Differences between an 80 and 87 frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

scabby9 · 04-06-2013, 10:33 PM

Greetings from Newfoundland, Fairly new member.

I purchased a very very long term project last fall. It's an 87 R10 Short wide and i wanted to do a Build from the frame up. Blast the frame and do an air ride set up etc etc.

The other day i came across an 80 shortbox frame that a guy sold the front clip and cab off of. Basically it's a frame with a half rusted box and a blown motor. So really it's a frame lol. If i purchased the frame and started the building process on that frame, i wouldn't have to scrap the 87 to do it. I'd really like to drive the 87 before i tore it down. Both are 2WD Short boxes.

So my question is, If i bought the 80 frame, would everything fit over on it from the 87 when i got it done? any issues at all? The guy wants $100 for the frame so $100 is a small price to pay for keeping the 87 on the road for a extra year or more.

Any opinions?

bdiamond · 04-06-2013, 11:06 PM

There are a few differences. I think the main difference is the front frame horns. They are different but I think it would still work for you

scabby9 · 04-06-2013, 11:22 PM

Thanks for the info. I did a search and found this.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335189

J Knight · 04-06-2013, 11:35 PM

The swap is do-able, a friend and I swapped an 84 body on a 73 frame. Here are a few differences that we found=

frame horn ends but you can trim slightly to fit the 81-87 bumper

you will need to use 73-80 body and radiator support bushings, they are frame specific and not cab/rad sup specific. Don't be suprized if you have to slightly relocate the radiator support brackets on the frame(about 3/4in).

73-83 have a slightly different e-brake set up than 84-87 so you will need to use the complete e-brake cable set up for the 80 or the 87, not a big deal just swap the parts set up you choose over.

The 80 should have a right side fuel tank while the 87 should have a left side fuel tank. You might have to drill a hole or two in the frame to swap the tank mounts over but again, not a big deal. Hope this helps.

KrazyRay · 04-07-2013, 01:12 AM

The rear sport bumper and brackets will need to be specific to the frame or you can drill holes to make it happen.

04-06-2013, 10:33 PM	#1
scabby9 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 19	Differences between an 80 and 87 frame? Greetings from Newfoundland, Fairly new member. I purchased a very very long term project last fall. It's an 87 R10 Short wide and i wanted to do a Build from the frame up. Blast the frame and do an air ride set up etc etc. The other day i came across an 80 shortbox frame that a guy sold the front clip and cab off of. Basically it's a frame with a half rusted box and a blown motor. So really it's a frame lol. If i purchased the frame and started the building process on that frame, i wouldn't have to scrap the 87 to do it. I'd really like to drive the 87 before i tore it down. Both are 2WD Short boxes. So my question is, If i bought the 80 frame, would everything fit over on it from the 87 when i got it done? any issues at all? The guy wants $100 for the frame so $100 is a small price to pay for keeping the 87 on the road for a extra year or more. Any opinions? Attached Images

04-06-2013, 11:06 PM	#2
bdiamond Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 459	Re: Differences between an 80 and 87 frame? There are a few differences. I think the main difference is the front frame horns. They are different but I think it would still work for you

04-06-2013, 11:22 PM	#3
scabby9 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 19	Re: Differences between an 80 and 87 frame? Thanks for the info. I did a search and found this. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335189

04-06-2013, 11:35 PM	#4
J Knight Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Baytown TX Posts: 2,219	Re: Differences between an 80 and 87 frame? The swap is do-able, a friend and I swapped an 84 body on a 73 frame. Here are a few differences that we found= frame horn ends but you can trim slightly to fit the 81-87 bumper you will need to use 73-80 body and radiator support bushings, they are frame specific and not cab/rad sup specific. Don't be suprized if you have to slightly relocate the radiator support brackets on the frame(about 3/4in). 73-83 have a slightly different e-brake set up than 84-87 so you will need to use the complete e-brake cable set up for the 80 or the 87, not a big deal just swap the parts set up you choose over. The 80 should have a right side fuel tank while the 87 should have a left side fuel tank. You might have to drill a hole or two in the frame to swap the tank mounts over but again, not a big deal. Hope this helps. __________________ John 82 Chevy Silverado 350ci/TH350

04-07-2013, 01:12 AM	#5
KrazyRay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 4,827	Re: Differences between an 80 and 87 frame? The rear sport bumper and brackets will need to be specific to the frame or you can drill holes to make it happen.



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