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Author Topic: Front clip swap problems  (Read 11130 times)

Offline heavychevy91

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Front clip swap problems
« on: August 21, 2011, 09:29:14 am »
Heres what i have: 1980 K20 frame with a 1986 cab on it. originally i put a 78 front end on this set up now i am going back to the 86.

My question is about the mounts for the core support. in the swap here http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9070.0 the core support mounts were moved. is this necessary with all swaps?

Im also having some bumper fitment problems. it seems to be sitting too close to the core support?

If anyone could help shed some light on this it would be great.
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Offline bake74

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Re: Front clip swap problems
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2011, 06:16:58 pm »
     I know that on some model years their is a difference between core supports.  I believe ( I will be corrected if wrong ) that 81 was a change up to the whole front end of these trucks.
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Offline Captkaos

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Re: Front clip swap problems
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2011, 09:13:05 pm »
I have never moved the front mounts on any year model 2wd vs 2wd.
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Offline joesgarage71

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Re: Front clip swap problems
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2011, 09:25:32 am »
Just find a 86 to inspect. Be sure to go armed with pics of your core support.

Steve
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Offline choptop

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Re: Front clip swap problems
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2011, 10:27:02 pm »
I put an 84 cab and front clip on a 76 chassis with no problems.  I haven't tried the bumper, because Im gonna use a front roll pan , but it seems like I remember reading somewhere that the front bumper is not a direct bolt on and the brackets have to be modded to fit the older frame. Capt? ??
« Last Edit: August 23, 2011, 10:29:37 pm by choptop »
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Offline Captkaos

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Re: Front clip swap problems
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2011, 11:40:40 pm »
Yes there is a post in here that I put up on how to get the 81-87 bumper on the 73-80.  Basically you cut the end off where it is rounded.
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Offline heavychevy91

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Re: Front clip swap problems
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2011, 04:50:22 pm »
Thanks for all the replies guys. i went out to the junkyard and took some measurements and was able to get the inner fenders and fenders mounted to the core support with a little finesse. i did have to trim the front frame horns to get the 81-87 bumper brackets to fit.

the only other issue is the bumper braces the run from the edge of the bumper to the side of the frame, theyre not lining up. however the 73-80 ones look like they will line up. the only difference is they only use one bolt and the sides of the bumper. i could use them and just fill the extra hole with a bumper bolt and nut? any opinions on this?

thanks for the help, ill post soon with some pictures of how it turned out.
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