fiberglass one piece front end

[60ratrod]

has anyone done this swap on a 73-87?? i've always wanted to do one and was wondering if anyone that has done one has photos. i found usbody.com and i am thinking of doing some of these components at some point in time when funds allow.

[C-10 simplex]

Well, i didn't really want to divulge this, but since it doesn't look like things will come together for me anytime soon for me to take a trip to florida, you might as well know(if you haven't found out already) that USbody has the front end for $550! These are "extras" (i think it means they are trying to get rid of them to make space). i think there are only like 3 available, which why i wanted to keep the info to myself, but what the heck. Also, they won't ship these for some reason---you'll need to pick it up yourself or hire out someone to move it---which starts to cancel out the high initial savings.


2) i've been thinking about the whole tilt-front end thing for a while now; i feel another viable alternative would be to possible utilize the one-piece fiberglass front end that was used on the medium duty 6500/7500 series trucks as i think it will match as the cab shapes were exactly the same. Maybe a complete front end could be had for under $500 and the distance to get one would probably be much less depending how lucky you could get.

3) Steel tilt front end:
http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/tilt1.html

4) i'm either going to do the tilt thing, or have the fenders/innerfender/hood attached by dzus fasteners---so as to be quickly and easily removable, or go mid-engined, or possibly do nothing(if i get a new or rebuilt engine).
It's definitely going to be one of the 4---because i'm tired of climbing inside the engine bay to do ANY work/inspection whatsoever.

[60ratrod]

well i noticed that they mentioned that about the "extra" front ends the having to go and get them and what not, but i thought that they would ship everything else though. i also wouldn't mind just getting some fiberglass front fenders. i'm lookin to shave weight and what not with the fiberglass, though the front tilt would still be cool.

[60ratrod]

i looked at photos of c60/6500's from 1980-ish and only the hood flips forward by the looks of it.

[D13]

The big truck fronts are very different. Cabs share doors and windshields but the floors are different, the engine is set back (under the cab because the cab sets higher) which creates a whole different floor and firewall. The hood is significantly shorter, the pivots are a couple of strap hinges on the front of the frame. As a comparison, my frame is either 8" or 10" channel, no kick up at the wheel well, and the cab sits on top of it. The tilt split is at the back upper corner of the wheel well where you would split a regular clip for tilt. The wheel well is much bigger (mine rides on 225/80/20's).

Oh, and the hood appears to be SMC, much heavier than just fiberglass.

If you want mine you can come get it!

[andrewmp6]

You have to remember its race grade fiberglass its thinner and don't have the fit and finish your wanting.Its not a bolt on you have to rig up your own hinges and everything.I have bought a hood off them for a mustang it had a bow in it they took it back sent me a worse one.End of story i ebay the hood for half i know body work well that hood couldn't be saved at all.If you want a tilt front end do like that link he posted.

[Captkaos]

This is mine still in progress with a USBody tilt.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...?topic=5225.15

[60ratrod]

actually i found a sight that sells the front end pieces separately. so i'll prolly go with them. and the prices ain't that bad either. so it'll make it cheaper to do the fiberglass front end conversion. i prolly won't do the tilt though. i'll post the link when i get home.

[Hertzdaddy]

Originally Posted by C-10 simplex

Snip

3) Steel tilt front end:
http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/tilt1.html

snip

The pic links on this page seem to be broken. Did anyone capture the pic files to hard disc that they could send me?

Thanks.

Eric

[60ratrod]

well at this point i'm just waiting to see if i can just get the title in my name before i buy anything else for this truck. the legal PO won't return my emails about getting his phone number so i can drive the 3 hours to meet with him and get him to properly sign the title. so if i can't then this project will get scrapped unless someone here knows of an end around to help me get this thing titled. one of my brother-in-law's said that he would be willing to sign it himself but i dunno at this point. but if i can get this thing titled then this is what i might go with: http://www.up22.com/chevytruck.htm#GM-205R/L

[bigoates]

i have pics of mine but forget how to post pics..

[bigoates]

see pics towards middle/bottom of thread...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=307941&page=2

[TheSunDanceKid]

this is for arizona check your states law on the matter




For filing for an abandoned title in Arizona you must contact the DMV. The process includes an inspector coming to inspect the abandoned vehicle in which you receive an inspection form. With this form you may fill out an abandoned title report. You may obtain an abandoned title report at the DMV. With this report notarized, the inspection form, and $10 they will begin the abandoned title application. What happens is the DMV sends out a noification to the last owner. They give a 45 day period for the owner to respond. If no owner responds, they send you a form allowing you to title the vehicle in your name. If the owner responds, they are given 30 days to remove the vehicle. In the past, I have had titles that had no record of owners. This may happen if you have had the vehicle for quite some time (mine was ten+ years). For any questions on application or other you may contact the Abandoned Vehicle Department at (602)-712-7784

[C-10 simplex]

Originally Posted by Hertzdaddy

The pic links on this page seem to be broken. Did anyone capture the pic files to hard disc that they could send me?

Thanks.

Eric

Link is good, maybe your computer is having problems?

[60ratrod]

well i ended up selling some parts off the 80 to one of my buddies and junked the rest. one of the city code enforcement officers helped me get rid of it for free. so now this frees me up to work on the mrs's 72 4 door malibu