Newbie to 4x4 trucks, need advice
 

Ok so heres some background I love chevy trucks currently I have 2 1966 chevy trucks 1 is a shortbed step the other is a short fleet I like these trucks but what I really want is a 4x4 truck that I can load up with stuff and go camping or take out to the desert.

I also recently had a 69 c-20.

So I have checked out a few and saw one that looked OK, its a 1971 1/2 4x4 with a 4speed truck trans and a 292 6.

so heres my question would you guys reccomend this truck, the 4 wheel drive gear sounds kinda messed up so how hard is it to repair these 4x4's do the parts from any other years interchange? can you use parts froms the 73-85 pickups? and are the parts really expensive? I noticed that the cross member holding the transfer case was missing a bolt and the other was not tight could this have caused the noise?


thanks,
greg

Loose drivetrain hardware can cause alot of problems. The drive train for the 71 was available for many years after 71 atleast into the 80s so parts are readily avilable and reasonable priced. If it's stock you have a SM465 tranny, NP205 transfer case, dana 44 front axle and 12 bolt rear. Solid drivetrain for 1/2 ton w/ the tranny and TC available in 1 tons.

Did you get to put the truck in 4wd and drive it? I'd say check the fluids of the drive train, tighten the loose bolt and if possible have the owner put in a bolt for the missing one and then take it for a spin. Let us know....

Yeah the owner was clueless about how to operate the truck he bought it from the original owner 2 weeks ago, (I actually talked to the owner because the truck was in the paper but by the time I called it was sold) so he bought it now is selling it. we put it in 4 wheel low and then crawled around it was making a weird noise so we stopped then tried to get it out of 4 wheel but 1 of the hubs got stuck we finally got it back to normal after we put it in reverse for a bit.

I live in california so there isn't very many pre 73 4x4's so thats why I am kinda desperate even if it is a project.

thanks for your help.:bowtie:

Some times you just gotta say WTF!!!
Go for it.
There is lots of knowledge here to help with problems.
And like JIMs70GMC said lots of parts interchangeability(is that a word?).

maybe i missed something but why is the guy selling it so soon?

yes that is pretty weird to sell a truck so soon but his excuse was that he just bought restored 72 4x4 the truck was pretty sweet, I hope I can have one like that someday.