Author Topic: 81-87 manual window regulator  (Read 5975 times)

Offline thirsty

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81-87 manual window regulator
« on: April 08, 2012, 10:24:36 am »
Can someone tell me how to identify an 81-87 window regulator versus a 73-80 regulator?
I know the glass is thinner in the 81-87 but not sure that I can tell them apart by just looking at the regulator.

A long time ago I donated my manual regulators out of my 86 to someones build because I had electric regulators that I was using. Now I want to switch back to manual windows and have to look for some. I want to make sure I get the right ones.

Thanks everyone.
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Give me a long enough lever and a place to stand, and I shall move the earth or break this bolt...Whatever, just hold my beer!

Offline chuck13

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Re: 81-87 manual window regulator
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2012, 09:38:08 pm »
i'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong but......

isn't the channel that the regulator runs in on the window itself?i'm
pretty sure it is.i don't think the regulator itself is different from 73-80
and 81 up.............

Offline Jason S

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Re: 81-87 manual window regulator
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2012, 10:54:51 pm »
'73 had smaller rollers.  74-87 have the same size rollers, but the shaft the handle attaches to is different length.  73-76 had the same handle shaft length.  77-87 was a longer handle shaft.

Here is a photo comparison of the 74-76 (74 K-10) on the right and the 77-87 on the left (83 C-10).
Handle shaft length:

Overall dimensions:

Here is a comparison on the window width (just FYI)
1973 GMC K2500, Super Custom, Camper Special, 350, TH350, NP203, 4.10's
1974 Chevrolet K10, Custom Deluxe, 350, SM465, NP203, 3.73's

"1) Peace through strength; 2) Trust but verify; 3) Beware of evil in the modern world"

Offline thirsty

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Re: 81-87 manual window regulator
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2012, 08:24:02 am »
Perfect Jason! I was hoping there would be a visual difference that I could use to determine what style the regulators came out of.
Thanks a lot.
Real trucks are built, not bought Build thread

Give me a long enough lever and a place to stand, and I shall move the earth or break this bolt...Whatever, just hold my beer!

Offline Jason S

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Re: 81-87 manual window regulator
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2012, 09:30:13 pm »
When doing a swap a few months ago, I thought I should take some photos just in case.  Glad I could help.
1973 GMC K2500, Super Custom, Camper Special, 350, TH350, NP203, 4.10's
1974 Chevrolet K10, Custom Deluxe, 350, SM465, NP203, 3.73's

"1) Peace through strength; 2) Trust but verify; 3) Beware of evil in the modern world"

Offline Captkaos

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Re: 81-87 manual window regulator
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2012, 01:43:53 pm »
Can't add a thing to this other than awesome job getting them all together, can I use this in a Tech thread?

Offline Jason S

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Re: 81-87 manual window regulator
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2012, 01:18:36 am »
Sure Capt. Use what you need.  I'll be happy if it helps someone to keep from having to retrace their steps.
1973 GMC K2500, Super Custom, Camper Special, 350, TH350, NP203, 4.10's
1974 Chevrolet K10, Custom Deluxe, 350, SM465, NP203, 3.73's

"1) Peace through strength; 2) Trust but verify; 3) Beware of evil in the modern world"