1981 to 1977 C10 front clip swap

[mik555]

I currently have a 1981 C10, well the front clip is a 1981. It is registered as a 1977 C10. Not sure if it was 1977 and they changed the front end after an accident or if its a 1981 and someone was able to reregister it as a 1977. Either way I have always understood that the parts are interchangeable. Is this true? Can I swap out the radiator support, fenders, grill, hood, inner wheel wells and all the other pieces? I know where someone is parting out a 1976 that I can pull from but I don't want to waste the money if it won't fit.
Thanks

[Brockwaykid]

You got it! They are interchangeable since the cab is a 77. I know the cowls are different along with the hood hinges with the 80s trucks but I don't see how you would have a problem doing it.

[mik555]

Thanks for the info. I can't even say for sure if the cab is a 77. How could I tell for sure?

[superwade57]

Look at the Hood hinges the 73-80 are bolted to the fenders the 81-87+ are on top of the firewall and recess into it. You can also decode the vin it may be an obvious answer you don't know about. The wiper trans and cowl is dif but you can retrofit either way.
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[Brockwaykid]

make sure your VIN plate is not on the dash. once 79 came they put them on the dash. check your cab under the drivers door latch for a plate. if it is there then you have a pre 79 cab.
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[mik555]

I decoded the VIN and according to it it is a 1977 GMC. It has had a lot of work before so I'm to sure what to believe. There VIN is located on the door frame so I'm incline to believe it is originally a 77. Thanks again for all the feedback
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[kanuck]

ummmm, how did they mount the 81 hoo on the 77 cab?
Did they modify the cowl for hinge slots?

[mik555]

Yeah, we'll just when I think I got it there's another reason to doubt. The hood and cowl doesn't appear to be modified. At least I got some info on some areas to look in to. I'll have to dig into it some more before I decide which way to take the truck, 77 or 81.
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[muddnutz]

The 77 and 81 are different completely. Dash door panels front clip. Post pics
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[izzy_Britton]

Another thing to look at, kinda, is the WHERE the hood hinges recess into the cab under the cowl cover. The rectangular holes that the hinges recess into, you can examine them and see if they appear to be cut using some sort of tool like tin snips or cut-off/grinder wheel the edges would be rough. factory edges are nice and clean with the edges turned down into the holes and nice spot welds. The difference SHOULD be obvious.

people do this mod because they (IMO) look nicer and the hoods do not have the tendency to buckle on the 81+ as they do on the pre 81 truck. plus the options for 4 headlamps and such.

but yes all the parts are pretty much interchangeable if you cut the hood hinge recess holes under the cowl on the 81+ trucks.