'79 Jimmy sheet metal swap

[rd durham]

\'79 Jimmy sheet metal swap

I'm picking up a 1979 Jimmy this week, that has some pretty bad rust through spots. I've located a 1987 GMC pickup in a local salvage yard that has a fairly decent front clip. I've had differing opinions as to whether the '87 sheet metal will swap cleanly to the '79 Jimmy. I've never owned a Blazer/Jimmy in the past so I'd like a little more than the off the cuff opinions I've been getting, so thought I'd ask here. Any problems with swapping this sheet metal?

 

[big d]

Re: \'79 Jimmy sheet metal swap

well, 4 starters the body lines wont match up i believe, and i think u have to mod the fire wall to allow for the hood to close properly. i believe there may be a few other issues, look in the tech section on this site for front end swap, itll give ya more exact detailed info on this project. good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif /forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif

 

[73k5blazer]

Re: \'79 Jimmy sheet metal swap

It will fit no problem. You should do a search, I'm sure there detailed info on '81-'91 clips on '73-'80 trucks.
I helped a friend do the swap many years ago, what I remember was cutting two slots in the top of the cowl for the hood hinges to fit it, and procument of the little brackets that hold up the wiper train grille, other than that it was a straight bolt on..
but like a said, do a search..

 

[73k5blazer]

Re: \'79 Jimmy sheet metal swap

Body lines line up, no sweat, the horizontal line is lowered a litte in the front, but at the back of the clip, it lines up straight with the door line.

 

[dremu]

Re: \'79 Jimmy sheet metal swap

Sheetmetal is more or less the same for 73-80 and for 81-87/91, but you can't (easily) swap just the quarter panels from early trucks to later or vice versa.

You need to swap the entire front clip, i.e. hood, grille and radiator support along with the quarters. Prolly best to get the wiring harness for the headlights and marker lights as well.

-- A