Front clip swap from '91 RMW to '94 RMW?

Hey guys!

Sorry about the über-long break from this forum, I haven't done anything with wagons in a while, due to my '91 basically falling apart.

I have the option to buy back the '94 I wrecked, it's been through two more owners (both of whom I know), and mechanically fixed. Fuel pump replaced, fuel pump relay replaced, vacuum hoses, radiator hoses, car aligned, water pump replaced, and it runs great. I'd be buying it for 1250.

For those that don't remember, I lost control of it in the rain being a n00b at RWD.

I've spoken with my father, and he has said that the front ends can probably be swapped over. Is this possible? It would be nice to just unbolt everything and bolt it onto the new car. My father has said that should work. I'm not sure what this entails or how I would go about doing it, or if it was even feasible.

What are the forum's thoughts? Here's pics from the CL post of the '94:

your dad is right, it will all bolt right up

Make sure you get the doors@While you have everything apart,check for any rust,wire brush
and paint over.Strip your 91 of everything you might need in the future and store it away.

I'm just not sure HOW to do it, or how involved it would be.

I'm somewhat inclined to get rid of my '91 and buy a Suburban and be done with it (blasphemy around here I know), I am somewhat sick of dealing with it, it's got issues both cosmetic and mechanic, and I can't do them.

David,you remember the thrill that 94 gave you everytime you drove it?That Suburban will never make you grin like your 94 did!Think about what you're giving up!

Y'all are right. I talked with the current owner of the '94, he's going to hang onto it for until I can scrape together another $500 to acquire it, and then swap the front ends around, or pay a shop to do it. It also needs tires, so I'll put my stock Buick wheels on for the moment, and buy 4 donuts or something from a junkyard so the '91 can sit until I do the front end swap.

Then I'll strip the '91 and scrap it.

You can remove the hood first, then the fenders, finally the core support and front bumper. You can bolt everything up without any problem, and you do not have to remove the doors. Use them for alignment of the fenders. The whole swap should take you about 3 days maxumum. Get an FSM, or post if you have any issues.

The only mods you have to do are holes in the wheelhouses for the accessories. The core support may have a couple of holes to drill as well for the SRS sensor. The driver's side wheelhouse extension (plastic at the front) is different from the 94, because the auto heigth compressor sits behind it on the 94. The clip for the engine compartment light wire is in a different place on the 91 hood.

It is a good idea, like was said above, strip the old one, and save or sell the parts to defray any costs, and maybe put a few $$$ in your pocket.

The fenders come off with the wheelhouses as one piece if you want to save some time. You could even take the whole front clip, minus the hood, and bumper and move it to the 94.

What color is your 91 inside? I might need a few pieces...
Also, if your passenger side wood trim is in good shape (the little strip on the door), any change I could buy it?

Sorry to take it off-topic just a bit.

Do it yourself. I showed you photos from my facebook. I did it in a couple of hours. It's not that hard....

I took another look at the thread. I did not wait to see the pics the first time...looks like you need a driver's side door. The attachments for the interior panel are different. You can drill out the pop rivets and move them to the 91 door. You also have to remove the arm rest support on the 91 door. The trim clips for the chrome are different, but the trim is the same, and will align correctly. The passenger's side looks good, so you only need the hood, driver's side fender, door, running light, and the bumper cover.

Well I decided to get it, and am putting together the necessary funds. Will hopefully have it within a couple weeks.

For those that may be interested in parts, the interior color of my '91 is blue.

The car itself is probably fixable, with only 91k original miles, and very clean, with almost no rust. But I'd rather fix up my previous '94.

I could use a blue driver side door panel including window controls and arm rest, etc...
Let me know if we can work something out.