I think I got taken advantage of??? Opinions and Thoughts Please

[Paso76GMC]

OK I found a BRAND NEW set of front fenders and a hood, still have the stickers on them. Anyway I talked to the kid and yeah yeah they will fit a 76 GMC step side. So my buddy and I go down there they have a set on a 76 truck with a 81 head lights. Well we check em out they are perfect no body work to do nothing. So I give him 200 bucks. Well I get home and start looking through my catalogs and I start noticing a problem. You guys see where I'm going? The hood is different right? I wont be able to use my core support and round headlights right? I know about the notch in the cab for the diff hood hinges. OK guys now what do u think. I want to use these fenders and hood and also keep my round headlights. Is this possible? I got too emotional when I saw the parts and the deal.

[choptop]

Are they 81 up fenders? Can you post pics so we can see what exactly you have? IF they are 81 up you will have to replace the core support I believe, but with a little metal work and imagination, you may be able to modify it too keep the round headlights.

[VileZambonie]

They are completely different and won't work if they're for81-87 body style.

[Captkaos]

Ditto, if they are for a 81-87 they will not work on a 73-80.

[Paso76GMC]

They were bolted to a 74. The other truck there is a 78 with the same fenders. I'm really confused. I thought worse case the core support would be wrong. When you say "wont work" what do u mean exactly. Im just curious because Ive bee talking to the guy all day and he says they will bolt right up. Thanks you guys I'm feeling dumber by the second. I thought I could work it out. I know the inner fender wells are all the same. And the main mounting holes look the same.

i dont know how to post a pic sorry the body line is straight all the way to the front and the marker light is horizontal

[Captkaos]

If the marker light is horizontal you have 81-87 fenders, you need the whole setup for them to work.  Your 73-80 hood, core support and inner fenders won't bolt up to it.

Nothing on 73-80 front clips are interchangable with 81-87 front clips.
The 73-80 fenders will not bolt to the 81-87 core support and vise versa
same goes with inner fenders, and hoods.

They whole front end (fenders, core support, inners, and hoold) from a 81-87 WILL bolt to a 73-80 and vise versa.

[Blazin]

Ditto on what Chris said.
I have in a pinch on a beater yard plow truck installed 81 - 87 inner fenders into a 78 truck. The two bolt holes in the rear that go into tabs on the cab floor where the only ones that lined up though. I had to use large self drilling / tapping screws for all the others.

[Paso76GMC]

Ok then its not as bad as I thought I got a matching hood and fenders 81 style, I realize now I need a core support then that's all. I needed inner fenders anyway. Thanks guys what about the cowl to cover the screen vent deal. What do I use and where do I get it.

[Captkaos]

The cowl cover will come from a 81-87(91) donor.  You will have to get the 81-87 wiper assembly under the cowl and redrill the mounting holes also.  And get the hood springs and hinges.

[nucknoel89]

Here's a good guide for the swap....
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9070.0

[VileZambonie]

If you like the 73-80 style nose just get the correct fenders and save yourself a lot of work.

[Captkaos]

I agree.  I presonally would keep the 73-80 frontend.

[Paso76GMC]

Well keeping the original was always the plan. It may still happen since there is more to this than I thought. Money and work was the biggest factor for the swap. With these parts I thought I only had to sand and prime the cab and I would be good. Well I have a ton of work to do to do it right. I have to swap my 4WD cab floor into the new cab that's going on (2WD) so I can wait. I feel really foolish on this fender and hood deal I was all proud of myself until I got about 10 miles away from where I picked them up and was like " Wait a minute I think we have a problem

[VileZambonie]

Live and learn. Put em on craigslist and get your money back.

[choptop]

definately,

Live and learn. Put em on craigslist and get your money back.

you got a good deal on them, now make a little profit.