What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

73 - 80 front clip on an 87........

ryoken

ryoken

Puppy Fabricator
 Premium
GMOTM Winner
Joined
Jun 13, 2003
Posts
35,573
Reaction score
13,560
Location
Jersey Shore
does anyone remember any threads on putting a round headlight, full hood pre 80 style clip on a post 80 K5? I know there are some mods to the upper firewall that need to be done...

since I need a whole clip, rad support included, I'm considering putting the older style nose on since I like the look alot more... I'd be doing a cowl induction hood, so that may help some at the firewall...

TIA! :D
 
I don't think it was really any modification to the firewall, but there were some minor changes to the cowl area. Mostly just involving the wiper stanchions, since the pre-81's had short stanchions to clear the hood.

I believe Rene was talking about this at one point, and we did a bit of research. It's been a while though, so it may have been someone else.

Overall, from what I remember, that was really the only difference between them. You remove the cowl that you have, then change out the wiper assembly under the cowl to allow the full hood to close.

I can probably get you some pictures of the under hood cowl area on mine for reference. although it would be day or two.
 
i just got done with a 76 body on a 85 frame & the front body mounts for the core support are a inch off. I moved the mount forward a inch on the frame then it worked out good.
 
I'm just about to put an 80 clip on an 85 frame. For sure you gotta change the wiper towers, but elsewise it appears to be a bolt on swap. I'll let you know if I run into trouble with the body mounts up front.
 
I have heard both ways that some of the body mounts line up and some don't, it seems like most don't. I am going to use a 73 front clip on an 89 blazer but it won't be until spring.
 
just to clarify... this is NOT putting a whole body on... I'm just putting an older clip to the newer cab... i can't see why the rad support mounts would be different...

and I had totally forgotten about the wipers, duh... :doah:

think I'm just gonna go for it, get a clip and see what needs to be done... as long as it's just a wiper gig, and I don't have to massage the top of the firewall, I'm ok with it..

oh, and I'm assuming that the pre 80's just have grills over the cowl holes.. wait, I did have a 77, I should have them in the attic somewhere, have to dig them out if i have em...
 
clip swap

I put an '84 clip on my '73. you will have to change the wiper posts to shorter ones. no changes to firewall if you are going to older clip. You may have problems with inner fenderwells. Seems like I had to change my core support mounts, too, but do not remember which ones I needed.
 
one thing i do need to find pics of, and is very important to me, is how the front hood edge is in relation to the rad support... the newer hoods are very straight across the front, and lend themselves well to the expanded steel grill i'm gonna do...

just not sure how that'll look with the way the old hoods kinda, "bump out" in the middle...

gotta go find some pre 80 closeup pics of that area.... who has that link to those factory brochure pics and such? dremu maybe?
 
if ya think of it, thanks, don't go out of your way tho... i really just wanna see how the leading edge of the rad support is in relation to the hood.... are the grills "bumped out" to match the hood lines?
 
Yep, the grill is bumped out to match the hood. The grill is basically flat.

And I agree, swap to the old!
 
ryoken said:
if ya think of it, thanks, don't go out of your way tho... i really just wanna see how the leading edge of the rad support is in relation to the hood.... are the grills "bumped out" to match the hood lines?
Click to expand...


I just went and looked at my 73 and 82. There is a difference to the top of the core support. you will need to swap out the newer one for the older body style. the chrome trim mounts to the core support. You will also have the issue with the headlights. I will try to snap some pictures tomorrow
 
lectric80 said:
Ryoken, if you jump into my blog there are a bunch of pics of the front of mine for reference.
Click to expand...


i'm an idiot, I can't find the pics.... :doah:

lot of stuff in there, you've been busy! I'll have to stop in and read more often...
 
73 K5 Blazer said:
I just went and looked at my 73 and 82. There is a difference to the top of the core support. you will need to swap out the newer one for the older body style. the chrome trim mounts to the core support. You will also have the issue with the headlights. I will try to snap some pictures tomorrow
Click to expand...

i knew i'd have to swap out the support, at the least for the headlights, if not any other small differences.. mines pretty shot down at the mounts... only thing that sucks is I hear the aftermarket supports are crap..

that was the one holdup on doing this, I had just done 4 new upgraded headlights on the 87.. but screw it, i'll sell those..

the 87 really lends itself well to my idea for the grill, just flat expanded steel with a round rod edge.. was gonna just attach it to the front edge of the rad support.... i'm guessing the older ones go straight across too with the rad support and make the up the "bump out" with the grill..

figures.. i just post this, and i find a smoking deal on a complete clip for a newer style on CL for $200... :doah:it did make realize how much MORE difficult it'll be to come across a pre 80 OEM clip, as opposed to an 80's...
 
that does help... about 1 foot higher on all those shots would have helped... i really wanna see one with the hood open..

am i mistaken or does the headlight bucket trim extend past the hood to stay even with the center grill?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom