1979 K10 StepSide

[tater89]

Hey yall new to the site, coming from South GA. Ive had a couple chevy trucks but its been a couple years so I been really wanting to get another one. I came across this truck in a junk yard so I been thinking about picking it up. Its got the stock 400 small block in it and stock tranny, he claims lol. The owner he got it from was switching it from 6 lug to 8 lug got the back done never did the front. I don't care about having an 8 lug and don't need 4wd all the time so im wonder how much pain would it be to change it back to a 6 lug and part time 4wd. I know there is a couple threads about doing it I just wanted to talk about it a little. Also interested in what yall would think it would be worth. He says it runs but I haven't heard it and he is suppose to get back with me about how much he wants for it.


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[dvdswan]

i would look at it more as in cost wise.  you have a choice.

1) keep the rear axle, find out what gear ratio it has and then match it with a front 8 lug, buy 2 tires and wheels
2) find a seat of 6 lug axles and still verify that they are the same gear ratio, buy 4 tires and wheels
3) find out what t/case it has NP203 or 205, 203 full-time and 205 part-time.  if its a 203 find out if it has the 2wd kit installed in it already or buy the kit.

BTW, that looks to be a very clean truck, which makes me ask why is it in a j/y?  axles are inexpensive especially 1/2Ts and 3/4Ts.  1Ts are the expensive ones, depending on where you are in the country.  I chance to say that in GA they are pricy.

[bake74]

     Welcome to the site tater89, I would defiantly want to hear it start if he says it runs before I agree on any price.  But like dveswan said, it looks to be in good shape.  Of course check the trouble spots, cab corners, wheel wells, etc.

[tater89]

Thanks for the replies, I live in a small town so It kinda a junk/repo/mechanic shop lol. I really think its there just because someone never finished it. The only rust I really found was bottom of doors and passenger side rocker panel. About axle set up what would be the best to go with for MPG and Mostly driving on the road?  It will be on pavement at least 80% of the time. When I go off road it isn't anything crazy. Also I haven't seen any of these trucks with tool boxes on them? Are the beds too narrow?

[bake74]

     3/4 ton axles are heavier off the bat.  So if you were going straight for economy and did not 4-wheel it hard or haul/tow heavy loads then 1/2 ton axles are the way to go for that scenario.  But cost wise it would be less to replace 1 axle then 2.
     As for as tool boxes for step sides, they make them.  If you are wanting it inside the bed, it is a little smaller than side to side width.  I have seen some that sit atop of the bed rails, but you really have to search for a step side one.

[tater89]

Thanks that's what I was thinking that the  1/2 ton axle would be best for what I would want to do. What about the gear ratio? I don't know much about how that really works I need to do some research into that. I also saw another stepside in the back of someone's yard today so I might stop by and talk to them about it. Weigh the options of the two trucks if I can.

[bake74]

     You said it had the stock tranny, but did not say auto or manual ?  Gear ratio's depend on what size tires you will be running and where you want the rpm range to stay in.  Either high rpm for speed, low for crawling, or somewhere in the middle for economy.
     There are a ton of calculators on the web for gear ratio's, find one that you have to put in transmission (gears and ratio's), tire size at least for the best real world scenario.

[tater89]

Hey I finally sold my ford truck this week so time for me to get back in a chevy! Im prolly going to go pick this truck up some time this week. I was wondering would this axle work in this truck or do I need to find out the gearing in it first?? and it is an automatic truck.

http://www.automotix.net/usedautoparts/1979-chevrolet-k10_pickup-front_axle_assembly-product-3ti52460x.html?gclid=CPPWj5CxmL0CFWdk7AodzBIA-w

[bake74]

     Yes it will work, and yes check the truck you are picking up for the axle ratio it has in the rear.  No need to get one and have to change out the front ratio.