87 K5 - Update to 89-91 Grille

[87 Red K5]

I have an 87 K5. I bought it from the original owner w/ only 51,000 original miles on it. It was in mint condition when I bought it 2 years ago and still is, the only thing is the paint is now starting to fade and I want to repaint it. Since I'll have to replace the side molding when I repaint it, I thought I might update the body molding and change the grille out to the 89-91 style to make it look like an 89 - 91 since that's the year I really wanted when I bought it, it's just this 87 was in too nice of condition to pass up. I have two questions: 1) is switching out the grille a simple bolt up change, or will it require other mods to make it work and 2) this truck is like new inside and out. Will changing it from the original (molding and grille) diminish the value of the truck since it will no longer be "all original"?

 

[k204dr]

you also have to change the rad support to swap the grilles.

 

[mrk5]

you also have to change the rad support to swap the grilles.

Yep, that's true. The newer 89-91 style has a core support that is virtually flat behind the headlights. You may also need to do something different for the sockets on the headlamps and signals.

 

[jimsub]

.....here's one for you that I found "elsewhere"

http://chevy.off-road.com/chevy/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=275128

....good luck!

 

[87 Red K5]

Thanks - Just What I Needed!

 

[Drumer73]

Funny, I want to do the exact opposite, I have 90 and i want to look of an 87 body trim and everything. Maybe even the steering wheel.

 

[GalDemSuga]

X2 except for the steering wheel.

Funny, I want to do the exact opposite, I have 90 and i want to look of an 87 body trim and everything. Maybe even the steering wheel.