Front Clip

[Dudewith4x4]

A 1980 to a 1983. I have never seen anyone do it on here. Is it possible with out to much work? Links to someone else doing this would be awesome. Suggestions would be nice too.


Thanks Ross.

[Chionos GMs]

What you swapping it to??

[Dudewith4x4]

from a 1980 front to a 1984 front.

[Chionos GMs]

I think the fenders are different. Im thinkin all the mounts are the same but aint too sure.

[Dudewith4x4]

The fenders are all different thats why Im doing the whole clip. I just need to know if all the mounts line up.

[Chionos GMs]

I helped swap 79 to a 83 but I cant remember changin the mounts on it. Im thinkin they are the same

[Dudewith4x4]

How long did it take?

[Chionos GMs]

We are a bunch of idiots so it took bout 4 hours. I also think you need the wiring harness from the 83 for the dual headlights

[68 TT]

Biggest problem is the hood hinges need a little material added to the cowl area to mount them properly and the wiper arm stands are taller with a different bolt pattern.

It's been covered on here many times. Do a search for clip swap and you will find them.

[joebuick]

Hey Dudewith4X4,,,, Yeah, I did this very swap for 2 reasons. first is my 80 fenders and doors had some serious rust and second I wanted the dual lights. The fenders are the same, except for the bolt holes where they attach to the radiator support and the hood hinges attach in different locations on the later fenders. The later hoods use 2 hinges per side. One hinge attaches to the fender and the other hinge (rear one) is a whole different animal,,!! You will need to cut some of your 80 firewall and build some metal bases for the rear hinges. This was the hardest part of this swap, but the later hinges work so much better and do not put such a strain on those long hoods when trying to close them. That is why you see so many of these hoods with a bend in the middle or straps of metal on the underside for support. You need the later radiator support for 2 reasons, the hood latch is different and the cutouts for the 4 headlight buckets will be different. Use the wiring harness from the later truck and splice the wires in. I used the harness from a 86 and the wires were identically colored. It took me a couple of days to do this as the hinge thing took a lot of time measureing and re-measureingand we decided to weld the rear hinges to the new bases as you still have sone adjustment where they bolt to the hood. I used the front doors from a 86 crew cab and they fit like a glove. no mods needed here. Let me know if you decide to do this and I will help where I can.

[Dudewith4x4]

Originally Posted by 68 TT

Biggest problem is the hood hinges need a little material added to the cowl area to mount them properly and the wiper arm stands are taller with a different bolt pattern.

It's been covered on here many times. Do a search for clip swap and you will find them.

Thanks for the info. I did a search on google and here and found nothing so I started this thread.

Please send me a link if you have one.

Originally Posted by joebuick

Hey Dudewith4X4,,,, Yeah, I did this very swap for 2 reasons. first is my 80 fenders and doors had some serious rust and second I wanted the dual lights. The fenders are the same, except for the bolt holes where they attach to the radiator support and the hood hinges attach in different locations on the later fenders. The later hoods use 2 hinges per side. One hinge attaches to the fender and the other hinge (rear one) is a whole different animal,,!! You will need to cut some of your 80 firewall and build some metal bases for the rear hinges. This was the hardest part of this swap, but the later hinges work so much better and do not put such a strain on those long hoods when trying to close them. That is why you see so many of these hoods with a bend in the middle or straps of metal on the underside for support. You need the later radiator support for 2 reasons, the hood latch is different and the cutouts for the 4 headlight buckets will be different. Use the wiring harness from the later truck and splice the wires in. I used the harness from a 86 and the wires were identically colored. It took me a couple of days to do this as the hinge thing took a lot of time measureing and re-measureingand we decided to weld the rear hinges to the new bases as you still have sone adjustment where they bolt to the hood. I used the front doors from a 86 crew cab and they fit like a glove. no mods needed here. Let me know if you decide to do this and I will help where I can.

Wow. Thats alot of info and what I was looking for. Thanks man. Ill diffenatly ask if I have question. Thanks. So you think I'll be able to do this? lol

[benoit454]

Are you kidding me there's tons of threads of guys wapping from a 73-80 front to the 81-87 style or the newer 4 headlight style. ALL the same swap.

Front clip, complete is needed, wiring has to be changed for headlight plugins and parklights I'm thinking, wiper arms have to be switched and drilled, cowl vent and metal has to be put on, holes have to be cut for hinges.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Dudewith4x4

Thanks for the info. I did a search on google and here and found nothing so I started this thread.

Please send me a link if you have one.



Wow. Thats alot of info and what I was looking for. Thanks man. Ill diffenatly ask if I have question. Thanks. So you think I'll be able to do this? lol

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...archid=1743241

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ight=clip+swap

These should help.

[Dudewith4x4]

This is the thread I found. Very helpful.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...suburban+front

[spinem]

why are some ppl so convinced that just because there arent some bolt holes its a "crazy idea".....its do-able man. Get a welder, grinder, and some time...maybe a few beers.... and a bucked of nuts and u got er done. Anything is possible. Im sick and tired of ppl saying "it cant be done" proper terminology: "it does not line up factory, but can be done."

[Dudewith4x4]

Lol I have to do this with a arc welder is the only thing Im worried about. As for the beer Im 17 so its hard to obtain.

[jgh64pkup]

you better have some mad arc welding skills

[Dudewith4x4]

I may have to get my gramps mig but its only flux wire. Not gas.

[jgh64pkup]

that will work a whole lot better than the arc
have you ever used a wire welder before?

[Dudewith4x4]

Alot in autobody. ALOT. but never flux wire.

[jgh64pkup]

well its pretty much the same but it burns a lot hotter
i would practice on some pieces first

[Chionos GMs]

Originally Posted by Chionos GMs

I helped swap 79 to a 83 but I cant remember changin the mounts on it. Im thinkin they are the same

Yeah I was wrong my buddies truck was a single head light 81 I dont know why I thought it was an 79. sorry

[Dudewith4x4]

Its all good man. Thanks for some info though!