Face lift to Pre face lift Idea - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Big bad Green · 12-06-2010, 04:04 PM

Hey guys has any one one here taken like a 81 to 87 and change the nose to a 73 to 80?

Thanks

babyJay · 12-06-2010, 05:48 PM

It's been done several times. I'm going to be doing this swap when warm weather returns to the Hoosier state. It's a fairly common swap, along with the opposite swap. Check the projects and builds section at the top of the page and you'll find some.

Big bad Green · 12-06-2010, 09:21 PM

i looked a round any help please

**N2TRUX** · 12-06-2010, 10:09 PM

Big bad Green it has been discussed a lot, and it has been done by many. Your best bet is to locate a clean 73-80 front clip including core support. If you can't find one, the parts can be bought separately from many of our Forum Vendors. Give Capt Kaos a shout and he can fix you up.

Just so you know, you will need fenders, hood, core support, grill, etc. You will need the year specific body bushings too.

Big bad Green · 12-06-2010, 10:33 PM

Im looking for a post that shows how Its done

benoit454 · 12-07-2010, 12:23 AM

unbolt your stuff and bolt on the new stuff. You need the wiper linkage or at least posts as well, cover the holes in the firewall where the 81-87 hinges were, and drill new holes for the wiper posts. Headlight and parklight plugs may need cut off and old ones put on not sure. bumper needs changed and brackets unless you plan to use the 81-87 style.

Then as listed, radiator support, fenders, inners fenders, grille, lights, brackets, hood, hinges, maybe hood latch, maybe fan shroud or upper rad mount?

One guy who done it had the psyhcobilly truck I think it was called and done this swap, the other was a very nice looking blazer. It was black I think and on air bags.

**Captkaos** · 12-07-2010, 12:43 AM

I don't have a post on how it is done, but going from 81-87 is simple compared to the other way.
1)remove everything from the fenders forward
2)remove the 81-87 wipers
3)mount, mark and drill holes for the 73-80 wiper setup
4)weld up the 81-87 hinge holes
5))bolt on the 73-80 parts (use the 81-87 bushings)

Helped a buddy do this to his truck 2 years go.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...p?topic=9396.0
had a bad 75 cab, bought an 86 donor and swapped it all over.

12-06-2010, 04:04 PM	#1
Big bad Green Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eliot Maine Posts: 231	Face lift to Pre face lift Idea Hey guys has any one one here taken like a 81 to 87 and change the nose to a 73 to 80? Thanks __________________ 1968 Chevy K20 Long bed dump truck 1978 Chevy Custom deluxe long bed 1986 Chevy Custom deluxe short bed 1987 Chevy Custom deluxe short bed 1987 Chevy Silverado short bed 1990 Chevy Silverado K5 Blazer All four wheel drive! All non mutt trucks!

12-06-2010, 05:48 PM	#2
babyJay Arrived on a Pale Horse Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SnagTown Indiana Posts: 2,524	Re: Face lift to Pre face lift Idea It's been done several times. I'm going to be doing this swap when warm weather returns to the Hoosier state. It's a fairly common swap, along with the opposite swap. Check the projects and builds section at the top of the page and you'll find some. __________________ Jason 87 V30 350TBI/400 White w/Boss V-plow 89 R3500 CC SRW

12-06-2010, 09:21 PM	#3
Big bad Green Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eliot Maine Posts: 231	Re: Face lift to Pre face lift Idea i looked a round any help please __________________ 1968 Chevy K20 Long bed dump truck 1978 Chevy Custom deluxe long bed 1986 Chevy Custom deluxe short bed 1987 Chevy Custom deluxe short bed 1987 Chevy Silverado short bed 1990 Chevy Silverado K5 Blazer All four wheel drive! All non mutt trucks!

12-06-2010, 10:09 PM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Face lift to Pre face lift Idea Big bad Green it has been discussed a lot, and it has been done by many. Your best bet is to locate a clean 73-80 front clip including core support. If you can't find one, the parts can be bought separately from many of our Forum Vendors. Give Capt Kaos a shout and he can fix you up. Just so you know, you will need fenders, hood, core support, grill, etc. You will need the year specific body bushings too. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

12-06-2010, 10:33 PM	#5
Big bad Green Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eliot Maine Posts: 231	Re: Face lift to Pre face lift Idea Im looking for a post that shows how Its done __________________ 1968 Chevy K20 Long bed dump truck 1978 Chevy Custom deluxe long bed 1986 Chevy Custom deluxe short bed 1987 Chevy Custom deluxe short bed 1987 Chevy Silverado short bed 1990 Chevy Silverado K5 Blazer All four wheel drive! All non mutt trucks!

12-07-2010, 12:23 AM	#6
benoit454 Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Monaville, WV Posts: 3,737	Re: Face lift to Pre face lift Idea unbolt your stuff and bolt on the new stuff. You need the wiper linkage or at least posts as well, cover the holes in the firewall where the 81-87 hinges were, and drill new holes for the wiper posts. Headlight and parklight plugs may need cut off and old ones put on not sure. bumper needs changed and brackets unless you plan to use the 81-87 style. Then as listed, radiator support, fenders, inners fenders, grille, lights, brackets, hood, hinges, maybe hood latch, maybe fan shroud or upper rad mount? One guy who done it had the psyhcobilly truck I think it was called and done this swap, the other was a very nice looking blazer. It was black I think and on air bags. __________________ Chris GIT R DONE!!!!!! Check out all our rides, http://www.cardomain.com/id/benwa454

12-07-2010, 12:43 AM	#7
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: Face lift to Pre face lift Idea I don't have a post on how it is done, but going from 81-87 is simple compared to the other way. 1)remove everything from the fenders forward 2)remove the 81-87 wipers 3)mount, mark and drill holes for the 73-80 wiper setup 4)weld up the 81-87 hinge holes 5))bolt on the 73-80 parts (use the 81-87 bushings) Helped a buddy do this to his truck 2 years go. http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...p?topic=9396.0 had a bad 75 cab, bought an 86 donor and swapped it all over. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com



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