someotherguy
Truly Awesome
Correct for the most part but even the 3500HD had a 1991 model. First year for it. Automatic only with the 4L80E, as the NV4500 wasn't out til 1992. The stuff you see lingering as squarebody models that late into the GMT400 run are typically going to be fleet vehicles where they have ordered a large amount of them. Not saying I have any inside info as to the operations of GM...as I don't.Cab and chassis and Suburban's were still old style square bodies until '91, maybe '92 depending on the chassis. After 1988 the square bodies were referred to as R/V models. In 1988 the GMT400 took over the C/K designation .
TSR - odd situation but I'll grant you that it may in fact be pushed forward, I would expect to see some signs of damage on the door itself but weirder things have happened. If you're gapped at the rear of the door to the cab fit, then that pretty much says you're right. You may need hinge replacement, but it may be that the door shell itself is bent where the hinges are attached. It's work, but you might just try another door shell first, before attacking the hinges. The closer to your year model you get the door from, the better the chance it will fit correctly without too much tweaking (in my experience, anyway.)
Oh and Peter - you could definitely get a GMT400 3500 in 1988. Memory is vague without going back and looking at official sales brochures, but I believe the variety of models was limited - regular cab and extended cab, but no crew cab? Something like that. I'll happily accept corrections here as I haven't gone back to dig through official info.
Richard