Basic noob questions and more!

[hcenteno21]

So I am "new" here, although I have been coming to this forum for years, I just joined last week. Anyhow I have been reading a lot, and plan on doing many mods (already started on some), but there are somethings that I still can't really find answers too. I have a 78 k5 I purchased a month ago or so. It was already lifted, but needed a bit of work. It's got a 6 inch lift, 3 in body lift and sitting on 38.5 x14.50 r15. Since purchasing it I have done the following:

Replaced all shocks & steering stabilizers

Added dual shocks on the front

Put 4.88 Yukon gears

Put new Edelbrock carb

fixed oil leaks new plugs wires etc..

So now truck runs great still have some wiring issues no biggie. I purchased this truck as a toy not as a daily driver.

Anyhow first question..
This truck had 38.5s on 3.73 gears so obviously it wasn't running great. Local shop recommended I went with 4.88s so I did. I did notice a difference, but my question is this. When I am on a hill (on the street) I have a hard time keeping up with other cars. Is this normal? Only reason I drive on the street is because in order for me to get to the trails is a 15 mile drive. Only other time I drive it on the street is when I need to take it to the mechanic for stuff.

Second Question...
When I am driving 50mph+ sometimes the truck will jerk to the right even tho the steering wheel doesn't move then it will jerk back to the left after a few seconds...Mechanic doesn't seem to know what it is, although he hasn't tested it yet to duplicate issue. Kinda scary because when you are going fast it will go partly into the other lane. Any idea what it could be?

Third Question...(2 part question)
I have read enough to be confident to know the answer but want to make sure. My truck being a 78 and having a 4h 2h n 2l 4l transfer case I believe it's a 203. I know the 203 is a full time tc, but I have warn hubs in the front so this means someone had to do a part time kit on the transfer case correct? Dealer reccomended I went with a 208. Is that something someone should really look into, or is he just trying to get me for my $? I was planning on doing the twin stick mod, simply because right now it seems to switch between 4l and 2l pretty easy.


Lastly

Tires are in ok shape have good thread left but are cracked. I am trying to get new tires, preferably 38.5s 13.50 r15 or 39s maybe even 40s..i can't seem to find any anywhere! Everyone tells me they are sold out, or are charging over 400 a piece. Any idea for a place for good tires? Only tires I can find are swampers..but I hear that they wear super fast. Please let me know if swampers are good, or where I can get a good deal on tires! Thanks!


Extra Question!

Are body lifts bad? I see a lot of debate on this people frowning saying they are no good. I have a total of 9 inches of lift, (6 inch,3 body)and wouldn't mind getting rid of the body lift, and getting bigger springs but if it doesn't matter much I wouldn't care. I have heard some horror stories saying the body lifts go through the frame and such. Thanks!

 

[gotblazers]

Anyhow first question..
This truck had 38.5s on 3.73 gears so obviously it wasn't running great. Local shop recommended I went with 4.88s so I did. I did notice a difference, but my question is this. When I am on a hill (on the street) I have a hard time keeping up with other cars. Is this normal? Only reason I drive on the street is because in order for me to get to the trails is a 15 mile drive. Only other time I drive it on the street is when I need to take it to the mechanic for stuff.

Yes unfortunately its normal. With a stock motor the Th350 is only a 3 speed transmission and it doesnt have proper gearing to pull up hills at any kind of pace in my experience with both my blazers 73 and 76. The re-gear in the dif's definitley should have helped but then again your running 38.5s .

Second Question...
When I am driving 50mph+ sometimes the truck will jerk to the right even tho the steering wheel doesn't move then it will jerk back to the left after a few seconds...Mechanic doesn't seem to know what it is, although he hasn't tested it yet to duplicate issue. Kinda scary because when you are going fast it will go partly into the other lane. Any idea what it could be?

no idea unless its a fairly rough road or you have an overly stiff suspension and your front tires are maybe getting slightly airborne like 1/2 an inch that could possibly cause that, i have that issue going down bumpy roads 40mph or so.

Third Question...(2 part question)
I have read enough to be confident to know the answer but want to make sure. My truck being a 78 and having a 4h 2h n 2l 4l transfer case I believe it's a 203. I know the 203 is a full time tc, but I have warn hubs in the front so this means someone had to do a part time kit on the transfer case correct? Dealer reccomended I went with a 208. Is that something someone should really look into, or is he just trying to get me for my $? I was planning on doing the twin stick mod, simply because right now it seems to switch between 4l and 2l pretty easy

I dont know Why they would recommend you go from a chain driven 203 to a chain driven 208 although im sure they know more than me so ask em. If you were going to do a swap especially if you wanna twin stick it then a 205 would be the way to go imo and its gear driven so no worries of chain slipping although thats fairly rare anyways. I dont know if factory offered a full/part time option for the 203 because my 73 has the full time with no locking hubs and my 76 came with locking hubs that looked very stock that i changed out for warn when i busted one of the hubs.

Lastly

Tires are in ok shape have good thread left but are cracked. I am trying to get new tires, preferably 38.5s 13.50 r15 or 39s maybe even 40s..i can't seem to find any anywhere! Everyone tells me they are sold out, or are charging over 400 a piece. Any idea for a place for good tires? Only tires I can find are swampers..but I hear that they wear super fast. Please let me know if swampers are good, or where I can get a good deal on tires! Thanks!

Craigslist for the tires is where i see all the deals. Mickey thompsons makes great tires too from what ive seen maybe check those out.

 

[hcenteno21]

Truck seems to take off ok when on a flat road, but up hill it does struggles..4x4 mechanic did say maybe engine is weak,(my personal mechanic says engine is great) but it seems strong and was recently overhauled.

The truck jerks on the highway, its super straight not bumpy at all..

Yeah I tried craigs for tires no luck...

I did ask the guy and he just told me "203 just suck" so that explanation definitely was not enough or me!

 

[Terminal4]

congrats on the purchase. clean lookin K5 for a 78'. first, leave the body lifts for mommy makeovers and tummy tuckers. imo, i have never favored body lifts. when i off road, i go hard and so does the body.basic physics(center of gravity). i have peace of mind knowing that the body is bolted to the frame, not on 3" stilts, i speak from broken experience. as for the tires, ive said it before, but if your republican and don't mind bidding wars, you might enjoy the hunt of finding something(local to reduce s&h) on ebay. either that or keep rollin the dice on craigslist. thirdly, based on your re-gearing, id have to agree with above post and point the finger at your engine for the uphill battles. has it been rebuilt, and if so, how? lastly, i have heard the hard jerking at high speeds may be a loose hub. either that or steering issues. its worth researching, especially she jerks on the highway. bad place for frisky maneuvers such as that. good luck and keep us posted...