front end conversion?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

joe1982 · 09-17-2009, 04:44 PM

whats the easiest route as far as doing a front end swap? i have an 82 swb with single lights. can anyone who has done this post some pics. what 80-87 is the easiest to do it with??

3r!c84 · 09-17-2009, 05:02 PM

good luck
i never realy liked that grill

Driveway Dreams · 09-17-2009, 05:06 PM

What is your goal with a diiferent grill? The fenders & hood will be the same for you, just change the grill, lights, & radiator support to the one you want.

lowchevytrucks8503 · 09-17-2009, 05:10 PM

I would try to do an '84 under. I have an '85 and tried to put a '84 core support on mine, and I had problems with not enough slots at the bottom where the rubbers for the radiator go. My may have been a fluke i'm not 100% sure.

joe1982 · 09-17-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

good luck
i never realy liked that grill

i know man! i cant stand it!

joe1982 · 09-17-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

What is your goal with a diiferent grill? The fenders & hood will be the same for you, just change the grill, lights, & radiator support to the one you want.

im not too sure what grill i am going to go with, i think double lights and a chrome grill would ook good. or maybe a chromed stock grill. i am not a fan of the phantom grill.

Driveway Dreams · 09-17-2009, 05:34 PM

I just did an 89-91 set up on mine. To swap yours out, the supports from the newer body style trucks should all bolt right in as far as I have seen. Your best bet would be to find a donor truck and take the whole set up out of it. You will also want the front end harness to tie into your stock one, so your lights and stuff work. The filler panels are different under some of the grills too so get that while you are at it. You will need a 1/2" for most of the bolts. And 2, 3/4" tools to pull the support from the frame (one on top to hold and a breaker bar on bottom). There are a few other misc. sized bolts that hold little stuff in but that should help. PB blaster is a good friend with this too.
-->I have a tube style grill that was on it. If you go to an 86 style, and are interested you can have it cheap.

joe1982 · 09-17-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

I just did an 89-91 set up on mine. To swap yours out, the supports from the newer body style trucks should all bolt right in as far as I have seen. Your best bet would be to find a donor truck and take the whole set up out of it. You will also want the front end harness to tie into your stock one, so your lights and stuff work. The filler panels are different under some of the grills too so get that while you are at it. You will need a 1/2" for most of the bolts. And 2, 3/4" tools to pull the support from the frame (one on top to hold and a breaker bar on bottom). There are a few other misc. sized bolts that hold little stuff in but that should help. PB blaster is a good friend with this too.
-->I have a tube style grill that was on it. If you go to an 86 style, and are interested you can have it cheap.

sweet thanks man, very helpful response. i am going to have to say thanks and pass on the grill. for some reason people around here dont like square bodies. the junk yard 3/4 of mile from my house is littered with them. i think i might just pull one off from one of those. BUT, i would love to take those rally's of yours of your hands whenever you get tired of them. could you elaborate a little more on the wiring harness? i only have 4 more weeks left in iraq, so as soon as i get home i am really going to start getting my hands dirty.

Driveway Dreams · 09-17-2009, 06:07 PM

Thanks for the compliments on the wheels. And, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I have a couple friends over there right now too.
As for the harness, I would just cut it off of the donor truck shortly after it exits the fire wall (that will give you more than enough to tie into), then when you put the new clip in, you just plug all the lights in and match up the colors with your harness. For instance on my swap I had to connect my trucks 1 dark blue wire into 2 dark blue wires on the clip harness. That is an example for you. The different clip will have all same wires, it is just a matter of how many of each it has.

Driveway Dreams · 09-17-2009, 06:10 PM

Oh, and when you tie your harnesses together...dont do all the connections in the same place. Stagger them out a little so they fit back in the split loom easier. (I learned this by not doing it.)

**N2TRUX** · 09-17-2009, 06:13 PM

If it were me I would just convert it to a dual headlight set up.

72 CustomCamper · 09-17-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowchevytrucks8503

I would try to do an '84 under. I have an '85 and tried to put a '84 core support on mine, and I had problems with not enough slots at the bottom where the rubbers for the radiator go. My may have been a fluke i'm not 100% sure.

81-87 is the same core support. Only difference is for 2 or 4 headlights...

Chuck

Damien · 09-18-2009, 10:46 AM

Make sure you get the bumper too. The '83 and newer trucks move the turn signals to the grille.

Driveway Dreams · 09-18-2009, 10:53 AM

Or set up your blinker openings as air inlets.

joe1982 · 09-18-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Make sure you get the bumper too. The '83 and newer trucks move the turn signals to the grille.

thanks man, i had not even thought of that.

joe1982 · 09-18-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

Or set up your blinker openings as air inlets.

sounds good. hey man i just ordered some shirts of that link.

ECU PIRATE · 09-18-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe1982

thanks man, i had not even thought of that.

thanks. It's hard to find these on the East Coast. I have only seen one 81-82 truck in the local pick and pulls and it was the owner's truck...............

Driveway Dreams · 09-18-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe1982

sounds good. hey man i just ordered some shirts of that link.

Cool. Tony_SS on here does them. He is great and his service is awesome!

powerdriver 1958 · 09-18-2009, 06:59 PM

I know a lotta guys don't like this swap but I do, went from 84 to 89

**truckfan** · 09-18-2009, 10:44 PM

i love your truck. you need radiator support and headlite bezels. changing to 85-87 and 89-91 burbs was cool when those trucks were newer. but now older is better. i'd stay 81-82 and go double headlites

ortega · 09-19-2009, 12:43 AM

personally, i like the 89-91 front. thats what i have on my 77 blazer and my 85 c10. the light harness thing is very simple

mentlmidget · 09-19-2009, 09:55 AM

finding the headlight buckets is a pain in the arse for the 91 suburban headlight system. Not the composite, i am talking about the individual buckets.

77"kroper323 · 09-21-2009, 01:45 AM

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..

JW76 · 09-21-2009, 03:54 AM

I had to change the nose on my 82 dump truck after a collision. The nose was a single headlight. I changed to a double headlight nose off an 84. I took the fenders core support, grille, headlight assembly, and the complete wiring harness which I simply unbolted from the firewall. I used the 82 body mounts and everything bolted up perfect and then I simply unbolted the old harness and bolted the new one in. It is plug and play. I didn't have to splice any wires. Good luck

*nekkidhillbilly* · 09-21-2009, 10:23 AM

84 single headlight looks best imo

09-17-2009, 04:44 PM	#1
joe1982 .. !WAR FEDOR! .. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oceanside Ca Posts: 546	front end conversion?? whats the easiest route as far as doing a front end swap? i have an 82 swb with single lights. can anyone who has done this post some pics. what 80-87 is the easiest to do it with?? Attached Images __________________ "san diego chargers #1"

09-17-2009, 05:02 PM	#2
3r!c84 Badass Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: lox. fl Posts: 4,586	Re: front end conversion?? good luck i never realy liked that grill __________________ Think outside the box? -84c10 (1stcar)→My Build← -00 Saturn 5spd drop a gear and disappear! 1/4:13:90

09-17-2009, 05:06 PM	#3
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: front end conversion?? What is your goal with a diiferent grill? The fenders & hood will be the same for you, just change the grill, lights, & radiator support to the one you want. __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

09-17-2009, 05:10 PM	#4
lowchevytrucks8503 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wichita Falls,TX Posts: 60	Re: front end conversion?? I would try to do an '84 under. I have an '85 and tried to put a '84 core support on mine, and I had problems with not enough slots at the bottom where the rubbers for the radiator go. My may have been a fluke i'm not 100% sure. Last edited by lowchevytrucks8503; 09-17-2009 at 05:12 PM.

09-17-2009, 05:34 PM	#7
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: front end conversion?? I just did an 89-91 set up on mine. To swap yours out, the supports from the newer body style trucks should all bolt right in as far as I have seen. Your best bet would be to find a donor truck and take the whole set up out of it. You will also want the front end harness to tie into your stock one, so your lights and stuff work. The filler panels are different under some of the grills too so get that while you are at it. You will need a 1/2" for most of the bolts. And 2, 3/4" tools to pull the support from the frame (one on top to hold and a breaker bar on bottom). There are a few other misc. sized bolts that hold little stuff in but that should help. PB blaster is a good friend with this too. -->I have a tube style grill that was on it. If you go to an 86 style, and are interested you can have it cheap. __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

09-17-2009, 06:07 PM	#9
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: front end conversion?? Thanks for the compliments on the wheels. And, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I have a couple friends over there right now too. As for the harness, I would just cut it off of the donor truck shortly after it exits the fire wall (that will give you more than enough to tie into), then when you put the new clip in, you just plug all the lights in and match up the colors with your harness. For instance on my swap I had to connect my trucks 1 dark blue wire into 2 dark blue wires on the clip harness. That is an example for you. The different clip will have all same wires, it is just a matter of how many of each it has. __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

09-17-2009, 06:10 PM	#10
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: front end conversion?? Oh, and when you tie your harnesses together...dont do all the connections in the same place. Stagger them out a little so they fit back in the split loom easier. (I learned this by not doing it.) __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

09-17-2009, 06:13 PM	#11
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: front end conversion?? If it were me I would just convert it to a dual headlight set up. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

09-18-2009, 10:46 AM	#13
Damien Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Farmington, MN Posts: 928	Re: front end conversion?? Make sure you get the bumper too. The '83 and newer trucks move the turn signals to the grille. __________________ I can still count my vehicles on two... wait three hands.

09-18-2009, 10:53 AM	#14
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: front end conversion?? Or set up your blinker openings as air inlets. __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

09-18-2009, 06:59 PM	#19
powerdriver 1958 Kid's Mechanic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kansas City Posts: 8,241	Re: front end conversion?? I know a lotta guys don't like this swap but I do, went from 84 to 89 Attached Images

09-18-2009, 10:44 PM	#20
truckfan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lawrence KS Posts: 821	Re: front end conversion?? i love your truck. you need radiator support and headlite bezels. changing to 85-87 and 89-91 burbs was cool when those trucks were newer. but now older is better. i'd stay 81-82 and go double headlites __________________ 1981 Chevy C30 440 Holmes 42K one owner miles

09-19-2009, 12:43 AM	#21
ortega Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: sun valley Posts: 98	Re: front end conversion?? personally, i like the 89-91 front. thats what i have on my 77 blazer and my 85 c10. the light harness thing is very simple

09-19-2009, 09:55 AM	#22
mentlmidget Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 30	Re: front end conversion?? finding the headlight buckets is a pain in the arse for the 91 suburban headlight system. Not the composite, i am talking about the individual buckets.

09-21-2009, 01:45 AM	#23
77"kroper323 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: south central L.A California Posts: 56	Re: front end conversion?? 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..



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09-21-2009, 03:54 AM	#24
JW76 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Providence Rhode Island Posts: 404	Re: front end conversion?? I had to change the nose on my 82 dump truck after a collision. The nose was a single headlight. I changed to a double headlight nose off an 84. I took the fenders core support, grille, headlight assembly, and the complete wiring harness which I simply unbolted from the firewall. I used the 82 body mounts and everything bolted up perfect and then I simply unbolted the old harness and bolted the new one in. It is plug and play. I didn't have to splice any wires. Good luck

09-21-2009, 10:23 AM	#25
nekkidhillbilly Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: hazard, ky Posts: 1,674	Re: front end conversion?? 84 single headlight looks best imo

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