grille interchange 80-78

[notyettoday]

Hey y'all,

i'm considering buying a grille from another board member, but i need to find out if a grille from an 80 jimmy will fit my 78 c1500? thanks for any input, i honestly have no clue.

[72 CustomCamper]

I'm almost 100% sure that it will...


Chuck

[Russell]

Yep, it sure will!

Interchange is something like 73-74, 75-80, 81-83, 84-87

[notyettoday]

beautiful, thanks alot guys

[pugs]

I was wandering about the swap i would like to put my 76 grill setup in my 81 can it be done

Pugs

[pugs]

also would like to know if the 76 doors will work on the 81

Pugs

[Russell]

Pugs, the doors should fit, but the grill won't

[pugs]

well i would like to acually put everything on as far as the grill parts headlite and all that stuff but in my mind if theres a will theres a way lol

Pugs

[Russell]

Oh, in that case, then yes, you can bolt a 73-80 clip to an 81-87

I have heard two stories about that though -- some say that the clip will bolt straight up, others say that the bolt holes are different. Considering the 89 clip I was working on yesterday, I'd tend to believe that they are the same. It had all the same bolts, in all the same general areas.

However, there are a couple of differences. First is the wipers. The 73-80 hood is far longer than an 81+ hood. This means that the wipers are installed in a different position than the 81+ trucks. You'll need to get the wiper linkages from the older cab to install into the newer cab. That should be a bolt in change however.

Second difference is in the core support. You will not be able to re-use the core support from the 81+, it has different mounts up front, and the bolt holes for the front fenders to the core support is totally different.

Third is in the core support mounts. When you remove your mounts, you'll notice that the frame brackets for the support to sit on have large ovalish holes in them, with a specific pattern so the mounts sit in them in a certain way. The older mounts are just a small round hole. You'll need to remove the old brackets from the newer frame, then install the older ones (those rivets can be a pain in the butt, but either a torch applied on the bracket side so you don't damage the frame, an air hammer, or a grinder will make quick work of them. You'll probally need to get a punch, and a large hammer to punch them through after you've cut the head off)

And finally, you'll need to use the 81+ bumper on your truck. You could technically bolt up a 73-80 bumper, but it will not be as strong as a bumper that is designed for your front frame rails. A 73-80 bumper has a rounded front end on the frame that rest up against the back of the bumper, while the 81+ trucks have a slash cut frame with brackets that run to the bumper. I do believe the change was made to lessen the probablity of frame damage in lower speed impacts by having the bracketry bend instead of the frame.

[pugs]

thanx for the info i do there is a difference w/ the trucks but at this point i need to get it on the road shortly cuz my 76 cab is rusted out in the rockers and cab corners and w/ the I6 and stick it should be better on gas the the 350 in the 76, engine needs an overhaul. i was also trying to find out of a 4-5 spd trans from an s-10 or c1500 will bolt up to the bell housing in the truck now. But 1st of all im gonna be going thu the fuel system on the truck im running it off a gas can the tank will most likely need to be cleaned or replaces, and then on to the brakes and drivetrain. I do have the truck running noew and everything seems to be ok but i just want to make sure.

Pugs

[Russell]

NV3500 like you want from the S-10 or C1500 will work fine so long as you arn't towing anything too heavy with it

Its the little brother to the NV4500

[pugs]

no its just gonna be a daily driver

[72 CustomCamper]

There is a minor difference in 73-76 and 77-87 doors. Not sure what exactly but all the catalogs split them between 76-down and 77-up...


Chuck

[Russell]

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

There is a minor difference in 73-76 and 77-87 doors. Not sure what exactly but all the catalogs split them between 76-down and 77-up...


Chuck

Difference is in the power window bracketry inside the door The door skins, how they mount, and their shape is otherwise identical