New Truck 82 GMC

[Crash2260]

Alright, first post.
Just want to start off by saying, Ive been reading all throught this forum for months. I bought an 82 GMC K1500 from a fella who just had a new crate motor put in it. (350, nothing special) It was the perfect truck. Standard cab, Standard bed, standard transmission. I have been looking for quite a while and never found one that fit those specs. When i seen it, I drove it, and fell in love. Bought it the next day. Now Ive been tinkering with cars and motorcycles ever since I can remember, but Ive never had anything that was 4x4 before. (never been in a position where I could afford the gas for it to be a daily driver) Anyways, Ive been trying to figure out a little more about my truck, like what kind of transmission does it have, and how can i tell if its a 1 ton or not. Im currently deployed to Afghanistan, so it'll be a few months before I can get back to it. Even tho Ive only had that truck for a short time, Ive made tons of memories, so I plan on keeping it, for quite a while if itll let me. Back to the important stuff, its an 82 K1500 locking hubs, and it is NOT IFS. Has a manual trans in it. A low gear, then underneath that is 1st. Then 2nd and 3rd, beside 3rd is reverse. The low gear in combination with the 4L is a MONSTER. I bet I could pull a house clean off its foundation with that sonnofagun. Maybe the trans pattern will help in identifying what kind of gearbox I have? Onto another question I see gets beat to death here. I want 37's (Really I want 40's but I feel like that would be to much to turn?) but I'm possibly shifting towards 35's. Im going to get a 6in lift, and maybe a 1in body lift. I dont want the truck too high for the 35's, but I want the 37's to clear. (anyone with pictures for stance reference would be awesome) My other questions, as far as snapping shafts, will the 37's be too much? That much more than the 35's? How much more sluggish will it be with 37's as opposed to 35's? Novice and opinionated questions, I know. Im just trying to get a feel from people who have been there and done that. Should I get a transfer case drop bracket? I hear those cause stress on your front driveshaft? Just lookin for a little input if anyone has any.

[Irish_Alley]

welcome from maryland, thank you for your service. the tires will be ok for your axles as long as you dont hardcore mud with them. the prob have a lower number ratio which wont be good for power or life of the axles. mpgs prob wont be good but you might be ok idk. your granny gear might be useful and in the long run it might increase your mpgs since you will be using all 4 gears. sounds like a sm465 transmission. i wana say your t case is a 208 again its an ok trans just not meant for hardcore mudding. again same deal with the 6" lift your tires might fit depends more on backspacing on the rims but you can and will rub going over bumps

[Crash2260]

Thanks for the info. I plan on going with a tire wheel package from DesertRat. The fake M/T called "trackers" for rims. and still undecided on tires. Im stationed in Colorado when I get back, so it'll be doin some trail riding. Nothing extreme. Goal is to get it back to Georgia and do some mudding. Just playing around. No competition stuff. Any suggestions on things to start upgrading? Is that transfer case and transmission worth a dang? Should I scour junkyards for anything?

[werewolfx13]

For strength, the SM465 is nearly indestructable. For driveability, it can be obnoxious. The pattern is pretty spread out, you KNOW you're driving a truck. Great for heavy use though.
The np208, unless you really wail on the truck, should hold up pretty well. Replacements are easy to come by in junkyards, should you break it.

1500 is a half ton, GMC truck. 1500 (as opposed to 10) designates it as a GMC half ton. 2500 and 3500 would be 3/4 ton and 1 ton, respectively. Half ton 4x4 trucks have 6 lugnuts on each wheel, 3/4 and 1 tons have 8.

[Irish_Alley]

like were said its not a bad setup- the worst that can happen if you break something then you will just upgrade that part till you break something else. i run that trans and mud i do run a different transfer case (205) but i have only broke axle shafts on mine with 40s and hardcore mudding. theres only 3 transfer cases to choose from 205(best) 203(better) and then the 208. both the 203 and 208 are chain driven some bad mouth the 203 cause of this but its not a bad one. the 208 isnt bad either its just not desirable. we have at lest one member on here that plows with a 208 and he only breaks the same axle shaft as me. so its not the weakest link. if i was to have your rig first thing i would upgrade is axles from the junkyard. i got a set of 3/4 ton dana 44 up front and 14 bolt for the rear 200 bucks or 3 cant remember. but your upgrading your axle strength and they usally come in 4.10 ratio so its better at turning your tires. you will lose mpgs but keep her under 60 you will be ok

[Crash2260]

Good information. Ive definately got 6 lugs so its good to know that means its a half-ton. Thanks alot. Are there any identifying markings on these axles that I should look for? Im completely clueless on this part of the truck. I done alot of engine work in my days but never had a car powerful enough to break axles. I ride sport bikes, so you only have to worry about breaking chains there.  Are these replacements easy to get out of the donor? Its just a whole new beast to tangle with. Another side note, it looks like the front fenders have had a grinder taken to them. Just on the front part, and its so smooth it took me a while to notice it. I reckon this was done to shove a bigger tire in there? Is the front-most corner a common place for rubbing to occur?

[Irish_Alley]

there and the frame rail to the rear of the front tire. axle parts are out there but im having trouble finding parts for mine. i used to be able to buy the long axle shaft for 60 bucks. but its all about finding one now. in the junk yards they sometimes dont want to get rid just the shafts they want to sell the whole axle.