Found the biggest piece of my 4x4

[D13]

Having grown up with an 81 2wd 3/4 ton, I've always wanted to replicate it only in 4wd. So this weekend I picked up a 1985 3/4 ton chassis. It should be a light 3/4 given the 9.5" SF rear, but it's got a ton of springs on it. It is either a HD with an axle swap or light 3/4 with a spring swap. Either way it's in good shape.

So now I have an 82 2wd cab, a bolt in hump plus a manual trans floor from an 81, 90 'burb clip, decent bed from California that needs rear lowers for some odd reason, California and NOS doors, etc. Going to get Vintage Air.
For drive train I have (2) 9.5 SF with 3.43 gears, one with gov-lock (which, if you don't beat on them, are reliable and work well), (2) 10 bolt fronts, (1) set 8 lug hubs and backing plates. 1990 K5 NP208 with the electronic speed sensor set up and correct cross member, 87 700R4, converter cover and braces, and a front drive shaft, plus a donor rear that I can cut down. Still arguing with myself about using the 6.2 diesel in my 87, or 250 six on the engine stand, with fuel injection and turbo added later.

So all I have to do now is sell the other 2 trucks, part the 3rd, sell my A833's, decide to keep or sell all my 6.2 stuff, convert my old C65 2 ton to a frame build jig, and finish my (2) tractor projects.... and I can start.

[kwmech]

The 1990 K5 t-case should be a 241c. 1989 to 1991. 1987 to early 88 was the last of the 208. I'c personally go with a full float rear diff if you can find one. 3.73 with an overdrive? marginal depending on tire size. I'd give up now on the 700 and get a 4l80e, unless you run the 6 cyl. But that will be a slug being a 250 even with the turbo. These trucks are heavy and about as aerodynamic as a brick. You've got quite a collection of decent parts, but they may not be correct for your build and what you expect to get out of it


what type of lift--if any--tire size wanted?

[D13]

Yep, 241C, my bad. I have a pair of 208's if I don't need the VSS.

Not going big time wheeling, no big tires, no lift, stock 235/85/16 tires (slightly less that 32"). Mostly after ground clearance for my trips down 'un-maintained" roads (anyone go out past Copper Harbor to High Rock Bay?) and when the snowplow doesn't make it down my Michigan road. Plus I want it for the time it's a little slick (once got my 99 extended cab 3/4 ton 2wd stuck, on wet grass, with the front tires in a 2" deep ditch. Embarrassed doesn't begin to describe it).

OK, I confess, I've always wanted one because they look cool. Issue now is Carmine Red with burgundy interior or dark sliver with black interior? Red looks great with the white wheels and dog dishes, but the silver / black is pretty nice. And 81 single, 91 single , 87 double, 90 Burb double mini front lights? Ah, decisions. The nice thing is I know I don't need PW/PL since I'm going to have a vinyl seat to slide across. ooh, I just happen to have a set of NOS manual door panels...

Full floater only is needed the 1 day a year I haul scrap - and that's what the trailer is for (this has a pretty good hitch, plus I have a Class 4 on one of my other trucks). If one fell out of the tree, cheap, I would use it, but they are getting pricey here. My 81 has a 9.5 with a gov-lock and worked 20 years on the farm, hauling some very heavy loads of hay and oak firewood. I once took its 8500 GVW across the scale at 11,400 lbs (old farm equipment scrap).. and the 9.5 and 3 speed have never grumped.

AS far as being a dog, I'm sure it will be. I'm not in any hurry, I've been told I drive like a little old lady (once I hit 35 I slowed down and stopped wrecking a vehicle a year). I actually hit 58mph towing this home on the trailer, on a 2 hour drive. Bypassed the expressway which probably cost me 1/2 hour on the round trip.

3.43 with the 700R4 is not bad, gets me to ~2.5 which is what is in my 1977 with the 250 and no OD. Probably will be just fine with the 6.2. With the 250, probably 4:11's, netting out around 3.0. My current backup driver is a 6.2 diesel powered 87 with 3.08 gears, which is pretty close. My 81 3/4 has 3.43's with no OD, and the L6 is howling at 70.

I grew on on 3/4 ton trucks with 250's in them, and I'm perfectly fine with the level of anti-performance available. I will spend most of my time in this truck well below highway speeds, but every now and then, the road trip will require 70mph, which is where the OD comes in. Nice thing is, either of my engine options is not likely to lead to powertrain demise (the whopping 190hp of the 6.2 is.. underwhelming. The 250's are more fun to drive).

Anyways, now that the last college tuition is paid, I needed somewhere else to spend my money. This looks like a good bet.