73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: DTrain on April 14, 2012, 05:02:36 pm

Title: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: DTrain on April 14, 2012, 05:02:36 pm
Alright guys, I'm taking a poll. I am undecided on my build, I have an '84 and a '79 front clip and am almost 50/50 on which I like better. So I'm taking a poll to see what you enthusiast like better. So like the title says, which front clip style do you guys like better?
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: Jason S on April 14, 2012, 05:34:20 pm
I like the 73-76 and I like the 84-87.  Does that help any?
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: bake74 on April 14, 2012, 07:12:53 pm
     I like the 73-80 look, I do not like the 81-87 look.  But that could be somewhat to where I live, 75 and before there is no smog, so I build these.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: nucknoel89 on April 14, 2012, 11:22:18 pm
Personally I think the 73-80 nose looks like poop, but that's just me.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: VileZambonie on April 15, 2012, 07:40:26 am
It's all preference. They're all beauties to me.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: DTrain on April 15, 2012, 09:10:52 am
Are the grills and grill moldings as interchangeable with the 73-80 as they are with 81-87? Cuz the one thing about this '79 clip I dont like is the grill, I really like when the parking lights aren't a part of the front chrome, like on the pre '78 models.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: VileZambonie on April 15, 2012, 01:20:11 pm
No there are differences. I just came back from the stafford motor speedway swap meet and the best looking truck there by far was a 73 GMC with a factory grille.  ;D
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: jaredts on April 15, 2012, 08:59:03 pm
I love the round headlight trucks, but I particularly love the '83 and '84 quad headlight front ends.  They are the only ones where the chrome/body color strip goes across the grill and between the headlights.  The other 81-87 trucks look like something is missing without this, in my opinion.  I think you have something special in that '84 front end.  I'm biased since I have an '83 Silverado.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: jacknife on April 15, 2012, 10:38:20 pm
 Lol Ha I can't make up my mind either so I have trucks of both body styles.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: hotrod24 on April 24, 2012, 01:53:20 pm
I'm with vile on this one, But i do really like the 73-80...


It's all preference. They're all beauties to me.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: got2haul on April 25, 2012, 03:16:10 pm
I've always preferred the 73-80.

Same truck, different grille treatments.

77-79
(http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/gallery/535_25_04_12_2_38_17.jpeg)

1980
(http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/gallery/535_25_04_12_3_11_09.jpeg)
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: bake74 on April 26, 2012, 06:30:15 am
     So DTrain, have you decided on which one you are going to use yet ?
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: Canadian 4X4 on April 26, 2012, 06:32:29 am
definitely 73-80
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: codyC10kid on April 26, 2012, 10:07:07 am
i like the 73-80...but the 81-87 front end wheighs 300 pounds less....i own a 77 4x4 and a 78 2wd both are projects......Don't ever start two projects you ll never get them done,well being im only 19...that may have somthing to do with it :)
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: DustyRusty on April 26, 2012, 06:13:09 pm
I prefer the 73 - 80 style front end.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: Cabcorner on April 26, 2012, 06:30:59 pm
      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 .
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on April 26, 2012, 08:46:55 pm
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
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t195/wes2880/78%20C20%20-After%20New%20Wheels/MainPic.jpg)

My 87
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t195/wes2880/87%20R10%20Stuff/1987R10400sb002.jpg)
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: DTrain on April 29, 2012, 04:50:32 pm
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.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: bake74 on April 29, 2012, 07:53:38 pm
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.   ;D
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: DTrain on April 30, 2012, 07:35:21 am
Chevyrado, that '78 makes for a good argument, that is a beautiful truck!
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: hotrod24 on April 30, 2012, 03:49:57 pm
 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.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: DTrain on April 30, 2012, 09:07:46 pm
Hey Chevyrado, I just noticed the front plate on your '78. Good to see another Georgia boy who appreciates a bowtie!
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: slammed79 on May 11, 2012, 03:34:18 pm
 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.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: werewolfx13 on May 11, 2012, 03:50:18 pm
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.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on July 30, 2012, 03:15:59 pm
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?)
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: Sartobuilt on July 30, 2012, 05:51:27 pm
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!
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: nvrenuf on July 30, 2012, 08:54:25 pm
I'm no help because I like a version of each -

'80 w/ square headlamp option.

'89-'91 w/ quad headlamp option.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: bake315 on July 31, 2012, 02:06:25 pm
My personal preference goes toward the 73-74's.  I prefer that grille treatment in particular, then everything up to the 80's.
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: Jason Wiechec on July 31, 2012, 03:11:35 pm
i like both but favor 73 - 80 look even though i have an 85
Title: Re: 73-80 vs. 81-87
Post by: greatdane on August 02, 2012, 10:47:57 pm
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!