Fitting an earlier 73 front to the later 81 up truck

[vroomy]

Hi new to the forum, looking into buying a short bed pickup. Only ones I seem to find rust free are the 81 and up but I much prefer the older 73 front. I know there is a lot of thread posted with people fitting the later front to the older pickup and it looks way too involved for my liking. My question is has anyone done the opposite and put the 73 front clip on the 81+? Is it any easier as far as fab work? Or does it still involve cutting etc?

[rcollamore]

Yes i have 76 front clip on my 87 Suburban also changed the hood to a 76 it was really easy.

[XrayTedd]

Yes i have 76 front clip on my 87 Suburban also changed the hood to a 76 it was really easy.

I'm gonna be looking to do this with my 87 k5. Basically I'll need everything from the fire wall forward. Correct?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[rcollamore]

Yes i have 76 front clip on my 87 Suburban also changed the hood to a 76 it was really easy.

I'm gonna be looking to do this with my 87 k5. Basically I'll need everything from the fire wall forward. Correct?

That is correct

[Blazin]

Everything from the fire wall forward. Including the windshield wiper stubs.

[FlatBlack77]

does this include radiators? or will the newer radiator fit the older front end

[zieg85]

does this include radiators? or will the newer radiator fit the older front end

Physically yes but depending on your set up the threaded holes to mount the radiator/shroud may not be there.  I've also heard the core support frame mounts need to be moved some.

[Blazin]

As far as radiator goes there are several different top mount set ups. You might have to mix, and match some parts.

[paulmflores]

Ok I want to do thensame thing. Have a core support and grill headlight rings etc. Bottom valance. Will it fit between the 84 fenders?? Fabing radaror supports etc. Wont be much of an issue if I have to. Wanted a smoother no gap look there anyway.

[big_al273]

70's is 70's, 80's is 80's you cannot mix and match between them without custom fab work, however the three different grilles in the 80's (single head light, dual stacked lights, and dual side by side lights) can be interchanged if you change to the appropriate rad cradle/core support without swapping fenders or hood

[Blazin]

You DO NOT need to move the core support mounts on the frame.
As said already you will need EVERYTHING from the doors forward, including the windshield wiper stubs. If your truck is the two head light system the wire harness will work with the older round head light nose.