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Does a 77 style grille headlights swap onto a 1980?
#687041 April 21st 2015 9:21 am
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I'm trying to figure out if I can swap a round headlight style front end onto my 1980 van. Looks like the fenders and rad support would have to be changed? I'm just going by photos online of a 77 compared to my van.

Re: Does a 77 style grille headlights swap onto a 1980?
Kballs #687057 April 21st 2015 12:03 pm
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What brand? Ford? Chevy? Dodge? Volkswagen?


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Does a 77 style grille headlights swap onto a 1980?
Kballs #687062 April 21st 2015 1:34 pm
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Sorry, pretty important detail.
Is a chevy g10

Re: Does a 77 style grille headlights swap onto a 1980?
Kballs #687237 April 23rd 2015 4:45 pm
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Someone must know the answer to this.

Re: Does a 77 style grille headlights swap onto a 1980?
Kballs #687257 April 23rd 2015 8:01 pm
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I believe Muntz did the opposite so it can be done but you are right there are some parts that have to change. I do not think the fenders do but the radiator and head light mounts are different and they are welded to the fenders which are welded to the rest of the body. Your hood might have a different latch assembly so you might have to change that over too.


Star Dreamer
78 Full Custom Chevy
Ramblin Vans - HVC
Honorary Mild to Wild Van Member - Houston, TX.
She's not a trailer queen, she is just on vacation!
She even pulls trailers!

[Linked Image]2017 Van Nationals Show and Shine by buckeyebackup08, on Flickr
Re: Does a 77 style grille headlights swap onto a 1980?
Kballs #687350 April 25th 2015 1:01 am
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Yes you can swap this over but you will need the 2 panels on each side of the radiator with the headlight buckets and parking light mounts, the upper core support that goes from fender to fender and latches the hood. These are bolted on on the 74 -77 welded on the 71 - 73. The hood might line up but I'm not 100% sure on witch years interchange. You will also have to splice the parking light wires because they're slightly different. And obviously you will need the grill and bumper. Recently there was a guy selling the entire setup on Facebook and it was complete with everything you would need. If you can get your hands on a complete 74-77 chevy to get the parts that would be the best. The 2 panels with the headlight buckets will have to be cut / spot welds drilled but other than that this is a bolt in swap.


Munzvan@aol.com / Runnin Wild Truckers / I never met a van I didn't like.
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Re: Does a 77 style grille headlights swap onto a 1980?
Kballs #687357 April 25th 2015 10:23 am
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Munz sorry about misspelling your name, my memory is starting to fail me. Hope all is well up your way.
Dave


Star Dreamer
78 Full Custom Chevy
Ramblin Vans - HVC
Honorary Mild to Wild Van Member - Houston, TX.
She's not a trailer queen, she is just on vacation!
She even pulls trailers!

[Linked Image]2017 Van Nationals Show and Shine by buckeyebackup08, on Flickr
Re: Does a 77 style grille headlights swap onto a 1980?
Kballs #687423 April 26th 2015 12:53 am
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Cool, thanks guys. It's not a real important thing, but something i'll keep an eye out for. It would all happen the same time as the engine swap. I'm considering a 92-97 LT1 for simplicity since the LS engines seem to have some major hangups to swap into my 1980 for doghouse/body clearance.

Re: Does a 77 style grille headlights swap onto a 1980?
Kballs #687480 April 26th 2015 9:26 pm
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Yep, it can be done. Here is a pic of my 79 with a 77 grill.


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