CK5
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Door differences....73-80/81-87
- Thread starter 76zimmer
- Start date
If i'm not mistaken it is the wing window and door panels.
63chevyll
1/2 ton status
Well besides door panels over the years. I have found the 81 and up doors to have better a structural build around the windows.
Dvr seen lots of pre 81 doors where the sheet metal cracks and the doors are flimsy.
I ran some 84 doors on my 77 chevy because the were way stronger structural wise. I think they even drain water better and result, they typically don't rust as bad in the lower corner
Dvr seen lots of pre 81 doors where the sheet metal cracks and the doors are flimsy.
I ran some 84 doors on my 77 chevy because the were way stronger structural wise. I think they even drain water better and result, they typically don't rust as bad in the lower corner
KansasTwister
1/2 ton status
73-76 differ from 77-91 completely. From what I understand the doors were changed in 1977 to accommodate power windows. As far as 81-91 doors being different than 77-80 I cant answer. Any 77-91 door from what I understand can switch between the various door panels and power components. You simply cant put the factory style power windows in the 73-76 doors from what I understand. Also, I think the vent windows changed 81-91 but I may be wrong there.
I beleive the older doors had thicker window glass and tracks too--had more than one junkyard customer complain they couldn't use the old glass without the tracks,they had to come back and gut the tracks to allow it to fit right...not sure about the vent windows...
The early 70's doors had different height door panels also,than later ones..newer ones went down lower and usually had carpeting on the bottom half of the inner door panel..
The early 70's doors had different height door panels also,than later ones..newer ones went down lower and usually had carpeting on the bottom half of the inner door panel..
I agree with the door panels, seems like my 85 panels were bigger than the 76 I have.
LMC lists the same vent window assy. for all years????
Good things to look for, thanks.
I have run across a couple GM solid doors for $150/pr. I might check into them further then. Thanks guys!
Well, yes and no. Reading
http://lmctruck.com/icatalog/bzc/full.aspx?Page=14
Read the bit about "The original 1973-80 vent window is no longer available... slight difference in number of mounting holes..." Basically they say the newer style more or less fits.
The 73-80's have what they call the non-locking type handle. If it's important to you I have both styles available and can post pix.
-- A
I know what you mean, the locking has the little pin in the middle right?
So if these doors are complete I shouldn't have any issues with them bolting on. I don't know if the interior panels are going to be an issue or not putting 76 panels on later model doors?
So if these doors are complete I shouldn't have any issues with them bolting on. I don't know if the interior panels are going to be an issue or not putting 76 panels on later model doors?
KansasTwister
1/2 ton status
You can't interchange 73-76 and 77-91 door panels. 81 and up have locking pins on vents so you can't pry them up
86 door
73 door
73 door
I got manual windows and locks, so no electrical in the doors....Eric I see the green one is a full vert Blazer, but other than a few hole differences I don't see anything diff about them?
73-91 doors interchange as a whole unit, sure.
Door panels only interchange within their year range, i.e. 73-76 are one style, 77-80 are another (but might cross-fit with the earlier ones), and 81-up are an entirely other thing.
Best bet is to get the door with panel.
-- A
so 86 doors wont fit on a 76 truck correct?
from what I gather they will fit. some windows may not fit other doors. some door panels won't fit other doors, but the door itself will physically bolt onto the truck and function properly.
Zimmer's got it.
The doors as a unit are compatible from 73-87/91, so yes, '86 doors will fit a '76 truck, no problem.
The only problem is mixing and matching the interior bits or other pieces and parts.
-- A
Backroads
1/2 ton status
LMC catalog also shows a difference in the door LATCHES, but for some reason, the year break is 73-82 and 82-89, which is strange because I would think it would be 73-80 and 81-up...
The part number for the strikers is the same for all years.
The part number for the strikers is the same for all years.
kevin400ex
1/2 ton status
number one dont rely 100% on lmc for your interchange info. their parts probably wont fit anyways lol
the interior panels are the main difference. on my 79k5 i replaced the door handles with ones from an 87 and used the later door panels no problem.
73 crewcab with 88 suburban doors. bolted right up no issues.
before
after
the interior panels are the main difference. on my 79k5 i replaced the door handles with ones from an 87 and used the later door panels no problem.
73 crewcab with 88 suburban doors. bolted right up no issues.
before
after
The 73-76 door panels don't fit on the 77 and up doors. My suburban is a 76 and my brother had 77 doors put on when he destroyed the other doors. My 76 interior panels will go on, but the door handle is too big and you can't really get the manual window crank to clip on like it should (at least I never could get it to stay) and then you'll have all the holes from the clips for the later model door panels showing all along the bottom half of the door. I hope that all made sense
