Will they interchange? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

79BIG10 · 06-02-2003, 03:22 AM

I'm curious to see if the trim around the front head and parking lights on a 78 or older front grille will work on a 79? I like the older look and would change out the grille for a tube style. I'm just curious to see if it's a direct swap over? I realize I'd have to chang the trim around the parking lights but no biggie.

**Captkaos** · 06-02-2003, 02:14 PM

It will bolt on, but I think you need to change the lower valance panel for it to look right. I don't remember what they look like bare.

alf4444 · 06-02-2003, 02:41 PM

I actually tried this i had a 79 setup and started bolting it on 78 to see how it looked. Bezels are a direct bolt on in order to bolt on the lower chrome part you would have to drill more holes.

79BIG10 · 06-02-2003, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alf4444
I actually tried this i had a 79 setup and started bolting it on 78 to see how it looked. Bezels are a direct bolt on in order to bolt on the lower chrome part you would have to drill more holes.

Actually I'm going to try the opposite. I'll place a 78 bezels on a 79.

Thanks Chris. When I looked the other day I saw that the valance was painted under the bezel. I'll try to get a pair of trim bezels and see if they will work for me.

c10scotty · 06-03-2003, 11:18 PM

oh come on! 79-80 are the best front ends out there. the more chrome the better!!

just messin with ya...to each his own

79BIG10 · 06-04-2003, 02:48 AM

LOL I like the chrome but the front end is so blah to me like the 81+ with the bezel setup with surrounding the whole front lightsetup. I found a pic of a 78 like mine with the older front end and really like the look of it much better. Once I get the older ones I'll sell my factory ones.

BigRed · 06-04-2003, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 79BIG10
LOL I like the chrome but the front end is so blah to me like the 81+ with the bezel setup with surrounding the whole front lightsetup. I found a pic of a 78 like mine with the older front end and really like the look of it much better. Once I get the older ones I'll sell my factory ones.

I agree with you here Brandon. I'm a fan of the pre '79 front end too!

Just a little bit more of a classic look.

**crossy** · 06-04-2003, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigRed

I agree with you here Brandon. I'm a fan of the pre '79 front end too! Just a little bit more of a classic look.

Yeah, MORE of a U.P.S. box !!

only kidding you know i like them all.

Brandon, easy job, like kaos said, but on yours you will have a few holes in lower valance. probably rubbed off the paint around them. the earlier valances are an easy find and exact paint match is not crucial in that area. as far as the bezels go, i buy the taiwan plastic ones. yep they're cheezy but new plastic chrome looks way better than old pitted metal and when they go bad in 3 years you can replace them again for $25. DAVE

79BIG10 · 06-04-2003, 10:41 AM

I might grab the valance off a 78 if it looks too bad. I'm trying to get some clean factory headlight trim rings now off Ebay. Hopefully they'll stay cheap enough for me.

But I'll need the chrome rings for the parking lights.

bigblock73 · 06-04-2003, 08:10 PM

Brandon, I have a nice pair if you want to buy them (steel too)...let me know. I can't help you on the parking lights though.

...Jeff

**crossy** · 06-04-2003, 08:16 PM

BH, I'm sure I probably have a set of the parking lights. DAVE
all4trux@snip.net

79BIG10 · 06-05-2003, 03:51 AM

Thanks guys. I'll let you know what I need after an Ebay auction ends.

06-02-2003, 03:22 AM	#1
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	Will they interchange? I'm curious to see if the trim around the front head and parking lights on a 78 or older front grille will work on a 79? I like the older look and would change out the grille for a tube style. I'm just curious to see if it's a direct swap over? I realize I'd have to chang the trim around the parking lights but no biggie. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

06-02-2003, 02:14 PM	#2
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	It will bolt on, but I think you need to change the lower valance panel for it to look right. I don't remember what they look like bare. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

06-02-2003, 02:41 PM	#3
alf4444 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: taylorsville, UT Posts: 778	I actually tried this i had a 79 setup and started bolting it on 78 to see how it looked. Bezels are a direct bolt on in order to bolt on the lower chrome part you would have to drill more holes. __________________ 2011 CCSB GMC 2500HD DMAX 73 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 96 Chevy 1500 STD Cab Shortbed Z71 Owner of WickedWolfRC.com

06-03-2003, 11:18 PM	#5
c10scotty ~THE SILVER BULLET~ Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: WYOMING Posts: 285	oh come on! 79-80 are the best front ends out there. the more chrome the better!! just messin with ya...to each his own __________________ ~1980 c10 chevy scottsdale~ ~2.5/4 drop 305/th350c~

06-04-2003, 02:48 AM	#6
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	LOL I like the chrome but the front end is so blah to me like the 81+ with the bezel setup with surrounding the whole front lightsetup. I found a pic of a 78 like mine with the older front end and really like the look of it much better. Once I get the older ones I'll sell my factory ones. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

06-04-2003, 10:41 AM	#9
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	I might grab the valance off a 78 if it looks too bad. I'm trying to get some clean factory headlight trim rings now off Ebay. Hopefully they'll stay cheap enough for me. But I'll need the chrome rings for the parking lights. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

06-04-2003, 08:10 PM	#10
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	Brandon, I have a nice pair if you want to buy them (steel too)...let me know. I can't help you on the parking lights though. ...Jeff

06-04-2003, 08:16 PM	#11
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	BH, I'm sure I probably have a set of the parking lights. DAVE all4trux@snip.net __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

06-05-2003, 03:51 AM	#12
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	Thanks guys. I'll let you know what I need after an Ebay auction ends. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson



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