Hi guys, I was just wondering what your thoughts would be of putting the front clip off of an early 80s pickup on my 88. I like the look of the round headlights and the different fenders. I’m only talking about cosmetic bolt on here, fenders, hood, grille, core support if needed and possibly front bumper. I have not pulled my truck side by side with one of these to even know if the body lines would work, I just thought I would ask! I think it would be kind of cool don’t you? And since the whole rig is getting stripped and painted this spring why not!! If the body lines would be way off than I wouldn’t even attempt it, but if the fenders would blend into the contour of the doors, I may just have to do this. I found an early 80s 4x4 that has been sitting since 1990 for parts SAS soon to come …..

 

It would be easier for you to do a cab swap...

 

A cab swap is out of the question! I am talking about cosmetics only!

 

don't think you're going to have much luck there. the front on a '79-83 truck is a few inches shorter than an '84-88 truck

 

The body lines don't come close.
The cowl to hood and fender line is way off.
The front end of the 79-83 is shorter.
The frames are somewhat different as well.
So, sure, you could do it, with enough effort, talent and money, anything is possible. the bigger question is how well you cope with people laughing at you...

 

I think I am going to either strip the 81 for parts or bob it and turn it into my off road only rig... still not sure.

 

There was a kid down the road that put a 90-95 style bed on his 81. He thought it was a great-looking perfect fit... Wasn't mounted very well, but that's another story. It looked awful. Body lines are too different even for just a bed swap. I'd probably do one of those flatbeds (and I Really Really Hate those) before I'd mix up a 90+ and a 83- .

 

why not just get the truck running and wheel that? there's not much to em...

 

Yeah that’s my plan, I need to make sure the frame is solid first. My parents bought a peice of mountain property and the truck was sitting by the gate. I took a walk down to take a look at it and the owner came out and told me that it ran great once you would get it started but would not start cold and that it has been sitting since 1989 or 90. He bought himself a new 89 or 90 4x4 and still has it in GREAT shape so I would have to say even though it has sat it was taken care of. I threw jumper cables on it and it cranked over so I know its not locked. The interior is rather clean; he closed off the vents and threw a tarp over the cab. The bed is rusty, not through but I’m guessing the underside is a mess due to the weeds growing up under it, although he told me that he would go around it with the weed eater a few times a year so it may not be that bad. I’m going to have it towed to my garage within a few weeks to see what I can do with it. I guess I will start with the fuel tank and fluids, drain it and see if it’s rusty. Then fuel filter and probably a rebuilt carb to take care of the cold starting issue. If it fires up I will move onto replacing the rest of the tune up parts, wires cap rotor plugs etc. If nothing else I will strip it for parts "if the frame is gone". Would the front axle be OK to use on my 88 V6 if I were to take it in for a conversion? If nothing else I will have a lot of spares for when I do buy a pre 85 beater!

 

i've never heard about an axle wearing out. just give it a rebuild and it'll be good as new the '84 and '85 axles are all hyped up, all '79-85 fronts are perfectly fine for an SAS, they just don't have the big gusset on the bottom. in fact i'd prefer an earlier one since you can just weld a truss to the top of the axle and have more ground clearance...

what motor does it have in it? 20R, 22R? if it's a 20R don't even waste your money on a rebuilt carb, go and get a weber. the 20R carbs were junk...