Later model 4x4 running gear question.

[CG]

My father inlaw has a 79 3/4 ton 4x4 that he has retired. All the sheet metal is shot. Rusted away. Would the running gear be worth saving to put on a 67-72? I believe the springs are longer but it seems like I read somewhere on here that you can get different spring hangers to run the longer springs on our style trucks. Plus its an auto set up. I really like that. Also he said something about it being full time 4 wheel drive?

The last thing I need is another project. I'm never going to finish the stuff I have. I just hate seeing it go to waste. I do have a 68 K20 bare chassis just sitting there. And and and....lol

[1969k10stepside]

Well,you say you have a 68.Does it have the stock closed knuckle front end still? If it does the front axle from the 79 would be good to replace the closed knucle front axle for a open knuckle.Someone is always looking for a 14 bolt rear axle to put in their 4wd if they do some wheeling or want to get rid of their eaton rear axle so if you don't use it,you shouldn't have trouble selling it.The tranny and transfer case can go in but the transfer case is a np203.--Full time 4wd.

[CG]

Originally Posted by 1969k10stepside

Well,you say you have a 68.Does it have the stock closed knuckle front end still? If it does the front axle from the 79 would be good to replace the closed knucle front axle for a open knuckle.Someone is always looking for a 14 bolt rear axle to put in their 4wd if they do some wheeling or want to get rid of their eaton rear axle so if you don't use it,you shouldn't have trouble selling it.The tranny and transfer case can go in but the transfer case is a np203.--Full time 4wd.

I tossed all the 68 stuff already. All I have is the bare frame. I only kept the frame because its a 68 50th anniversary K20. I have the matching frame, vin tags, build sheet and title, all clear and in my name.

My 71 K20 is kinda harsh riding. I recently sold my 73 K20 which was actually fairly comfy riding. So I was thinking a complete suspension swap from the 79 to the 68 would make a decent riding K20. Maybe for me or a friend or family member.

[special-K]

I`d hate to see the 50th frame go to that.But,I understand you can`t have it set around waiting for that ambitious nut who want to take on reproducing a`68 K/20 50th CustomCamper from a bare frame.
The springs will just require relocating the same hangers to accommodate the length.Most full-times were converted.Does it still have blanks on the hub insted of lock-outs?The 303 is a roller chain design as opposed to all gear.Not a favorable t-case.The cahin tends to stretch.I wonder how this one has held up.
What you want to do is definately doable.(I`m never sure if that`s a word or not.It works saying it,just not writing it)

[CG]

Yes it still has the blanks in the hubs. This truck has been a farm truck its entire life. A little over 100k miles of hard work. Now that Ive given it some more thought and with you guys giving me some heads up on things Ill probably just let this idea die.

Maybe someday Ill run across another sweet deal on a doner truck and post up again to get ideas.

[OldCreek]

I believe some people are splitting the 203 in half... getting rid of the chain drive portion ... and bolting the gear drive to an np205 and making a triple stick doubler for extra low rock crawling.

If you were so inclined.

Or, you could sell it.

[LONGHAIR]

Amazingly, there are still a few full-time trucks running around....I'm not really sure how? or why? or how anyone could afford to put gas in one?
It might be worth holding onto the front axle for your project and maybe the rear too. The transmission and transfer case might be worth pulling...even if it's just to sell later. Same with the driveshafts, it just depends on whether you have the time/inclination/space to deal with it.

[duallyjams]

I would keep it because you never know. Its better to have it and not need than to need it and not have it as long as you have a place to store it.

[FormerMember]

Also, not hard to convert the front D44 to part time drive.

[DESTRO]

I just thought I'd chime in on the 203. I have one and love it. Their not bad at all. The part time kit doesnt save any in gas.Your only really pushing 2 wheels at a time anyway.
where they shine is in that patchy snow where it really isnt enough for 4 wheel drive.

[Dooley]

Originally Posted by special-K

The 303 is a roller chain design as opposed to all gear.Not a favorable t-case.The cahin tends to stretch.

Sometime during the 1978 model year the chain and gears were changed in the New Process 203 cases for GM's. The gears are narrower and with a much steeper pitch than the earlier ones. The chains were modified also. The chain was not prone to "skipping" over the gears after they had been stretched like the early years. The 1979 would be a case with the improved chain/gears.

[eric67m]

I have a question that is very close to CG's.

I have a 67 which is the step child of the lift kit world, have not found much and they are all lift block or custom springs.

I was wondering if I could take the springs and frame hangers off of a 73-87 truck. Obviously I might have to move spring perches and do a lot of measuring to get the upper frame hangers in the correct locations. This would open up a whole new world to availabiblty of lift kits? Just a though of finding someone that is parting a 73+ 1/2 ton

Then my truck would be 67 1/2 Ton frame, 73+ 1/2 Ton springs and frame hangers, 3/4 to 1 ton axles.

I'm out of town but will check on what people think when I get back. Take care everyone.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by eric67m

I have a question that is very close to CG's.

I have a 67 which is the step child of the lift kit world, have not found much and they are all lift block or custom springs.

I was wondering if I could take the springs and frame hangers off of a 73-87 truck. Obviously I might have to move spring perches and do a lot of measuring to get the upper frame hangers in the correct locations. This would open up a whole new world to availabiblty of lift kits? Just a though of finding someone that is parting a 73+ 1/2 ton

Then my truck would be 67 1/2 Ton frame, 73+ 1/2 Ton springs and frame hangers, 3/4 to 1 ton axles.

I'm out of town but will check on what people think when I get back. Take care everyone.

It would make mounting up a front axle, that has the spring pad cast into the housing very tough.

Check out DIY4X for his brackets. I used rear springs in the front of my project. 4" of lift, nice soft ride.

[eric67m]

[QUOTE=grendel;2657346]It would make mounting up a front axle, that has the spring pad cast into the housing very tough.


This would be a Dana 60? What if I am using a 44 or a Corp 10? And even then I thought all front axles were interchangable because they are all the same spring width? Other that this problem would this be a possibility?

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by eric67m

This would be a Dana 60? What if I am using a 44 or a Corp 10? And even then I thought all front axles were interchangable because they are all the same spring width? Other that this problem would this be a possibility?

The hangers from the 73 and later chassis have a different offset, I believe they come out more from the frame.

By putting those on a 67-72 frame, you would be dealing with a different width, which would require different spring pad spacing. I did look into this when I made my C into a K.

D60's, D44's and Corp 10's made for Chevy all have the spring cast into the side of the housing.

[6872xtc]

Just my .02, but I would seriously look into swapping the front springhangers though. My 68 frame had 2 piece frt hangers that were broken/welded/bent. I installed some from a 70 blazer that are more like the 73& up stuff.