83 vs 87 60 differences?

[87tlc60]

Hello,
I have a 87 60, and looking at buying a 83 60 near by. I haven't looked at it in person yet, but did get a friend to take some pics. The only thing I see is that the transmission cross member looks to be different but cannot identify via the pics.

I've been doing alot of searching on this site, and do find most of the info I'm looking for, but not this time. I know many of you have had different models, so I'm posting up to the pro's for the answers.

So what are the actual differences in the year models?

Thanks!

 

[Winslow]

The 87 will have a 3F bellhousing, something they switched to in 85.5. Not sure on the tranny. I think it is the same.

 

[T-bones 60]

The 87 will have a spacer between the trans and the T-case where as the 83 will not. If you ever want to upgrade to the H55 5 speed it is a direct bolt in for the 87. You will need drive line mods on the 83. The 83 has a shorter front drive shaft with a CV joint off the T-case, the 87 has a single U joint off the T-case for the front drive shaft. 83 has a vinyl headliner, 87 has velour headliner. 83 has spare tire tools mounted under seat, 87 their in the left rear qtr panel. The metal portion of the dash has a few contours around where the choke cable is as the 83 does not.

 

[T-bones 60]

Oh, almost forgot. The 87 has the all important headlight sprayers where as the 83 doesn't!

 

[Joe_E]

Center console is different between the two.

 

[Texx]

Front seatbelts are different, and the 83 has the crappy vinyl headliner.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

87 has the later square driveshaft pattern while the 83 has the earlier '75-85 rectangular pattern.

 

[87tlc60]

The 87 will have a spacer between the trans and the T-case where as the 83 will not. If you ever want to upgrade to the H55 5 speed it is a direct bolt in for the 87. You will need drive line mods on the 83. The 83 has a shorter front drive shaft with a CV joint off the T-case, the 87 has a single U joint off the T-case for the front drive shaft.

What is/was the spacer for?

Which driveshaft is better (CV or U) and do they interchange?

Thanks!

 

[87tlc60]

Thanks! for the info guys!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

What is/was the spacer for?

Which driveshaft is better (CV or U) and do they interchange?

Thanks!

Spacer is to make the H42 as long as the H55, so the crossmember, transmission mount and driveshafts are interchangable between the two different transmissions.

The double cardan driveshaft and later 60 driveshaft are not interchangable. They have different bolt patterns on the yolks.

 

[Dynosoar]

Interior cloth pattern is different. the 83 will have the narrow stripe (superior) pattern and the 87 will have the wide stripe (inferior) pattern.


Dynosoar

 

[87tlc60]

Spacer is to make the H42 as long as the H55, so the crossmember, transmission mount and driveshafts are interchangable between the two different transmissions.

Thanks! I guess I'm just slow.

The double cardan driveshaft and later 60 driveshaft are not interchangable. They have different bolt patterns on the yolks.

So CV is the Double Cardan? What year was the change?

Thanks!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

What years have the double cardan?
Thanks!

Up to some time in 85, all 60's had the double cardan. I don't know what month, but it coincides with the spacer. 5/85???