73-80 frames vs. 81-87 frames, 1/2 ton ,2WD - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**crossy** · 11-07-2007, 09:51 PM

anyone have pics of stripped down frames. I thought I remember their being different cross bracing and such on the 73-80 frames.?

I know the 81-87 front clip will fit a 73-80 frame with just minor cutting in the front, but what else is significant?? anything??
thanx ,crossy

**old Rusty C10** · 11-07-2007, 10:01 PM

when i had the 76 truck and i put the 81 cab on i found my 76 cab tabs were kinda rotted so i went and got an extra set of the cab mounts the steel ones that are riveted to the frame. The circumference of the hole is different sizes so you have to use the correct body mounts to the frame
i dont recall any other differences i used longbeds tho im not sure about short ones
hope that helps ya

**Captkaos** · 11-08-2007, 02:07 PM

73-80 frames don't have the holes in the crossbraces for less weight, they are solid.
81-87 frames have the holes in them.

I can get you a pic if you need it.

**crossy** · 11-08-2007, 05:23 PM

Someone i know wants to re-do his 85 from the frame up and wanted a clean frame to start in advance since his sheetmetal is nearly perfect he just wanted to have a frame done then swap over all the metal.
This is a pic of a SWB frame i found very close to me and I had to assume it's a 73-80 frame. there was no frontend or cab metal to ID it. the 12 bolt was a bit of a giveaway to me that it was prolly pre-79.

Oh yeah and now i see the frame in the front isn't cut like 81-up

**Captkaos** · 11-08-2007, 06:14 PM

Yep, 73-80.
I was going to mention the easiest way to tell, other than the crossmembers, was the bumper mounting on the frame horns.
Round = 73-80
Triangle cut = 81-87.

11-07-2007, 09:51 PM	#1
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	73-80 frames vs. 81-87 frames, 1/2 ton ,2WD anyone have pics of stripped down frames. I thought I remember their being different cross bracing and such on the 73-80 frames.? I know the 81-87 front clip will fit a 73-80 frame with just minor cutting in the front, but what else is significant?? anything?? thanx ,crossy __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

11-07-2007, 10:01 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	Re: 73-80 frames vs. 81-87 frames, 1/2 ton ,2WD when i had the 76 truck and i put the 81 cab on i found my 76 cab tabs were kinda rotted so i went and got an extra set of the cab mounts the steel ones that are riveted to the frame. The circumference of the hole is different sizes so you have to use the correct body mounts to the frame i dont recall any other differences i used longbeds tho im not sure about short ones hope that helps ya __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

11-08-2007, 02:07 PM	#3
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: 73-80 frames vs. 81-87 frames, 1/2 ton ,2WD 73-80 frames don't have the holes in the crossbraces for less weight, they are solid. 81-87 frames have the holes in them. I can get you a pic if you need it. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

11-08-2007, 05:23 PM	#4
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	Re: 73-80 frames vs. 81-87 frames, 1/2 ton ,2WD Someone i know wants to re-do his 85 from the frame up and wanted a clean frame to start in advance since his sheetmetal is nearly perfect he just wanted to have a frame done then swap over all the metal. This is a pic of a SWB frame i found very close to me and I had to assume it's a 73-80 frame. there was no frontend or cab metal to ID it. the 12 bolt was a bit of a giveaway to me that it was prolly pre-79. Oh yeah and now i see the frame in the front isn't cut like 81-up Attached Images __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks. Last edited by crossy; 11-08-2007 at 05:29 PM.

11-08-2007, 06:14 PM	#5
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: 73-80 frames vs. 81-87 frames, 1/2 ton ,2WD Yep, 73-80. I was going to mention the easiest way to tell, other than the crossmembers, was the bumper mounting on the frame horns. Round = 73-80 Triangle cut = 81-87. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com



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