'79 front clip onto '81+ cab

[6872xtc]

I am hoping that you guys can confirm that what I believe to be the hardest part of old front clip onto the '81+ truck is bumper mounting. I know that I'm not great with computer tools, but most all of what I find with searching involves updating the front instead of this direction. I found out about the wiper pivots, but other than that and the bumper mounts do you have any info?

Thanks, Dave

 

[Bowtie85]

Core support mounts need to be changed, I believe they differ by about 1 inch. Im sure some one will chime in on that one.

As for the bumper it should be pretty much a bolt on, a few of my buddys had old style bumpers on the 81 up and they seemed to fit fine.

 

[jmariarosario_10]

Speaking of which, where can you find those core support mounts?

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

Theres a guy by me that has a chevy graveyard.
Every used part you could think of...

Lemme know if you need anything.

 

[jmariarosario_10]

Sure, thanks. My apologies, I don't know much about the bits and pieces of vehicles but I realize I should learn more since I'm a woman.. will be going back to this thread soon... Considering looking stuff online..

 

[big dan]

core support mounts are different, I actually got mine lined up enough to make it work and everything fit but doesnt line up perfectly. Doesnt bother me cause I know the truck is not perfect but if you're going for show quality I would look into changing them.

you will have to change the wiper towers, like you mentioned, but the mounting holes dont line up so you will have to mark and drill a couple new holes in the cowl for the wiper towers. and the wiper motors dont interchange between the two either so you will need the correct motor for the new wiper towers.

bumpers, fenders and everything else will line up. in a pinch you can even use the 81 and up inner fenders with the older fenders but not all of the bolt holes line up so it would be better if you had the correct ones.

 

[sweetk30]

i put 81-up body on 79-older frame 2 times for my 2 trucks. direct bolt on job. just use the body mounts for the frame year. NOT the body year.and yes bumper moounting will be custom if you want the older on the newer frame. some guys just set and weld on the brackets. or some make new to bolt to frame. all up to you.

when i did my 81-up body swap on the 79 frame i just set the bumper on were i wanted it and welded the brackets to the frame ends as its just a beater dd work truck. and the fisher plow frame in front of it will take 98% of the work load over the front bumper anyways.

 

[Fife]

It's not too hard just remember where you place all of the bolts. If you ask me, the hardest part is wiring the new headlights in.

 

[6872xtc]

Great info and help guys!! Thanks! I have a line on a cab and frame from a '81 to '84 vintage that's a four door and I already own a '79 K30 SRW 2-door. It got my peanut thinking especially with the TBI and NV4500 I have sitting around. The plus side is this would be just changing my beater/ work truck around. I just don't know if I should mess with it... You know lots of projects and not too much time.

 

[sweetk30]

full 4 door + tbi + solid driveline = good stuff.

bad is time + money + place to do it if you dont have = suck.

and fyi to fit 4 door cab on pickup frame + custom work on mounts and floor pan.

crew cab builds here of diffrent kinds.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/member.php?u=20410 search his screen name

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245582 mine with lots of info first page or so till i got started.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250471&highlight=suburban+crewcab good suburban to crew build.

 

[6872xtc]

Fortunately, I found a cab with a complete frame, but it is a 2wd. It doesn't have a front clip but so that's why I wondered about the swap. Maybe it would be easier to find a correct front sheetmetal set-up, but I have most of the parts for the '79 4-row radiator is also why I thought about the swap. I was thinking of DIY4X4 brackets for the front springs but not too much lift for the fact it's the work truck.