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First k5 build

H

Hedersonk5

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So I picked up a 76 Jimmy. This is my first rebuild, and nostalgic since I remember my dads. I've got the motor running well, but need advice on other things- so it's not going to be an everyday driver, but I'd like make trips to Utah in it for some offroading and camping. So here is where I need advise:
Transmission- need a rebuild and so does transfer case. It's a np205 and th350. I've been searching Vegas for a decent tranny shop for a rebuild, but I've been reading about the th400. Would this be a better choice, and would I need drive shafts and an adapter kit for the 205?

Headers and Carb: I'll take any suggestions here. I believe it has a 4 barrel edlebrock on it now, and stock headers.

Suspension: I know minimal about suspension. I want flex if needed, but a natural lift, no blocks or kits...whatever they were trying to sell sounded weak.

Cross over steering: I've read this is an important thing for the k5, just needed some input on how much to save.

Anything else you guys and gals may have input on, please let me know!
I'm not made of money, but I'd like to put together a solid truck for the desert and mountains; maybe miscellaneous truck things in town. Thanks!
 
Welcome! I'm in Henderson, there is a few others of us that live around here.

My rig still has lift blocks and push pull steering, so I'm not going to be much help. But it did survive Hell's Revenge though. lol.
 
Phil513 said:
Welcome! I'm in Henderson, there is a few others of us that live around here.

My rig still has lift blocks and push pull steering, so I'm not going to be much help. But it did survive Hell's Revenge though. lol.
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It's good to know the valley isn't dominated by jeeps! I think mine is trail ready post-transmission fix, but that's my first priority. So is hell's revenge a trail out here?
 
Hedersonk5 said:
It's good to know the valley isn't dominated by jeeps! I think mine is trail ready post-transmission fix, but that's my first priority. So is hell's revenge a trail out here?
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No, that's in Moab, we have a Blazer Bash get together out there every year, this was my first time attending.

I have been to quite a few trails around here though. Planning on running one this weekend in fact.

I have a youtube channel with some videos of my trips.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_0FxN6K-PKnejHh6ZKNy1w
 
Phil513 said:
No, that's in Moab, we have a Blazer Bash get together out there every year, this was my first time attending.

I have been to quite a few trails around here though. Planning on running one this weekend in fact.

I have a youtube channel with some videos of my trips.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_0FxN6K-PKnejHh6ZKNy1w
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Nice videos man! Ideally I'll be ready in time for something like that. Know any decent transmission shops locally?
 
There is a place called Transmission Service Center on Highland Drive. They seem pretty decent. I have never had a trans worked on by them, but I have bought hard to find GM transmission parts from them. There is a guy named Bill there who seems to know his stuff on older GM transmissions. They probably do decent work for a decent price. I have seen some of Danny's at Counts Kustoms (from TV show Counting Cars) delivery trucks over there being worked on.
 
Welcome. I'm in East Vegas. No help on the transmission shops though.
 
1-ton said:
There is a place called Transmission Service Center on Highland Drive. They seem pretty decent. I have never had a trans worked on by them, but I have bought hard to find GM transmission parts from them. There is a guy named Bill there who seems to know his stuff on older GM transmissions. They probably do decent work for a decent price. I have seen some of Danny's at Counts Kustoms (from TV show Counting Cars) delivery trucks over there being worked on.
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Thank you for the heads up! I'll give them all call and see what they're charging so I can start saving at a more accurate rate. Thank you again! So, would it be pointless to go with a th400, and I should just rebuild the th350?
 
@blazinzuk is right. You can ride along with us this weekend if you want. No better way to learn about how these things all work together. I'm afraid I can't help with a trans shop, never used any local shops myself.

I live in henderson too, off of racetrack road. Where are you?
 
muddysub said:
@blazinzuk is right. You can ride along with us this weekend if you want. No better way to learn about how these things all work together. I'm afraid I can't help with a trans shop, never used any local shops myself.

I live in henderson too, off of racetrack road. Where are you?
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I'm right near you actually. I'm heading to tow her up this weekend from California, at least that's the plan. Next trip out though, I'm up for it. I need some desert under my feet and to watch how the blazer moves and feels. Also to get some ideas on how to build.
 
Putting in a 400 means swapping a bunch of parts you don't have, and a 400 has no converter lockup. They are strong as hell but suck gas. Buddy of mine has a roller big block in front of a th350 and it holds up fine. Gotta think cost versus outcome on this one.
 
The Turbo 350 is a good transmission. I have had several early through mid-70's GM cars with the small block 350 and turbo 350 combination that went a couple hundred thousand miles with no problem.
 
I've had a few Th350's in 4wd's and they held up well considering they all had 100,000 + miles on them already,and then I plowed with them for many years,before they finally croaked,reverse was the first gear to "dissapear"...they probably could have been rebuilt fairly easily,but by the time they died,the rest of the truck wasn't worth the expense or effort to keep them..

One TH350 I had in a '72 K5 refused to go in forward gears every morning--if you left it in drive or first for a few minutes,it would suddenly engage,and would operate flawlessly the rest of the day--till it cooled off at the next cold start..never did figure out what caused it--I ended up putting a SM465 setup in it instead ..

A TH400 is a stronger tranny,but they also suck more HP to run them compared to a TH350 and you'll have to get a 32 spline input for the NP205 and the adapter to install one in place of a TH350,plus alter the driveshafts..
 
Thank you for the input! I figured cost wise the th350 would be a better choice, just had a little bird in my ear telling Mr about the th400, but I'm glad that's cleared up. After this weekend, I'm up for a trip out for sure
 
I know of two Turbo 350 transmissions that where rebuilt in the mid-80's that are still in good working condition to this day 30-years later. One is out of a 1970 SS Chevelle which came with factory with an LT-1 350/350 Turbo combo, and a 1972 Pontiac Le Mans which came with a Pontiac 350/350 Turbo
 
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