Square Body Front Clip on a Medium

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Powerhouse Ranch

3G Connoisseur
Joined
Jan 6, 2021
Posts
1,453
Reaction score
2,516
Location
PA
First Name
Luke
Truck Year
1980 & 1988
Truck Model
C25 & V15
Engine Size
454 & 350
NOW I know that it's a big thing for people to put medium duty front clips on pickup trucks (of all makes, I've seen old Fords, and new Chevys) BUT has anyone ever considered taking a front clip of a 73-87 Square Body and placing it on a 73-87 Chevy/GMC medium duty truck? Could you imagine how revolutionary that would be? I haven't come across such a thing in person or the internet, is it because I'm not looking hard enough, no one else has thought of it or it simply isn't feasible? Could you imagine an '85 Chevy front clip on a massive C70 dump truck? I know the fenders would need cut to an extent, or even somehow use the fenders of the medium duty (cut them just right; SERIOUS fabrications?) I know the cabs are the same (with minor differences) but not something big enough to destroy the idea, yet enough to make such an idea a thought in the first place. WHAT DO WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THIS POSSIBILITY?

You must be registered for see images attach


Really the OPPOSITE of below:

You must be registered for see images attach
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,956
Reaction score
23,466
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
You could maybe get a similar effect by just using the pickup grille and headlights and it would be much less fab work. Maybe utilize a widened pickup front bumper too, but raised of course.

If trying that route, I imagine it would be easier to use a rig that did not have the optional tilt nose.
 

Powerhouse Ranch

3G Connoisseur
Joined
Jan 6, 2021
Posts
1,453
Reaction score
2,516
Location
PA
First Name
Luke
Truck Year
1980 & 1988
Truck Model
C25 & V15
Engine Size
454 & 350
You could maybe get a similar effect by just using the pickup grille and headlights and it would be much less fab work. Maybe utilize a widened pickup front bumper too, but raised of course.

If trying that route, I imagine it would be easier to use a rig that did not have the optional tilt nose.

were these those without tilt nose?\

EDIT okay yeah i see it now

You must be registered for see images attach


i wonder how interchangable the rad supports would be for the lights/grille?
 

PrairieDrifter

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
3,421
Reaction score
4,480
Location
North Dakota
First Name
Mason
Truck Year
84,79,77,70,48
Truck Model
Suburban k10, bonanza k10, c30 C&C, c10, gmc 1/2ton
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350, 350
I think they have they're own front clip, core support and all. I've thought about doing this before, my family has always owned trucks like these, c60's c50's and whatnot. The hoods and front clip length on the big trucks(without flip-up hood) are about half of what the pickups are.

If I was doing a full on build I would slide the cab and related mechanical and electrical components back on the frame with it. If I just wanted to do something cool that would look decent but not be as much work, I would just put a pickup front clip up front, the only problem is I believe you wouldn't have enough frame rail, so you'd have to add some more frame rail or something.
 

Powerhouse Ranch

3G Connoisseur
Joined
Jan 6, 2021
Posts
1,453
Reaction score
2,516
Location
PA
First Name
Luke
Truck Year
1980 & 1988
Truck Model
C25 & V15
Engine Size
454 & 350
I think they have they're own front clip, core support and all. I've thought about doing this before, my family has always owned trucks like these, c60's c50's and whatnot. The hoods and front clip length on the big trucks(without flip-up hood) are about half of what the pickups are.

If I was doing a full on build I would slide the cab and related mechanical and electrical components back on the frame with it. If I just wanted to do something cool that would look decent but not be as much work, I would just put a pickup front clip up front, the only problem is I believe you wouldn't have enough frame rail, so you'd have to add some more frame rail or something.

sounds easy enough but then the whole wheel well proportion would most likely be off. I've never looked at one up close with the hood down and all that, i'll take your word for it
 

PrairieDrifter

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
3,421
Reaction score
4,480
Location
North Dakota
First Name
Mason
Truck Year
84,79,77,70,48
Truck Model
Suburban k10, bonanza k10, c30 C&C, c10, gmc 1/2ton
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350, 350
sounds easy enough but then the whole wheel well proportion would most likely be off. I've never looked at one up close with the hood down and all that, i'll take your word for it
Don't get me wrong I've never took a tape measure or anything like that to it.

But it's for sure shorter, and I believe even the firewalls are cutout more to allow for the motor to sit farther back in it. I just don't believe it could be done the "easy" way and look good still.

But this was always one of my lifelong projects I wanted to do, 4wd is on the menu as well.
 

Powerhouse Ranch

3G Connoisseur
Joined
Jan 6, 2021
Posts
1,453
Reaction score
2,516
Location
PA
First Name
Luke
Truck Year
1980 & 1988
Truck Model
C25 & V15
Engine Size
454 & 350
Don't get me wrong I've never took a tape measure or anything like that to it.

But it's for sure shorter, and I believe even the firewalls are cutout more to allow for the motor to sit farther back in it. I just don't believe it could be done the "easy" way and look good still.

But this was always one of my lifelong projects I wanted to do, 4wd is on the menu as well.

yeah this is clearly something i'v always thought about and would love to attempt if the opportunity presented itself. and 4wd what specifically?
 

legopnuematic

Licensed Junk Dealer
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
1,708
Reaction score
3,656
Location
MO
First Name
Spencer
Truck Year
1971, 1̶9̶7̶4, 1976, 1979,1̶9̶8̶5, 2002
Truck Model
Dart Swinger, Sierra 10, C10 Cheyenne, C10 Big Ten, Silverado 10, Ram 2500
Engine Size
225/6, 350 c.i., 350 c.i., 5.9l Cummins
Don't get me wrong I've never took a tape measure or anything like that to it.

But it's for sure shorter, and I believe even the firewalls are cutout more to allow for the motor to sit farther back in it. I just don't believe it could be done the "easy" way and look good still.

But this was always one of my lifelong projects I wanted to do, 4wd is on the menu as well.

Firewalls on the mediums are recessed back and the floors are more or less flat (no hump), With the factory recessed firewall center that has made me think that could be the way to go with a Cummins swap, medium duty cab on light duty frame/front clip. (which late 80+ mediums could be optioned with a Cummins VT225, so a 5.9 is not complete blasphemy)
 

PrairieDrifter

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
3,421
Reaction score
4,480
Location
North Dakota
First Name
Mason
Truck Year
84,79,77,70,48
Truck Model
Suburban k10, bonanza k10, c30 C&C, c10, gmc 1/2ton
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350, 350
Firewalls on the mediums are recessed back and the floors are more or less flat (no hump), With the factory recessed firewall center that has made me think that could be the way to go with a Cummins swap, medium duty cab on light duty frame/front clip. (which late 80+ mediums could be optioned with a Cummins VT225, so a 5.9 is not complete blasphemy)
You bring up a great point. The recessed firewall would be a very good start for a Cummins swap! As long as you can deal with a small back window cab, which is what I believe all civilian owned medium duty's were. You are also correct about the floor, completely flat. I believe the foot pans on the firewall/floor are "shorter" if not just more aggressive of an angle.
 

PrairieDrifter

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
3,421
Reaction score
4,480
Location
North Dakota
First Name
Mason
Truck Year
84,79,77,70,48
Truck Model
Suburban k10, bonanza k10, c30 C&C, c10, gmc 1/2ton
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350, 350
yeah this is clearly something i'v always thought about and would love to attempt if the opportunity presented itself. and 4wd what specifically?
A flatbed truck most likely, maybe like a 12 ft bed, with some stake pockets so you could haul dirt or whatever. Basically a badass medium duty pickup, something to haul trailers with, if I ever needed to pick up a decent sized older tractor or semi, and anything under that. Probably get like military axles, Cummins swap, divorced transfer case etc
 

Powerhouse Ranch

3G Connoisseur
Joined
Jan 6, 2021
Posts
1,453
Reaction score
2,516
Location
PA
First Name
Luke
Truck Year
1980 & 1988
Truck Model
C25 & V15
Engine Size
454 & 350
A flatbed truck most likely, maybe like a 12 ft bed, with some stake pockets so you could haul dirt or whatever. Basically a badass medium duty pickup, something to haul trailers with, if I ever needed to pick up a decent sized older tractor or semi, and anything under that. Probably get like military axles, Cummins swap, divorced transfer case etc

sounds pretty epic my friend
 

Craig 85

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Posts
3,889
Reaction score
4,024
Location
Nashville, TN
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30 SRW
Engine Size
454/TH-400/NP205
This is the only picture I could find of this truck. C60 Suburban. You can barely make out it has a Round Eye front end. Front Flares resemble the Bushwacker Cut-out flares.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Powerhouse Ranch

3G Connoisseur
Joined
Jan 6, 2021
Posts
1,453
Reaction score
2,516
Location
PA
First Name
Luke
Truck Year
1980 & 1988
Truck Model
C25 & V15
Engine Size
454 & 350
This is the only picture I could find of this truck. C60 Suburban. You can barely make out it has a Round Eye front end. Front Flares resemble the Bushwacker Cut-out flares.

You must be registered for see images attach

that is a HELL Of an accomplishment. smart move on the Bushwackers. I'd love to see more of that.
 

Galane

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2014
Posts
147
Reaction score
38
Location
Idaho
First Name
Gregg
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
Sierra 3500
Engine Size
350
You'd have to keep a set of headlights down low due to headlight height regulations. Might even have to leave the higher up ones disconnected to satisfy some States.
 

Powerhouse Ranch

3G Connoisseur
Joined
Jan 6, 2021
Posts
1,453
Reaction score
2,516
Location
PA
First Name
Luke
Truck Year
1980 & 1988
Truck Model
C25 & V15
Engine Size
454 & 350
You'd have to keep a set of headlights down low due to headlight height regulations. Might even have to leave the higher up ones disconnected to satisfy some States.

i believe its like 53 inches in pa, from the road
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,850
Posts
903,471
Members
33,362
Latest member
Dhatch84
Top