main differences between 73-79, 81-87

[GonicGM]

Originally Posted by Grim Reaper

Ok my turn of what I remember.
In 78 you got th gas door and the door panels covered more door. Some stuff went electric like the oil pressure gage. In 78 there was a major electrical upgrade to the Blade style fuses. In 78 the rear seat passengers got a foot well and the rear seat became fold and tumble. In 80 Square headlight but still ahd the 73-80 fenders with vertical turn signal. In 80 or 81 electric choke.

76 had short door panels, 77 had tall
1980 was round headlight unless chrome grille/halogen headlight option was ordered (which yielded square headlights) I believe std. on Silverado Sierra Classic
on big 3/4 and 1 ton V-8, heat choke until 84, electric in 85-up

Originally Posted by Grim Reaper

87 was fisrt year of FI and only Year of FI in that body for the regular cab pickup. Crew cab, burb and K5 sontunied old bdy style through 91 to fufill goverment 10 eyar contracts to the Army that was signed in 81.
89 these trcuks got a cosmetic redew of the grill and interior. Re designated as the R for 2wd and V for 4wd in 88 to diferentiate from the new body.
in 90 they went to a tranny mounted VSS and electric speedo. in 91 the 4l80 showed up in the 3/4 and hlf ton varaints to replace the TH400.

R/V designations started in 1987 for all square body
Never known through confirmed VIN or ownership...There were square body SRW std. cab pickups available for 1988 model year. The GM parts book confirms as there is a listing for frame rails as 1988 V309(03), would have been available with carb. or FI.

Originally Posted by Grim Reaper

4x4 stuff

about 83 the manual trucks went from Course 10 spline input to the stronger 40 spline input. about the same time they went to hydraulic clutch.

Unless I'm mistaken, all M/T C/K/R/V including new body style were 10 Spline input to trans.
32 spline output to any aluminum transfer case.
10 spline output through 1984 on NP205 1 ton
32 spline output 85-91 on NP205 1 ton