Changed my front clip to a 73 - Page 3 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JohnC · 06-11-2009, 11:42 AM

Well dang it inquiring minds want to know!

80stepsideguy · 06-11-2009, 02:08 PM

Did you fix the corners for the hood adjustment pins??? I converted my 1985 cab to 73-80 specs as well as removed the metal dash from the 85 setup and bought a 76 metal dash and welded it in..I also removed the windshield squirter hoes in the cab and smoothed them out as well to the 73-80 setup. Everyone has there preference but i personally like the 79/80 with the 1 piece headlight bezel housing. To me the 73/80 frontends looks much meaner then the 81 n up. Sorry i`m not hatin the 81 n up front ends as i once owned a 83 blazer but the 73-80s have more classier lines IMHO..

thanks
pat

JohnC · 06-11-2009, 06:46 PM

I like both.

Keith Seymore · 06-11-2009, 07:40 PM

Too cool!

I, too, prefer the earlier front end even though I have an '87. Here's my story...

I was working at the truck plant in the 1980-'81 timeframe. I saw the advanced models of the '81s and didn't like them as well as the '80s so I hurried up and put my order in for an 80.

I drove that truck for about 5-6 years and eventually was promoted and given a GM Company vehicle to drive. After a while of having both I sold this little blue truck (a move which I have always regretted) because it was just sitting while I drove the GM truck.

Naturally, shortly after I sold it the General came and took away my company vehicle

and I was walking again. By then, I had seen the new GMT400 models and I did not prefer them over the "classic" C/K models. So - I hurried and ordered my '87 (which I now have back again).

My dad used to tease me; he'd say "...if you had been around in the 50's you would have seen the '55 Chevys, not liked them... and bought a '54..."

**truckfan** · 06-12-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Too cool!

I, too, prefer the earlier front end even though I have an '87. Here's my story...

I was working at the truck plant in the 1980-'81 timeframe. I saw the advanced models of the '81s and didn't like them as well as the '80s so I hurried up and put my order in for an

I drove that truck for about 5-6 years and eventually was promoted and given a GM Company vehicle to drive. After a while of having both I sold this little blue truck (a move which I have always regretted) because it was just sitting while I drove the GM truck.

Naturally, shortly after I sold it the General came and took away my company vehicle

and I was walking again. By then, I had seen the new GMT400 models and I did not prefer them over the "classic" C/K models. So - I hurried and ordered my '87 (which I now have back again).

My dad used to tease me; he'd say "...if you had been around in the 50's you would have seen the '55 Chevys, not liked them... and bought a '54..."

last model year always the coolest. 80s have round fenders and square headlights. 87s have square bodies and fuelie motors. heck they even made the "classic" in "99 for a while

Grande Rojo · 06-14-2009, 08:23 AM

Hi guys, sorry I have not been on here in a while. I will get some more pictures soon. I am in the process of doing a engine swap right now. I sold the 355 vortec that was in it. It's now getting as 468 BBC w/550hp. I'll keep you updated.

Thanks for all the complements!!!!!!

JohnC · 06-15-2009, 08:52 AM

Glad to hear you still are hanging around! I thought we had lost ya!

jchav62 · 06-15-2009, 09:00 AM

A 468!? Nice! Can't wait to see that...

68 TT · 08-22-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grande Rojo

Hi guys, sorry I have not been on here in a while. I will get some more pictures soon. I am in the process of doing a engine swap right now. I sold the 355 vortec that was in it. It's now getting as 468 BBC w/550hp. I'll keep you updated.

Thanks for all the complements!!!!!!

Any updates?

Grande Rojo · 08-27-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 TT

Any updates?

I've got the motor in but not finished.
I bought a new boat so most of my time off this summer has been at the lake. I'm hoping to get my truck back together this fall.

68 TT · 08-27-2009, 12:48 PM

Get back to work slacker

I sold my boat three years ago and started building a drag car. I should have taken up crack, it would have been a cheaper hobby.

chelsea-vong · 10-21-2009, 08:15 AM

It looks 100x better. That is <i>exactly</i> what I have been wanting to do to our truck. I've always had a thing for the '70s. We just bought a '79 K10 that was partially restored, then abandoned. It has an 80's cab and bed though, and no front end. Everyone I talked to said you can't put the 70's front clip on there. I knew there had to be a way. Thank you for the inspiration! Could you possibly post here or PM me more details about how you did this? And possibly pictures?

rcfatcat · 02-09-2010, 02:38 PM

what front core support mounts did you use? the 73-80 style or 81 and up style?

CHEESE · 02-09-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnc

i like both.

x2!! It looks like a clean truck either way!!

Mr Pops · 02-09-2010, 02:59 PM

Love it! ..I switched out the grill on my 76 Blazer for a 73, and I just picked up a donor clip for my 90 crewcab to do the same!

CHEESE · 02-09-2010, 03:01 PM

We need pics of the blazer!!

Mr Pops · 02-09-2010, 03:12 PM

I don't have many pics of it with the 73 grill yet, these are all I could find sorry bout the bad angles.. More pics in my profile album (just not with the 73 grill)

LMDGUY · 02-09-2010, 03:42 PM

I like all C10's but the early front ends are my favorite!!

dga93 · 02-09-2010, 04:50 PM

Sweet!
i love the 73-80 so much

diponyou · 02-09-2010, 06:18 PM

nice man!

73step · 02-09-2010, 06:42 PM

i love the early front ends

chevymotocross · 02-09-2010, 07:19 PM

They both look awesome! I like how the 73-80 looks from the front. From the side, I actually prefer the 81-87 with the more slanted hood/fender. Really flows nice from the side especially when the truck is slammed.

rcfatcat · 02-17-2010, 09:18 AM

i am putting a 78 front clip on my 85 blazer but it seems the radiator support mounts wont lign up with the radiator support when the fenders are mounted. do you need to cut the frame mounts off and move them up? if so it seems they need to move up like 2 inches.

68 TT · 02-17-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevymotocross

They both look awesome! I like how the 73-80 looks from the front. From the side, I actually prefer the 81-87 with the more slanted hood/fender. Really flows nice from the side especially when the truck is slammed.

I agree. I like the fender accent line on the newer fenders better too. I considered cutting a set of both apart and trying to blend the skin from the newer fender into the structure and upper profile of the older fender so I could have the older grille with the better looking body line on the side.

If I pick up my co-workers wrecked Suburban I will have an extra passenger side fender of both vintages to play with this summer to give it a try with.

JohnC · 02-17-2010, 01:29 PM

Keep us updated on this 68TT. That sounds intriguing.

06-11-2009, 11:42 AM	#51
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 Well dang it inquiring minds want to know!

06-11-2009, 02:08 PM	#52
80stepsideguy Laid back freak Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: hastings florida Posts: 248	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 Did you fix the corners for the hood adjustment pins??? I converted my 1985 cab to 73-80 specs as well as removed the metal dash from the 85 setup and bought a 76 metal dash and welded it in..I also removed the windshield squirter hoes in the cab and smoothed them out as well to the 73-80 setup. Everyone has there preference but i personally like the 79/80 with the 1 piece headlight bezel housing. To me the 73/80 frontends looks much meaner then the 81 n up. Sorry i`m not hatin the 81 n up front ends as i once owned a 83 blazer but the 73-80s have more classier lines IMHO.. thanks pat __________________ 1980 chevy c10 step side restomod, 1970 cougar convertible 1 OF 24 ever built: 2014 Hyundai Tucson limited (daily driver).

06-11-2009, 06:46 PM	#53
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 I like both.

06-11-2009, 07:40 PM	#54
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,167	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 Too cool! I, too, prefer the earlier front end even though I have an '87. Here's my story... I was working at the truck plant in the 1980-'81 timeframe. I saw the advanced models of the '81s and didn't like them as well as the '80s so I hurried up and put my order in for an 80. I drove that truck for about 5-6 years and eventually was promoted and given a GM Company vehicle to drive. After a while of having both I sold this little blue truck (a move which I have always regretted) because it was just sitting while I drove the GM truck. Naturally, shortly after I sold it the General came and took away my company vehicle and I was walking again. By then, I had seen the new GMT400 models and I did not prefer them over the "classic" C/K models. So - I hurried and ordered my '87 (which I now have back again). My dad used to tease me; he'd say "...if you had been around in the 50's you would have seen the '55 Chevys, not liked them... and bought a '54..." __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 06-11-2009 at 07:44 PM.

06-14-2009, 08:23 AM	#56
Grande Rojo paper or plastic? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 671	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 Hi guys, sorry I have not been on here in a while. I will get some more pictures soon. I am in the process of doing a engine swap right now. I sold the 355 vortec that was in it. It's now getting as 468 BBC w/550hp. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for all the complements!!!!!! __________________ 1967 Chevy SWB 250 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=442157 1977 Chevy SWB 454 No More 454 getting 5.3 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=310518 1977 Stepside Truck of the month winner http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=135524 1965 Chevy C10 454 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=731372 1975 Dodge Power Wagon http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7871388

06-15-2009, 08:52 AM	#57
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 Glad to hear you still are hanging around! I thought we had lost ya!

06-15-2009, 09:00 AM	#58
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 A 468!? Nice! Can't wait to see that... __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

08-27-2009, 12:48 PM	#61
68 TT Still plays with trucks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,556	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 Get back to work slacker I sold my boat three years ago and started building a drag car. I should have taken up crack, it would have been a cheaper hobby.

10-21-2009, 08:15 AM	#62
chelsea-vong Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cadillac, MI Posts: 1	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 It looks 100x better. That is <i>exactly</i> what I have been wanting to do to our truck. I've always had a thing for the '70s. We just bought a '79 K10 that was partially restored, then abandoned. It has an 80's cab and bed though, and no front end. Everyone I talked to said you can't put the 70's front clip on there. I knew there had to be a way. Thank you for the inspiration! Could you possibly post here or PM me more details about how you did this? And possibly pictures? Last edited by chelsea-vong; 10-21-2009 at 08:15 AM.

02-09-2010, 02:38 PM	#63
rcfatcat Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: pennington, newjersey Posts: 129	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 what front core support mounts did you use? the 73-80 style or 81 and up style? __________________ 78 k5 offroad project 350 sm465 60/14 np205 boatside, dovenose

02-09-2010, 02:59 PM	#65
Mr Pops Ridin' Dirty Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ardrossan Alberta Canada Posts: 2,193	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 Love it! ..I switched out the grill on my 76 Blazer for a 73, and I just picked up a donor clip for my 90 crewcab to do the same! __________________ 1978 C3500 Crewcab (Project) 1979 C2500 Crewcab (Driver/project) 1988 R2500 Crewcab (Driver) 1988 V3500 Crewcab 1988 R2500 Crewcab (Mint, Ex Fire Dept) 1968 Chev Suburban (4x4 conversion) LINK 1970 Chev C20 Suburban (driver/cruiser)LINK 2005 Impala (Incognito vehicle) 2004 Yukon XL Denali (Kid hauler) 1947 Case tractor Facebook Page(1000's of pictures of GM cars and trucks organized into albums) YouTube Channel

02-09-2010, 03:01 PM	#66
CHEESE The Cheesiest Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SHALLOWATER, TX. Posts: 986	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 We need pics of the blazer!!

02-09-2010, 03:12 PM	#67
Mr Pops Ridin' Dirty Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ardrossan Alberta Canada Posts: 2,193	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 I don't have many pics of it with the 73 grill yet, these are all I could find sorry bout the bad angles.. More pics in my profile album (just not with the 73 grill) Attached Images __________________ 1978 C3500 Crewcab (Project) 1979 C2500 Crewcab (Driver/project) 1988 R2500 Crewcab (Driver) 1988 V3500 Crewcab 1988 R2500 Crewcab (Mint, Ex Fire Dept) 1968 Chev Suburban (4x4 conversion) LINK 1970 Chev C20 Suburban (driver/cruiser)LINK 2005 Impala (Incognito vehicle) 2004 Yukon XL Denali (Kid hauler) 1947 Case tractor Facebook Page(1000's of pictures of GM cars and trucks organized into albums) YouTube Channel

02-09-2010, 03:42 PM	#68
LMDGUY Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Phx,AZ Posts: 352	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 I like all C10's but the early front ends are my favorite!! __________________ 1973 C10 "Chain Reaction" Street Trucks cover Feb 2012 2013 Silverado 1964 Cadillac

02-09-2010, 04:50 PM	#69
dga93 newbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wise Virginia Posts: 122	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 Sweet! i love the 73-80 so much __________________ Daniel from AUS 1978 CD



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02-09-2010, 06:18 PM	#70
diponyou Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: duluth,ga Posts: 201	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 nice man!

02-09-2010, 06:42 PM	#71
73step Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: hurlock md Posts: 82	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 i love the early front ends

02-09-2010, 07:19 PM	#72
chevymotocross Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Haven, CT Posts: 882	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 They both look awesome! I like how the 73-80 looks from the front. From the side, I actually prefer the 81-87 with the more slanted hood/fender. Really flows nice from the side especially when the truck is slammed. __________________ 87 Chevy 2wd SWB: 305/700r4 Dual Exhaust, K&N Filter, Injector Pod Spacer, TBI Spacer, Belltech Front Sway Bar, Corvette Servo, Western Chassis 4/6 and c-notch

02-17-2010, 09:18 AM	#73
rcfatcat Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: pennington, newjersey Posts: 129	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 i am putting a 78 front clip on my 85 blazer but it seems the radiator support mounts wont lign up with the radiator support when the fenders are mounted. do you need to cut the frame mounts off and move them up? if so it seems they need to move up like 2 inches. __________________ 78 k5 offroad project 350 sm465 60/14 np205 boatside, dovenose

02-17-2010, 01:29 PM	#75
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Changed my front clip to a 73 Keep us updated on this 68TT. That sounds intriguing.

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