Need advice for engine and trans selection, 82 K10

[CWALK]

I will be restoring an 82 K10 Pickup that I purchased for my winter vehicle, and need your advice on engine and trans selection.  Though this may seem straight forward, where I will be living this winter will be demanding as I will explain below.

Though I live in Wisconsin, this winter I will be working at a ski resort in Utah for about 5 months.  This means I need a vehicle that will not only get me to and from Utah (3,000 round trip) but also be rock solid dependable when I am there.  Though I will not be doing any off roading, the area receives between 400" and 500" of annual snow fall each year. 

With that in mind my top three issues are as follows.  Decent fuel economy would be nice, but I am a realist.  Secondly, all the roads in the area are very steep.  You are either going up or down, with no inbetween unless you are in Salt Lake City.  Would I be better off with a manual or automatic transmission?  Thirdly, though horsepower is nice, all I care about it having enough oomph to get me going down the freeway at 75, and power to get me up the steep grades.

Another consideration.  With the changes in altitude, though gradual, rule out a carburated setup?

I have a 2 bolt main 350 that runs good, but can't get out of it's own way.  I also have a 4 speed manual that has the super low first gear.  I have money saved to get a new trans and motor, i'm just not sure what to get.  Goodwrench 350?  Maybe a 5.3?  As for the trans overdrive is a must.  NV4500 5 speed?  OD Automatic?  No towing, no plowing, no offroading.  If it doesn't fit in the bed of my truck, sorry, it isn't coming along.

I could very well buy another vehicle, but I don't WANT another vehicle.  I have been waiting years to be a ski bum (3 kids, x wife, house) and I want to show up in style with a vehicle that I don't have to take to the dealership for an oil change.  Roll up windows are nice.  Floor vents are nice.  Old school is nice.  Simple is nice.

So let me know what you would do if you were in my shoes!

[Jason S]

Electronic fuel injection or a propane system will adjust for atmospheric conditions. 

As for the transmission, what gear ratio do you have front and rear? 

Swapping gears could be less money than adapting a 5 speed to your final setup. 

If your going for strictly highway mileage, an EFI setup with your current trans/transfer case and 3.42 (or numerically lower, 3.08 at the low end) gears should give you decent fuel mileage.

[BlackBetty]

personally, if I was spending your money for you I'd get a gm crate 350 long block (the 290 hp) put on an affordable fuel injection tbi kit and the nv4500.  Since you don't care about having a ton of power the standard gm motor should give you plenty of power, tbi isn't great but its cheap and will keep you from having to worry about carb adjustments with minimal elec upgrades (all comes pre-programmed for you).  Manual tranny will be much easier on your brakes in the mountains and still give you decent highway mileage.  get some decent headers and exhaust and call it a day.  just my 2 cents

[CWALK]

I wil find out the current gear ratio, front and rear, and get back to you guys. 

As for the GM Crate motor, are we talking the Goodwrench Longblock, pre-86 for sells for roughly $1,500 from places like Scoggin-Dickey?  Great article in the May Car Craft Magazine about that motor.  I would be more than happy with something like that.

[Blazin]

If it were me I would leave your transmission just the way it is. The SM465 is almost bullet proof, great trans for mountain driving as it will save your brakes, and has Lo gear. You want a good quality clutch, I am a big fan of a stock replacement heavy duty parts, like NAPA or a parts store like that sells. Center Force or a performance clutch of similar nature would work well also, but might not be worth the extra money for something that's not going to be used in extreme conditions. I would stay away from the VIP, Auto Zone type stores for a clutch. When buying parts like that, you really do get what you pay for. As far as alternators, starters, etc. you do there too, but changing on of them is no big deal if it doesn't last.

Use the money you save by not replacing the trans for gears, motor, etc. 290 / 300 Hp is more than enough for a daily driver. Keep in mind its torque that will be your friend in hilly country, and snow conditions. Your cam choice in a motor you buy, or build should be one that makes its best power from idle, or close to it, to 4,500 RPMs.

3:42s would be a great all around gear, they do well for back road, mountain driving conditions, plus go okay down the highway. Are you looking to run stock size tires? 31x10.5s? 33s? 3:42s would be good. If your thinking a touch of lift with 33s? or 35s? 3:73s would be a good choice. With the little extra tire they would work out to be similar overall ratio at the pavement.

If I were building a truck to drive ( not use for plowing ) in the snow I would do an add a leaf, or a 3" or 4" lift run 3:73s with 33x9.5 tires. I am not a body lift freak, but you could do a 2' body lift to clear a set of 33x9.5s. The extra height from the 33s would be good for ground / snow clearance, but the 9.5 width is still decent for snow traction.
Only draw back to that tire size there are not as many choices for brands, and none of them offer a SNOW tire tread. Buckshot makes a mud tire that size that does okay in snow, and BFG makes the Mud Terrain, they do allright in the snow as well. Having them sipped would make a huge improvement.

[CWALK]

Blazin, thanks for taking the time to give me your advice.  If I can keep my current trans, that would be great.  Seems to work well.  It's going into the shop this week to fix a clutch issue so I might just upgrade everything right away.

Here is a pic of how she sits right now.  I have 31 x 10.5 tires on it now and i'm fine with that.  My plan is to get some dedicated snow tires, so I am fine with stock width and height.

So based on the photo, does it look lifted?  I think I had drywall in the bed when this picture was taken, so it sits a little low in the back.  My plan is to replace the leafs all the way around, unless I can rehab the ones I have.  Thanks again, everyone, for your help!