Looking to buy an 86 4x4

[Yamaha74]

I found a 86 Chevy 4x4, 8ft bed, 350 motor, 3 speed w/granny gear.  I only seen one picture and the guy said that the frame is solid and it doesn't look to rusty.  He is asking $1,500 obo.  I would like to know what everyones thoughts are on the 3 speed with granny gear.  Does this mean that it is actually 4 speed or is it a 3 speed with another gear that is extra low?  Any other thoughts about the truck would be great.

 

[Cody1018]

Its a 3 speed with an extra low gear for pulling/towing/hauling.

[topp]

Sounds like the SM465 Tranny...

Don't ever really need 1st gear on the street......

[1980c10]

It doesn't have an overdrive and is a slow shifting transmission but it is a strong and dependable transmission I have owned two trucks with that trans and they are a good trans. I am currently swapping my current 3 speed with a 5 speed.

[756man]

It is actually a factory 4 spd, 3 spds were on the column.

[Yamaha74]

What is the typical gas mileage for one of these trucks with a 350 and this transmission?  I do not know what the gear ratio is yet.

What does it take to change this to a 5 speed?  Is it just as easy as swapping out the transmission and the gear shifter?

[hotrod24]

I would keep the granny 4 speed...

[Grim 82]

What is the typical gas mileage for one of these trucks with a 350 and this transmission?

I would average about 11 on the highway with my 350/sm465 with 3.07 gears and 33" tires. Thats doing between 75 and 85 mph. The best I saw was 15 doing 55mph.

[1980c10]

to swap this out to a 5 speed (nv 3500) you need to make a new cross member or modify the existing, you'll need to shorten the driveshaft and the splines are different on the tail shaft of the trans, you'll need to convert to a hydrualic clutch (if it isn't already). you'll need a speedometer adapter (if your current uses a cable), the clutch will need to match the transmission as well as the throwout bearing, pivot, fork and shifter,  also the shifter is back a little further than the sm465 so you'll need to cut the floor a little further back.  plus some more work for the 4wd, and whatever I forgot. I like the sm465-I just like a 5 speed better and mine is 2wd so less work, I got a nice deal on a rebuilt 5 speed, otherwise I wouldn't make the conversion due to cost/benefit. I wouldn't shy away from this truck because of the transmission. For regular driving it's kind of nice shifting only three times to get up to speed compared to my 5 speed car, also the low gear might come in handy for off roading.

[snibook7537]

keep the 4 speed. They are rock solid, and pretty fun to drive. I have had two and the only real issue I have had with one is that the 3rd gear ( on the shifter it said 2nd) would pop out in some cases but I know the guy before me rebuild it or had someone do it so dunno if he messed it up but they do seem to have that problem Occasionally so just test it out.  They are pullers and are a heck of a lot nicer than a worn out turbo 350. really beat the heck outta the first truck I had and that thing was as good when I sold it as when I got it and like I said I wasn't nice at all with it and I hauled a pretty large amount of crap in the bed. She held up great, but keep in mind it isn't going to shift like a small commuter car or anything it is a truck transmission not a car transmission in a truck the thing weighs a freggin ton. Also it has PTO ports so if you wanted to put a winch on the front of it that is an advantage too. 

[hotrod24]

Hey Yamaha74 i tryed to send you a message back but your inbox is full...

[1979C20]

Ive got the same set up. 79 c20 with a 350 and the sm465 trans. I love it. I am an amateur race car driver (as in I like to drive fast and show off) and this transmission is quite nice. Its no racing trans, but it gets it. I get up to 35 or 40 mph in first, not low, at 5500rmps. and it gets there in like..... 2 or 3 seconds? Stock engine and 4.11 gears. Pretty amazing. And I get 8 or 9 mpg with a stock rochester qjet, but it desperately needs a rebuild and leaks fuel into my vacuum lines. So, I'd say keep it. Its great for cruising speeds. I cruise nicely at 70 and like 3000rpm? Never looked at the tach on the freeway. But thats an estimation. I'll check it out today. In 3rd, 2000rpms equals 45 mph for me.

[Yamaha74]

hotrod24, I am not sure why my inbox is full.  I will look into it.

Well I actually found another truck and bought it.  The cab is from a 1984 GMC 2wd 1500.  The chasis is a 3/4 ton 4x4.  It has a 350 with a 700R4 tranny.  I am not sure if the front clip and bed is off the same truck the cab came off of.  Is there a way to determine the year of the frame?  I haven't had a chance to determine what transfer case, rearend, and etc. yet.  The guy I bought it off of said it has 4.10 gears.  What I think happen is someone took a 3/4 ton 4x4 frame and chassis and put a 2wd cab, bed, and front end clip on it.

As far as the 4x4 goes, it has manual lockouts on it.  What excatly does that mean.  If the lockouts are set on Free and I put it into 4wd from inside the cab, does the truck go into 4wd or do I also have to go out and turn the lockouts?  Please give me a learning lesson on how these work.

Overall the truck is decent shape.  Frame looks very solid and not to rusty.  I will post pics ASAP.

The only things that I would like to get ASAP is the 4x4 shift stick and knob and new tires.  The shifter to engage the 4wd is missing.  It actually looks like it is broke off but I can't tell for sure.  Any thoughts or where is the best place to get a replacement.  The tires are dry rotted and do not hold air except for one.  It has aftermarket rims and 33x12.5 R15 tires on it now. Also, please let know of all the cool places where you guys buy parts for these trucks.

I have always wanted a 73-87 truck to restore.  I am not wanting a show truck but just a nice clean and good running play truck.  I also do not plan to do any serious mud running.

[hotrod24]

Alright, You go man! Lets see some pics...

[Grim 82]

As far as the 4x4 goes, it has manual lockouts on it.  What excatly does that mean.  If the lockouts are set on Free and I put it into 4wd from inside the cab, does the truck go into 4wd or do I also have to go out and turn the lockouts?  Please give me a learning lesson on how these work.

When you shift to 4wd with the lever it engages the front driveshaft and axles. With the hubs in the lock position the axles engage the hubs and make your front wheels spin. With the hubs unlocked it allows the wheels to spin while you are driving without forcing the front axles to spin, which causes less drag. So yes, for 4wd you need to manually turn the hubs. You can however drive in 2wd with your hubs locked, and then shift the transfer case to 4wd when you need it, so you don't have to get out and turn them everytime.