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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 4 Wheel Drives => Topic started by: DirtyShawn on February 06, 2010, 07:43:08 PM

Title: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 06, 2010, 07:43:08 PM
hi every one my first time here.
i just got a 78 k10 stepside.
I'm looking for info on what i have and if its good or bad
got this in trade for a 96 1500w/t and a 1969 shata camper
i know its a worked 350 motor & th400 but not sure of  the transfer case.
some one has done a real nice job on the rear four link and coil overs.
but other then that I'm lost with what i have.
i hope i didn't buy something that is not worth much..
iv allways wanted a 4x4  like the one in chip's
here are some photos for every one to look at.
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t39/dirtyshawn/001.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t39/dirtyshawn/002.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t39/dirtyshawn/003.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t39/dirtyshawn/004.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t39/dirtyshawn/005.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t39/dirtyshawn/006.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t39/dirtyshawn/007.jpg)
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: choptop on February 06, 2010, 08:00:13 PM
cooool, ive never seen a 4 link on a 4x4
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: Irish_Alley on February 06, 2010, 08:50:58 PM
judging by the shift nob i would say np203 don't quote me on it just what i think tho
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: Blazin on February 07, 2010, 12:57:48 AM
X 2 on the shift knob looking like its a NP 203. But the sift lever looks like NP 205? If its all cast iron its a 205, If it has an aluminum tail shaft housing its a 203.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: Chevalade on February 07, 2010, 08:52:50 AM
Looks like the links/shocks are set up for drag racing....

Also the way they are setup, with the links being so short, and the pivot point in the middle of the driveshaft, I imagine you are going to end up with some serious driveline issues. Also the links look on the smallish size. Are the 1" or 1.5"?

If you want the links done right, you are gonna have some work ahead of ya.

Good base for a project though. Good luck with it.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 08, 2010, 12:35:53 AM
i'v never seen a 4 link on a truck before  it rides and turns real good .
i dont know why i would have to worry about the drive line please tell me more?
im goal is not to rock crawl or any thing i just want to make it mys its daddys toy as my lil girls says
but i do want to stick it in some holes around here...  
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: Captkaos on February 08, 2010, 03:52:24 PM
With those 4 link mounts hanging so low you may Stick it in some holes.  For a 4x4 that isn't a good strategy in my opinion.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 08, 2010, 05:01:46 PM
ya iv been thinking about the with rocks and thing but its just a toy for me.. i love the motor most.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: beastie_3 on February 08, 2010, 05:54:26 PM
It looks cold.....Brr! ha. With having a custom 4 link setup, I would keep an eye on the attachment points of everything. Keep a look out for the welds cracking and bolts coming loose. Major rust in some areas can be a concern also.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: Chevalade on February 08, 2010, 09:36:21 PM
As far as the links are concerned, picture the movement of the links as they cycle from compression to droop.  Picture the pinion angle. The shorter the links, the more rotation the pinion goes through as the suspension cycles causing bind. Most 4 link setups have the links approx the same length as the driveshaft, or the front mount of the links near the back of the t-case/tranny.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 08, 2010, 11:39:20 PM
ok now i get it . well not much i can do there . im not able to do the kind of work where i live..
but i don't really plan on doing and off road with it .. this is my dream truck. so i want to get it back right .
the only body work i have to do is one rocker driver side. cab corner and the bed needs new steel sides.
rest is great. i have locking hubs and i think a th400 np3?? trancase. my motor is a custom built 383
gear drive timing header some kind of cam it lopes slow and strong 0% smoke sound like cans popping  lol.
but to day i got it out on the road and it did not  drive right so i think.. 3speed   but to do 50mph
motor rpms was hi so i think i feel like i need a 4 speed.  40mph was 3500 rpm.. i looked to see if i was in the wrong trans gear but im in 4hi
and it snowing so i have the hubs locked in.     am i doing something wrong? or its the gearing off... 


any one got any trick sub boxs for this year chevy i can see i need ideas..
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 08, 2010, 11:43:39 PM
Quote from: Blazin on February 07, 2010, 12:57:48 AM
X 2 on the shift knob looking like its a NP 203. But the sift lever looks like NP 205? If its all cast iron its a 205, If it has an aluminum tail shaft housing its a 203.


whats the best one to have and the last one i want?
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: beastie_3 on February 09, 2010, 01:01:57 AM
As for the sub boxes, it depends on what your interior setup is. Do you have a bench or buckets? I have two sub enclosures behind my bench (dont really like them, but its all I can do). If you have buckets, you can custom make a enclosure between the seats and incorporate the console as well. There are a few links floating around of some custom work.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: Irish_Alley on February 09, 2010, 05:12:21 AM
Quote from: DirtyShawn on February 08, 2010, 11:43:39 PM
Quote from: Blazin on February 07, 2010, 12:57:48 AM
X 2 on the shift knob looking like its a NP 203. But the sift lever looks like NP 205? If its all cast iron its a 205, If it has an aluminum tail shaft housing its a 203.


whats the best one to have and the last one i want?
the 205 most say is the best out of those two but i have the 203 in my 79 with 38's seam to be taring up more axles than t cases non as a mater of fact of you really want to know just do a internet search for t cases or post a pick from under the truck and we should be able to tell ya
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: Chevalade on February 09, 2010, 02:24:52 PM
The 203 is stout as well....hence why crawlers use them with the 205 for ultimate gear reduction.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 09, 2010, 08:24:46 PM
any one know why i cant seen to do more then 40mph in my truck? im in 4hi or 2nd click bacl on the trans stick. hubs locked..
its like i need one more gear. but my th400 is working good in a 3 gears but im turning alot of rpm at 40mph
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: Irish_Alley on February 10, 2010, 11:35:06 PM
it could be timming, a tune up. is the tranny slipping. or the engine is wore out.  what0is ur shift pattern
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 11, 2010, 08:36:22 AM
motor is a fresh 383 or 400  got to do a numbers look. but it runs sweet lopy cam. love it
im not sure of the transfer case shifter setting i know i drive it in the sec click from the top. if i pull it down it gos to a gear that moves real slow
i have the lock out hubs and i  think conversion . at 40 mph im turning 3500 rpm and to me sounds like in going to blow it up if i push the gass any harder..
i had a friend that said it sounds like i have 4.56 gears?  can this be and why...
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 11, 2010, 08:38:34 AM
and the th400 shifts good and pulls good in all gears. i can spin the wheels in 4 hi
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 11, 2010, 03:49:08 PM
is any one online here?   i was hoping for faster replys..
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: beastie_3 on February 11, 2010, 04:07:52 PM
If you want a faster answer, take it to a mechanic. Most people on here work and dont log on until the evening. Try finding out what gears you have. What size tires do you have? Is your speedo off? I didnt see what transfer case you have. What do you mean "second click from top"? From the firewall? If so, and if you have a 203, then that is 4low. That may be why your maxing out at 40 mph
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: jaredts on February 11, 2010, 06:55:50 PM
It could be the gears as mentioned.  Check your tranny fluid level, though.  That can cause what you describe.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 12, 2010, 05:57:52 AM
ok after making a fool out of my self you guys have pushed me to find what it was.. im stupid! i was in 4 low
sec click from the floor is what i was meaning.  
this is what i think i have found.
 and i have the manual hub lock's
4 loc
4 lo   <---2 click
n      
2 wd
4 hi  <--- im here now drives great
now i can get up to 40 and not sound like im going to blow it up.

i didn't mean to make any one mad im just use to a faster moving forum .
but you guy have been alot of help i think.. i have read alot old post and found them all very helpfull.

now i guess its time to find parts. and look into how to make new 4 links and a mount to the frame and lose the ugly 4 link mounts
thinking of new 2.5 inch steel tubes but how to make the mount and where to place it.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: beastie_3 on February 12, 2010, 01:57:15 PM
Glad it was an easy fix. Make sure you go subscribe to the site if your going to be offering stuff for sale and make sure it is in the "for sale" section.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: Stantonss on February 12, 2010, 02:51:22 PM
CHIP's or FallGuy?

Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 12, 2010, 09:28:57 PM
Ok i will do that.  Im not selling if but your right there is a place for it.

and in the TV show fallguy lee majors drove a 70's chevy fleetside 4x4 brown & tan i loved it ..
and in the TV show CHIP'S Larry Wilcox had a 77 stepside 4x4 blue.. i loved that one the most. now i have it.
with a lot of work maybe it will look half as good.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: DirtyShawn on February 20, 2010, 06:18:47 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAIDqyi2XsM

this is why i love my chevy truck... 
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: beastie_3 on February 21, 2010, 03:44:37 PM
Ive never seen that show before, now I gotta hunt it down.
Title: Re: need help with my new toy.. my first 4x4
Post by: Captkaos on February 22, 2010, 10:09:12 PM
look on Hulu.com.  I think most of the Episodes are on there.  Just look for Fallguy