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To make a long story short, I like the early c4 bodies more than the new ones (unpopular opinion I know, but whatever). Call me a sissy, but I also definitely want to have airbags. Can I either replace every exterior body part of a late c4 with those of an early one, or can I replace ever part of the interior of an early model with that of a late one? Also keep in mind, to some extent this is also a hypothetical "it's not about if we should, it's about if we can" question.
tl;dr: are the body parts of a late c4 interchangeable with the body parts of an early one?
Hi
I put the 91-96 bumpers on my 85 vette, the only issue is the where the front spoiler bolts on. The arch is different and the 90's front bumper / spoiler meet, You will need the front splash guards from a early c4.
Needless to say you need the front and rear impact absorber and all the light fittings.
I would think that retro-fitting the dash and airbag system into an older car would be much harder than doing the bumper/fender liner/belt-line molding swap. People put the 91-96 bumpers on early cars all the time,Seems logical that you could do the reverse.
Also keep in mind that there are two versions of the later dash. 90-93 with single air bag and 94-96 with dual air bags.
1990-1993 Dash
1994-1996 Dash
The later dash is, for lack of a better term, "simpler"
I would think that retro-fitting the dash and airbag system into an older car would be much harder than doing the bumper/fender liner/belt-line molding swap. People put the 91-96 bumpers on early cars all the time,Seems logical that you could do the reverse.
Yup, Dave you are correct.
OP...While anything is possible, some things are not practical. To switch the dash, for starters, you have swap and or engineer:
1) Console connection/adapers
2) Dash pad and mounts
3) door trim and alignment to dash
4) wiring harness and controls (they are different)
5) venting for air flow
6) hvac controls, doors, etc
7) CCM interface and new CCM that reads the SIR
8) the DERM for the airbag system
And much, much more...
Dude, buy a 91 and swap the bumpers for the look you want. Better than than that, buy a 90 and be done.
Last edited by billschroeder5842; 01-24-2017 at 07:58 PM.
Nothing wrong w/ wanting airbags. Air bag has saved my *** before in a different car but got 2 in my 94 C4 maybe they wont deploy but have a better chance than having 0 air bags. so Im biased but the stats don't lie. Accidents happen too often.
I've had 2 accidents where the airbags deployed and I'm damn glad I have them. My 99 C230 had the airbag deployed when I had a side collision. I upgraded to the 99 E300 because it had the curtain airbags.
Also, I happen to think I'm man enough that I don't have to take a poll and see what the other boys think when I want to wipe my d1ck. You can call me a sissy all day long. Won't hurt me none. If the airbag isn't there when I need it, THAT will hurt me.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by gerardvg
Hi
I put the 91-96 bumpers on my 85 vette, the only issue is the where the front spoiler bolts on. The arch is different and the 90's front bumper / spoiler meet, You will need the front splash guards from a early c4.
Needless to say you need the front and rear impact absorber and all the light fittings.
I also did this to my '89. I assume you are referring to the front inner wheel housings when you say "front splash guards"? And, the braces for the front air dam are specific to early/late models.
Belt moldings are molded INTO the front/rear later bumpers while they are separate parts on the early ones. Underlying "crash" assemblies are unique -- but this is where I bet you'd run into issues going backward. WHERE DO THE TRIGGERS FOR THE AIR BAGS SIT?
Those crash structures are styrofoam so you could do some hybrid "merging" if necessary...or carving?
Front "fenders" are unique to model years and would need to be swapped. (These are the pieces behind the front wheels.)
Door molding are easy though you need to remove inner door panels for access to the retaining bolts.
I would rather change out ALL the front/rear bumpers than to consider an interior swap!!! I've seen a thread on it...and OMG!!!!
I think the idea of buying a '90 isn't bad though you don't get the LT1 engine. If you really, really, really wanted the early outer shell, I'd buy the newest LT1 and do the retro bumper swap. I think your only challenge (that I didn't have to deal with) would be the air bag sensors...and how to be sure they would deploy.
I've had 2 accidents where the airbags deployed and I'm damn glad I have them. My 99 C230 had the airbag deployed when I had a side collision. I upgraded to the 99 E300 because it had the curtain airbags.
Also, I happen to think I'm man enough that I don't have to take a poll and see what the other boys think when I want to wipe my d1ck. You can call me a sissy all day long. Won't hurt me none. If the airbag isn't there when I need it, THAT will hurt me.
That was very.......umm....Colorful......Thank you?
Isn't there some deal with the zr1's carrying a late rear bumper? Or are those so uncommon that I don't even need to worry about that. Also, only one airbag so a 1990 isn't perfect for me but I legitimately might end up getting one.
The ZR-1 rear bumper wouldn't fit, as the rear of the "Z" is 3" wider than the standard C4s. But, if in your travels you happen to find one, they're rare and worth some buck$ and would sell quickly!
Poser...
Easy to spot the new rear bumper style and the high 3rd brake light = ZR-1. Also, there is a spacer on either side of the license plate. Hard to fool anyone that knows the cues, even from the rear only.
The 90 ZR-1 body was an odd duck: previous style front bumper, but new style rear, and narrow black belt. In 91 the body color belt was new as well as the front bumper.
I can't vouch for accuracy, but here is a link to charts showing C4 changes over the 12-year run.
if i was ever "forced" into a 91+ Vette I'd swap bumpers as well I love the early bodies but the interior is so much better in the newer cars I'd love to get my mits on a 90 Vert
Your airbag interests came to mind again while I was reading of the recall of airbags on the C7s. They might not work in a crash due to a software issue. 2014-2017 models are affected.
Yea, I'm not counting on my 21 year old GM airbags at all.
01-23-2017, 10:00 PM
I'd love to get my mits on a 90 Vert
