Can sub doors be used on a pickup?

[ScottH]

I'm getting a 75 sub soon and was wondering if the front doors would work on a similar year truck? I'm assuming the door panels would regardless of the doors?

Any info is appreciated.

thanks!

[Prerunner1982]

yep, the doors are the same.

[ScottH]

Great - thanks!

[Captkaos]

Keep in mind that there are 2 door styles. 73-76 and 77-91. If you are getting complete doors and like the way they are you are fine. If you are wanting to use the 81-91 style door panels on a 73-76 door, you need different guts if they are manual, and 77-91 electric windows won't bolt up...

[ScottH]

Capt, so if I wanted to use the door panels from a 73-76 they wouldn't work on say a 77-79 door? Assuming we are talking about manual window what is different between the years?

Thanks very much.

Scott

[Captkaos]

73-76 door panels are smaller and more flush with the door. Using the 73-76 door panels on a 77-91 door will leave all of the mounting holes exposed on the newer doors.

Difference in doors are the 73-76 were never power. The 77-91 doors had to have a larger door panel to cover the holes required for bracing on the electric motor.

On manual vs manual. The 73-76 window crank stalks are shorter on than the 77-91 models. A 77-91 panel will go on a 73-76 door if you make the holes for them, but the crank stalk is significantly shorter so the panel would have to be pushed in to even get the crank on and even then it would rub on the door panel. You can however put 77-91 manual cranks in the 73-76 doors.

[manimal]

So will power doors bolt up to if you use the power windows and locks? I too have been wondering the same question. I have a 1979 GMC K35 and a 1984 GMC sub. and want to put the front clip and doors from the sub on the 79.???

[Captkaos]

The only differences in the 73-76 door and the 77-91 doors are the inner panels where the latch, window regulator and door panel mounts. Everything else is the same.

If you are wanting to add a complete, functional power door to any vehicle, all you need is to unbolt it. (the factory harness comes in handy too).

Think of it this way. If you have a 73-76 truck/burb/blazer with doors (A) and a 77-91 truck/burb/blazer with doors (B), you can unbolt them from truck (A) and mount them to truck (B) and vise versa.

If you have the same truck A and B and you want to put the guts/panels from door (A) on door (B).
If they are MANUAL, you can swap B to A, but NOT A to B.
If they are POWER, you can't swap them at all.

ANYTHING from 77-91 doors and be swapped be it power or manual.

This is a 73-76 Door:


This is a 77-91 Door:

[manimal]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! Now I can complete my truck

[ScottH]

Capt, thanks very much! Your help is always appreciated.

[hiway]

I had no idea about the doors....guess you can teach an old dog after all.

[Captkaos]

Glad to help out when I can.

[magnethead]

Now on my 77, I'm going to end up eventually replacing the entire driver door due to excessive cancer in the hinge area on the door side. I have to find a 77-91 suburban or other P/U to get doors where my current sierra classic wood grain panels will fit? (manual window and lock)

[Captkaos]

magnethead if you are asking, then that is correct. You need 77-91 doors.h

[HotRod73]

ive got a 73... i want the 81-91 door panels so what do i do, get the window crank and then the panels? thats all???

[bigblock73]

If I am not mistaken, the C-channel that is spot welded to the inside of the door is different as well...the rollers must have changed between 76 & 77. I tried to put 73 guts in my 77+ doors, and had to change out that track to get them to fit/work.

[HotRod73]

i want 81-91 panels in my 73 what nees to be done?

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by HotRod73

i want 81-91 panels in my 73 what nees to be done?

Ge the door panels and it's accessories, 77+ window regulator assemblies, and change out the C-channel track (if my memory is correct on that). That should be it.

The door panel won't fit the same, as your 73 doors have a shorter door panel area...but you just need to screw them down and you should be set.

[magnethead]

one thing..

What about full manual 73-76 swapped onto a full manual 77-91 cab using the panels on the donor doors? That would be direct wouldn't it?