Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

I just bought this recently, this was a 4X4 conversion done about 25 years ago. It looks like a very proper job and maintains the original frame except for the front end where they custom fabbed in a frame to accept the front diff. It is a 1973 El Camino SS, 383 stroker, automatic. Manual locking hubs.

The fella thought (he is old) they used Blazer drive train. Any of y’all have an opinion of what was used? Year? I can take more pics up on the lift if need be.
Thanks!


https://i.postimg.cc/hPtBTyzC/0-B785...-DCE8-B928.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/pLxRyWQF/AD0388...1-FA011868.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/RZMx4P91/23193-...971-CC8-C2.jpg

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

skip the casting #'s

show me the diff covers .

and thats a np205 gear to gear t-case under there .

and the 1 axle is missing its vent hose .

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

https://i.postimg.cc/rsjCWGZ4/113273...-A00510033.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/ZYwd8qK6/53-C4-...-D04116736.jpg



Thanks a bunch!

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

dana 44 front and gm truck 12 bolt rear :metal:

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

Could be from a Blazer or any 1/2 ton 4WD Chevy or GMC pickup.

Nice ride. How does it drive?

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

It’s really shocking how well it drives, tracks perfect. It needs a few things but I like it. Just drove it about 2750 miles. The conversion work looks to be very well done (about 25 years ago).
It goes into my keeper inventory :two:

I’m just trying to figure out what I have, so when it comes time to buy parts I’m at least going in the right direction (finding hedders, shocks, brakes etc...)

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

If you identify whether the front knuckles are open or closed that would help you get closer on the year - I think open knuckles came in 71 or 72. Also if you can determine the width of the original spring perches - they changed in 73.

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

First open knuckle was in 1970, but it was drum brake. 1971+ saw disc brakes. All the chevy front housings have a spring width of 31.5'' all the way up to 1991 on the V series----including the Dana 44, dana 60 and the 10 bolt front. With the cross over steering pictured, my guess would be a 71-76 ish drive train. They had a flat top knuckle on the right side that could be drilled and tapped for a steering arm.

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

https://i.postimg.cc/2yMPFp5p/F17-D4...09-C41-CF1.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/dt8Ym1G4/4-E1-C...3-AE1093-C.jpg


What a great bunch of guys, thanks so much for the help !!

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

I'm happy to share my ignorance any time. Thanks for setting me straight, KW.

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

ya when you get time more pics of the steering system . interesting to see how they did it 25 years ago .

and as to date thats easy . pull a diff cover and look at the ring gear for date stamp . or the t-case will have a date stamp on the front facing the trans .

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

Steering shock needs to be flipped over on the axle bracket

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

from what i can see that sure is one nice conversion kit under there . :metal:

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

I think it all may be custom made. Looks pretty clean and not hacked

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

Thanks y’all, it’s a custom fab job, very welll done I think. I’ll shoot a couple pics of the front frame they sectioned in.

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

https://i.postimg.cc/dVS8Lgr2/51-B1-...D1-B6-C0-F.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/3xykbN0G/FE40-E...9-E7294-D9.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/xTXj97jD/D8-BD6...A0389214-E.jpg

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

Is the transmission an SM465 or an automatic?
I have a '71 Jimmy, and all your running gear looks familiar.
There is often the debate about: "Is an ElCo a truck?" Well THAT one is.

When I was stationed at MCAS Yuma in the late '70s, there was a local's rig that was a Gremlin body on a Jeep chassis. Looked funny but went anywhere.

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

Automatic, thanks for the info!

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

all i can say is i dont do cars / that body style el camino .............. but that thing is just RIGHT in every way :metal:

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

Thanks K30, I dig it :cool:

Should be up your way around June; about the time Texas gets hot and Maine gets beautiful.

Re: Need a bit of help identifying this running gear....
 

if driving the car/truck thing love to see it first hand . or just stop in anyways .

i am easy off the highway I86 old state route 17 that goes from erie / jamestown all the way across lower new york back down to nyc area .