Author Topic: Switchin grilles to newer look  (Read 7786 times)

Offline BigStella

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Switchin grilles to newer look
« on: July 13, 2008, 09:05:52 am »
I have a 1977 dually project I am working on.  I would like to change out the grille and headlights to a 1990 sub grille. 

What would be involved in doing it??  I am a rookie at this stuff.

I also bought some doors from an 1982, are they the same lines?  Someone said they were different and I wont install if that is the case.

Thanks,
Timm

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Switchin grilles to newer look
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2008, 09:47:08 am »
The doors are the same. If you want to change the grille to a 90 Suburban you'll have to convert the whole nose. Radiator support, fenders, inner fenders, you'll have to cut the cowl, hinges, hood, valance, wiring harness, and you'll have to modify the frame horns to fit the bumper. If you do a search there is a how to on this somewhere...
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline VileZambonie

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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline choptop

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Re: Switchin grilles to newer look
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2008, 01:17:57 pm »
Vile, wasnt there a post on converting the older cabs to accept the 81 up front ends. My 76 has been converted, but I didn't do it. He really needs to convert that part first.
76 C10 Choptop,76 C10 Swb
85 C10, 85 K10, 85 K20,86 C10,86 K10 (all extended cabs)
86 C30 extended crewcab

Offline BigStella

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Re: Switchin grilles to newer look
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2008, 01:36:38 pm »
What is the newest grille I can get to without changing everything...

Offline choptop

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Re: Switchin grilles to newer look
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2008, 02:01:14 pm »
1980 is the last before major change, but not much different than what you have.
76 C10 Choptop,76 C10 Swb
85 C10, 85 K10, 85 K20,86 C10,86 K10 (all extended cabs)
86 C30 extended crewcab

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Switchin grilles to newer look
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2008, 02:10:12 pm »
yeah someone had a post that showed them hacking into the cowl and installing the hinges but it was a while ago.

With the 73-80 nose you can't change it without changing over everything. One thing you can do is fabricate and build something unique though. I've toyed with the idea of making a set up using these parts but time is a factor and who know's how it would actually turn out.
photoshop is your friend though if you wanna design something totally unique


,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Monzter

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Re: Switchin grilles to newer look
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2008, 01:54:11 pm »
I just swapped a 86 front clip onto my 73 Suburban last week. I'll post pics when I have time to sit down, up load & post the pics.

Offline DnStClr

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Re: Switchin grilles to newer look
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2008, 11:23:15 am »
Man that scoop makes that hood awesome looking!
Don
87 Chevy Silverado

Offline comp

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Re: Switchin grilles to newer look
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2008, 08:46:06 pm »
I just swapped a 86 front clip onto my 73 Suburban last week. I'll post pics when I have time to sit down, up load & post the pics.

waiting to see

Offline dumbucket1

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Re: Switchin grilles to newer look
« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2008, 09:06:20 pm »
Chevy and GMC trucks ranging from 1973 to 2007

Offline comp

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Offline 06gsxrman1000

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Re: Switchin grilles to newer look
« Reply #12 on: August 06, 2008, 12:47:00 pm »
when done right this is a mint mod!!
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
-ben franklin