Can I put round '81 headlights on an '82 ?

[SuperT]

I'm thinking of buying an '82 pickup, but I really have a thing for the round headlights on the '81 models. Does anyone know if you can swap the round headlights from an 81 into an 82 or 83 1st gen? It looks like you should be able to if you also swap in the front grill. Everything should line up the same, but I'm not sure how it would all attach or clip in. I wouldn't want to do it if it ended up not fitting right or bouncing around. I would want it to be a clean swap. Has anyone done this before?

 

[toyminator]

It should bolt right up. My friends 83 has an aftermarket bumper with his 79 headlights/grill so I'm not sure how the factory one would fit.

 

[YotaJosh]

I've done the swap. It's not that hard. The core support has all the holes for the round buckets, but the welded nuts aren't there. You'll have to hit the hardware store and get some metric nuts and washers.

The grill and headlight trim (aka "doors") bolt up no problem. Just make sure all the clips that the screws attach to stay in place.

One issue I had is that the parking lights from the '79 had different connectors than the '82 wiring harness. I solved that by cutting both factory connectors off and using some high quality spade connectors.

 

[WristPin]

round head light yotas look better than all of them

 

[SuperT]

I've done the swap. It's not that hard. The core support has all the holes for the round buckets, but the welded nuts aren't there. You'll have to hit the hardware store and get some metric nuts and washers.

The grill and headlight trim (aka "doors") bolt up no problem. Just make sure all the clips that the screws attach to stay in place.

One issue I had is that the parking lights from the '79 had different connectors than the '82 wiring harness. I solved that by cutting both factory connectors off and using some high quality spade connectors.

That's kind of what I figured. It sounds like the wiring work is pretty minor too. Definitely doable. Thanks for the info.

 

[locknload]

round head light yotas look better than all of them

That's why I plan on putting round headlights in my '86. It will be some work but will look so bad-ass.