Next weekend I am picking up a 1985 E350 extended full panel van, Diesel.


I'm a huge fan of the 75-78 front clip with the round lights.


What's involved in converting from the 79-91 to the 75-78 front clip?


I know I'll need the lights, grill and lower part under the grill for the flashers.


Do I need to modify anything for the round lights to bolt in place of the square lights on the rad support? Hopefully I don't need to replace the rad support?

Replacing the rad support is impossible as the van is a diesel, and no diesel offered in the 70's so that's out of the question.



Thanks!

 

No one done this before?

 

I did the opposite several years ago. I wanted to make a 76 front match my 86 back. Since only the center portion unbolts the rest of the core support is a welded structure. What I did was to pull the grill, bumper,and lower valance. You will have a big square of metal on each side of the radiator opening. I used a donor van and cut the entire flat square area out and did the same on the van I was fixing Then I welded the new pieces in place. It looks factory, with the rest of the stamped recesses in place. As I remember I could not simpully pull the round H/L's out and put the square ones in place, so the metal work was necessary. You may also have to reroute the marker/turn signal wires. Good luck and have a great day.

 

Thanks for the reply! Looks like a good amount of work, considering the van isn't worth it all. Oh well, for my next one I guess

 

John this was a good idea if only because in the end you'd have what you wanted----sometimes the ideas don't work out.

You'll find something else to get into I'm sure----I know I would!