73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: LTZ C20 on November 28, 2015, 12:53:15 pm
-
Hey all, I have thought in my head, I'm curious about. How hard would it be to switch from my current 79 round 7" headlight setup to the 80 single square headlight setup. I found a bunch of images on Google of trucks with the same grille as mine with 80 headlights and I really like the way it looks.
My truck as it sits now.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/28/a5b284d320ae15e1bb53fc147582eb2a.jpg)
To switch to this.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/28/7b70f11bfdfb42f782efd00fe0bd2e43.jpg)
I figured out that obviously I would need headlights, bezels and park light housings. Is it all pretty much bolt on stuff? The mounting holes for both bezels appear to be the same. Head & park/turn signal sockets should be same right? Possibly need a mounting bucket for the square headlights?
Is it possible that one of the members who is savvy with photo shop could photo shop '80 bezels on the picture of my truck above, so I can see physically if I really like the look or not? Right now I'm just trying to visualize it in my head.
I have a number pics of my truck on my phone if anyone needs a better angle.
-
You'll need the headlight bucket, bulbs, bezels. I personally love the round lights and always thought the 80 rectangle looked like a Dodge.
-
Ok add buckets to the list. Other then that it's an easy swap? I hear you on the dodge thing, it's a very unique look tho, being a one year only style. In my area you don't see much of any 80s, so it would be pretty unique. I like the round look too, I saw one picture tho that made the front look slightly more aggressive looking on the 80 and it creates a smoother appearance compared to the detail channels that surround the perimeters of the head & park/turn signal lights on the 79 style.
-
This looks soooo good.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/28/1f28b8a1e75fc069257b4adf6904f1b8.jpg)
-
Just save your original parts so you can return it to original if you get sick of it or end up not liking it. This is my favorite here:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/KIILew/03_27_0.jpg)
-
I love the woodgrain.
-
Just save your original parts so you can return it to original if you get sick of it or end up not liking it. This is my favorite here:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/KIILew/03_27_0.jpg)
I fully intend to save the parts. That's why I was hoping it's all bolt on stuff. I can change it back easily if I want.
-
I love the woodgrain.
The wood grain looks good i agree, but it is very much inside of the "Brady Bunch" house.
-
Don't do it. These old trucks were meant to be round eye and look very weird with the square headlights.
If you want to do square lights to the blazer frond end swap
-
Don't do it. These old trucks were meant to be round eye and look very weird with the square headlights.
If you want to do square lights to the blazer frond end swap
I have one issue with that. 80's straight fender front ends DO NOT belong on on 70's trucks. Plus the interior wouldn't match the exterior and be period correct. I would NEVER put an 80s front end on a 70s, I'de be more likely to put a 70's front on an 80's truck. So that's never gonna happen.
I just like the looks of the 80 bezels, it's a very specific style and look.
-
This looks soooo good.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/28/1f28b8a1e75fc069257b4adf6904f1b8.jpg)
on a side note these trucks didnt "kill" the Ozone that hairdo did my mom was/is still killing it lol
-
Lol my grandma rocked that dew back in the day, I've seen pics.
So back to the original post, as long I get the right parts. It's all bolt on?
-
lol I didn't even notice the "babe" in the pic!
Yes all the parts are available aftermarket. Radiator support is the same
-
lol I didn't even notice the "babe" in the pic!
Yes all the parts are available aftermarket. Radiator support is the same
Sweeeet! Now that means I can either spend a little bit of money or aftermarket or I can spend barely any and get used stuff from online or a junkyard. I may find a cheap set of parts for 1 side only, put it on and then see how it looks and decide if I really like it. If so then I'll get a set of new parts for both sides.
-
I have switched a bunch of 80s from square to round lights over the years for customers.
-
I have switched a bunch of 80s from square to round lights over the years for customers.
You have switched alot of 1980 square headlight to round headlight or you have switched alot of 81-91 square headlight front ends to round headlight front ends? You mean just swapping headlights or entire front ends?
-
I was browsing the internet, looking at aftermarket replacement parts for the 1980 headlight setup. One of the major parts places lists 2 different lower valance panels from 79-80. The steel panel that runs under the lower grille trim right behind the top edge of the bumper. They list one for the 79 model with round lights and one for the 80 model with square lights. Looking at the pictures, the ends that go behind the park/turn signal housings look different.
Does this mean if I do this I'll need a new lower valance? Or do they just have their info wrong and I don't need a new valance?
-
I'm really having a hard time deciding if I want to go thru with this or not. I took some pretty good pics of my truck the other day which sway heavily towards leaving it alone, however the pic of the blue/white truck I posted with Mrs. Brady in the passenger seat looks sooo freaking great. It just looks sharp, hands down.
This pic I took and the blue/white one are what's making the decision hard.
but (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/01/c9303df72f25dd851733de34829ba2b6.jpg)
Here are the others I took just cuz they are good looking.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/01/afc5a0b381c88b6782116eb57f7e7ff0.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/01/4f535266f431cb6e0d5c3db776f16a4c.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/01/1a07b565fcca1e5ca5344465672ed069.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/01/4be64f83c7997ab9667e7c9611a9e159.jpg)
-
Don't do it. These old trucks were meant to be round eye and look very weird with the square headlights.
If you want to do square lights to the blazer frond end swap
I agree with enaberif! Please dont do that man!! There is nothing like the classic round eye look. You will take away the personality! Worst mistake ever! LTZ you know better than that!
Tsk, tsk...
BTW, i love that yellow and woodgraIn truck!!
-
The biggest thing throwing you off is your grille. Get that sucker painted a dark silver and that would make the front end up even more.
Also the other thing is the fact you have the newer round eye bezel compared to the older one. The old style doesn't frame around the signal light like the newer version does. Get the old style and get some amber lenses on the front and you'll never look back.
-
Man, i can not get over that yellow woodgrain truck, i love it!!!!! Mirrors and all! Its a tough call between that one and this one
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/04/c22d3f148d0a884ec1240391b9d19cee.jpg)
-
The biggest thing throwing you off is your grille. Get that sucker painted a dark silver and that would make the front end up even more.
Also the other thing is the fact you have the newer round eye bezel compared to the older one. The old style doesn't frame around the signal light like the newer version does. Get the old style and get some amber lenses on the front and you'll never look back.
Again, i must agree with enaberif.
-
The biggest thing throwing you off is your grille. Get that sucker painted a dark silver and that would make the front end up even more.
Also the other thing is the fact you have the newer round eye bezel compared to the older one. The old style doesn't frame around the signal light like the newer version does. Get the old style and get some amber lenses on the front and you'll never look back.
Neither of those are going to happen either. The grille is an original GM NOS piece, I'm not painting it unless it becomes very old and requires painting, currently it still looks brand new. The head light bezels are original to the truck I believe and I like the look of head & signal light together bezel better than the headlight only bezels. Also the lower valances are different between the two designs, which requires it to be changed as well.
The only way I would change the headlight style is if I went to the 80 style, it's basically the same, just restyled a little bit. But now I'm considering repainted the light grey areas of the bezels. The light grey paint is faded and some has chipped off. As you can see here.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/04/5e7e651c3bc83bc229eb5c98bbfd7c3d.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/04/a283587086d5f6e2fb0f11f34a9d45b4.jpg)
-
If I had a 1980 with square headlights, I would leave them alone for the simple sake of preserving a rare model. I would NEVER convert a round eye to that bizzare transition to the gorgeous lines of the 81-87(91) trucks. IMO, while I can appreciate a square headlight 80 being kept intact and in good condition, much like I can appreciate a 70's Ford in pristine condition, it doesn't change the fact it looks like they got dropped out of the top of the ugly tree and bounced off every branch on their way down. Your results may vary.
-
An there lies my problem! The 1980 is a rare thing, they are unique and yes, they are ugly to the point of actually being beautiful. So that's why I'm completely undecided. Currently the truck looks great, but it might be one of those details that's makes people go "wait, what the?? what was that? an old chevy?" Or they go, "hey look at that truck, that thing looks saaaaweeett".
Small touches, small touches make a big difference.
-
LTZ, do you like this truck. Our town fire dept just got it. BTW, what year is it??
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/05/e6a0fc63b7a6dc6e98c666a5b2eeae96.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/05/e998ce46d7b4f5abd096d2b1e9f93448.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/05/ebc10fa7823db5401ebde7b2e50d0181.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/05/0574b4805eb046512a37405eba09732e.jpg)
-
Heck Yea! That looks awesome! Though it would look even better if it had an old school red light bar on the roof off of a period correct firetruck and a tool box at the front of the bed. As for the year, it's an 80 something. I tried to get a year off the headlight bezel design but I think that style was used on many years thru the 80's on lower trim levels, it's a custom deluxe so it's at the bottom of the ladder. It does look great tho!
-
You saw the pic I posted of my old C10 right? Looks like yours almost. I ditched the 79-80 bezels because I liked the cleaner look of the older bezels and trim but if you're stuck on keeping it correct, why deviate from that with the other bezels then? If anything you could just pop the trim and bezels on and off if you want to change it up without drastically having to change anything.
(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B8yVwIOnwzXXbVVJeVFwTjRBWWM)
-
Vile that's the whole reason for this thread. I want to know how easily it would be to just pop my lights and bezels off, pop the 80's on and if I don't like it pop them back off and pop mine back on.
-
Sounds like a lot of popping...
-
Sounds like a lot of popping...
With butter and salt.
-
I have switched many 80 square headlight set ups to 73 / 79 round headlights set ups.
The only difference between 78 round, & 79 round, or 80 round, or square lower valance panels is extra holes for the wider stainless trim across to bottom of the grille.
-
I say keep the round headlights! I like those better on the 70's trucks! And this is coming from the guy that has an 87 with 4 square headlights! Lol! Oh, that red truck appears to be an 83 or 84 with the more raised headlight bezels. If they were flatter, I'd say it was an 85 to 87.
-
Thanks on that fire truck. I'd love to someday buy it from the town!
-
Thanks on that fire truck. I'd love to someday buy it from the town!
I some day would love to restore a standard cab long box K20 or K30, probably Scottsdale or Cheyenne to look like a small town black and white police truck. I would put all modern day lights and police equipment in it tho.
-
Yes, that would be awesome. Or even a 57!!
-
Ok I changed my mind. I will NOT be changing my current image, the 7" rounds will stay.
-
Now your thinkin like a square-body, welcome back!
-
Just save your original parts so you can return it to original if you get sick of it or end up not liking it. This is my favorite here:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/KIILew/03_27_0.jpg)
BTW, vile or ltz, what year is this one, i'm hooked on it, must have!
-
Missed this one, $4500
https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail/DA0913-164805/0/1977-GMC-Sierra-2500-Pickup/Automatic/
-
I think Vile said it's a 74.
-
That's a 73 GMC, the 74 GMC would have looked the same but with drip rails.
-
Tah dah!
-
We'll im gonna find me one of them exact trucks! Love that old look.
-
Funny how I have one of those grilles collecting dust with my rare 73 tailgate :D
-
Save it, as I may need someday during my 73 GMC frame-off resto. Cant do a frame-off resto in driveway though, must build ultimate garage first. Gonna try and up-stage vile, hmmm, now where is there an abandoned dept. store or hanger?
-
Funny how I have one of those grilles collecting dust with my rare 73 tailgate :D
You can add them to my collection if you want
-
LTZ, do you like this truck. Our town fire dept just got it. BTW, what year is it??
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/05/e6a0fc63b7a6dc6e98c666a5b2eeae96.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/05/e998ce46d7b4f5abd096d2b1e9f93448.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/05/ebc10fa7823db5401ebde7b2e50d0181.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/05/0574b4805eb046512a37405eba09732e.jpg)
LTZ, I'm glad to see that you are leaving the headlights stock.
Philobeddoe, I love that fire truck. I dont want to hijack LTZ's headlight thread, but I gotta comment on this one.
That truck looks like its a Military CUCV (commercial utility Cargo Vehicle). GM produced them for the Military for model years 1984-1987. The pick ups were rated at 5/4 ton trucks & the blazers were rated at 3/4 tons.
When the Military is done with them, they offer them to municipalities. Whatever the municipalities don't take goes to a public auction.
Most cities and town that get them send them to the local trade schools for a little TLC & paint before they put them into service.
So far I've owned 16 of them. The latest 1 I picked up in Connecticut last week. The Enfield Police had it in their fleet.
-
Yeah i think thats how my town got this truck. I'd like to get the town to sell it to me. Did they come with the black mirrors? And thanks for explaining it.
-
LTZ, I apologize for getting sidetracked here.
The mirrors would have been green or camo colored on that truck.
As far as the town selling it directly to you, I doubt that they can. Odds are it will have to go to a public auction. That's where I buy a lot of them. If they just got it, they will probably keep it for awhile.
-
Yeah i had to ask fitz, the town constable said the same thing. I drive by it every day, never seen it run though. But i do see it parked in different spots. Someday i'll check it out up close. If i become a volunteer i can drive it!!
-
If you drive to the south shore in Mass, you can drive 1 of mine.
-
After the holidays, sure. What town?
-
I'm moving to Middleborough in February.
-
LTZ, I apologize for getting sidetracked here.
The mirrors would have been green or camo colored on that truck.
As far as the town selling it directly to you, I doubt that they can. Odds are it will have to go to a public auction. That's where I buy a lot of them. If they just got it, they will probably keep it for awhile.
It's cool.
-
Thats fine, rather there than southie. Besides, not far from Gilette and Bass Pro! Stay in touch.
-
Gilette? Don't they make razor blades and shaving cream and stuff?