handloader90
Building!
Here's some pics of the '79 K20 that the owner took.
CK5
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'79 K20 vs. an '84 K20, which would you choose?
- Thread starter handloader90
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- Dec 21, 2016
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From 50 feet, that one looks good.
handloader90
Building!
Here's an '85 K20 that I've been looking at too. 454 with a 4 speed. Should have the hydraulic clutch too I believe.
It has the semi-float too...
It has the semi-float too...
handloader90
Building!
I think the '79 is way sexier than the '84.
That one! Or the 79.
Until you open the hood..
...the 454 & 4 speed makes it much more desirable ...looks to have no rust too,the '79 has some over the rear wheel arches..(but still is much better shape than any you'd find around here!)..
handloader90
Building!
I'll give the guy with the big block k20 a call today. He's like 3 or 4 hours away.
that 85 has the 81/82 bumper and turn signal set up on it. (looked at the ad)
why is everyone so scared of the semifloat? ever seen one break?
handloader90
Building!
I'm not scared of the semi-float. I already have a detroit, complete disc brake setup, HD diff cover and pinion guard for a full floater though. It'd be nice to recycle those parts into another truck.
handloader90
Building!
Picking up an SRW 14BFF shouldn't be an issue though if I bought one with a 14SF and wanted to swap one in.
Just asking everyone's opinions on which way they'd go.
Just asking everyone's opinions on which way they'd go.
can't say as I blame you there. I would want to recycle those parts also.
I have an 84 K20 long bed step side I plan on doing a light build on to run 37's. I plan on keeping the 14 SF that is under it or swapping it out for one with 4.10's that I have.
One thing that has kept me from scoring a better square body is the fact the few I saw on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace priced reasonably and looked halfway decent, were also 3-4 hours away...
My truck would be highly unlikely to make a trip that far to go look at them..and getting one towed home if I bought it,or my truck towed if it crapped out getting there or home would cost as much as the truck would probably..seems all the "good deals" are always in NH,VT,or Maine,or way out in western MA..
As for the 14 bolt SF,I have yet to break one,and I hauled a 2 ton straight 6 Detroit Diesel to a scrap yard in my '77 GMC K2500...never hurt the rear axle,but the steering rag joint failed on my way home,the magnetic crane they used to lift the engine out of the bed also lifted the cab up enough to rip the "hunk of tire" coupling apart at the steering box..
I've seen guys haul heavier loads in to the junkyard with them too..logs stacked higher than the roof--beds full of crushed stones,etc..
My truck would be highly unlikely to make a trip that far to go look at them..and getting one towed home if I bought it,or my truck towed if it crapped out getting there or home would cost as much as the truck would probably..seems all the "good deals" are always in NH,VT,or Maine,or way out in western MA..
As for the 14 bolt SF,I have yet to break one,and I hauled a 2 ton straight 6 Detroit Diesel to a scrap yard in my '77 GMC K2500...never hurt the rear axle,but the steering rag joint failed on my way home,the magnetic crane they used to lift the engine out of the bed also lifted the cab up enough to rip the "hunk of tire" coupling apart at the steering box..
I've seen guys haul heavier loads in to the junkyard with them too..logs stacked higher than the roof--beds full of crushed stones,etc..
My opinion is I would go for the later models. but in my case I have an 88 and 91 Blazer and the 84 K20 so it is just keeping them all the same for similarity of parts. the 79 should have a 203 transfer case if it is stock. I would prefer the 208 for the better low range. the 700R4 has a better first gear and OD so you can put lower axle gears in it for better crawling. although you said previously you planned on leaving if fairly stock. the 4 speed first gear combined with low range would also help for crawling.
although that 79 does look like a nice survivor
Vombrown
Mountain Man
I'll reiterate a very well known and often lamented saying.
There is no replacement for displacement. If the body is decent, the 454-4 speed truck will be a MUCH better towing rig.
There is no replacement for displacement. If the body is decent, the 454-4 speed truck will be a MUCH better towing rig.
I've had three 454 powered trucks (one 2wd and two 4x4s) and they got nearly the same gas mileage as the 350's I had,I didn't keep my foot stuffed to the floor though,I drove them sanely like grandpa around town..so they aren't really "gas hogs" as bad as people think..
I was lucky to get 15 mpg from the 350's,and I could get 11 to 13 mpg with the 454's..one in a '74 C-15 GMC I had I put a 450 cfm Holley Economaster carb on it,it got 13-15 mpg ..truck had 3:08 gears..
I was lucky to get 15 mpg from the 350's,and I could get 11 to 13 mpg with the 454's..one in a '74 C-15 GMC I had I put a 450 cfm Holley Economaster carb on it,it got 13-15 mpg ..truck had 3:08 gears..
handloader90
Building!
Just spoke to the fella with the '85. He says the big block was swapped in at one point. Open long tube headers and a wobble at 50-60 MPH.
I don't have any way to tow that thing or any buddies that have a truck with a long enough trailer capable of towing that thing for 3+ hours.
He's sending some more pics of it.
I don't have any way to tow that thing or any buddies that have a truck with a long enough trailer capable of towing that thing for 3+ hours.
He's sending some more pics of it.
handloader90
Building!
I've honestly heard nothing but good things about the 14SF.
I went to look at a a C6P coded C2500 w/ a manual, '89 I believe. I misread the Craigslist ad (thought it said K2500) and since it was the C6P I thought it may have had an NV4500 in it... super disappointed when I went to check it out lol. Had a SM465 in it and the truck would start cutting out when you opened the throttle up, seemed like a fuel deprivation issue coming from the pump or maybe a blockage in the fuel line or something.
Factory big block trucks got the 14ff.
I'd get the bb truck if it were me.
I'd get the bb truck if it were me.
handloader90
Building!
Gas mileage isn't too much of a concern of mine. Moreso concerned about clean sheet metal and minimum work that needs to be done to make/ keep it super reliable.
I plan on replacing spark plugs, plug wires, possibly the dizzy cap, water pump, p-pump if needed, hub bearings/ races, hub seals, ball joints, tie-rod and drag link ends... that kind of stuff. New set of shoes and a good alignment.
The only things I was thinking about adding was an ORD X-member and doing crossover steering since I already have EVERYTHING for crossover, I need to get my flat-top knuckle milled, drilled and tapped but I have everything else. Poly Bushings EVERYWHERE would be another thing.
This is already getting out of hand.
