First let me say,
Very nice forum with what appear to be very knowledgeable people on the topic of GM 4x4's. Been lurking and reading for some time now, but just decided to sign up.
Ok I do know the courtesy rules, and trust me have searched the archives to no end for my anwser but just cant see to find it.
What I have is a 73 K1500 4x4 with 76 Stepside bed and 76 Jimmy front clip, 327 chevy, SM465 manual 4 speed,with a NP208 transfer case, Dana 44 front axle. Lift is factory std plus 1 extra leaf per spring. I Bought from previous owner after he lost interest in the restore. My plans are to finish the restore back to its basic 4x4 shape and leave it at a cabin I have, where snow and ice do present a problem from time to time. Other than using to run erronds, and the occasional 4x4 need, I have no intent to ever do any serious off roading with it. But I do want it to be near 100% reliable before I take it up there.
Previous owner had swapped out the original NP203 for the NP208 but never finished the job. Transmission, transfer case and rear drive shaft are all there and working fine, BUT the front drive shaft appears to be too short. The shaft he gave me is the cv type with the sliding coupler near the front, But when I connect it to both ends the slide part come completely apart leaving about a 1" gap. Maked it look to me like it needs to be about roughly 2.5 -3" longer?
My question? for the setup that I have, is there a direct front shaft swap out that I can possibly find at a salvage yard? is it better to have this one lengthened? or is the best route just to have a new one made. Naturally I am looking at the most cost effective approach that will accomplish the task and be reliable.
I appreciate any and all feedback
Thanks,
Mike Crawford
Valley Grande, Al
Very nice forum with what appear to be very knowledgeable people on the topic of GM 4x4's. Been lurking and reading for some time now, but just decided to sign up.
Ok I do know the courtesy rules, and trust me have searched the archives to no end for my anwser but just cant see to find it.
What I have is a 73 K1500 4x4 with 76 Stepside bed and 76 Jimmy front clip, 327 chevy, SM465 manual 4 speed,with a NP208 transfer case, Dana 44 front axle. Lift is factory std plus 1 extra leaf per spring. I Bought from previous owner after he lost interest in the restore. My plans are to finish the restore back to its basic 4x4 shape and leave it at a cabin I have, where snow and ice do present a problem from time to time. Other than using to run erronds, and the occasional 4x4 need, I have no intent to ever do any serious off roading with it. But I do want it to be near 100% reliable before I take it up there.
Previous owner had swapped out the original NP203 for the NP208 but never finished the job. Transmission, transfer case and rear drive shaft are all there and working fine, BUT the front drive shaft appears to be too short. The shaft he gave me is the cv type with the sliding coupler near the front, But when I connect it to both ends the slide part come completely apart leaving about a 1" gap. Maked it look to me like it needs to be about roughly 2.5 -3" longer?
My question? for the setup that I have, is there a direct front shaft swap out that I can possibly find at a salvage yard? is it better to have this one lengthened? or is the best route just to have a new one made. Naturally I am looking at the most cost effective approach that will accomplish the task and be reliable.
I appreciate any and all feedback
Thanks,
Mike Crawford
Valley Grande, Al
