'85 to '78 core support swap pics

'85 to '78 core support swap pics - 03/30/14 02:07 AM

Started my 78 core support swap into the '85 today. This project is about 8 years over due. I just hope it doesn't turn into a complete disaster, so here goes.

Old front, say good bye.

Grill off, bumper and filler off--notice the severe rust on the bottom of the support that is common. This was another reason I wanted to do the swap:

Old core support out. This was no easy feat with having the fenders still on.

Add the '78 style core support brackets. I used 7/16 bolts. Only interference was the top front bolt on both sides running into the edge of the front crossmember. A little time with the die grinder made a little more room for the end of the bolt--I only needed 1/4 more room. The alternative was to cut and shorten the bolt.

Nudder shot

New support just set in place

Headlights added--got a little ahead of myself

At this point, I see I am going to have to try and unbolt the rear of the fenders. They seem to be in a bind at the front with the core support--pressing very hard down on the support and not allowing me to adjust things right. I am sure the new bushings under the support aren't helping matters either though.

Good news is all the bolt holes on the front edge of the fender line up with the welded nuts on the older support. The goal here is to not have to mod the fenders. I can live with the ever so slight mismatch of the grill and top corner of the fenders as is--it really isn't that bad IMO.

To be continued....

Posted By: redraptor

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 03/30/14 01:28 PM

Looks good so far.

Will the valence bolt to the '85 fenders? What washer jug is that?

Posted By: 85_Ram_4speed

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 03/30/14 02:55 PM

Quote:

Looks good so far. Will the valence bolt to the '85 fenders? What washer jug is that?

I am almost positive the 78 valance won't work. I will be probably modding the '85 to work. But that remains to be seen still. This isn't a real easy swap, and mods definatly need to be made. I think one thing I am going to have to do is remove the lower fender mounts off the '85 support and put them on the '78. Its one of those deals where its all close, just not close enough to be a true bolt on.

Originally when I thought I was going to do this, I thought I would graft the very front of a '78 fender onto the '85 to make this all work. But I decided I do like the overall style of the '85 fender a little bit better with the stepside bed.

The washer bottle, well, I'll get hated on, but its from a first gen S10. I wanted to get as much stuff off the fenderwells as possible and this worked better and the way I have it mounted( had to make my own bracket) 1/3 of it is tucked under the fender. It works for now but I still am going to look for something else that may tuck a little better. I was looking at the kids 2000 Neon and something like that may work even better for what I am trying to do. I keep hunting when I am at the junkyard.

Posted By: poorboy

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 03/31/14 04:54 AM

You might want to look at your cab mount rubbers to see what condition they are in, since your fenders are binding a bit. Squished cab mount rubbers will lower the cab just enough to cause the bind you are experiencing. Gene

Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 03/31/14 05:25 AM

round headlights

Posted By: basketcase

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 03/31/14 07:10 AM

when I did my engine swap, I pulled the core support. easiest engine/trans swap I ever did.

Posted By: 85_Ram_4speed

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 03/31/14 12:16 PM

Quote:

You might want to look at your cab mount rubbers to see what condition they are in, since your fenders are binding a bit. Squished cab mount rubbers will lower the cab just enough to cause the bind you are experiencing. Gene

Thinking about it yesterday, this thought crossed my mind. I am in the process of trying to loosen things up and reset it all. I also hadn't noticed previously how the fenders were tighter at the bottom seam of the door, so loosening them up can solve that problem too and make the gap more even. Problem is I don't know how tall a new stock cab mount is, or what it squashes too once mounted.

Quote:

round headlights

I take it you don't like round lights? I can't stand rectangle lights and that awful Ford style grill.

Posted By: 85_Ram_4speed

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 04/01/14 02:38 AM

Quote:

Will the valence bolt to the '85 fenders?

I have a plan for this after looking at it tonight. The '85 valance will need the top section cut off. I will then make a tube piece that will sit behind the grill with tabs to bolt the grill to on the lower half.

I had to loosen all the fender bolts to get things more lined up. It is alot better but I am still not real pleased with it. I took some measurements between the '78 and '85 core support ast to various bolt locations for the fenders. They are both the same, so really can't under stand why I can't close up the hood to fender gaps a little closer. I may have to slot some holes if I can't get it any better.

Posted By: QuickDodge

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 04/01/14 04:44 PM

Thanks for taking the time to document this swap. I'll be waiting for updates!

Posted By: 440newport

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 04/01/14 06:12 PM

Quote:

Thanks for taking the time to document this swap. I'll be waiting for updates!

I have a '85 truck I'd like to do this to eventually as well.

One thing, if the core support is up to far, could you shave down those bushings a bit to line things up better? They look kinda short as they are though, I'm not sure it would give you much more room. Just a thought.

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 04/01/14 07:05 PM

Have you considered just cutting the 85 Balance ends and adding them to the 78 one

Posted By: 85_Ram_4speed

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 04/02/14 12:31 AM

Quote:

Have you considered just cutting the 85 Balance ends and adding them to the 78 one

No I didn't, so I went out and took a look at it. You could potentially do that and get away with it. The two are so diffeent in that area though. Problem is too, I only have one of each, and if I muck it up, thats it. I think I may take the safe route here and do some moddig of the upper part of the '85. Also looking at that I may be able to build a brace/mount for the lower part of the grill that bolts to the support itself.

Right now just trying to get the fenders pulled in tighter to the hood. Either I never paid attention to the previous gaps or they were decent, but my gap gets larger as I get towards the grill, but my fenders are pulled in all the way now. Might have to break out the die grinder, but I really shouldn't have to.

Posted By: redraptor

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 04/02/14 01:23 AM

Quote:

I am almost positive the 78 valance won't work. I will be probably modding the '85 to work. But that remains to be seen still.

That's what I ended up doing. Cut the upper portion off and bolted it to the support as it bolts directly to it.
I saw another member just cut out the lamp area and transfer it to the newer support which is exactly what I did then.

Posted By: 85_Ram_4speed

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 04/03/14 03:05 AM

Quote:

Will the valence bolt to the '85 fenders?

Quote:

Have you considered just cutting the 85 Balance ends and adding them to the 78 one

Son of a gun you guys are right. I didn't think it would work but the more I looked at this it seems like it might. I could cut the ends of the '85 off, but think I will just fab the pieces I need. As you can see, it isn't that far off. And after looking at this valance that I have, I am not going to feel bad cutting it up. The back makes you wonder how and why the front looks so good. Guess I need to find a better one somehow.

Anyhow, The cove or curve at the fender and valance is real close---even though the pic doesn't look that way. But as you see from the straight on shot, they ends are cut differently. I am going to get the fenders where I want for the best possible grill fit, then make the valance fit by trimming and refabbing the ends.

Posted By: 85_Ram_4speed

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 04/12/14 01:29 PM

Ok, little update. I have been trying to get my hood/fender gaps back to something resonable. The other issue I see with the lower valance is the width. As I mentioned, I will most likely cut the ends and fab new ones. The width issue comes from the fact I need to pull out the bottom side of the fenders to make it flow with the grill--thus making the valance short end to end. So I will be doing some fab work.

I am pleased so far other wise, Stay tuned.

Posted By: 440newport

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 07/08/14 01:03 AM

Any updates to this? I'm wondering how it turned out?

Posted By: 85_Ram_4speed

Re: '85 to '78 core support swap pics - 07/08/14 12:34 PM

Not too much. Been real busy with work. I spent an exorbitant amount of time getting the fenders/grill /hood to fit better. I wish I paid more attention to how things were before I took it apart---but I also wonder if the earlier fenders are just slightly longer in the fron which would help immensly. I got everything pretty reasonable I guess though. To get the best possible fit required pulling the bottom of the fenders out. That means the lower valance is now too short in length. I will probably just use most of the '85 valance and fab some braces to hold the grill in at the bottom.

I did have to remove the weatherstrip that goes on the grill to seal the hood. It was causing fitment issues. Everything is super tight between the cowl, hood, and grill for some reason, and i cant pull the fenders farther foward because then the door gaps look goofy.

All in all, I got everything reasonable for what it is. Really, the best possible solution is to swap fenders--which also means doors, or do as in another post from a year or two ago where they cut the front of the fenders off and weld the earlier front of the fender on. I may do this down the road, but right now I would like to finish this so I can drive it again.