Up for discussion (first year issues)

[zieg85]

I read everything I find on our beloved 73-87 trucks but I got to thinking...  With some redesigns there are major flops, be it engineering blunders, safety features, or appearance issues.  Since I was 10 years old when the 73's were introduced I hadn't seen or read of anything.  We all know the gas tank issue but to me it was better than the behind the seat style in 72.

Ready,    set,      go...  my first square was a 1984 in 1991 and the earliest was a 1979 that was a driver.

Inquiring minds want to know...

[Engineer]

Not first year, but it seems like the '75~'79 models would rust almost as fast as the new Dodges, or Rams or whatever they are calling their trucks now. 5 years in and those babies were rusty.

To this very day I see several '73~'74 trucks still running around my home town with 40 years behind them and little or no rust.

[Engineer]

One reason there wasn't any first year issues with the '73 models was because there really wasn't a technology leap. They just bent some new frame rails and changed the shape of the bodies.

Powertrains were basically carryovers from the 1972 model year.

Climate control systems were already developed in the passenger lines so all the bugs were worked out through those.

Just like a 16oz claw hammer, nothing complex, it just works.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i thought there were problems with rain dripping in when you opened the doors due to no drip rail?

Minor, i know.

[LTZ C20]

I shall be following this, just out of pure interest.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i'm not saying this was an "issue," but it would be interesting to compare earlier models rust resistance compared to a 91 blazer, suburban or 1ton.

[Stewart G Griffin]

First year for the Olds diesel was definitely an "issue."

[fitz]

I'm not a fan of the early 700R4 transmissions.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Actually ALL years of the olds diesel was an "issue."   

[LTZ C20]

I'm not a fan of the early 700R4 transmissions.

This, they were total crap. Didn't start being good till 87 or 88 I think, when they started calling them 4l60s.