Core Support and Inner Fenders Interchange

I'm just wondering if the core support say from an either a 1987 or a 1990 truck will bolt up to a 1979 truck? I'm looking to potentially use the bottom half the core support for my 1979 truck. The other question is I'm thinking the inner fenders from the 1987 model will work as well. Some sources say the later inner fenders should work but, I believe there is some differences on later years? Thank you in advance.

Location? I think I still have a core support for a late 70s truck, as I remember it's a 2 round style. I also have one from a 1988-ish one in the storage barn.

The radiator support frame mounts changed location from inside the frame rails to outside the frame rails somewhere near 1980. Some of the early year after the radiator support mount change had both frame mount positions built in, but a year or so past (or before) the change over won't interchange without major modification to the radiator support.

If the radiator support you intend to use has the same frame mount location, you are good to go, if not find one that matches your frame.

Thank you both. I'll figure out what to do. I'll see what I can do for my 1979 radiator support. Need to get a better look.

If youre only using the bottom of it you should be able to make it work. At the very least it doesn't look like the newer core supports don't have the holes for the J nuts to hold the stacked headlight brackets and if you have the round headlights the buckets would have to be added.

Thank you. Yes. I just wanted to the use the support for the bottom part potentially. Looks like I'll have to wait as the yard these trucks were in have now crushed them.

When I put the 76 model front sheet metal on my 80 model I made new radiator support brackets and bolted them onto the existing factory holes on the outside of the frame rail to match the 76 model radiator support, if your truck is like mine the empty holes should still be there, I thought I took pics of what I did but I can’t find them…if I can find the pics I’ll update the post…

Thank you.

Inner fenders will all swap. There are some variations, like the late 80's on had a reinforcement to help support the battery and air cleaner, but these bolt right in to earlier trucks. It was a good improvement.

As for the rad support, there are so many variables. The basic structure dimensions stayed the same from 72-93, and they will physically bolt into in any year truck.
Here are the basic groups:

72-76 {early 72's didn't have the lower reinforcement and usually cracked}
77-78 Easy ID= there is a hole in the upper fender bolt area for the signal lamp wiring. {some 78's have a large hole under the headlight for Lil Red intake tubes}
79-80 {quad lights had a bolt in headlight panel. Round lights had a welded in mount panel, hood latch changed to top surface mount}
81-85
86-90 {similar to 81-85 but headlight opening raised}
91-93 {2 basic models, gas, or diesel}

The 72-80 rad supports were available with small or large rad openings.
There were narrow spaced mounts that had the bolts in the front crossmember, and wide spaced mounts that had the bolts going through brackets on the frame rail ends.
So look closely, there was a lot of versions.

Thank you that helps a lot and very informative.