are '77 vent windows same as '81

[superchevy]

Need to know if the vent windows and frames from a '77 will fit in an '81 door OK.
SC

[Jonboy]

yes.

[CHEVYJEFF]

I say no, i tried some from an 80 on my 90 blazer and they look similar but the radius of the curved part is diffrent.

[454_72_4X4]

I know there are 2 different styles of windows but I don't know when they changed.
I also think if you're changing the vent frames and all, (not just the glass), they will fit.

[Jonboy]

Hmmm. I pulled a set from a 86 Blazer, and they went right in the doors of my 73. I know that they changed the weatherstrip a bit, but I am pretty sure the frame and all of the vent window is the same.

[Captkaos]

Vents will swap, they changed the frame and the glass in the later models. Also, the number of bolts required to secure it to the door changed in the same break as the doors.

[crossy]

73-80 or 81-87 , but never count on anything from an 81 NOT being like the 80- down style. You MUST change the entire thing though. the fasteners kaos is talking about is the small screws that go in from the top of the door frame , they went from 3 to 2 , but do line up if memory ,for once ,serves me . DAVE

[f.monroe]

For some reason I want to say that the 81-81 side glasses are thinner than the 73-80 side glasses .That might cause an interference in the window channel. I think that is about the same time they went to the shorter (by about an inch ) vent windows. ?????????? Frank

[CbHeEaVsYt]

Originally Posted by crossy

73-80 or 81-87 , but never count on anything from an 81 NOT being like the 80- down style.

wat do u mean??????

cb

[crossy]

Frank, dats the facts- the 81-87 glass is indeed thinner. If you were to put the entire vent assembly from an 81-87 into a 73-80 door and assuming the window channel was almost new (NOT going to happen anymore) the thicker glass may encounter extra resistance. Ever notice that the after market only sells one channel to fit all years? with manual windows like most 73-80 have yul prolly never notice any difference,but with the power windows it may take a few days before the channel 'opens' wide.
FOR YEARS NOW- GM has only offered the newest style 90-91 as replacement, complete assemblies only and only in tinted. the 90-91 Blazer/Burb had more rubber that sealed to the outer doorshell in an effort to stop the nasty wind whistles. the last time I bought a whole assembly from GM they were about $135 ea. and that was 8-10 years ago.

CB- I owned at least two 1981's and other than the obvious sheetmetal differences from 1980 GM carried a lot of the 73-80 suspension & general hardware pieces. Never assume with an 81. I KNOW that my one SWB 81 had an 80 down frame that wasn't lightened up like the 82-87's. Not thickness wise but more the way of braces & brackets & such. both mine also had the thicker brake rotors. DAVE

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by crossy

Never assume with an 81.

Ain't that the truth. Change over year for more than just sheetmetal. You get hit with different frame, axles, clusters.... Basically whatever GM had left over would still make a '81 truck, so whatever was there is what you got...