Swapping c20 74 front clip onto c30 (squarebody)88?

[Trent_McAllister]

I am considering buying a c30 454 turbo 400 80,000 miles.

I have a '74 c20 in very dented and rough shape with 350 50 psi compression #6 cylinder, 4 speed manual. To make good mechanically I would estimate a few thousand and easily 5000 in cosmetic just to get to a clean coat of primer.

Can I switch front clips fairly easily? I would have both trucks complete parts available. The '74 was purchased new by grandfather in 74 and beat to death until his death, and beat to death some more and rusting outside the past 20 years. It is such a fixture of the family after all these years I want to at least try to simulate the look of it but have a newer more powerful truck.

I think I know so far:
Must reuse 74 Windshield wiper posts and linkage
Must use the 88 Radiator core bushings. Fabricate different top support brackets
Must use 74 hinges.
Rewire headlights and turn signals
Possibly use newer bumper or drill holes in different places to re use the original.

Would I have to move the body mount perches on the frame any?
Is there a special consideration going from c20 to c30 I don't know about?
Am I missing anything else?

One other question, am I legally allowed to cut out the VIN portion of the door frame on '74 and weld it in place on '88 or is this a no no legally?

[demian5]

If you take the whole clip with the hood hinges and core support and inner fenders, you should only have to figure out where to put the stuff that was on the old inner fenders, and maybe even not have to rewire any lights. Only difference would be if you had 4 headlights. Then you just use the low beam connectors for the two light system as they had low and high beams.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Trent_McAllister

I am considering buying a c30 454 turbo 400 80,000 miles.

I have a '74 c20 in very dented and rough shape with 350 50 psi compression #6 cylinder, 4 speed manual. To make good mechanically I would estimate a few thousand and easily 5000 in cosmetic just to get to a clean coat of primer.

Can I switch front clips fairly easily? I would have both trucks complete parts available. The '74 was purchased new by grandfather in 74 and beat to death until his death, and beat to death some more and rusting outside the past 20 years. It is such a fixture of the family after all these years I want to at least try to simulate the look of it but have a newer more powerful truck.

I think I know so far:
Must reuse 74 Windshield wiper posts and linkage
Must use the 88 Radiator core bushings. Fabricate different top support brackets
Must use 74 hinges.
Rewire headlights and turn signals
Possibly use newer bumper or drill holes in different places to re use the original.

Would I have to move the body mount perches on the frame any?
Is there a special consideration going from c20 to c30 I don't know about?
Am I missing anything else?

One other question, am I legally allowed to cut out the VIN portion of the door frame on '74 and weld it in place on '88 or is this a no no legally?

It is illegal to cut the VIN off of one body & put it on another.

What exact years are the two trucks? Obviously one is a 74. There is mention of '88 core support bushings but it's good to mention specifically what both trucks are.

Member N2TRUX recently did a 74 'round-eye' conversion on a newer Square. While it's a 'bolt-on' deal, it IS NOT just a bolt-on deal. He had several issues w/things not aligning or fitting as expected & he has experience w/these trucks so he's not clueless. Look up his build thread for specific/related info.

[CSHADES]

it is not a direct bolt on swap. I also did a thread about doing this. If you look up "rebuilding my 1977 plow truck" I have a lot of info and pics on how I did it.

[old blue 86]

One thing that is different is the venting at the back of the hood.
80 back is part of the hood 81 up is a separate piece.