truck driveline swapping questions

[Thumper]

I have a friend with a question. He has a 89 GM 1/2t with a 350/ 700R4, and a t-case that he doesnt know what it is. He is planning on building a off-road rig using a D44/ 14FF combo with 4:10s, and was thinking about getting a SM465/ 205 10 spline setup for it. I mentioned that it may be possible and better for him if he used the 700/ ?? case out of his 89. Am I right?
He has a couple options:
1. use the '89 350/ 700R4/ whatever case it is/ D44/ 14FF
2. use the '89 350/ SM465/ NP205/ D44/ 14FF
3. use the '89 350/ SM465/ whatever '89 case it is/ D44/ 14FF
4. use the '89 350/ 700R4/ NP205 ...
Which option would be cost effective/ off-road capable/ easy to do?
Thanks for the opinions!
BTW, what case would it be in the '89 1/2 ton?
Mike

 

[pauly383]

89 1/2 ton would be a np241, which DOES have a honest to goodness slip yoke eliminator kit available for it. My opinion is if its lighter wheeling , most of his existing drivetrain is fine, heavier trucks, like Suburbans definitely need bigger axles. Of course if he wants to run crawling' trails , then 1 ton and np 205 will probably be what everyone will recommend /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif

 

[ugly_blazer]

Is he building the 89 for off road or using the drivetrain from it in another vehicle?

If he is building the 89 and uses the factory t-case with a D44 he will need one with a driver side differential, which would have to likely come from a ford. If the D44 is from a chevy (which is passenger side differential) then the 700/205 would be my choice.

 

[Thumper]

Well, he wants an off-road vehicle... but one that is good all round, mud, crawling etc. What he is doing, is trying to get rid of that stupid frame his 89 has... he is using the cab on a slightly lengthened Blazer frame with a shortbox pickup bed on it. He has the D44 and 14FF on the frame already, so was just wondering what his options are.
I forgot about the 241 being drivers side front o/p... that changes things.
What spline count is the o/p from the 700R4? The T-case is a 10 spline... is there an adapter to mate the two? I guess he might be just as well to use the 465/ 205 that is already to go.
Thanks.
Mike

 

[surpip]

[ QUOTE ]

If he is building the 89 and uses the factory t-case with a D44 he will need one with a driver side differential, which would have to likely come from a ford. If the D44 is from a chevy (which is passenger side differential) then the 700/205 would be my choice.

[/ QUOTE ]are you shure because im running a 89 700r4 241 an my diff is on the right(pass) side?????

 

[pauly383]

OOOPS, didn't even realize when I posted earlier. You mean 1/2 ton pickup, not Blazer right ? If its an IFS rig it would be np231c, which has a SYE available. You could do a Solid axle swap with Chevy axle, and use a older chevy transfercase. /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif

 

[ugly_blazer]

If it is a blazer frame and the 465/205 is already set-up, then that sounds like the easy way to go.