1975 chevy K3500 camper special

[hot rod]

Trying to get some information on a 1975 K3500 camper special.  The rearend is a 14 bolt FF, Not sure what transfer case it has, front end has 10 bolts on the inspection cover, however doesn't look like a corp 10 bolt. any information would be helpful as to how these rigs came equipped stock, 350 V8, with a TH350 trans.

[Blazin]

Is it a Chevy. or GMC? If its a Chevy its a K30, GMC is K3500.
Being a 75 it should be a Dana 60 front axle if its a 1 ton. A 3/4 ton would have a Dana 44 front end.
1 ton should be a TH 400 transmission, and a 205 transfercase.
3/4 ton could have either TH 350, or a TH 400 trans, and could have had a 203, or a 205 T case.
203 T case will have auto hubs if its original. It will also have a shifter similar to a Saginaw, or Borg Warner car 4 speed transmission. 
A 205 shifter has a pivot bolt threaded into the trans /  T case adaptor, with two short linkage rods that hook to the shift rods coming out of the T case.

[Cabcorner]

                      I might be wrong but I don't think they made 1 ton 4x4's in 75

[hot rod]

Thanks for the info, the seller says that its K3500, going to get closer look at it on Friday. All the info I have right now is that its a Chevy, pic's have a bow tie grill and Chevrolet stamped tail gate. The research I've been able to do says that they didn't build 1 tons in 75 as well, that its probably a heavy 3/4 ton I.E. Camper Special. Don't know about the whole full time 4 wheel drive thing, I have been reading some info on the net about a mile marker part time conversion with a new tail shift that eliminates the differential portion of the t case making it part time. Only problem I can't seen to find anyone that sells them including mile marker.

Now for the next question, what is involved in switching out a NP203 for a NP 205, is it cost effective, or is there to much involved? any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Blazin]

I am sure the kits are available still somewhere. Maybe Advance Adaptors?
As far as switching over you will need to be sure of the trans as the output spline count is different from a TH350, / TH400. You might need to change the rear shaft as it I think is a little longer on a 205 truck. I also think you could get a yoke style, and a slip yoke style output on the 203s if I remember correctly.
It never stops amazing me how many simpletons out there think if its 8 lug its 1 ton. I have had discussions with many that argue that 8 lug means 1 ton, and there is no other option. Few of them over the years also argued that 6 lug was 3/4 ton, and 5 lug was 1/2 ton. Enough to give someone an aneurysm!
 I am betting you will find its a K20 with a TH400 if it is a true camper special.

[bake74]

     Check the front hubs, full time transfer cases did not have manual front hubs, if it has manual front hubs someone probably put a part kit in transfer case.
     If it has manual hubs in front, leave them unlocked, get in put it into 4wd, if it moves it has a part time kit or it does not have the 203 transfer case, easiest way to tell.
     Good luck and hope it is what you want.

[pholliday1]

Cabcorner you are correct no one ton 4x4 till 1977 when the brutal dana 60 first appeared.Blazin is on the right track you will find that what you have is a k20. It's "suppossed" to have a dana 44 under it with eight lugs. The easy way to tell a dana 60 from dana 44 is to look at the ball joint area on the axle the 44 will have a standard looking ball joint and the 60 will have 4 bolts and whats referrred to as a king pin setup. If you do have the dana 60 then thats great that means somebody upgraded for you. there is also a differnce between the 4wd shifting levers on the 203 and the 205 the markings on the black knob are different. the upgrade kit doesnt adrres the tail shaft it just disposes of the differential action in the t case. As far as swapping one of then out.....they are heavy....

[hot rod]

Thanks for all the input, I sent the seller another email and he supplied me with the VIN, its a 3/4 ton with a NP203. Not an issue, am going to purchase and take care of the little things over the winter, next fall I will upgrade the transfer to a dual case setup, ORD sells a nice looking adapter, and I will start the hunt for a NP205. If my facts are straight a NP203 is between 22-23" from where it mounts to the trans to the yoke center. The dual case setup measures 21 1/2 inch's, might be able to get away without changing the drive shaft. Then It will have true part time 4x4, and I can put on a set of locking hubs. It also is a Dana 44 front. Thanks again for all the info, you guys are great, and with this purchase I will be asking for more help and knowledge.

Thanks again
Hot Rod

[Engineer]

3/4 ton makes sense. The true 4x4 1-ton that had the Dana60 front axle wasn't available until the 1977 model year.