CK5
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87 clip on a 73, Whats involved?
- Thread starter bigjohn79
- Start date
presamax
Registered Member
Check on the "Technical Article" section of this website. Very good step by step instructions with pictures for the front clip swap.
kevin400ex
1/2 ton status
DragonsBane
Registered Member
bigjohn,
Working on something similar right now. 81 front end on a 73 pickup. Get everything off of the 87 that you can. The only real snag I hit was cutting the holes in the firewall for the new style hinges. Other than that it is pretty straight forward. Had to mix and match a few parts as I kept the 73 radiator and need to buy a 81 style condensor to keep my A/C (really a necessity in AZ).
Working on something similar right now. 81 front end on a 73 pickup. Get everything off of the 87 that you can. The only real snag I hit was cutting the holes in the firewall for the new style hinges. Other than that it is pretty straight forward. Had to mix and match a few parts as I kept the 73 radiator and need to buy a 81 style condensor to keep my A/C (really a necessity in AZ).
73 clip looks soo much better
DragonsBane, What about the wiper arm shafts? And how did you cut the firewall? Pics? Thanks Oh and I am a big fan of the 73 clip, it was just so rusted and beat up. I bought this cherry 87 clip with a billet grill for 75 bucks, I just couldnt pass it up.
DragonsBane
Registered Member
Forgot about the wiper arm shafts. You'll need to take the ones off of the 87 or find a set from an '81 or newer chevy. They are longer due to the seperate cowl. You may need to massage the inner firewall to get them installed. I did.
As for cutting for the hinges, it's pretty straightforward. Find the center of the cab and measure out 31 1/2"and cut a 1 1/2" by 4 1/2" hole. I still have to drill the holes to mount the hood hinges, but that is no big deal. Hoping to have it done this weekend depending on my work schedule.
The front end on my truck was smashed up when I bought it. Both fenders and the core support were toast. I run across an '81 front end for basically free so on it went. I'm kinda torn between the 73 and 81 front ends. I like them both.
I'll try and get some pics up, if I can figure out this new camera the wife bought.
As for cutting for the hinges, it's pretty straightforward. Find the center of the cab and measure out 31 1/2"and cut a 1 1/2" by 4 1/2" hole. I still have to drill the holes to mount the hood hinges, but that is no big deal. Hoping to have it done this weekend depending on my work schedule.
The front end on my truck was smashed up when I bought it. Both fenders and the core support were toast. I run across an '81 front end for basically free so on it went. I'm kinda torn between the 73 and 81 front ends. I like them both.
I'll try and get some pics up, if I can figure out this new camera the wife bought.
badmix
1/2 ton status
73 clip looks soo much better
That was my first thought when I read the title. 80s griswald truckster quad lights, Blah. I hate the front of my '84 K5
I bought my 73' K5 with a 91' clip on it. I prefer the later model clips myself.
The 89-91 quad headlights are good lookin'; I had one of those, nice enough truck.
But there's something in the vintage look of the 73-77 or so round headlights that I find appealing too
-- A
The 89-91 quad headlights are good lookin'; I had one of those, nice enough truck.
But there's something in the vintage look of the 73-77 or so round headlights that I find appealing too
-- A
If my K5 would have had the stock clip, I would have been fine with that too. Then I would have wanted to run the drop center hood. There is a company making a drop center late model hood now too.
The 89-91 quad headlights are good lookin'; I had one of those, nice enough truck.
But there's something in the vintage look of the 73-77 or so round headlights that I find appealing too
-- A
If my K5 would have had the stock clip, I would have been fine with that too. Then I would have wanted to run the drop center hood. There is a company making a drop center late model hood now too. I've decided I want to run a glass hood to get more weight off my K5.
