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Which Transmission, suspension, motor...?

Upstate

Upstate

1/2 ton status
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I am currently putting together a total restore / build with no major hurry to get on the road 1987 K5. As of right now the K5 frame sits in my garage with the frame all cleaned and just freshly painted looking nice. I have ORD greaseable fronts to install. I have 14BFF rear and Dana 60 for the front both 4.56. I have a AGR Performance steering box also that I am installing. My final plans are to run 37". I live north of Syracuse New York, so most of the off road scene is sand and mud. It will see the off road 50% of the time.

This is what I have to decide:

Suspension:
I have a complete front and rear 4" Superlift (no blocks) that is almost like new with shocks.
I have a older Superlift front and rear 6" that will need bushings and only the rear shocks are good.
Do I combo some with a shackle flip.
Plan on doing ORD new body bushings and 1" pucks.

Motors that I have:
'89 TBI with 57K that runs real well but needs a gasket set and then if I put a gasket set in it do I put cam, lifters, chain, etc? Or do I just sell it?

Brand new 260hp 4 bolt 350 from Jegs.com (GM Goodwrench) long block with Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock carb (would replace with TBI and have adapter already). This has less than 1 hour on it. Or should I sell it?

I have a line on a low mileage complete '04 5.3 for around $1K with ECU, harness everything.

Transmissions:
700R4 that needs to be rebuilt but a K. Got a quote to not rebuild and use Bowtie Overdrive for what I want call $2K+. Not a fan of the issues with heat and mud with 700r4. But the truck is set up for this.

I have a Hydro bell complete perfect shape, pedals, everything. This brings me to the SM465. I have a aluminum top case SM465 and mid '80s SM465. I have used clutch packs for both being different splines. Both need gasket sets at least, both shift fine in the driving on the trailer and off the trailer.

Buy a TH400 for auto that is pretty decent with the heat after selling the SM465 and bell set up.

Transfer cases:
A low mileage rebuilt by Jasper NP 208 for 700R4
A low mileage not rebuilt but needs gaskets NP208 for SM465
A high mileage and will need chain for the aluminum top SM465 (has elect. speed plug), does work right now though.
Early '80 NP205 for SM465 with adapter and such.

I have drive shafts for all of these and the crossmembers.

So, which set up and why? BTW this is not my daily driver.
 
I keep leaning towards Goodwrench motor just because I know what I am in for and already have most of the exhaust. It is the transmission is where I start to go a stray. Once I start pondering the transmission, then I starting thinking about the motor and so on.
 
For sand and mud you want the most power you can get to the ground with an auto transmission. You don't want to be shifting an SM465.
 
I wouldn't run a stock 700R4 with high HP. Build one to last and it will have less loss than a TH400 and overdrive.
 
The Bowtie Overdrive 700r4 is far from stock. The 400 wouldn't be stock either. I like the 400 and SM465 because they are easier swaps when I do go LS motor than the 700R4 due to the TV cable.
 
Not a bad plan. Judging by the rigs I have seen you sell, you don't look like the kind of guy who is looking for the cheapest option. But, there is something to be said for simplicity. The NP208 from your SM465 will fit the TH400 too.
 
kennyw said:
Not a bad plan. Judging by the rigs I have seen you sell, you don't look like the kind of guy who is looking for the cheapest option. But, there is something to be said for simplicity. The NP208 from your SM465 will fit the TH400 too.
Click to expand...

At this point in my life I like things that I know will work opposed to it should work. This is a toy that takes way too much of my time lately so I don't mind thinking it through and spending a couple bucks more to allow some flexibility down the road.

I thought about using the NP205 that I have, but as good as they are they are so noisy and I would need to screw with the linkage. Considering everything else that I am messing with I am not sure why that would bother me, but just a added thing to mess with when I already have others that I consider to be more important. Crazy thing is at the same time I been working on the kids Rubicon which has been a blast...sarcasm...more like PB Blast.
 
RivMan said:
My vote would be to pickup the 5.3, find a matching 4l60e, and NP241.
Click to expand...

I likely won't go 4l60e because at some point I will run a MSD Atomic and don't want to deal with the electronics.
 
Upstate said:
I likely won't go 4l60e because at some point I will run a MSD Atomic and don't want to deal with the electronics.
Click to expand...


The TCI controller I have on my 4l80e is pretty sweet. Not cheap, but sweet none the less.
 
It's a TCU, it controls the entire trans. Allows for adjustments in shift firmness, shift points, TCC lock up, gear ratio, tire size, and a few other things. Gives you options for paddle shifters, economy/performance modes, live data, DTC scanning, etc... It's pretty sweet, I've been making adjustments as i drive the truck to get everything dialed in, only about 300mi on it so far.

http://www.tciauto.com/tc/ez-tcutm-...t-gm-4l60-4l65-4l70-4l80-and-4l85e-to-09html/
 
muddysub said:
It's a TCU, it controls the entire trans. Allows for adjustments in shift firmness, shift points, TCC lock up, gear ratio, tire size, and a few other things. Gives you options for paddle shifters, economy/performance modes, live data, DTC scanning, etc... It's pretty sweet, I've been making adjustments as i drive the truck to get everything dialed in, only about 300mi on it so far.

http://www.tciauto.com/tc/ez-tcutm-...t-gm-4l60-4l65-4l70-4l80-and-4l85e-to-09html/
Click to expand...

Just unloaded a 4L80E for a friend tonight. Holy crap Batman that is a big transmission. Makes the 400 look tiny.
 
If you're running sand and mud...definately auto....here in the mountains I run my rig (Jeep) with a '92 Tuned Port Injected 5.0, older SM 465, Ford Dana 60 high pinion front and Dana 60 rear with 5.13s and detroit lockers on both ends.
Atlas TC, 3.8:1 gives me a crawl ratio of about 135:1 in Low/Low

The biggest advantage with the 465 is the hold-back on these STEEP, downhill mountain trails. For the road, I wouldn't give 2¢ for it.
 
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