Frame info

[Craig P]

Hi guys.. I recently bought a 81 sierra and i need to replace the front leafs.. its a 4x4 k1500. The front leafs are 3 inches wide and 47 inches long. My question is how can I tell what year the frame is? It has a stamp on it (8 100) and also a part number. Does this stamp mean it was built in 88 or 78? Thanks in advance for any info

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[Doppleganger]

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[Craig P]

Thanks!

 

[shiftpro]

Hi Craig, wondering why you need the frame year for your 81 K1500...? Was you cab and VIN moved to a different frame? If it was, it would
most likely be any frame from 81 up to '86.. or whatever the last year they were made (with exception of Blazer, crew cab, and Suburban until '91!!).
An '80 or earlier frame also fits the 81 and up cab but not without a few tweaks, if I'm correct.

What do you have in mind for spring replacement? Interested in stock height? Whatever you want I recommend ORD. They have a nice 2" lift spring which would ride better than stock and still keep relative stock height.

There's also lots of aftermarket parts from these trucks through the flt lands, used or new never used. I see lift springs and chassis parts all the time in BC.. kijiji and fuckbook marketplace..

 

[shiftpro]

Get your girlfriends car out of the shop. A squarebody lives there now so it has to go.

 

[shiftpro]

Post more pics of the truck please.

 

[legopnuematic]

Thats a 70's frame. 81+ frames have the horns cut at an angle.
My 85's frame horns

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[shiftpro]

Yes of course, thank the legoair for that.

 

[shiftpro]

Craig maybe you would like to go out now and check your vin plate to the number on truck's regi...

 

[Craig P]

Ok good to know... the cab has been put on this frame by the previous owner. It has a (I believe) heavy half rear end. Its a 12 bolt. 6 lug wheels. 4speed transmission. The front springs are curved downward and there are some load leveller shocks. I’m pretty sure the springs should curve up and the shocks should go in the garbage. Of course, the first thing I bought was a set of 33’s so I'm thinking new front leafs should raise the front enough so they don’t rub. That’s the hope.

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[Shorty81]

Thats a 70's frame. 81+ frames have the horns cut at an angle.
My 85's frame horns

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Welcome from the Buckeye State. Lego is right, they are 70s frame horns.

 

[86 SCOTTSDALE]

 

[75gmck25]

If you go to RockAuto.com you can search for springs and find all the options for the stock springs each year. You may still want to go aftermarket to get the right lift, but the RockAuto site will tell you if there are dimension differences between years.

Bruce

 

[Snoots]

Welcome from Georgia!

 

[TubeTruck]

The factory front springs do curve downward. Upward would indicate a lift spring. Also are you sure the springs are 3" wide? Chevy springs are 2.5" wide, later Ford springs are 3" wide. If you measured the spacing of the bracket where the spring mounts it would be 3" because of the bushing.

and from northern IL