Anybody ever swapped front clips from late 80's to mid 90's. Ive got an 87 and Im soon to aquire a 95 parts truck. From looking at everything, I dont belive it will be too hard to swap the fenders, hood, core support and bumper etc. If anyone has done this before and has any advice, I would appreciate it, thanks.

 

Never done it before myself, but have seen it done numerous times. Popular for people who want a newer looking style truck with the emmisions of the early 80's, ie. carbed V8's. Everything just bolts out and swaps over. Just make sure you take the entire front clip, down to the frame and swap over. You may run into problems trying to put newer panels on the older radiator support due to the way the newer hood is. You might run into problems fitting accesories to the plastic fenders, but nothing to serious. Good luck

 

Thanks, Im getting started this weekend!

 

Well guys, Its almost done. All I like is a grille, cowl, fabricate bumper brackets and paint prep work. The only pains Ive had were wiring all the extra lights into my 87 harness, and making brackets to mount the bumper. Thats the only part that didnt bolt right up. Soont I will post some pics, before and after.

 

Hey 87302HO just interested in what you are going to do with the '87' front clip? Also do you have an extra set of front stock 2wd coil springs?

Thanks,
hotrod48

 

The springs I can check on, as far as the clip I dont know. I have an 82 swb rolling chassis I thought about puttin it on. But I think its too much work. I dont want to do this again. If your interested in it I have: hood, fenders( right fender needs a little work but its not too bad), headlights(just like new not faded) core support, cowl, chrome square tube grille, bumper is in pretty decent shape, & I might get rid of the inner fender plastic. Let me know.

 

87302HO, I sent you a private message, just wondering if you got it.

Thanks,
hotrod48

 

I have the same idea, i have a 87 f250 diesel so i was wondering if it would make a difference if i found a front clip off an early 90's ford truck and it had a diesel engine or a gas?

 

No, it shouldnt matter, but you need 92-96 to get the nice grille style

 

I have a couple of pics in my gallery of the progress I've made. I cant figure out how to post them in the forums though. I'm still tryin to figure all this out

 

nevermind, I think I got it

 

Now I just have to get a cowl screen, grille, and finish fabricating the bumper brackets. While I had the clip off, I put a Motorsport B303 cam in. Also had all my acc. brackets powder coated quick silver chrome, and the intake ceramic coated. Added an electric fan to get rid of that nasty orig unit. Engine compartment is pretty much done, time for primer.

 

Nice compartment hardware.

I've got a 92", 302, F-150, 4x4 that I'm about ready to replace with a carbed and nicely modified 351W. My ?'s are,

Is yours a 4x4? and if so, what headers are you using?

How long and how many guys (or gals) did you need to remove the front clip ?

Where did you get your powder coating done as well as the ceramic coating for the headers ?

I bought a set of FMR, s.s headers that I would like to have ceramic coated B-4 firing it up.
My biggest concern right now is to remove the front clip, which will make removing the engine and trans (E4od) with transfer case MUCH easier. Then do a compartment clean-up and detail while they are out.
Can't hardly wait to get started on it.
Your input will be appreciated.

Thanks, Howard

P.S.,Shifting gears. Can anyone tell me the wheel base of a 78", F-350 SWB, and that of a 78" LWB F-150. Thinking of putting a P.U. box on my 78", F-350 if its a doable. I would remove the duallys also. Any comments are appreciated.

 

With me and a buddy and two sets of tools, overall work time on taking it apart was about 3hrs. The hardest part is removing the core support bolts. Air tools make it easier, but not really needed. TIP: put all your hardware in ziplock bags and mark them. That helps alot with putting it back on. I'm 2wd. The powder coating was done @ Airborne coatings OKC,OK. If you dont have to remove the bumper, dont. When I took out the fuel injection wiring, I pretty much removed the whole main harness, but kept it just in case. Its handy to have a Chilton manual along side for that part. Its not that hard but you cant quit halfway or put it off like I did, It will take forever that way. On the fenders you migh want to mark the bolt locations so it lines back up when you go back together

 

Thanks 87302HO. Can hardly wait to get started, have had the engine ready for a few months and have been saving for the new E4od and finally got my $$ for it.
Just need my stand alone computer from Baumann engineering and I should be good to go.
Thanks again for the insight. I'll take some pics and post them when I start. Probably Nov. or Dec.

Later, Howard