Front clip conversion question
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Front clip conversion question
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!
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!
Junior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
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.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
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!
You'll find something else to get into I'm sure----I know I would!
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AliceSML79
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
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Dec 9, 2015 08:23 AM
2010, 350, 88, clip, conversion, converstion, convirsion, e350, f150, ford, front, swap, truck, trucks, van
