Author Topic: 79 k20  (Read 7872 times)

Offline 2011laramie

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79 k20
« on: August 08, 2016, 09:34:36 PM »
bought this farm wagon this weekend. gonna pull the body off and scrap the body as there isnt a straight piece of sheetmetal on it. 79 k20 with a 350 and a 4 speed, says 96xxx km on the odometer, not sure if its been wrapped over a time or two.



front end


transfer case, its matted to a sm465


rear end. limited slip with a 3.40 ratio


this is my 2wd that i wanna pull the body from and put it on the 4x4 frame.



this will not be a fast build wont even pull the body off till next year when the cement is poured in the shop. but the truck was cheap so i snagged it.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2017, 07:28:32 PM by 2011laramie »

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2016, 02:03:12 PM »
looks like a nice platform to start from
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Offline 2011laramie

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2016, 10:18:37 PM »
So after lots of reading I'm torn, swapping the sm465 to 4l80e would require an expensive adapter and swapping the 10 spline transfer case to a 32. Also would need to adjust drives shaft lengths.

Not swapping the sm465 out would require me to swap the clutch gear over to the silver truck cab.

Since this is gonna be a weekend driver I think it would probably take 10 years to recoup the cost of swapping to an auto.

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2016, 11:42:09 PM »
to be honest if your not putting out a lot of power you can use the 700r4/208 and have it built up. yes you might still need new shafts but it will be cheaper cause you dont have to buy the adapter and the tcu. all in all it probably wont save you money in gas savings due to the initial cost but the easy of driving an auto and a little boost in millage is about all it will be vs spending 1000+ unless you find a donor lwb with the trans and t case and driveshafts.
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Offline 2011laramie

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2016, 11:11:44 PM »
Just scored a np205 32 spline with the turbo 400 adapter for cheap. Guess this will make swapping to an auto alot cheaper.

Gonna go with a stock/ mild 454 and turbo 400 tranny.

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2016, 03:00:26 PM »
which 205? round or figure 8?
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Offline 2011laramie

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2016, 10:53:49 PM »
Figure 8

Offline 2011laramie

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2016, 09:49:36 PM »


So winter is coming and i figured maybe id fix these pins. I basically got this for less than the adapter is worth so i might as well fix it. Guy said front driveshaft busted lose and smashed it.

What parts may i need?

Offline hatzie

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2016, 09:41:21 PM »
That's your Front HI-N-LO shift rod and assorted shift linkage parts.
Is the Rear shift rod boogered up too?
How much is damaged inside?

I'd be tempted to twin stick it. These guys have shift linkage parts.
http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/transfercaseshifters.htm

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Offline 2011laramie

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #9 on: December 20, 2016, 12:43:30 AM »






On the trailer



Dragged another one home. 85 3/4 ton with a dead motor but a rebuilt th400 and 208. Gonna take the snowblade off.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2017, 07:30:26 PM by 2011laramie »

Offline 2011laramie

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2017, 07:10:18 PM »
So I called the local dealership and asked if they could run the vin. they did and said they have it showing a code GU5 for a 3.23 gear ratio.
« Last Edit: April 15, 2017, 10:24:56 PM by 2011laramie »

Offline 2011laramie

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #11 on: April 15, 2017, 10:14:52 PM »
So spring is near and i was gonna start getting ready to work on these projects and the wife comments "why fix up a truck that wont hold the whole future family"

so it seams like 4 door is in the sights.
True crew cab 4x4 are pricey around my area, but I found a 1980 crew cab 2wd for a decent price.

are the front sections of the frame dimensions between a 1980 c20 2wd crew cab the same as a 1980 reg cab k20??? im thinking about scoopin up the 2wd crew cab and converting the front end to 4wd as i got that brown truck's axles available. Or stretching the frame of the k20 and adding the body mounts for the crew cab, As i was gonna cut crew cab frame anyways to make a crew cab shortbox.
« Last Edit: April 15, 2017, 10:41:45 PM by 2011laramie »

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2017, 06:13:18 AM »
 Front dimensions are the same, you need to carefully measure and drill out all the holes for the spring hangers and shackles- also need the motor mounts and crossmember.

Without staring at both frames for a week, I would think it would be easier to convert the crew cab to 4wd and then shorten the frame. And this means you can get the truck running and driving before shortening the frame too...you may decide a long bed is better suited, or not.


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Offline 2011laramie

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2017, 09:35:36 PM »
I found a 1991 4x4 crewcab v3500 at a wrecker quite a few hours away from me. It has no front axle or doors. But i was told it has the 4l80e and 205. 

Im thinking about getting the tranny, transfer case, cross member and the electronic speedo cluster. Anything else i should grab???

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 79 k20
« Reply #14 on: April 20, 2017, 12:24:55 AM »
the ecm and tbi stuff. otherwise you have to get a tcu and they can be 500+
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When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes