73-80 vs. 81-87

[Cabcorner]

      I like different grills from each era . I'm partial to the 73-74 chevy and gmc , the 81-81 single head light chevy, the 83-84 silverado quad headlight  and the 85-87 gmc high sierra quad head light front end .

[78 Chevyrado]

I've had both, 77, 78, 87 and I notice especially now that the 73-80 is def more rare.  I liked my 87 fine, but something was missing from it IMO.  Plus I saw so many 81-87 trucks around here I kind of blended in.  I don't blend in in my 78.   Personally I like the 73-80 front ends and like the 77-78 grille and the 73-74 in that order.  don't care for the others as much.  though any of them is great!

I think the 73-80 (especially the fenders looks more muscular or something.  Dunno how to put it)

The 81-87 looks a bit more refined on some, and literally is UPDATED.  best thing i can think of with this range of trucks  73-87 is you can have any look you want, the older tougher version, or the newer refined version.

Installing an older front end on a newer truck is a good deal easier than vise-versa though. 

My 78


My 87

[DTrain]

Bake, I may just get myself into real good trouble. Im gonna keep my '84 k10 just as it is and am in the market for the right pre '80 c10.

[bake74]

Bake, I may just get myself into real good trouble. Im gonna keep my '84 k10 just as it is and am in the market for the right pre '80 c10.

     That's the spirit, get one of each.   

[DTrain]

Chevyrado, that '78 makes for a good argument, that is a beautiful truck!

[hotrod24]

 That would be the best thing to do lol...

Bake, I may just get myself into real good trouble. Im gonna keep my '84 k10 just as it is and am in the market for the right pre '80 c10.

[DTrain]

Hey Chevyrado, I just noticed the front plate on your '78. Good to see another Georgia boy who appreciates a bowtie!

[slammed79]

 II'm a fan of the 73-78 nose, 73-74 grille and 81-87  fenders.  My dream rig is a culmination of those three things. I'm currently looking for the fenders to make that dream come true.

[werewolfx13]

I suppose I'll be the black sheep and vote 81-87 in all its forms looks better to me than 73-80. That said, I don't intend to convert my 76/80 k20 to an 81-87 front clip.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i like them both---particularly the 73-75 gmc frontends.  i also like any of the stacked rectangular (83-87ish) fronts.

One thing to consider is i think the 81-87 frontends have a CD of .53 and the 73-80 are worse.   Also, the 81-87 is frontend is lighter(i  think?)

[Sartobuilt]

I like the 73-80 best. Also one thing to consider is the year of your cab. There is alot of fabrication to put the 81-87 clip on a 73-80 cab and also some holes to fill putting a 73-80 clip on a 81-87 cab.
Also my feeling is the 73-80 look better as a 4x4 and the 81-87 look better 2wd.
The 73-80 Screams im a TRUCK!

[nvrenuf]

I'm no help because I like a version of each -

'80 w/ square headlamp option.

'89-'91 w/ quad headlamp option.

[bake315]

My personal preference goes toward the 73-74's.  I prefer that grille treatment in particular, then everything up to the 80's.

[Jason Wiechec]

i like both but favor 73 - 80 look even though i have an 85

[greatdane]

I like the 81-87. Makes a truck look more square to me! I love the front of my 84 GMC. But that 78 of Chevyrado's front end looks sweet too. Go with YOUR preference, they are both cool!