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'79 K20 vs. an '84 K20, which would you choose?

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

It looks beautiful! I don't want anything to do with a 203... I have an early 90's 6:34.1 NV4500, x2 SM465's and a TH400/205 sitting in my garage.

Honestly not trying to do a whole lot of drivetrain swapping at this point though. Overdrive would be awesome! The NV4500 could com into place here. My 205 that is in the garage is the large bore 32 spline version but it has the Figure 8 mounting pattern. I would love to mate a passenger drop 241C to that NV4500 and slap it into something!!!
 
This is already getting out of hand.

How so? Replacing the commonly worn items and replacing some old squishy rubber bushing with poly ones?

I have a lot of this stuff sitting around, it either gets sold or it gets recycled into another truck... I prefer the latter since I'll never be able to recover the full price of the parts I have if I were to sell them.
 
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Talking about an engine crossmember and crossover?

"Not planning on lifting whichever one I get. Main purpose will be to haul stuff around"

Just drive the thing. See what the truck wants.
 
The '84 I looked at today isn't everything I though it would be.

The '79 isn't viewable until this upcoming weekend and could possible have a 203 in it (which I'm not fond of).

The '85 has a big block, it's manual and the guy said the 4 speed is stock so It should have the hydro clutch (I believe I've read that they started the hydro clutches in '85... could be wrong). It needs exhaust and possible some steering work, or maybe just a set of balanced wheels/ tires.

All three of these truck are roughly the same price.

I was also looking at that '03 single cab gas engine (6.0L LS/ LQ4) 2500 that was being liquidated by a business. It has a plow on it, I'm not sure if they will separate the truck from the plow. I'm not sure how the plow was mounted either... I know in some cases people weld the bracketry straight to the frame and I'm not trying to cut all of that junk off. Probably gonna need some stuff replaced in the front end after being a plow truck too.

The newer truck is in the same price range as the 3 squares also.
 
Talking about an engine crossmember and crossover?

"Not planning on lifting whichever one I get. Main purpose will be to haul stuff around"

Just drive the thing. See what the truck wants.
I would obviously drive it first but as I mentioned I already have 90% of these things.
 
In the pics of the '79 it has locking hubs. I'm a little disappointed in you guys right now. How did you mis that? Are you guys hating on the '79? Odds are it's stock, so prolly a 205
 
Odds are it's stock, so prolly a 205

Odds are it's stock, so prolly a 203

the only years that a 205 was behind an auto was 73 (first year) and 80 (last year of round headlights); after that the autos got a 208. in between they got a 203.
the 4 speed also getting the 203 in the 74 year models
 
Odds are it's stock, so prolly a 203

the only years that a 205 was behind an auto was 73 (first year) and 80 (last year of round headlights); after that the autos got a 208. in between they got a 203.
the 4 speed also getting the 203 in the 74 year models
Well that's just some good info right there. So it's got a 208. Now is going to be a th350 or 400?
 
Well that's just some good info right there. So it's got a 208. Now is going to be a th350 or 400?

A 79 should have a 203. people have put locking hubs in place to get better mileage. the 208 was used on 81 and later models.
 
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Well that's just some good info right there. So it's got a 208. Now is going to be a th350 or 400?
The 79 would most likely have the th400 being a 3/4 ton.
That camper special badge was on the 84 right?
I am surprised it has a sf14b being a camper special.
 
The locking hubs would have to stay locked on a 203 unless a kit was installed to free the front
 
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