73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: gpday08 on November 22, 2007, 08:06:14 pm
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i have a '79 c10, and want to put on a post '81 grille, fenders, and hood, is that hard and, or possible??
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70 is a completely different body style than 73-87. Anything is possible but why would you want to ruin a 70's look? My $.02
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If you have all kinds of metal shaping tools and the skills of Jesse James it would be a snap.
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its not hard but its not easy. you have to change the radiator support and inner fenders too. if youre experienced, its not a big deal just bolts and knowing basic autobody tech- how to line up the fenders and hood.
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There is a little more to it than lining up fenders, & hood. You can change the inners and the cores support too, its still not going to fit without some very serious metal shaping and fabrication. You are right that its just bolts, problem is the bolts are not going to line up with any of the holes!
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im sorry i meant '79 c10
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Oh well you should have said so!!! Yeah that is a pretty basic swap except you will need to cut pockets out of the cowl area so the hood hinges can be mounted. Every thing else is just unbolt and bolt as loundlow stated.
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This article is the most comprehensive with a list of parts you need
http://chevy.off-road.com/chevy/Chevy+%2F+GMC+Tech/ChevyGMC-89-91-Grill-Swap/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/275128?contextCategoryId=11451
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Got a question,
i know what they say bout people and opinons but why is this such a big thing to do to the trucks?I mean me personally i like the 73-80 nose and since i went backwards i changed a 85 cab style cowl to a 73-80 setup.I cut the corners completly out and welded in sections from a 80 truck.I think the fornt ends are cool but then again were right back to the opinon thing.
thanks
pat
p.ss is it because of the hood buckle thing? you can always go to a less stiffer spring or take the hood off and box in the area where they tend to buckle and make it look like it was never there(the bends)
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I too have a soft spot for the round headlights. I remember as a kid I was about 10 when the first square headlighted Chevy's started showing up at the local Dealer. I thought they were the ugliest thing I ever saw. Little did I know that from then on all truck / cars would become uglier and uglier with the exception of a hand full of cars like Vettes etc.
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i heart round head light c-10's
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Its an opinion thing, I really don't like the entire front clip on 73-80s, 81-87 top and bottom dual headlights w/ a phantom billet grille or regular billet grille is by far my favorite style on these trucks.
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I think people feel it makes them look more modernized.
I much prefer the 73-78 noses.
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I much prefer the 73-78 noses.
Me too!!!
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I love them all!
But I am not too fond of the 80 square headlight setup
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Yep, I don't really like that style either.
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I agree with ya there....that was an ugly design. I've got an 89 Sub front clip going on my 75 K10 someday. Should match up pretty well with the 95 step-side shortbox ;D...dang truck is some kind of frankenstien I tell ya...lol
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i gotta say i love the 73-80 look. something about the round headlights and the squareness of the front clip.... ;D
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I agree Vile, the 80 square light setup is my least favorite.
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I dont like the square 80 lights either , my 80 came with the round headlights and it just looks like a meaner looking with the rounded headlights and a sound of a smallblock or a beefed up big block.The thing i like about the 73-80 is that the side marker lights are flush mounted as the 81-87s are mounted on top.Its just a preference thing but i think we all got our preferences in these trucks and it be boring if we all had a truck that look exactly alike.But we cant complain though these trucks brought us all here to enjoy and discuss ideas and problems and opinons.
thanks
pat
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The 73-74 are my favorite, and I like the 81-82 second, followed surprisingly by the 1979/1980 square style because they are different, 73/74 is my all time favorite though.
I have all of the clips right now, EXCEPT the 79/80 square, but I do have the bezels for them laying around somewhere..
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i love my round headlights dont get me wrong, its the side markers that i hate i prefer the front fenders from the '81-'87 much more so is there anyway to keep my front grill and just get new '81-'87 front fenders??
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With a welder and fab skills anything is possible, just nothing bolt-on.
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Like CCZ145A said, that is going to be some serious mods to make it work. The grill area is shorter and the hood isn't the same.
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Thought I would chime in here...I like both styles, the 73-80 style and the 81-87. But when you have better chances of finding newer parts (81-87) with less dings, dents, and rust, and if you havent fabbed much and want to learn, there is a perfect opportunity.
Has anyone done a later front clip (81-87) with the round headlights? I am sure that it can be done.
My preference is whatever doesnt have rust... ;D Too bad I dont have a shop, otherwise the 82 complete front clip sitting on the side of the house under all that snow would be on already. Have I mentioned how much fun it is working on these trucks in the driveway while its snowing outside... >:(
Its either for the love of the trucks or the love to wrench on something. ;D
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Well it hadn't snowed yet but it was colder than a witches you know what Sat. I was outdoors building up with weld, grinding, and filling back to size the rear spindle where the out wheel bearing rides on my 79 K 30. Then installing new races and bearings. :(
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When I bought my 78 it was crashed in the front and had no grill, but sense then Ive only spent about $150 at the swamp meets and craigslist, looks brand new now
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/2449000-2449999/2449464_28_full.jpg)
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/2449000-2449999/2449464_13_full.jpg)
Chris
78 p/u 355/th350