are 1980 models unique?

[Blanco_53]

I have a chance to purchase a 1980 k10 sub for a good price, but from my understanding is the 80 model year any different from a 1979?

[nvrenuf]

An 80 is not unique to itself as it shares a lot with the 73-79 trucks (body parts and most of the drivetrain). It's probably better to say an 80 has some unique qualities.

The only transfer case used in 80 is the np205.
The chrome grille option uses square headlights.

[Firebirdjones]

I think 80 was the only year they had those awful looking bug out front parking lights I don't think they were all that popular as I remember a lot of people swapping out the entire front assembly for 79 and earlier stuff.

[69heavychevy]

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

I think 80 was the only year they had those awful looking bug out front parking lights I don't think they were all that popular as I remember a lot of people swapping out the entire front assembly for 79 and earlier stuff.

The parking lights on my 80 don't bug out??....and yes it has the unique only to 80 model front end

[69heavychevy]

What I've seen is that the 80 model pickup seems to be a transition year between the 73-79 and 81-87 pickups. For example, the body panels are similar to the 73-79 pickups, but the frame is like the 81-87 pickups...back to the original question, I'll have to say yes. Then again, thats a biased answer haha!

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by 69heavychevy

The parking lights on my 80 don't bug out??....and yes it has the unique only to 80 model front end

Has yours been changed or maybe a different optional grill that might have changed it? Post up a pic and it will help describe what I mean.

[Firebirdjones]

Here you go.....bug out front parking lights. Guys I knew were always switching these out for the earlier models.

http://cdn.speednik.com/files/2014/1...y-trucks15.jpg

[80SPORT]

Originally Posted by Blanco_53

I have a chance to purchase a 1980 k10 sub for a good price, but from my understanding is the 80 model year any different from a 1979?

The main change for 80 that would concern a K10 sub is that you get the part time transfer case instead of the previous full time unit ...and the 80 is the last year of the original body style ....so it had the most available options for that style.

[LeesTruk]

When I got my '80, I did exactly as mentioned previously. Took off the ugly square headlight frames and put on '78 headlight frames

Before;



After;



The difference is subtle but more pleasing (to me anyways)

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by 69heavychevy

What I've seen is that the 80 model pickup seems to be a transition year between the 73-79 and 81-87 pickups. For example, the body panels are similar to the 73-79 pickups, but the frame is like the 81-87 pickups...back to the original question, I'll have to say yes. Then again, thats a biased answer haha!

sounds like a 'tweener year, as in between two styles, uses some old parts and some future parts

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

Here you go.....bug out front parking lights. Guys I knew were always switching these out for the earlier models.

http://cdn.speednik.com/files/2014/1...y-trucks15.jpg

man it all looks the same to me, I don't see any difference, but than again I am biased and don't trust a vehicle with square lights, ha ha

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by LeesTruk

When I got my '80, I did exactly as mentioned previously. Took off the ugly square headlight frames and put on '78 headlight frames

Before;



After;



The difference is subtle but more pleasing (to me anyways)

first of all great looking truck overall, second your photos remind me of those compare this picture with this picture things and see if you can find all the differences, ha ha, yes the changes are subtle, cause to me both trucks look the same, other than one has a license plate and your bowtie is no longer orange

[LeesTruk]

AWW, C'mon, Gregski, look closer... if you look at the upper picture, the headlight bucket continues down and around the turn signal light. It doesn't in the lower picture. Guess ya gotta be a con-I-sewer to see the dif'rence eh?

Didja notice the amber turn signal lenses, or the door mirrors, or the hub caps? Picky, Picky, Picky.....

[bmchevy1979]

Originally Posted by LeesTruk

AWW, C'mon, Gregski, look closer... if you look at the upper picture, the headlight bucket continues down and around the turn signal light. It doesn't in the lower picture. Guess ya gotta be a con-I-sewer to see the dif'rence eh?

Didja notice the amber turn signal lenses, or the door mirrors, or the hub caps? Picky, Picky, Picky.....

Lol it doesn't help that your truck is silver/gray it kinda blends the bezel in. I noticed but I did the same on my 79 I don't care for the 79-80 headlight surrounds it'd be more noticeable if you had swap from square lights to round lights

[69heavychevy]

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

Here you go.....bug out front parking lights. Guys I knew were always switching these out for the earlier models.

http://cdn.speednik.com/files/2014/1...y-trucks15.jpg

I've seen those style headlight buckets before and had always thought they were aftermarket. Mine don't protrude like that, but they do extend down to the parking light flush.

[nvrenuf]

The bezel, square headlight and bulging park lamp are all factory and specific to the '80 chrome grille option. Technically the core support is different too.

Btw, the truck Firebirdjones linked is gorgeous! An '80 K30 Silverado, my Holy Grail. :drool:

[Blanco_53]

Nice trucks, are k10's rarer in the short bed form? I can purchase this 80 k10 for $1100 running and no major problems. Would it be good deal?

[80SPORT]

1980 Suburban new vehicle info....

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by LeesTruk

AWW, C'mon, Gregski, look closer... if you look at the upper picture, the headlight bucket continues down and around the turn signal light. It doesn't in the lower picture. Guess ya gotta be a con-I-sewer to see the dif'rence eh?

Didja notice the amber turn signal lenses, or the door mirrors, or the hub caps? Picky, Picky, Picky.....

Yeah but that's not what I'm talking about. Actually either of your pictures look fine to me, you simply converted it to the stand alone parking lights they had from 73-76.

Look at the link I provided above. Notice how the parking lights actually protrude out from the trim and stick out like a fat lip
That's what I'm talking about. Many guys didn't like that and removed it to either the 73-76 style that you did, or even the 77-79 style looked better than that bug eye thing. I don't mind any of them from 73-79, you could have left yours alone and it would have looked just fine to me.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by 69heavychevy

I've seen those style headlight buckets before and had always thought they were aftermarket. Mine don't protrude like that, but they do extend down to the parking light flush.

Yeah they protrude, I've only seen that on 1980 models, probably part of a certain trim package that year.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by Gregski

man it all looks the same to me, I don't see any difference, but than again I am biased and don't trust a vehicle with square lights, ha ha

Look close at the front parking lights Greg, a couple others have noticed how the parking lights actually protrude out from the trim. Nothing 79 and before did that, and I don't remember seeing this done on 81 and up either.
80 is the only year I've seen this with, actually saw an 80 forsale the other day....same deal, and there is another 80 driven daily around here, still has those parking lights. I'm shocked when I see them anymore, usually they were quickly swapped

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by LeesTruk

When I got my '80, I did exactly as mentioned previously. Took off the ugly square headlight frames and put on '78 headlight frames

Before;



After;



The difference is subtle but more pleasing (to me anyways)

did the same as you, with my son's truck, like the old school better

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by Blanco_53

Nice trucks, are k10's rarer in the short bed form? I can purchase this 80 k10 for $1100 running and no major problems. Would it be good deal?

an awesome deal!!!!

[barry1982]

I think the 1980 is kinda cool...... It's the only year that you can tell immediately what year it is. They were a great truck as well... I had a buddy in high school that owned a dark blue/light blue 80 Silverado . Many great weekends spent in that truck, and it always got us home.

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by LeesTruk

AWW, C'mon, Gregski, look closer... if you look at the upper picture, the headlight bucket continues down and around the turn signal light. It doesn't in the lower picture. Guess ya gotta be a con-I-sewer to see the dif'rence eh?

Didja notice the amber turn signal lenses, or the door mirrors, or the hub caps? Picky, Picky, Picky.....

And black eyeliner vs silver.