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Fittin' 86-90 gun-sight grille into an 84 Ramcharger

2K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  valiantguy812 
#1 ·
Howdy all.. Has anyone fitted full assembly (grille shell, light trim buckets, etc.) successfully into  '81-'85 rcs or trucks?  Got mine refurb'd and ready to go in, only to find out it doesn't drop right in..  seems too tight-fitting around headlights towards the fenders and where bottom of grille shell mounts to lower valance...  Small mods are expected, but will I hafta switch out core support to center up headlights, etc.?  Noticed headlight bucket bezels are different in depth/angle between these years..  Neither donor '89 truck or my '84 rc have been wrecked, btw.  Thanks for your input!
 
#3 ·
CoJoe said:
From what I've read, you have to use the 91-93 core support
WHAT? You need to RE-READ what youve read.
Heres a break down
81-85
86-90
91-93
The 81-85 grill(whole assembly) will swap onto the 86-90 rad support. The only thing is the headlights are slightly off(not centered) This works the other way too with the 86-90 grill on a 81-85 rad support. The 91-93 are 91-93 ONLY
Just set it on and see if you can live with the headlights being off {2cents} {beer}
 
G
#7 ·
76dodgeboy said:
WHAT? You need to RE-READ what youve read.
Heres a break down
81-85
86-90
91-93
The 81-85 grill(whole assembly) will swap onto the 86-90 rad support. The only thing is the headlights are slightly off(not centered) This works the other way too with the 86-90 grill on a 81-85 rad support. The 91-93 are 91-93 ONLY
Just set it on and see if you can live with the headlights being off {2cents} {beer}
Yeah, my brain focused on "grill swap" and everything else just went in one eye and out the other...I think I need to curb the coffee intake ;D
 
#8 ·
I currently have an 89 grill on an 81, and the lights are 1/4 inch higher and closer to the fender on the earlier than the later. 

Also, the lower metal insert - the part that goes across at the bottom of the grille and behind the bumper is different.  It bolts on the same, but it is the wrong height for the grille to bolt to. 

I can find the insert in several places for cheap, what I can't find is the surround, and mine has been munched and bent and trashed.  Is it made by anyone anymore? 

 
#9 ·
insert in several places for cheap, what I can't find is the surround, and mine has been munched and bent and trashed. Is it made by anyone anymore?

yes it is / try either www.raybuck.com or google search for äutobody specialtys in CT
 
#10 ·
Thanks again to all who read and replied!!  Think I'll go ahead 'n swap out donor core support and lower valance to fit '89 grille (typical rust anyways)  instead o' choppin up me cherry light bezels.. Just wanted to pick some brains, but as long as it helps other peoples out n the process {cool}
 
#11 ·
it is a long shot but pull a part salvage shows 2 1984 ram trucks on there yard in Indianapolis. they are a 7 day a week salvage and they are cheep. it might be worth a trip. have you ever dealt with them before?
 
#12 ·
Haven't dealt w/ pull-a -part before.. always went old-school n treasure hunted albout all j/y's in southern Indiana; some have went to "you report to main office and wait while we pull it if we have it" which really blows {rant} but others r still good to go to.. have me own  boneyard n the back 40 of my old mans tho ;D
 
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