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11-02-2011, 10:41 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Southeast Missouri
Posts: 2,436
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Re: Where to start?
First decide what you want to do with your truck when it is finished, this will determine a lot what you do and in what order.
Gathering parts are a good thing, especially if you are able to get them reasonable. Used parts are ok when they are in good condition and usually fit better than repo parts. Look over what you have real well and make a list of what you need. Brake work should be a priority over worrying about an engine and transmission. Manual and automatic transmissions require different cross members. No matter what way you decide to go make sure to post any questions as you go on your build because there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on here that are happy to help. I have learned and continue to learn from them.
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'67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E. |
11-02-2011, 01:35 PM | #2 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Center City, MN, USA
Posts: 3,253
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Re: Where to start?
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GM made up for all the differences in the length of one transmission verses another by having a longer or shorter transfer case adapter. The adapter is the piece that holds the drive sleeve which is what couples the transmission output to the transfer case input. They also made all the 4x4 driveshafts the same length. So if you are switching from a 3-speed manual factory configuration to a 4-speed manual factory configuration you use the same driveshafts and crossmember. The transmission, adapter, and transfer case are changed. Same when switching from a manual to a th350. You swap out tranny, adapter, and t-case and use the same crossmember and driveshafts. I have personally done this swap and can attest to this fact. I don't know why but GM had two different input shafts on the factory t-cases. ALL t-cases originally behind a manual tranny have a 10-spline input shaft. The t-case the General put in behind a th350 has a 28 spline input shaft which matches the 28-spline output of the stock th350. Now after swapping to a th350 and having to drive that rig on the highway I wish I would have put a 700r4 in there. The highway rpms are bad when going 70-80mph in rush hour traffic with a th350 and 3.73 gears in the differential. If you have 3.08s perhaps a th350 will be ok. If you have 4.11s FORGET about a non-overdrive tranny if you ever want to venture out on an interstate highway. GM never built a 1972 4x4 with a 700r4 but if you start with a th350/adapter/t-case (factory option) and build up a 7004r for a 4x4 (no tail shaft) it will bolt to the th350 adapter but is longer. I haven't done it yet but folks that have done this swap have moved the engine forward the 1-2 inches the 700r4 is longer than the stock th350. This moves the engine closer if not exactly to where it is in a stock 2wd configuration. I hope this helps.
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'70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN |
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11-02-2011, 02:32 PM | #3 |
Old Skool Club
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas"
Posts: 10,880
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Re: Where to start?
Oh, check out the projects and builds forum. You'll find a buttload of trucks that folks are doing, or have done, that will be an inspiration. As to what to do first, there's still a bunch of us who keep asking or wondering about what we've done and if it was right, or not.
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Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was. |
11-02-2011, 02:40 PM | #4 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Southeast Missouri
Posts: 2,436
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Re: Where to start?
Quote:
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'67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E. Last edited by Shyguy; 11-02-2011 at 02:41 PM. Reason: Make clearer |
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