80 to 81

[turner15]

besides the hood, front fenders and grill what is the difference between and 80 and 81 truck?

[ray_mcavoy]

Hi Mike,

I'm probably leaving some stuff out here, but just off the top of my head:

-Bumpers
-Radiator support
-Front inner fenders
-Frame - front bumper mounting area is different and I think the cab mount perches (expecially at the rear of the cab) changed a bit.
-Cab - cowl area changed slightly to accommodate the hood hinges and wiper shafts are longer to stick through the added cowl panel at the base of the windshield
-Interior - dash pad, door panels, and such restyled
-Tailgate - hinges changed to bolt-on pieces (were integral to the tailgate), and the center recessed area & Chevrolet or GMC lettering moved from the center to the side.

[BGRAFX]

Here are some pictures, the 80 has a big square headlight although its the last year of the round headlight 73-80 front ends. (Black Truck)
They changed 81-87 fenders, hoods, but 81 is the only year to have lights in the bumper. (My dually and friends stepside)

[Richardman1992]

Originally Posted by BGRAFX

Here are some pictures, the 80 has a big square headlight although its the last year of the round headlight 73-80 front ends. (Black Truck)
They changed 81-87 fenders, hoods, but 81 is the only year to have lights in the bumper. (My dually and friends stepside)

i thought 81 and 82 had the lights in the bumpers. a guy at my school has a k5 blazer built in february or march of 82 that has the lights in the bumper.
on a side note, when did you spray your truck with black? it looks good

[turner15]

so can I make an 81 tailgate, bumper and interior door panels work on my 80?
I can get an 81 parts truck but looks like most of the parts i need won't fit my truck? How about a full box exchange? Rear bumper?

[ray_mcavoy]

Originally Posted by turner15

so can I make an 81 tailgate, bumper and interior door panels work on my 80? I can get an 81 parts truck but looks like most of the parts i need won't fit my truck? How about a full box exchange? Rear bumper?

Even though the tailgage hinges went from integral to bolt-on, they use the same trunnion pieces on the bed. So I'm pretty sure an 81 tailgate will fit right onto your 80. The changes to the recessed center section of the tailgate will only make a difference if you try to mount an 80 (or older) trim band on the 81 gate.

A full box exchange should be a bolt-on swap. I have come across a difference in the location of the 2nd pair of bolt holes back from the cab on longbeds. I think it's a 2wd vs. 4wd thing but I'm not 100% sure.

Rear bumper will fit. The sport style bumpers are normally styled similarly to the front bumpers. So an 81 rear sport bumper will fit but won't match the style of the front 80 bumper. Both factory and aftermarket step & tow bumpers fit from 73-87. Although the factory step & tow bumpers gained some extra diagonal bracing (and mounting holes) sometime around 81.

[100%Chevy]

Late 79 and 80 had the headlight trim surround the park/turn lights.Also have a raised area on the very front of the hood.(Everyone go look!)
81 and 82 had the lights in the bumper.
81 and 82,the window regulator is different.
81 up had more clean-out holes in the rear wheel well.
81 up,the tailgate is flanged on the bottom-previous years were just round.
In 82,the biggest engine you could get in a 1/2 ton was a 305.
I believe 82 was the first year for the 700-R4.Which led to different driveshaft,crossmember,exhaust,column,etc.
All I can think of at the moment.
Mike.

[Scootin 81 C20]

Originally Posted by 100%Chevy

Late 79 and 80 had the headlight trim surround the park/turn lights.Also have a raised area on the very front of the hood.(Everyone go look!)
81 and 82 had the lights in the bumper.
81 and 82,the window regulator is different.
81 up had more clean-out holes in the rear wheel well.
81 up,the tailgate is flanged on the bottom-previous years were just round.
In 82,the biggest engine you could get in a 1/2 ton was a 305.
I believe 82 was the first year for the 700-R4.Which led to different driveshaft,crossmember,exhaust,column,etc.
All I can think of at the moment.
Mike.

So if I had ordered my truck new in September of 1980, I could've ordered it with a 454??????

[100%Chevy]

I don't know!But,I bet you could!
I did buy a new 3/4 ton 80 model.It was a 350.
I traded it for a 82 model(which I still have).I wanted a 350 in it,but was told I'd have to get a 3/4 ton or take the 305.Something about the govt.required fuel ratings.
Where I worked at the time,I got a new company truck every year.Started with the Chevy Luvs,then went to the C-10's.
Mike.

[Rodms]

Originally Posted by 100%Chevy

I don't know!But,I bet you could!
I did buy a new 3/4 ton 80 model.It was a 350.
I traded it for a 82 model(which I still have).I wanted a 350 in it,but was told I'd have to get a 3/4 ton or take the 305.Something about the govt.required fuel ratings.
Where I worked at the time,I got a new company truck every year.Started with the Chevy Luvs,then went to the C-10's.
Mike.

I bought a new 1/2 ton in May 1980 and it had 350,but I could not order one because GM had shut down,I had ordered one back in March and they told me in May could not have it,but i tell you there were three 350 trucks in Mississippi,Arkansas,Tennessee,Alabama,and Missouri and mine was at the small dealer in my hometown