front end conversion??

[jwa76fleetside]

77 kroper//// why would you want to change out the classic 70's era front end with a 80's grill? maybe its just me but i would just assume forget the style and design of the 80's (especially the vehicles) . Your 77 grill looks WAY cooler. just my opinion but if i had a 80's truck i'd be looking for a 70's front end.

[Joey-T]

I think it's just a personal thing. I to prefer the late 80s/early 90s front over the 'classic 70s'. It don't mean anyone's wrong... just different.

[flamingbig10]

Originally Posted by 77"kroper323

i have a 77 silverado .. i want to change the front to a 90/91 front end of a surburban... should i or not.. is it goint to be difficult..

its not to bad but you'll need a shopping list of parts and little cutting to swap the 73-80 bumper to a 81-87(88-91), also for the 81-87 hood hinges on the cowl area also with some hammer adjustment, parts needed, 81-87(88-91)89-91 radiator support, fenders, inner fenders, hood, light wiring, cowl panel, wiper post, hood spring, brackets, bumper, grille,headlight bezels, headlights, parking lights, lower grille panel, and wiring, so the best would be to get a donor truck so you'll will have every thing you need

[mentlmidget]

Really? I don't think we are talking about going to the Composite Headlamp set up on the 91's. Then you are correct, you will need all you listed and then some.

Now, I may be wrong, but I have seen this done. 73-87 is all the same fenders (square body). The bumpers have some differences and grilles, but the grilles are all pretty much interchangeable. Obviously, if you change headlamps, there may be a difference in pigtails. To get from the 73-87 front grill to the 91 Suburban/blazer (inner/outer) grill/headlamp assembly, it should only be a grill change, radiator support, possible pigtail conversion. I have all the parts I listed, minus the headlamp buckets (coming in a few days, and I may have info on where to order them cheap if this works). That is all you would need. I have seen it done, and I have assisted with that change.

I dunno, maybe I read something wrong from the earlier posts.

[mentlmidget]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=355209

Like BIGARMZZ said

[Storm Chaser]

Now, I may be wrong, but... 73-87 is all the same fenders (square body).

You are right about being wrong. 73-87 are definitely NOT all the same fenders. Nor the hood, hinges or core support for that matter. Or even the wiper studs. On the 73-80's, the hood went all the way back to the windshield and the wiper studs were short to hide the wipers under the edge of the hood. 2 bolts per wiper stud. Front edge of the fenders were C-shaped for the middle body contour. On the 81-87's, the hood was shorter and there was a cowl panel, so the wiper studs were longer for the now exposed wipers to sit outside of the sheetmetal. 3 bolts per wiper stud. Front edge of fender just reduced the middle body contour until it matched the front edge.

but the grilles are all pretty much interchangeable.

Yes and no. 73-80's grilles are with each other, and 81-87's are with each other, but not 73-80's to 81-87's or 81-87's to 73-80's.

To get from the 73-87 front grill to the 91 Suburban/blazer (inner/outer) grill/headlamp assembly, it should only be a grill change, radiator support, possible pigtail conversion.

To make this sentence correct, you have to change it to start out... "To get from the 81-87 front..."
In order to get there from the 73-80 front, you will also need fenders, hood, cowl panel, wiper studs and hood hinges.

I have seen it done, and I have assisted with that change.

Then they must have been on 81's and newer.

[BGRAFX]

I'm thinking about changing from 91gmc front to 86 silverado front with a 81 bumper combo. I was born in 81 and have always wanted to do this swap.

[77"kroper323]

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

its not to bad but you'll need a shopping list of parts and little cutting to swap the 73-80 bumper to a 81-87(88-91), also for the 81-87 hood hinges on the cowl area also with some hammer adjustment, parts needed, 81-87(88-91)89-91 radiator support, fenders, inner fenders, hood, light wiring, cowl panel, wiper post, hood spring, brackets, bumper, grille,headlight bezels, headlights, parking lights, lower grille panel, and wiring, so the best would be to get a donor truck so you'll will have every thing you need

yeAH.. I KNOW.. I FOUND THE WHOLE FRONT CLIP AND ALL THAT REST FOR SALE FOR JUST 150. VERY CHEAP... I JUST WANA MAKE IT MY DREAM CAR U KNOW.. IN JUST BUT THE HID LIGHTS...

[77"kroper323]

Originally Posted by jwa76fleetside

77 kroper//// why would you want to change out the classic 70's era front end with a 80's grill? Maybe its just me but i would just assume forget the style and design of the 80's (especially the vehicles) . Your 77 grill looks way cooler. Just my opinion but if i had a 80's truck i'd be looking for a 70's front end.

yeah.. Well i dont know.. Im confused.. I already wasted money chroming all the front clip.. Thats why i need opinions.. But thanks for ur opinion..

[mentlmidget]

thanks for setting me straight storm chaser. I remember the front fender C style to the mid body line now on the earlier 73-80's body style.

Thanks for keeping me honest.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 77"kroper323

yeah.. Well i dont know.. Im confused.. I already wasted money chroming all the front clip.. That's why i need opinions.. But thanks for ur opinion..

It's all about personal preference. Some prefer the classic looks of the rounded line 73-80 front end. To define that even further those that "like" the rounded lines usually "love" the 73-74 recessed grill as it gives the front more definition.

Then there are those that like the variations of the 81-87. While I wouldn't call it classic, it does have a style that is attractive to many.

The next group are those that want the distinct look of the 91 Burb. It was never available on the C-10's so it sets the truck apart. There was a huge trend in the 90's to convert 73-87 trucks because it gave the "old" truck a fresh modern look.

The final group is one that most of us fall in and that's one that appreciates all of the various styles. My personal tastes run toward the early rounded line front end accompanied by the fine lines of the year appropriate trim. On the other hand, there is no denying the clean good looks of the 91 clip.

[mentlmidget]

Is there a thread about replacing the vent window with an "All-in-one" single window. I am not referring to onepieceproduct window kit.

[Storm Chaser]

Aren't they all window kits? I don't think there was ever a one piece without the vent from the factory.

[Chlsnk]

Originally Posted by Storm Chaser

Aren't they all window kits? I don't think there was ever a one piece without the vent from the factory.

Did the early 70's blazers have one piece windows?

[ortega]

my 77 k5. i got everything of an 89 r3500. my radiator support came with a trans cooler and a small e-fan. i regret not getting the power doors though.

[BGRAFX]

I did a reverse front end conversion. went from 91gmc to 81chevy with billet grill and cowl hood.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by mentlmidget

Is there a thread about replacing the vent window with an "All-in-one" single window. I am not referring to onepieceproduct window kit.

Originally Posted by Chlsnk

Did the early 70's blazers have one piece windows?

The only "All-in-one" are the conversion kits. The factory "never" made a one piece window.