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The perfect setup

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Phil-n-Jax

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I want a daily driver that I can go mudding in or rock climbing...not radical on either one...mild mudding and mild rock climbing. I want to be able to drive it all day and then hit the trails and if I run into mud or rock, no issues.
I have a 1982 K5 with a 383. Everything is stock except for the engine which was stroked (before I bought it) and has headers. Stock diffs, trans, and transfer case. I like big tires (just like the look) but do not HAVE to have them. I'm in my 50's, so I want a truck I can do all of this in and will last me the rest of my life. I am a disabled vet with a pretty messed up back, so that is why I cannot go radical on mud or rocks. I love to metal detect, so something I could drive from Florida to Nevada and then roam in Nevada's wilderness for a few weeks. I was thinking of keeping the 383 for the next 5 years or so and then go with a crate Cummings. I've been told on here to go Dana 60 up front and 14 bolt on the rear.
What I'm asking for is, based on what I described above, what do you recommend for Engine, Trans, Transaxle, diffs (and gears), wheels, and anything else you can think of. Here's what I've been told by a friend:
1. Engine: Keep the 383
2. Trans: TH400
3. Transf. Case: NP-241
4. Rear Diff: 14 bolt, 4:10 gears
5. Front Diff: Dana 60, 4:10 gears
6. Super Swamper 15/42-20LT Tires, TSL SX - SX2-35
7. 11" disc brakes all around.

Guys, due to my disability, I'll be lucky if I get another 15 years of quality life of doing this sort of thing (metal detecting all over America)...so I want to build something rock solid (excuse the pun). I actually love doing my own work, with the exception of building the diffs and trans. I would really appreciate any serious recommendations. Much thanks in advance!
 
Everyone is different but I'd suggest an nv4500 trans for reliability. Even broken it can get you home. You don't need a dana 60 but it's nice. And 410s and 40+ is a not the best idea.

To do what you want to do I'd go with 3/4 ton axles and 4" lift with 35s. You can actually get in it pretty easy and it drives much much better than 42s. The nv4500 standard trans will give you overdrive for the long trips. Then enjoy the hell out of it.
 
Thanks, obijuank5. That's a Dodge trans, correct? If I'm correct, is there a kit to mount it to a Chevy small block? Or, are you referring to if I go with a Cummings later? Is there a kit to put a clutch pedal in a K5 when it is an automatic?
If not the 410s, what?
 
Nevermind, obijuank5, I just read more about the New Venture...thanks for the help.
 
I personally wouldn't go larger than a 37" tire if you want to drive it a lot. It can get old hoisting your butt up and down from the seat.
How serious are you about getting a Cummins? And why? I ask because that will mean a lot of work to reinforce the frame to take the weight and torque, long term. It will also change what gears and transmission you will like.
A gas engine would let you get by without the Dana 60 when combined with a medium sized tire. A heavy diesel needs the bigger wheel bearings and ball joints/ king pins.
I say that 4:10 gears with 42" tire will not give any smiles off road, but that's my opinion. I have one truck with a big block, 700R4 and 4:56 gears. It was more fun with the 33's when compared to the 35's that I have now.
The NV4500 is a nice transmission, (I have a truck with one) but will you like it if you a gears which are a compromise if street and trail, when you get into mud, or in the rocks?
Lots of questions that you may not be able to answer until you experience it.
 
I like diesel, but I have built more than 500 Small Block Chevy's in my time. I can stay with that, or go BB, or whatever. Just looking for a truck I can drive in for long hauls and still do very well on trails.
Looking for stability and durability more than horsepower or radical climber or mudder.
 
In my opinion.....
Newer 5.3
A transmission with overdrive.... manual or auto
14 bolt rear, Dana 60 front if it's in the budget.
4 inches of lift, with ORD springs.
35 or 37 inch tires, depending on if you want to cut fenders.
A lot of sound proofing and weather stripping!

A 383 is a good engine, but it is thirsty, coupled with a th400 your not going to be looking at much for mpg, coupled with 42's and lift to clear them, that is going to be a not so fun truck to drive over the country.
A newer set up will get you better mileage and good power. Lower lift with good quality springs will make the ride quality enjoyable and handle better. Couple that with 35-37 inch tires and lockers you should be able to go all over.
 
Ok, so a 5.3 motor.
Any particular trans and transaxle with the 5.3?
I can do the front and rear as recommended...budget not an issue.
Rough Country 4" lift good? Or is there a better one?
35's seem to be what everyone is saying to be a daily driver...no problem there.
 
Rough country is junk

Tough country on a budget or call ORD for some quality springs.

and 37's are daily driver friendly IMO.
 
X 2 for ORD....
Offroad Design they know suspension on these trucks!!
If you don't get the suspension right, it will not be good to drive, which means that you won't drive it!
 
Oooh an opinion question.

So suspension. Front. For simplicity, cost and reliability. Custom springs from ORD ( Off Road Design).

Extended shock mounts using a very good shock. Like a king or Fox smooth body.

Rear. ORD springs but with a shackle flip.

Same shocks as in front.

Lift height depends on you. How tall can the rig be?

My suggestion is 4" of suspension lift.

I also say 37" or 38" tires. Cutting the fenders for the needed clearance. Plenty of radial tire options in that range.

Axles now this is the big one.
With 35s a 10 bolt and a semifloat 14 would be fine.

But for the ultimate in reliability a set of one tons is where it's at. You will give up lots of clearance with the tons but it will allow running 37s or 38s with ease. Even 40s

Now since I don't know your budget if it were mine and I could afford it, I would have selectable lockers front and rear. Zip locker, Arb, Ox your choice even an e locker in front.

That would be the same for the smaller axles too.

An overdrive trans so you can gear deeper would be nice too.

The 241 case I would keep.

The engine if it's in good shape I would put injection on it and leave it alone. If not LS swap is what I would do.

There are a ridiculous amount of smaller things cross over steering is a must, aftermarket seats, sliders, bumpers, winch, on board air, nice interior, etc etc etc.

The list goes on. And most of us build as we go.

I'm gonna make Scotts head bigger but look at his burb build. His username is @muddysub. It's a great example of what you want
 
Blazinzuk posted pretty much what I would.

Engine: fuel injection on the 383 or any LS swap that your budget allows
Trans: auto - 4l70/700r4 hybrid for non computer applications, 4l70e/4l80e for computer controlled. Manual - NV4500
Lift: 4 inches on a driver. Budget route is tough country front springs and a rear flip kit, ORD custom springs if the money allows. (ORD offers both setups)
Tires: 35s with no fender trimming up to 37s if you want to cut your fenders.
Axles: 10 bolt front and 14bsf or 14bff rear will be fine for your stated purpose, a d60 is overkill but I'd run one if I had one. Gears depend on the trans and tires, true-trac in the rear, open or selectable locker in the front.
T-case: 241 will be fine, no reason to change it

Make it comfortable inside, new upholstry kit and foam or new seats, fresh carpet, replace the rubber seals everywhere, working AC and heat. Throw some sound deadening everywhere you can, makes the highway rides nice.

Spend time tightening up all the stuff that got loose over the years, steering, suspension components ect. Overlooked maintenance goes a long way toward keeping the love affair with driving an old truck going.

Best of luck with your project! Sounds like a blast to drive the country in pursuit of a personal passion.
 
One of the most important things in a build like this is to make a list.

The member fee here is worth it.

Then use us as a sounding board. Redo the list, ask questions, then distill the list further, put it in an order.

I don't wanna sound rude about local guys but the knowledge base that is here is insane. Some of us have driven these trucks daily in some form or another for most of our lives.

Also you make good friends too. There are several times I have traveled to hang out with CK5 guys. All over these United States.

The other thing is this we all have different ideas. We all have ideas why certain things work better than others.

Read and distill. Then build something you want. If you like the big tire look well get big tires! You will just have a different set of issues to overcome.

Any mod is likely gonna require other mods. Go to the driveway. So many great build threads. @mrk5 is another of my favorites just a solid dependable setup.

Actually just read em all lol should keep you busy for a while
 
blazinzuk said:
The member fee here is worth it.
Click to expand...

I've been on a few other sites over the years and every time I had a technical question that I researched through Google some of the best answers came from ck5 so I lurked here a lot. Eventually I became a free member for a year or so and just recently realized how much time, frustration and expense ck5 and its members had saved me and felt that I owed it to the community to buck up the membership fee.
 
If you do have specialty parts, make sure they are damn good.


I'd build it much like my current k5 just smaller.
P pump 4bt nv4500 203 205 on d60 and d70 with detroits. 4" off the shelf front and rear springs. No shackle flip and 37s. 1350 driveshafts which happen to be the same front and rear.
H1 double beadlocks for field serviceability.
Then just add a normal mechanical k5 after that.
 
My recipe would be a 5.3 with cam, intake and heads/headwork. Mild sounding exhaust

Nv4500 or a 4l80

Transfer case is whatever you like

4" all spring lift with really good shocks

60 and. 14 bolt is all good but you can do a lot by just using good parts in your existing axles.

Lightweight wheels, hydroboost brakes and nothing larger than 35"s
 
Look at K85 Octane build he built a solid rig not to wild but just right. Cage might be overkill for you but rest would work good with a 5.3 cammed.
 
brans87 said:
Look at K85 Octane build he built a solid rig not to wild but just right. Cage might be overkill for you but rest would work good with a 5.3 cammed.
Click to expand...

Tru dat. Comfy on road comfy off road. I rode with him in Moab. It's a great combo
 
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