Parts needed for '71 GMC --> '68 Chevy? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Orange '71 GMC · 06-13-2003, 07:30 AM

The thought has crossed my mind to do this conversion, simply becuase the '68 Chevrolet is byfar my favorite of the '67-'72 trucks in the looks department. My question is, what would it take to swap my 1971 GMC over to look like a 1968 Chevrolet?

I was thinking it would require the fenders, grille, hood, tailgate, core support, and badging.

I don't have any badging on my truck, so that parts taken care of - the hood is a must - an aftermarket plain jane tailgate is all I would really care for - the grille is a must - and now, I am not so sure that I need the fenders - as GMC Paul lists this:

Quote:

68 Chevy & 68-72GMC Front Fender ZINC STEEL CONSTRUCTION - Each $149.95 - L/R 1020899

1968 Chevy & 1968-72 GMC front fender. Manufactured with all new tooling and fixture jigs for a guaranteed EXACT fit just like your originals. THICKNESS of fender skin 0.90mm ( ORIGINAL'S were 0.85mm TO 0.90mm )-- Inner fender brackets Thickness1.50mm that's exactly the same as original., but stamped from a new improved zinc impregnated steel for the outer skin, then a electro deposited primer in black is applied, resulting in the ultimate in corrosion resistance. Shipped padded in a specially designed high density box to insure damage free delivery through UPS & Fed-Ex ground oversized shipping. Specify Left Or Right In Cart.

So am I right in assuming, that all I would really need is the hood, grille, core support and a new tailgate? (When I say grille, I mean all the grille trim pieces as well).

Thanks In Advance!

**JIMs70GMC** · 06-13-2003, 08:20 AM

Yep the 68 chevy fenders are the same as 68-72 GMC fenders.

72MARIO · 06-13-2003, 08:34 AM

You will need,
hood, rad support, hood latch, fenders, trim for grill openings and headlight bezel trim. Note I have found that 67-68 aftermarket bezels dont fit vert nice at all.

tom hand · 06-13-2003, 09:02 AM

You could even make the core support work if you wanted to weld the headlight buckets on.

**CPNE** · 06-13-2003, 10:27 AM

Don't forget your wiring harness! The GMC's have quad headlights and use a harness set up for them. You'll need a from harness for a Chevy. 67-70 would be best (due to differences between location of directional signals) but a 71/72 would work. Make sure you get one set up for your gauge style, either idiot lights or guages.

Other than that, your list includes:

grille
rad support
hood
hood release latch and bracketry
TG
Fender eyebrows and emblems.

If your GMC grille is in nice shape you've got some good trading stock. Nice ones are hard to find!

MidniteChevy68 · 06-16-2003, 03:46 PM

Thanks for posting this tread because I had some questions in my thought about if the fenders are the same. Right now i have a 68 chevy but it has a GMC grill and i want to put it back to the original, I have mostly everything except the hood.

Class of 69 · 06-16-2003, 06:04 PM

You don't need the fenders, and can use the GMC light harness, as the outside lights have both low, and high beam necessary for the Chev lights. Just tape off the inner high beam only plugs, and hide from view. The turn signal harness is plenty long to reach up to the Chev grill location. This will save you some expense, if that is a concern.

Orange '71 GMC · 06-19-2003, 08:47 AM

Thank you all for the reply's -
I haven't posted back sooner because I was out of town for work.

The harness I will take care of - I will be doing a high wattage headlight setup so I will be redoing the complete headlight harness anyhow.

My grille - is in very good shape, but I don't want to trade is - I may actually go back and forth as time goes on.

Knowing what all I must have now - my biggest problem is my seat...it's the original bench covered in leather with GMC stiched in the center.

Thanks Again.

06-13-2003, 08:20 AM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Yep the 68 chevy fenders are the same as 68-72 GMC fenders. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

06-13-2003, 08:34 AM	#3
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	You will need, hood, rad support, hood latch, fenders, trim for grill openings and headlight bezel trim. Note I have found that 67-68 aftermarket bezels dont fit vert nice at all. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

06-13-2003, 09:02 AM	#4
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	You could even make the core support work if you wanted to weld the headlight buckets on. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

06-13-2003, 10:27 AM	#5
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	Don't forget your wiring harness! The GMC's have quad headlights and use a harness set up for them. You'll need a from harness for a Chevy. 67-70 would be best (due to differences between location of directional signals) but a 71/72 would work. Make sure you get one set up for your gauge style, either idiot lights or guages. Other than that, your list includes: grille rad support hood hood release latch and bracketry TG Fender eyebrows and emblems. If your GMC grille is in nice shape you've got some good trading stock. Nice ones are hard to find! __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

06-16-2003, 03:46 PM	#6
MidniteChevy68 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 53	hey Orange 71 Thanks for posting this tread because I had some questions in my thought about if the fenders are the same. Right now i have a 68 chevy but it has a GMC grill and i want to put it back to the original, I have mostly everything except the hood. __________________ 68' Chevy truck longbed: flows, 4/6 drop, k&n filter, GMC front clip, and 20s

06-16-2003, 06:04 PM	#7
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	You don't need the fenders, and can use the GMC light harness, as the outside lights have both low, and high beam necessary for the Chev lights. Just tape off the inner high beam only plugs, and hide from view. The turn signal harness is plenty long to reach up to the Chev grill location. This will save you some expense, if that is a concern. __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

06-19-2003, 08:47 AM	#8
Orange '71 GMC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 132	Thank you all for the reply's - I haven't posted back sooner because I was out of town for work. The harness I will take care of - I will be doing a high wattage headlight setup so I will be redoing the complete headlight harness anyhow. My grille - is in very good shape, but I don't want to trade is - I may actually go back and forth as time goes on. Knowing what all I must have now - my biggest problem is my seat...it's the original bench covered in leather with GMC stiched in the center. Thanks Again. __________________ Orange '71 GMC



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