Frankenstein truck headaches???

[Matt69olds]

The bed swap project on my 81 GMC is definitely opening my eyes to the tiny changes GM made to these trucks over the long production run. These little changes could be a big headache to some of my long term goals.

I have plans for a future cab swap. There is some pretty nasty collision damage on the passenger that was never fixed correctly, plus other issues from its 40 years of service that make fixing the cab more trouble than it’s worth.

I have always preferred the round headlights of the earlier truck, the square headlights or quad headlights just doesn’t look as good to me.

My question, what compatibility issues might I run into if I want to use a core support for the single round headlights? I’m aware of the cowl/hood change in 79-80(I think?) if I get a later cab, will the fenders work with a early core support?

I don’t really have any desire to custom fabricate everything to fit my mental image of the perfect truck, so if there will be countless little differences I’ll definitely learn to live with the square lights.

I’m just curious what the major design changes are, and compatibility concerns those changes might result in. Thanks!!

 

[ali_c20]

I think that covers most of your questions.

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/thread...0-87-cab-frame-square-eye-to-round-eye.12882/

 

[Matt69olds]

This is exactly the info I was looking for, and exactly the kinds of concerns I had. It’s the little things like the wiper linkage that could nickel and dime you into poverty.

I would think the only way to accomplish a swap like this without going absolutely insane is to have the donor truck parked right next to the project truck.

Gotta ask, how many in readerland prefer the older round headlight look?

I seem to recall seeing a ad for a place that sells rust free truck parts in either Tennessee or maybe Kentucky? I think the article said the owner of the business routinely drives to Arizona and buys trucks to bring to the Midwest, ring any bells? I’m not in a hurry to do this swap yet, just in the planning and parts gathering stage.

Thanks.

 

[83Burban]

I really like the late 60s (buddy has a 69) GMC front ends with the round lights. Otherwise I like the quad square look. But its more headlight adjustments to make.

 

[83Burban]

Lol and more adjustment screw clips to replace

 

[Catbox]

I like the round headlights better on the trucks.
But all 3 of them that I have owned have been '79s with the round lights.

 

[Catbox]

Stupid double post.
So I leave you with a random image from my computer....

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[OEMBent]

I prefer round eyes to square but I have a sentimental attachment to the late 70's vintage.

 

[82sbshortbed]

I like all three, 4 square, 2 square and the round ones. My first vehicle was a 75 gmc 3/4 ton long bed.

 

[scwaters]

Round!

 

[Blue Ox]

Quads

 

[Goldie Driver]

Round on the high hoods, and stacked quads on the sloped hoods.

 

[Corvette Ed]

Both.

 

[K5ride]

Definitely Round.

 

[AKguy]

Here’s how much I moved my 1981 core support rearward when I swapped my 81 crew cab onto a 1980 K30 frame.

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