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04-19-2008, 10:50 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Marietta, OK
Posts: 153
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Front Clip Swap?
I am the proud owner of an 84 SWB Silverado that is in fairly good shape, but will be needing paint very soon. The previous owner buffed through the paint in several spots (body lines).
I am also a huge fan of the 73-80 front ends and have heard of people swapping parts to update the look of an early model, but never back-dating to the earlier look. What all must be changed to accomplish the conversion? Core support, feders, hood, cowl, grill, lights, etc.? Is it a feasable swap? I admit I will probably never do it, but have never seen it discussed before either... |
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04-19-2008, 11:54 PM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Haven, MO
Posts: 1,243
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Re: Front Clip Swap?
hood hinges and wiper mechanism as well
__________________
-Lincoln 1987 GMC S15 (soon to be a chevy clone)  2.5l, 4 speed, no ps, no pb, no ac Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.  Spoken by Cletus the hillbilly I like stickers... a whole bunch. |
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04-20-2008, 05:08 AM
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#3 |
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Robert Olson Transport
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,313
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Re: Front Clip Swap?
youll have to cut the cowl on your cab to accomodate the hinges for the older style hinges and the rad support will need to be changed using the bushings and mount from that too
__________________
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!! |
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04-21-2008, 06:13 PM
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#4 |
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Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: apple valley, ca
Posts: 2,670
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Re: Front Clip Swap?
If I recall, the bolt patterns for the wipers stanchions are different between the 73-80 and the 81-87. The 81-87s are taller to be able to penetrate the cowl panel. The 73-80 style is shorter because the wipers tuck under the rear of the hood. Maybe you can run the newer style and just use a spacer on the backside and longer bolts to get the height to match the 73-80 measurement.
You'll have to weld up the original (80-87) hinge holes in the cowl and trim the pinch weld areas on the side. The best bet is to go to a wrecking yard and find both early and late versions and take pictures. The differences between the cabs are pretty slight, but if you want it to look factory, the little details make all the difference. |
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04-22-2008, 02:56 AM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 103
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Re: Front Clip Swap?
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