FAQ or site to school me on types of axles, transfer cases, trannys for 4x4s?

[John Fabris]

Hi all,

Is there a site that tells a 4x4 wannabe (me ) what choices I have in front axles, rear axles, transfers cases, and trannys, pros and cons on each, and what will work easy with each other and what needs adapters and such?

My background is that I am picking up a 68 chevy Panel 3/4 ton 2 wheel drive and I really want to convert it to 4x4 3/4 ton. It currently has 396/400 combo (needs rebuild) of which I will replace with a 402/400 combo. I do not know what rear it has (but it is coil spring).

I would like to convert to 4x4, with the front using a disc brake 3/4 ton axle, not sure on rear, and also not sure on what transfer case to use. I also would like to lift it 4 inches (maybe up to 6, not sure of my options yet)...

Panel will be used for trails and fire roads to my (gold propecting spots, my flyfishing spots) as well as hauling parts trucks on my 18foot trailer.

Any info, tips, suggestions, and opinions welcomed!!!

[70 beast]

the panel might have a eaton.
ive only seen a few and they had eatons so i may be wrong.

as for the rear if its a full floater, id just keep that and worry about the front. if the truck is already 3/4 ton, then all you need is a front end that is 3/4 ton or 1ton with matching gears.

if you go 3/4 ton, you can use( i believe )any 8 lug Chevy front. (given the gears match)
tcase you can either find a tcase off a t400 (with adapter) that will work (given spline count and tranny side tail shaft length match yours) and is the right side drop.

there's tons upon tons of great info on here so you might find it helpful to search around some.

[71blksuper4x4]

John, your demands sound pretty accurate for a reason to go 3/4 ton. If you are trying to find a front axle for it. I recommend a Dana 44 (D44), they were used up until late 70's, but don't turn away a 10 bolt out of an early 80's truck. There strength characteristics are not that far from each other and the d44 is just a little stronger. You can also convert a half ton d44 to 3/4 by using the parts from a 3/4, (hubs, rotors, etc.) should you find one out of a 67-72. I am not sure whether the 73-87 requires to move the spring perches. For rear end, you can't go wrong with a Corporate 14 bolt. Try finding a full floater if possible. These are cheap to find and for parts. These axles will easily hold any tire with a 4-6" lift. Now for transmission and transfer case. If you are going to be running a 402 BB and th400, you will either need to find a K model th400 (4x4 transmission) that accepts an $$$ adaptor to bolt inbetween the transfer case. The only way to use a 2wd th400 is by using a divorced transfer case. That is what we used on my 96 with the big lift kit on it. A divorced transfer case allows you to use a 2wd tranny with a very short driveshaft in between it and the transfer case. The only problem with one is you have to fab up your own shifter and linkage as sometimes these can sit far back on the frame. The best transfer case I personally like is a np205. They were stock in trucks after 70', but phased out in the 70's as a chain driven t.c. came out .(np203) I prefer the gear driven t.c. (np205) as it's a bulletproof transfer case, and less problematic then the 203. Trevor

[1970GMC468]

Hey bro! I live in Orland and I can maybe steer you in the right direction. I you search the 4x4 forums I turned my 1970 GMC big block 2500 into a four wheeler from a two wheeler. It is really not that hard. DIY4X makes spring mounts that make the front a breeze. Of course my Jimmy had rear leaf springs so that made the rear easy. I know just the roads you talk of, we have a cabin in Butte Meadows. Well good luck and maybe I can lend a hand.