What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Griff's thread about nothing in particular.

The only think I like about a short bed is it looks slightly better,and has a little shorter turning radius,which is nice if your plowing driveways..--other than that they are kind of a waste,for the reasons you listed,and not much good for a slide in camper either..plus the shorter wheelbase makes for a harsher ride..

It's tough finding a square body here with a factory 4 spd,or any other manual trans for that matter...few people wanted one,many dealers "loaded" up trucks with options and the automatic trans was the first thing they checked off--most of the few manuals here were fleet trucks for utility companies or DPW use,or contractors trucks,that got beat to death by multiple employees..
 
I've got a 95 Half ton Dodge right now, and I love it, as of right now it has 94,000 miles, but the only thing I dont like about it is the short bed. I have a 1964 Alaskan Camper that my dad completely re-did, but I have no truck to put it in, The F250 is too far from being road worthy, the Cummins has a flatbed. and the 95 half ton is a Short bed.

And 4 speeds are really almost just as common as auto's here.
I've said it before, My true dream truck would be y5mgisi's old reg. cab K20, with about a 4 inch lift, nothing bigger than 35's, with a 500 Cadillac and a 5 speed.
 
The Griff said:
I've got a 95 Half ton Dodge right now, and I love it, as of right now it has 94,000 miles, but the only thing I dont like about it is the short bed. I have a 1964 Alaskan Camper that my dad completely re-did, but I have no truck to put it in, The F250 is too far from being road worthy, the Cummins has a flatbed. and the 95 half ton is a Short bed.

And 4 speeds are really almost just as common as auto's here.
I've said it before, My true dream truck would be y5mgisi's old reg. cab K20, with about a 4 inch lift, nothing bigger than 35's, with a 500 Cadillac and a 5 speed.
Click to expand...

Isn't that 3/4-ton a good starting point for that build?

And why the push for Silverado trim (vs. just grabbing the few things that are functionally awesome)? Seems like it'd be a whole bunch of work to swap over an entire interior. :dunno:
 
With almost any other vehicle, I wouldn't care, just a nice cloth seat and aftermarket gauges and I'd be set.
But I think the high optioned Silverado Interior is nicer than any other truck interior, even more that the brand new trucks.

And, I still argue that a GM truck cloth bench, in good shape, is just as, if not more comfortable than any Cadillac seats out there.

To get specific, I want a Reg. Cab 4x4 3/4 ton, with the 73-80 front end, in a factory red/white two-tone, With a tan 89-91 interior with the fake wood grain trim pieces. With every option besides power windows.
Around a 4-6 inch lift with 33s or 35s on Old style white spoke wheels.
Exterior I want the factory 73-80 Silverado body trim, With factory cab lights and either tri-pod mirrors or West Coast mirrors. Nothing aftermarket outside.

And the 472/500 Cadillac is one of favorite engines that I want an excuse to build so badly.
 
Last edited:
The Griff said:
I've got a 95 Half ton Dodge right now, and I love it, as of right now it has 94,000 miles, but the only thing I dont like about it is the short bed. I have a 1964 Alaskan Camper that my dad completely re-did, but I have no truck to put it in, The F250 is too far from being road worthy, the Cummins has a flatbed. and the 95 half ton is a Short bed.

And 4 speeds are really almost just as common as auto's here.
I've said it before, My true dream truck would be y5mgisi's old reg. cab K20, with about a 4 inch lift, nothing bigger than 35's, with a 500 Cadillac and a 5 speed.
Click to expand...


A member here (I think "Brandon" ? ) had K5 he put a 500 Caddy in,he posted a video of it doing an awesome smoke show some years ago,after he got it all assembled..
I remember it was the first online video I was able to view on my old computer--he had to do something to allow it to work on my "ancient" computer and e-mail it to me...
Sadly I lost that link,I guess the site he hosted it on dropped it after awhile...like to see it again,it was cool..

A manual tranny was never available behind a 500,but I guess guys have drilled the crank for a pilot bushing on some of them and it worked..I actually had a 500 engine sitting in my shed a friend gave me,he pulled it from a '76 Coupe Deville...
He had to get rid of it when his parents sold their house--I never did anything with it,came close to installing it in my '81 G10 van,then decided it was too dam wide--then I almost put it in my '79 C-10 pickup,but didn't--I ended up selling back to the same guy ,he offered me 150 bucks for it --I considered it a storage fee...engine probably would have needed work after sitting that long...I'd rather have a BBC ,really...easier swapping!..
 
Wow

Round headlight, white spoke wheels, and 500 Cad power. This is a good build thread
 
It'll be better when there is a truck here to mess with and take pictures of.

I've read about guys who put them in front of 4 speeds, and it took some doing.
I know whats involved in putting one infront of an automatic, BOP adapter, motor mounts, and FWD oil pan. I feel like thats something that I could handle without much issue.
I'd much rather use a manual transmission, but I know they don't get along with Cadillac power very well.
I originally though about using a 700R4, so I'd have overdrive, But I read on more than a few places that the Big Cadillacs like to kill 700R4's, even in stock trim.
 
Yes, unfortunately 700s aren't that durable. Certainly lots of other options though
 
Using a TH400 isnt really that much of a detriment to me, I know the 500's are capable of getting stupid good gas mileage, even without overdrive, So I figure in a 3/4 ton 4x4 truck with 3:73s or 4:10s, It'd get "Alright" mileage, and by that I mean 12-14, knowing it can get over 20 in a hot rod without overdrive.

That also makes me wonder about fuel delivery, I've got nothing against a good 4 barrel, but I figure a TBI setup would get better mileage. That being said, I've never seen a TBI intake for a Caddy, though I'm sure they make them.

And the last time I tried to convert something from Carb to TBI, I learned that I am completely useless when it come to fuel injection. Took me 3 days to come to the decision that I was tired of messing with it, and put a 4 BBL holley on it and called it a day.
 
Last edited:
Why would you go for a 4-speed? A more modern 5-speed can be had cheaply (though I don't think you can get to 6-speeds yet without dropping some coin), and gives you more options than a 465 does. :dunno:
 
Well, because I'm lazy and cheap, I can't imagine an NV4500 is going to fall into place behind the 500, and they aren't known for they're affordability.

That being said, I love the NV4500, I have a 94 one ton Cummins Dodge and I absolutely love the way it shifts, and I've never had an issue out of it.
 
The Griff said:
Well, because I'm lazy and cheap, I can't imagine an NV4500 is going to fall into place behind the 500, and they aren't known for they're affordability.

That being said, I love the NV4500, I have a 94 one ton Cummins Dodge and I absolutely love the way it shifts, and I've never had an issue out of it.
Click to expand...

Affordability? I paid $200 for mine. Both of the yards I've questioned said they would charge $200ish for one of them. Are they not findable in your area? :dunno:

I figured it was a good bit cheaper than having a shop rebuild an automatic.
 
I just took a quick peek on CL and found 3, one for $2400, one for $2200, and one in need of a rebuild for $1600,

It'd be cheaper just to buy a whole truck.


I did see a NV3500 from an S10 for $600.
 
The Griff said:
I just took a quick peek on CL and found 3, one for $2400, one for $2200, and one in need of a rebuild for $1600,

It'd be cheaper just to buy a whole truck.


I did see a NV3500 from an S10 for $600.
Click to expand...

Bummer. Did you talk to any of the local yards yet? I know that CL/Ebay asks a bunch for them (not sure why), but that doesn't mean that everyone does. :dunno:

S10 is different bell housing, and different internals as well, IIRC.
 
Last edited:
FWIW, here is one Ebay posting for $1000 (Dodge version, not really a bolt-on part).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DODGE-NV450...m1a114fc503:m:mrr07WbK25F15UrqVlDHhKw&vxp=mtr

Here's a chevy version for $1200.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-GMC-N...m2814eb3770:m:mB4RWP3RKCTvfU_dDDjg30w&vxp=mtr

Both new professional rebuilds with warranty. And I didn't even bother poking around to see if there were better deals out there. I have no idea why CL wants so much money for these. They're not rare boxes. You should be able to buy an entire beater truck with one for $1200 (or less).


Food for thought.
 
I did that a while ago, About $500, not much better than buying a whole truck.

Looks like the guy with the Brown K20 isnt interested in trading. Phuck.

Although, I talk to a friend of mine, and he has the mirrors for me, Factory heated West coast mirrors, painted white, just like I want.
 
Looks a fair bit over priced with yucky wheels. I'll sell you mine at that price
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom