Debatable best 73-87 year?

[hatzie]

85-87 with the 73-75 GMC front clip and the 70's YE9 stainless body trim.

I really like the round headlamps and 70's body trim and the early GMC grilles.
I don't like the limited glass fuse electrical.

The late 70's up fuel filler doors angle the fill neck where it's easier to not spill gas or diesel on the ground.

The 85+ creature comforts like big power dumbo mirrors, power windows/locks, interval wipers, tilt columns and, OEM looking (from inside the cab) cruise control are easier to add.
The 85+ windshield washer is divorced from the wiper motor and the dash cover seems to fit better after 81 or so.
80's AC already has the fairly forgiving orifice valve rather than the 70's TXV system.

[RUN GMC]

Love the body style period across the board 73-87 but the 87 GMC with tbi, over drive trans 700r-4 with dual fuel tanks make it my favorite choice....the newer creature comforts are kewl but all I need is a nice sound system with satellite radio and a/c i have the daily driver I wanted to have.......and i now i do have this set up now in my 87 GMC which I drive a lot and put on the road........

[rich weyand]

YMMV, but I think I'm sitting on the sweet spot: 1978 chassis and cab with 1986 bed.

Why?
First year with electric oil gauge -- no oil line into the cab.
Last year (in a K10) with NO pollution controls.
Round eyes.
No ECM.
And the 1986 box because I like the fuel doors rather than fuel caps.

[motornut]

Of course 78 lol
with years of "fit-able parts"
I'm working in later years' "fancy" parts in mine lol
But I'd say the 87,88,89 Burbs were better on gas.

And those Suburban parts bolted right into my 78 Jimmy
buckets console,door panels and glass/lockable vents,dash pad.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

The quartz clock, of course.

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

I do like the clock. If I had air bags (overload style) I'd put the dual needle air pressure gauge, if I towed with an automatic I'd put a temp gauge in and connect it to a sending unit on trans, and there's always a single needle air pressure and a vacuum gauge to choose from. Would take the clock over the last two though.

Have you ever had one with a quartz clock? I always thought I wanted one till I had one. They are annoyingly loud, and very hard to see. The one in my 84 Sierra is currently disconnected because of the loud ticking it makes. I have a watch, a cell phone, and a fit bit to tell me what time it is.

Did they ever offer a transmission temp gauge? Thats a great idea if you run the HD tach with the gas gauge.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Have you ever had one with a quartz clock? I always thought I wanted one till I had one. They are annoyingly loud, and very hard to see. The one in my 84 Sierra is currently disconnected because of the loud ticking it makes. I have a watch, a cell phone, and a fit bit to tell me what time it is.

Did they ever offer a transmission temp gauge? Thats a great idea if you run the HD tach with the gas gauge.

I had one in an 83 K5 I had years and years ago. You could hear it tick when the engine was off but I never noticed it otherwise. Not all of them have a second hand with ticking movement, most of them sweep. To me the clock is what makes the GMSS tach/fuel combo cool - so you can have the tach and have the clock, two options that would cancel each other out from the factory. There never was a factory trans temp, at least that I've heard of.

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Have you ever had one with a quartz clock? I always thought I wanted one till I had one. They are annoyingly loud, and very hard to see. The one in my 84 Sierra is currently disconnected because of the loud ticking it makes. I have a watch, a cell phone, and a fit bit to tell me what time it is.

Did they ever offer a transmission temp gauge? Thats a great idea if you run the HD tach with the gas gauge.

I had one in my first truck, '86 C2500 Camper Special w/454. I didn't notice the clock with the hum of a 454/TH400/4.10s & LT235/85R16Es.

No, they didn't offer a trans temp, I just know a couple creative individuals who've built such a thing outta a spare water temp gauge.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

I had one in an 83 K5 I had years and years ago. You could hear it tick when the engine was off but I never noticed it otherwise. Not all of them have a second hand with ticking movement, most of them sweep. To me the clock is what makes the GMSS tach/fuel combo cool - so you can have the tach and have the clock, two options that would cancel each other out from the factory. There never was a factory trans temp, at least that I've heard of.

I have an NOS clock I bought to put in my 77. Maybe I should plug it in to see if its quieter than the 84.

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

......
No, they didn't offer a trans temp, I just know a couple creative individuals who've built such a thing outta a spare water temp gauge.

You have my attention. I just looked at the water temp gauge on LMCs site wondering what it would take to convert.

[Irish1941]

Originally Posted by 68c10owner

From what I can tell just badging

The 73 cab had no drip rails. If I remember right, 74 they were optional or only on up level trucks and standard by 75.
Found this pic online. Love how really clean it looks.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

You have my attention. I just looked at the water temp gauge on LMCs site wondering what it would take to convert.

It should just be a matter of welding a bung in the transmission pan, then mount the factory water temp sensor there. Hook it up just like you would for engine coolant temp, but it'll read trans fluid temp. EDIT: You would want to spend some time under the with an IR thermometer and take readings all around the edge of the pan with the truck fully warmed up. There are hot spots and cool spots in the pan, you want to mount the bung in the hottest location.

[79sierra]

Originally Posted by slotard

What does it take to swap the doors onto an earlier truck?

9/16 socket is all you need.

[Tom]

Votes are in, 78 wins!!!

Originally Posted by rich weyand

YMMV, but I think I'm sitting on the sweet spot: 1978 chassis and cab

Originally Posted by favor

1978

Originally Posted by 78 Big10 454

Agreed!

[bigblock73]

73/74 are my favorites hands down, but 75-79 are good in my book too. Simple, classic, neat options, colors, etc. Try and get a fleetside wood bed floor, flip down cargo light, woodgrain exterior, big block in 1/2 ton, special edition, bedside tool box...any of those cool options on an 80's model...you can't. Sure, 80's models have the newer technologies and amenities, but when you want a true classic, those are lass important (at least to me). I still like all 73-97 (91) however...just some more than others.

[wjjeeper]

1977.
Two words - gold trim

[Matt Man]

I really like 81-87 4x4's specifically 81-82 because of the turn signal in the bumpers, also I like the grille for those years. I also own one haha. But If I were to buy a 2wd, I prefer the 73-80, but like the 73-75 models more.

I don't think any specific year is any better than others. Just my opinion.

[cfan10]

Anything pre TBI is great IMO.

[mingoman]

I gotta go with 78 too. Two tone with a big block of course, but I love the factory, 75 & 76 grills with the stainless molding and engine size badge. I'd have to have the Cheyenne tailgate insert as well. Good luck with however you go, they're all good.

[Gmc.guy]

I like 73+74. Smaller door panels and recessed grille. They seem harder to find up here. The 76 and up are everywhere around here.

[barry1982]

The 73-74 are harder to find in the north country because they were so prone to rust. Not positive... but don't think GM sorted out the under-coating or something until mid to late 70's. I have a 74 GMC with low original mileage. Problem is, not much left of it. The boxes seemed to rust especially bad. Also used to see alot with "kinked" hoods. Guys wouldn't oil the hood hinges, and eventually the hood would begin buckle just in front of hinges.

[KQQL IT]

73 or 91. 1st and last year of the cab.
But my 91 will get a 73 clip at some point.
So I'm going with 73

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by wjjeeper

1977.
Two words - gold trim

Yellow trim - two years...'77 and '75 Gentleman Jim.

[Gmc.guy]

Originally Posted by barry1982

The 73-74 are harder to find in the north country because they were so prone to rust. Not positive... but don't think GM sorted out the under-coating or something until mid to late 70's. I have a 74 GMC with low original mileage. Problem is, not much left of it. The boxes seemed to rust especially bad. Also used to see alot with "kinked" hoods. Guys wouldn't oil the hood hinges, and eventually the hood would begin buckle just in front of hinges.

I agree on rust issues. Both my 74's are in great shape yet. They are not low mileage. But we're well kept. I have a 73 that has a nice can but the clip and bed almost fell off and blew away.

[slotard]

Originally Posted by 79sierra

9/16 socket is all you need.

Thanks, I need to keep my eyes open for doors that're a similar color to my truck. I like the patina it has... but power windows etc would be nice to have.

[sneakyfast]

Without question it was the 73....because....well...ahem....that's what I have (whistling and looking around)

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by chrismoore701

I am good with all those years as long as they have round head lights.

x2