73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: BigHemi353 on January 04, 2009, 10:10:23 pm

Title: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: BigHemi353 on January 04, 2009, 10:10:23 pm
I just want to rule this out before i start ordering my new fenders and such... Can i put a 73-80 front end(fenders, hood, grill, bumper, so on) on my 86? i love the look of the 73-80's. my cab is fine except for rockers and cab corners so im leaving it but i want the look old school round headlight look. I have a 74 parts truck and looking for another 73-80 parts truck. Thanks and sorry if I sound like an idiot. Andy
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: Blazin on January 04, 2009, 10:52:24 pm
You will need the 73 / 80 core support along with the fenders, & hood. You will also need to use the 73 / 80 winshield wiper transmision / linkage, and the head light wire harness..
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: 80stepsideguy on January 04, 2009, 11:34:22 pm
Only real drawback man is once you swap noses you`ll have all them holes in your cab once you remove the cowl panel that held it in place.I went thru that dilema with the 85 cab i got i`m turning it back into a 80 cab and had to weld up all them holes solid and had to remove the 2 slotted areas where the windshield washer jets were.Plus the holes where the hood hinges sat i would weld them up as well or do what i did and cut them sections out from your parts truck and weld them to your 86 cab..
Cowl section replaced from a 80 truck to a 85 cab
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/ramsportguy/corner1-1.jpg)

All the holes welded up and smoothes out
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/ramsportguy/firewall2.jpg)

(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/ramsportguy/firewall5.jpg)

thanks
pat
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: BigHemi353 on January 05, 2009, 10:11:29 am
alright. so your saying that it can be done which is good. so all i have to do is plug all the holes you did in your pics and use the wiper set up of a 73-80? THANKS a bunch for the help guys. Andy
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: VileZambonie on January 05, 2009, 10:14:39 am
You don't have to fill in the holes. You can just leave them if you wanted to.
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: BigHemi353 on January 05, 2009, 10:28:44 am
okay. i can fill them but i'll look at my other options first. how does the windshield wiper set up go in? it wouldn't just bolt in would it? i got to go back to work right now, be back in a couple hours. thanks
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: Blazin on January 05, 2009, 12:03:07 pm
It bolts in with three bolts around each stub, & two nuts that hold the arms to the motor arm. You will have to elongate four of the holes. Only one on each stub line up. The other two are off about a half a hole!
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: BigHemi353 on January 05, 2009, 05:48:51 pm
bad new but kinda good news in a way too. where the back hood bumpers should go on the 73-80's, it is rusted out on my 86. since i needs to be replaced anyway, i might as well do the 73-80 style. Im doing it folks and thanks for the help.  another quick question so i dont have to open up a new thread. Im not going to be using my a/c on my truck so can i just take off the compresser and cut off the lines for now until i can get an a/c delete for the truck? thanks Andy
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: BigHemi353 on January 06, 2009, 03:05:53 pm
one more thing? will i have to move my body mounts for my core support? i noticed in this thread(opposite of what im doing) that he had to move the body mounts so the front would fit right.

anyways, project is coming along good. just removing alot of different parts. hopefully i can start prepping and assembling soon. thanks guys, Andy
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: Blazin on January 06, 2009, 03:47:18 pm
The body mounts for the core support are the same. Who ever you saw moved them, the support will not fit when they put it together! I have done this swap both ways. Half a dozen times older on newer cab, and once newer on older cab. I have never had to move the core support mounts
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: Captkaos on January 06, 2009, 04:08:57 pm
The body mounts for the core support are the same. Who ever you saw moved them, the support will not fit when they put it together! I have done this swap both ways. Half a dozen times older on newer cab, and once newer on older cab. I have never had to move the core support mounts

Ditto.
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: BigHemi353 on January 06, 2009, 09:56:19 pm
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9070.0

sorry i forgot to give you guys the link.  here it is. he moved them and it looks like his front end conv. turned out great. I just wish he was doing the opposite so i could see first hand but i'll figure it out eventually with your guy's help. thanks Andy
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: Captkaos on January 07, 2009, 04:20:33 pm
I know he stated he moved them, but I have never had to do that.  I think I posted the same in his thread.
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: BigHemi353 on January 07, 2009, 06:45:36 pm
alright, sounds good. thanks....looks like i just got to clean it up, paint it and put it back together.
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: choptop on January 07, 2009, 08:56:37 pm
I put the complete cab and front clip from an 85 on my 76 chassis. Bolted right up, no mods at all.Not sure about the bumper, I think I heard they wre different, but Im gonna run a front roll pan on it any way.
Title: Re: Might sound like a dumb question....
Post by: BigHemi353 on January 07, 2009, 09:16:00 pm
yeah. looks like i'll have weld a new bracket for the front bumper. not to worried....easily done.  thanks for the help guys. i really do appreciate it! Andy