New guy(ish) with a new to me 80

[raidmagic]

Hey guys, I picked up this to act as my daily driver while I finish my 65. I'm a member here and usually go in the older truck forum. Hopefully someone can answer a few questions for me.

First it's an 80. I also have a parts truck I've had for a while. It's an 81. Can I put the 81 front clip on the 80? I see the 80 has a longer hood if I use the fenders, hood and cowl piece from the 81 is there any reason this won't work?

Second, I'd really like to have AC. I live in Florida our one week of winter isn't going to help me. Most all the parts are there, compressor, hoses, condenser, etc. Am I better off trouble shooting and replacing parts on this system (nothing works right now) or would I be better off just taking it all out and putting a basic aftermarket system in?

I've already swapped the doors from the 81 over they are rust free and took the seatbelts too. I got the windshield from the 81 and will put it in tomorrow after the paint dries from repairing some of the windshield channel.

Is there a repair for no lock on the rear slide window? Mine has nothing and I'd like to keep that.

Well thanks for letting me ramble. Here's a picture or two of it and hopefully I'll have more as I go along.

[AJC]

Its much easier to go from the 81-87 to a 73-80 then the other way around. It has to do with the hood hing moving from the fender to the cab. Also the wiper assembly needs to be swapped as the earlier posts are too short.

I have only ever swapped clips the other way so I'm not sure how you do the hood hinge.

[cadillac_al]

I'd buy new fenders since the 80 front end looks better.

[nlped]

If you’re just looking for the locking piece for your sliding glass, I used this one on my 87. It worked like it should & it’s metal rather than the POS plastic Dorman one.

https://www.dkhardware.com/replaceme...uct-17244.html

[raidmagic]

Originally Posted by nlped

If you’re just looking for the locking piece for your sliding glass, I used this one on my 87. It worked like it should & it’s metal rather than the POS plastic Dorman one.

https://www.dkhardware.com/replaceme...uct-17244.html

Sweet thank you.

[raidmagic]

Originally Posted by AJC

Its much easier to go from the 81-87 to a 73-80 then the other way around. It has to do with the hood hing moving from the fender to the cab. Also the wiper assembly needs to be swapped as the earlier posts are too short.

I have only ever swapped clips the other way so I'm not sure how you do the hood hinge.

I don't have to worry about the hinges, I am using a clip that the hood flips forward. I am going to reuse the 80 grill and headlights. So I am only faced with swapping the wiper transmissions?

[old Rusty C10]

Originally Posted by raidmagic

I don't have to worry about the hinges, I am using a clip that the hood flips forward. I am going to reuse the 80 grill and headlights. So I am only faced with swapping the wiper transmissions?

you have to change the entire clip including the radiator support so you wont be using the 80 headlights

[Dead Parrot]

Never swapped these but just compared my 75 and 84. The 84 posts are taller as the cowl vent became part of the cab in the later models instead of being part of the hood in the earlier ones. The wipers went from semi-hidden on the earlier version to fully exposed on the later ones. Should just be able to swap the posts + the minimum parts to make that happen. Or modify the later cowl piece to work with the shorter posts and wiper movements.

IMO - if you have all the AC pieces, it is worth at least troubleshooting to see what works. Might be as simple as adding refrigerant or even a blown fuse. Likely will need a compressor hose set.

[AJC]

Originally Posted by raidmagic

I don't have to worry about the hinges, I am using a clip that the hood flips forward. I am going to reuse the 80 grill and headlights. So I am only faced with swapping the wiper transmissions?

Well that solves your hood hinge problem. But as old Rusty C10 said, the whole front clip needs to be changed. Pretty much everything forward of the cab needs to be swapped. Fenders, hood, cowl, wiper assembly, radiator support, grill and head lights.

[raidmagic]

Originally Posted by AJC

Well that solves your hood hinge problem. But as old Rusty C10 said, the whole front clip needs to be changed. Pretty much everything forward of the cab needs to be swapped. Fenders, hood, cowl, wiper assembly, radiator support, grill and head lights.

Well that's a bummer. I guess I'll play around with it after I swap the sheet metal. Thanks for the info.

[AJC]

Out of curiosity why do you want to swap front clips?

[raidmagic]

Originally Posted by AJC

Out of curiosity why do you want to swap front clips?

One is full of bondo and rust and the other is perfect.