Radiator support swap 87 to 79

[leadozz]

I have a 79 k20 with an 87 cab on it. Does anyone know if I can swap the radiator support back to the 79 . will it bolt up to the 87 front clip

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I believe the hood hinges are gonna screw with you on the 87 side but I'm thinking 79s bolt entirely to the fender so you should be able to remove the 87 hinges off the cab and use the 79 fenders.

 

[bucket]

It won't swap. Basically all the front clip parts are different between the round light and square light versions. Well, not including the '80 model that shared nearly all parts with previous years.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

It won't swap. Basically all the front clip parts are different between the round light and square light versions. Well, not including the '80 model that shared nearly all parts with previous years.

So he can't use the 79 rad support, fenders ,hood and hood hinges on the 87 cab? Not arguing I just thought you could do newer cab older clip but not the other way do to the hood hinges.

 

[CSFJ]

Depends on what he's asking. If his plan is to swap the entire front clip, including wiper assy and cowl, then yes, no problems. If he's just asking about the core support alone, then no. There's a height difference in the profile of the front ends among other things that won't work with the '81 and up outer metal.

 

[74 Shortbed]

So, will a complete round light clip bolt onto an 89??.

 

[CSFJ]

So, will a complete round light clip bolt onto an 89??.

It should. I'm trying to find the thread one of our members made a year or two ago, when he converted his. It covered everthing he ran into pretty well.

Found it

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11942

 

[74 Shortbed]

It should. I'm trying to find the thread one of our members made a year or two ago, when he converted his. It covered everthing he ran into pretty well.

Found it

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11942

WAY cool, thanks for the link.

 

[CSFJ]

Your welcome. That thread is a really good one for anyone wanting to swap front clips. Iirc, he pretty much walks you through all the issues that you encounter.

 

[bucket]

I thought the op wanted to swap the core support just by itself. But if it's the whole clip, then yeah it swaps.

Because of the hood hinges, it's much easier to put an older clip on a newer cab than the other way around. About the only part that can be reused is the lighting harness.