will a 1975 front clip fit on a 1981 pick up?

[72timemachine]

I have an 81 but it has front end damage and my friend is will to give me the clip off his 75, can this be done without much modification?

Thanks for any help.

[LostMy65]

I'm going to guess, yes.
The only thing I think they changed was the line down the front of the fenders.

I'd wait for confirmation from someone who is sure.

[benoit454]

the wipers and front bumper are about the worst. You have to get the shorter wiper posts and the linkage from the older truck to make it work. Then you have to redrill holes for the older posts to bolt in. You'd have to cover up hood hinge holes in your cab. Not sure if you have to change any plugins for the lights or not. Also not sure if the fan shroud would need change either.

Some leave the newer style bumper on, I don't like it, if you're going older do the bumper too IMo, but it's a whole different thing, it can be modified to fit, guess the brackets and maybe the frame too.

[72timemachine]

Thanks guys sounds like I just better change the cab over too in oder to get the look clean and functional.

thanks for your input.

[flamingbig10]

Originally Posted by 72timemachine

Thanks guys sounds like I just better change the cab over too in oder to get the look clean and functional.

thanks for your input.

that is a lot of unneeded work

[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

that is a lot of unneeded work

I totally agree!!

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

that is a lot of unneeded work

I wouldn't change the cab, either. I don't remember redrilling any holes for the wiper stands, and it's only 3 bolts per side. The linkage will bolt right to your existing wiper motor. The hood hinge holes in the cowl are about 6" long, and less than 2" wide. I am pretty sure they aren't open to anything, but they may look better closed off. Your frame will have a bolt on bracket for the bumper, it will need to be massaged a bit to get the bumper to fit.

[SCOTI]

The 'newer' 81-87 style bumpers are too tight for the 'older' 73-80 fenders & will rub.

[old Rusty C10]

you dont need to change the cab. Use the body mount bushings for the core support from your truck. The wiper arms linkage will interchage and there arent holes to drill, also you need to remove the cowl on your cab. the only issue will be if you have a four headlight system and the 75 is a two headlight system
the front bumper can be modified to fit from the older truck
I DID THIS SWAP

[Mkcustums]

I don't know if this just pertains to the Suburban, but I read this and was shocked. It's talking about switching the model years from '73-'80 to the updated '81 and up style... 300 pounds?? Damn!

"A nose job and a weight loss program improved the 1981 Suburbans. New, more aerodynamic sheetmetal from the windshield forward was grafted onto the truck, and the new fenders flanked a restyled grille with square headlamps (now on all models). Lighter materials helped reduce weight by as much as 300 pounds, depending on the model".

[87 chevy silverado]

Originally Posted by Mkcustums

I don't know if this just pertains to the Suburban, but I read this and was shocked. It's talking about switching the model years from '73-'80 to the updated '81 and up style... 300 pounds?? Damn!

"A nose job and a weight loss program improved the 1981 Suburbans. New, more aerodynamic sheetmetal from the windshield forward was grafted onto the truck, and the new fenders flanked a restyled grille with square headlamps (now on all models). Lighter materials helped reduce weight by as much as 300 pounds, depending on the model".

that is very true

[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by 87 chevy silverado

that is very true

I've owned so many of both styles and didn't know, guess I just never put too much thought into it. Maybe when you're addicted to Suburbans, weight just becomes a second after thought.

[benoit454]

why does everyone who's done the swap say it has to have holes drilled then? from what I have seen the newer style has 3 bolts and ther older only has 2 straight across from each other. I've never done it but want to and everytime I see anyone ask they have said change the wiper linkage and posts and you have to redrill and then weld up the old holes unless you want some unused holes in the firewall.

[87 chevy silverado]

Originally Posted by Mkcustums

I've owned so many of both styles and didn't know, guess I just never put too much thought into it. Maybe when you're addicted to Suburbans, weight just becomes a second after thought.

[Chlsnk]

I have made this swap on my own truck and I have no regrets at all! It isn't hard at all just make sure you have all the proper hardware so things will bolt up smoothly.No new holes need be drilled , I went from four to the two headlights no problem the wiring is all just plug and play. I am running the 81-87 bumper on mine and the inner edge had to be trimmed so it would fit but its not really a big deal. Best of luck on the swap and post pictures.

[big_b]

Originally Posted by benoit454

why does everyone who's done the swap say it has to have holes drilled then? from what I have seen the newer style has 3 bolts and ther older only has 2 straight across from each other. I've never done it but want to and everytime I see anyone ask they have said change the wiper linkage and posts and you have to redrill and then weld up the old holes unless you want some unused holes in the firewall.

i dont know how to quote 2 posts but the discussion on drilling holes for the wiper transmissions is true. if you are putting a hood from an 73-80 truck on a 81-87 you need to use the wiper transmissions and linkage from the 73-80. the hieght of the 81-87's wiper transmissions is quite alot taller than the 73-80's. the 73-80 wiper transmissions have a mount hole on either side of the splined dealy that the wiper arm attaches to. the 81-87 have three mount holes. in order to use the 73-80 wipers on a 81-87 cab you need to drill one hole on the passenger side as well as one hole on the drivers to mount them. i will post a picture later.

[big_b]

passenger side

drivers side

you can see from the bolt circle pattern of the 81-87 cab will not line up with the diameter of the 73-80.
you could probly just use the 73-80 font end with the hood and cowl of your 81.

[benoit454]

That's exactly what I thought, others were saying you did not have to drill holes and from what I had read and saw on here like your post you do have to drill holes, only 2 and small it aint bad.

[russgt]

I had to do exactly what Big B did when I put a 77 front end on an 82 cab

[Chlsnk]

I did not have to drill any new holes and mine fit fine.

[benoit454]

how is it that you did not have to and others did?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by benoit454

how is it that you did not have to and others did?

More than one way to do it?

[big_b]

Originally Posted by Chlsnk

I did not have to drill any new holes and mine fit fine.

out of curiousity, you put the older front end on your newer truck but did you replace all the wiper linkage with the earlier linkage? if so did you only use one bolt per wiper? your posts do not get into wiper detail. if you could post a couple pictures would be a trmendous help.
thanks

[benoit454]

agreed please poist but more then one way to do it probably so.

[Chlsnk]

Originally Posted by big_b

out of curiousity, you put the older front end on your newer truck but did you replace all the wiper linkage with the earlier linkage? if so did you only use one bolt per wiper? your posts do not get into wiper detail. if you could post a couple pictures would be a trmendous help.
thanks

I am using the 73-80 style wiper posts wiper arms and the wiper linkages. The truck is snowed in so once the snow melts I will get those pictures