1987 K5 Rebuild.......front and rear end questions

[Basher22]

Howdy, guys.

First post here. I hope I've put this in the right place.


I've got an 87 K5 that's going through a rebuild. We've put a new 350 in it, and it came equipped with a 700R4 and NP208. The next part of the process will be to replace the stock front/rear ends with a GM 14 bolt full floater in the back and a Dana 60 up front.

I've found both of these for sale online. They're in great shape, came off of early-mid 1980s GM 1 tons, and I can get them for a good price (4.56s and lockers will go in immediately).

Being somewhat experienced (I've done a lot of work on my other 4x4s.....just not this operation and not on this vehicle) but by no means an expert, what issues do I need to be on the lookout for in terms of making sure everything fits together and runs as it should?

I'm not looking to get overly radical with anything. Our farm is in Austin County here in Texas, and runs along the Brazos River. Rocks and hills aren't a consideration, but mud and the occasional trip to the coast for some surf fishing are definitely in its future. It'll be a hunting rig mostly with some light driving around town to the feed store, the sporting goods shop for hunting supplies, and pulling a single axle BBQ trailer to nearby competitions.

I want this thing to be solid and relatively simple. The new 350 runs great. I've done some small stuff to help it out (upgraded cooling system/fan, chip, K&N, exhaust). A lift and 35s will come next. I'm considering replacing the old TBI system with a new one, putting an upgraded 700R4 in it, and I'd like to replace the NP 208 with a 205. Any other mods will come after these steps.

But I have to walk before I can run. What's the word on fitting that 14 Bolt and D60 on this thing?

Thanks in advance,

Basher22

 

[toomany]

D60 will bolt right in. The 14B will need the spring perches moved if it's from a 1ton. I'd try to get the spring plates with the axles too.

 

[Basher22]

Thanks, toomany.

Anybody have any lift recommendations? Like I said, I'll be running 35s on it.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

4" Tuff Country HD and ORD shackle flip setup from www.OffroadDesign.com . Crossover steering, steering box brace, some good nitrogen monotube shocks, and season to taste.

 

[ryoken]

or... just to be devil's advocate... 4" Tough Country EZ's and a flip from DIY4X adjust with zero rates and 1" BL, as needed...

Welcome Basher.... i run a 700 + 205.... keep the 700 happy and cool... auxilary cooler and proper TV setting are the life and death of a 700...

and x-over is always a HUGE plus over GM's push/pull.. steering brace x 2.... with some slight mods, factory TBI can be VERY effective... I'd just upgrade what ya have...

 

[K85 Octane]

x2 on all of the above, or just doing blocks in the rear is good for most and cheaper.
You can get perches through the vendors too. If you can get a 3/4 ton 14bff, you wont have to move the perches.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

or... just to be devil's advocate... 4" Tough Country EZ's and a flip from DIY4X adjust with zero rates and 1" BL, as needed...

Doh, yeah. For some reason I read the 1 ton swap as the truck being a K30 not a K5.

Regular Tuff Country Easy Rides in that case.

 

[ryoken]

I just like equal opportunity vendor pimping....

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I like DIY4x's stuff no problem. Love my sliders that Kert and the guys made. Just like how ORD sells a whole suspension setup now. Everything from just front springs and a flip to every part south of the frame rails and north of the axle.