Hello there,

Been a long time lurker on this site to help me with my 86 Pickup, 2wd. I let my younger brother borrow the truck for a year or so and long story short - I have to rebuild just about the entire truck.
SO, while I have the engine pulled out and before I buy new panels on the front end, I was curious if I would be able to swap out the 1986 front end (bumper, grill, fenders, hood) for an earlier generation? I have the option to buy parts off an 83 pickup, so I was looking at doing that soon. Any comments or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

It will not be a bolt on swap. You would probably need to do some fabrication.

 

Well, that answers that! I am not a very good fabricator, so I may have to have a shop do it. I would assume that parts/labor would still be cheaper than just going out and buying an 83 pickup.

Thanks!

 

I would stay with 84-88 truck parts. Depending on how bad the front end is messed up, it really is not that bad to fix. I have swapped core supports and am currently in the process of swapping one out now on a front end damage. I just ordered a bumper and grill for around $80 off of ebay for the one I am repairing. It is on my 88 build if you want to eventually see what is involved on the last few pages. If your core or no other damage, it is an easy fix. I have replaced a core on one of my trucks and it is just bolted in and I have no intentions of ever welding it in. You shop around, parts are not to bad in cost and replacing them is just bolt on.

 

Other than rebuilding the engine, its in fairly good shape. a big crease in the passenger fender, dent in hood that can be worked out, and driver fender just needs paint. The only reason I am throwing around the idea of doing the front end conversion to an 83 is because I love the way those look, but have too much love for my 86 to give it up! lol. Figured I may as well post here to see how difficult the swap can be before I paint the truck. I am suspecting it may be more hassle than its worth, not to mention Ill lose the "all original" factor if I convert to an 83 front end. Guess i'll stay with 84-88 parts for now!