85 k-20 Drivetrain
 

I have a 1985 K-20 that is lifted 6 inches with 4.10 gears and 33 inch tires...(35s in near future)
It currently has no motor trans or tcase...
Before it had a pretty stock 350 with an sm465 and an np205 i believe...
I know have a 350 out of a nova than ran 11s to put in it... it is backed by a 2wd turbo 350.... minus the fact of no 4wd what would it be like to have that setup in this truck....? It is going to be a daily driver that will tow the occasional trailer of up to 5000 lbs? And do some moderate mudding and trail ride as well as pullin people out... Shuld i switch back to an sm465... an nv4500? what transfercase should i use? np205? Has anyone ever used a gearvendors unit on either transmission? I would like to get it goin as fast and cheap as possible! Also oklahoma to Texas drives will be made often!

Thanks-Blake

Re: 85 k-20 Drivetrain
 

If your going to be towing,muddin and pullin people out ,I'd go with the
nv4500 over the sm465 for the overdrive and the np 205.

Re: 85 k-20 Drivetrain
 

what about the difference in the low gear ratio?

Re: 85 k-20 Drivetrain
 

In the transmissions?In the nv4500 low or first was 6.34:1 in the 92-94 and the 95 and up ones have a 5.61:1.the sm 465 has a 6.55 first.There both great transmissions just the nv4500 has overdrive and a little bit higher low

Re: 85 k-20 Drivetrain
 

will it fit with the same driveshafts? bellhousing? etc?

Re: 85 k-20 Drivetrain
 

also if you wanted to you can compare the sm465 and the nv 4500 against each other at this site http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html and you can see what your truck will be running at different rpms and speeds.

Re: 85 k-20 Drivetrain
 

I would do a search on here cause I'm sure somebody has done a nv4500 np 205 swap.

Re: 85 k-20 Drivetrain
 

Thanks...what is a good year for the nv4500?

Re: 85 k-20 Drivetrain
 

most people say the 92-94 are the best because of the lower first ,but are hard to find.I would search on here and see what other people are using and what the differences are.