the challenge. Besides, if its something you love, then its really hard to put a monetary value on it.

[BGRAFX]

Use the search bar at the top: type in front clip swap.

Grande Rojo changed his from 86 to 76 but would be a lot easier to go from 81 to 91burb front clip.

[flamingbig10]

for your 73-80 swap you"ll need front fenders, radiator support, hood, inner fenders, lower filler panel, lights, grille and brackets, head light bucket, front trim, battery tray, hood hinges, bumper, bumper bracket, then you''ll have to modify the frame and weld up the holes on firewall cowl

[joe231]

I agree with Aaron above, but just wanted to add that you will also need the shorter windshield wiper stubs.

[gchemist]

Do this in reverse: http://coloradok5.com/grilleswap.shtml

[atopper]

91 burb grill it is. maybe the older front style will be saved for the next project. maybe a crew cab stepside shortbed , 74 front

[benoit454]

IMO I'd switch to the older style in a heartbeat, everyone seems to go to the 91 burb front end and I personally do not like them, I got an 88 1500 basically same front end and I don't like it. As for the wiper posts from what I've seen a couple hles need to be welded and redrilled and the linkages changed to the older ones, then you have to cover the hood hinge holes in the cab. Then as everyone else said, whole clip, from the hood to the filler for the grille and bumpers are different of course as mentioned and have to make the brackets fit the newer frame.

[joebuick]

JEEZE,,I sure wish all you guys had posted this and I had read this post a month ago,,,! I did kinda sorta the same changeout but only cause my fenders and doors were rusted bad. I have an 80 K10 short bed that had some serious rust in the fenders and doors so I got a complete clip from a 83 that was perfect and started changing out parts until I got to the radiator support.Installed the 83 with new support rubber grommets and bolts. I located a clean chrome grill with the dual lights from a 86 and after some cutting and welding these were made to fit. The hood from the 83 will fit but the rear hinges need some improvising. I made some hinge bases from 3"X3"X1/4" angle and welded them to firewall after carefully placing the rear hinges where they had some adjustment.Still trying to decide how to "seal up" where the new hinges are to stop the engine heat getting in cab. I like the look of the dual lights but as I said I did mine because of what I had available. Now, I am looking at the models that have the dual lights but next to each other instead of mine that are on top of each other. Just never satisfied,,, huh?

[atopper]

joebuick , got any pics ??

[gchemist]

Don't hate the 81-82 setup completely. I use a front bumper as air intakes for my ram air box!

[Grande Rojo]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=310518