Door parts interchangability

[TheCaptain]

Hello all,

We are finally getting around to dealing with the doors on my truck...I've got a few questions for the sages around here though.

My truck is a 74...I see that there are two different door reproductions for second gens that they sell: 73-76 and 77-91. What are the physical differences in the two?

I noticed almost the same thing with manual window regulators. There is one type for a 1973, one for 74-76, and one for 77-91. I read in an old post on here that the difference is just the length of the splined shaft for the window crank...is that correct? (Later years had thicker door panels?)

Is is possible to use a 77-91 window regulator (I think I can still get them new) in a 73-76 style door? Even if there is a minor modification required, it would be better than trying to use my beat-up 33+ year old regulators. The rollers on those things are in pretty rough shape.

One more question too - how to the interior panels from later year trucks mount to the door? Is it much different than my 74? I was thinking about using a 77-80 interior panel. (I know I might have to trim the end of the panel near the pillar due to mine being the full convert, but the panels and color options seem better for those years.) Anyways...that is just something I am thinking about right now...it's just as likely I'll stick with the panels it was made for.

As always...thanks for any information. I'd sure hate to try to figure this stuff out without CK5. Happy New Years!

 

[frankin5]

73-87 truck. 73-91 blazer and sub door is the same

 

[kevin400ex]

the differances i can see between my 79 blazer doors and my 73 crew cab doors are the slots **** in side for mounting the door panels in the 79. other than that they are the same i beleive. my 73 crewcab actually has a late model door on the front passenger.

 

[Muddytazz]

The door panel mountings are the only physical differences (except for the obvious 73-75 blazer being full vert).

 

[PatJ]

Don't know about the Blazers as my only Blazer is an 87, but on the trucks at least, the interior of the door itself is actually slightly different 77 and earlier and 78 and later (I think.) It isn't just the plastic panel, but the actual door (and armrests.)

I know from experience with the trucks you can't get the early interior panel on to the later door (I mean you can, but it won't attach or fit right and will look like ****.) I have never tried the other way but I bet putting a later panel on an early door would be similar.

Basically, the earlier panels cover less of the door so the earlier doors kind of "bump out" around the panel while the later panels cover almost the whole door front to back to the bumped out part is different. I can take pics of my 75 and 79 pickups if it would be helpful. But again, this is the pickups so I am not sure how that will relate to the K5.

Pat

 

[ryoken]

my 77 manual panels fit fine on my 87...

 

[TheCaptain]

Thank you for the answers everyone...this is useful stuff.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who put a newer door panel on an older door. (I am contemplating that for when I put mine back together.) I am curious about how well things would fit, and just how different the mountings for the interior panel are.

Does anyone know if the door handles are identical from 1973-1991? I see I can still order GM handles from gmpartsdirect, but they list the part number as being for an 81-91...nothing older.

I have the same question about the wing windows in the door. There is a note in the LMC truck catalog that says the 73-80 wing windows/frames aren't available anymore, but that the 85-91 can be used as a replacement. (With some minor difference in the number of mounting holes on them.) I am hoping that it might be an easy bolt in...if so I can just get a set of frames from GM and have the 1970's green soft-ray glass put in them and call it a day.

Thanks again for any guidance

 

[onetonbb74]

I have 79 interior in my 74 and yes the door panels, armrests, and inner door latches were all different, but swapped over pretty easy. The glass, door locks, and wing window all interchanged no problem as well. Most of these doors crack around the upper hinge mount and make the door not line up for chit. That was the only prob. i had on the interior swap that i remember, it was 03 last time my interior was taken apart.

 

[rjpastor]

For future reference...

I've found the LMC catalogue to be very helpful on this kind of stuff. The blow out diagrams of the parts groups can be a good guide to how things are put together and they'll show different years for some of the parts like door pieces, etc. on the same page.