1971 C/10 to K/20 Conversion

[newstedcomeback]

I bought this truck back in 2007 for $750, Its a 71 2wd truck with coil springs on all corners and Im PROUD to say that its a long bed.I have taken it from this, to that, Lowered to stock to lowered, 20' Irocs to 15' black steelies, th-350 to 700r4 to Super T10 and back to 700r4 and I keep finding new directions to go with it. Well I finally decided that I want it to be a HEAVY Half ton 4x4. I want a 4 inch lift with 35's 8 lug dana 44 front and a 14 bolt in the rear. I want 4.10 gears for towing and climbing trails.

It currently has a vortec 383 that I built with about 1500 miles on it. I built a 700r4 for it about 3 years back, So my powertrain is pretty solid right now. I have been collecting parts for about a month now and I am about ready to start tearing apart the truck. I found a rolling 1971 4x4 frame on craigslist 2 weeks ago. It is the perfect start for my project because I can weld but I am no frame fabricator. I didnt want to have to deal with all the fun of converting a frame with coils on all 4 corners to leaf springs, so I took the easy route. Pics will follow soon. please subscribe and encourage me to work on this as much as possible. I need motivation. lol

[newstedcomeback]

Aww man. Can you see how excited my girlfriend is about getting up at 6am and towing a flatbed 200 miles round trip. "We drove all this way... FOR THIS!!??!!?" Priceless.

[newstedcomeback]

My 2011 canyon 4x4 with the trailer my buddy let me use

[andrewmp6]

I would skip the dana 44 for a dana 60.

[newstedcomeback]

Dana 60's are soooo expensive! And impossible to find in my area. I have 2 front dana 44's so I figure I could bring an extra set of axle shafts if I break anything. I just wanna have a little off road fun. I don't plan on going any bigger than 35's and I'm gonna keep the front diff open for now. I don't wanna rock crawl or anything. Just dirt trails and maybe a little mud. But no swimming. Haha

[newstedcomeback]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

I would skip the dana 44 for a dana 60.

But I know a dana 60 would be the best choice. I only found one at the wrecking yard and it was super rusty halfway sunk in mud, dually setup and the man wanted $750 for it. I think a 44 will be good for now. It'll get me rolling.

[newstedcomeback]

More recent pic

[newstedcomeback]

The truck has a solid build 700r4 that was from a 89 suburban 4x4 and I converted it to a 2wd trans during the rebuild, it has the beast sun shell, corvette servo and a shift kit. Luckily I kept the output shaft, the 208 transfer case and front driveshaft. So I have a good start on the parts for the conversion. I am curious about the 208 case on the stock 205 crossmember.. Will it fit? Do I need the tall mount adapter ? I know the np205 is a much better case but I don't have one and I know it is difficult mounting up to a 700r4. I can always upgrade later on. But for now I'd like to make what I have work.

[newstedcomeback]

My engine. Vortec 383. Eagle crank and rods, speed pro dish pistons. Edelbrock performer rpm 400 smallblock cam. Vortec heads were new from summit, I machined for screw in studs, roller rockers, air gap intake and a Holley 670 street avenger with a street scoop with functioning butterflies.

[newstedcomeback]

More

[newstedcomeback]

Got some 33 inch BFG on 8 lug 16.5 rims. All 4 for$100 about 1/4 tread left. Great as rollers for the project. I installed 8 lug hubs from
A 10 bolt I found at the junk yard. Everything bolted right up.

[y5mgisi]

Subscribed.

[andrewmp6]

Some guys have used a dodge dana 60 from the 93 and older trucks.All you need is this http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Dod...apBushings.htm and rest should be easy.

[newstedcomeback]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Some guys have used a dodge dana 60 from the 93 and older trucks.All you need is this http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Dod...apBushings.htm and rest should be easy.

Thanks for the info. It's good to know that the option is there, it's just so much $ to spend. I'd rather put that $ other places for the time being.

[andrewmp6]

Yeah its good to have other options,Really only thing you should add is a steering box brace and its 130 bucks from offroad design.

[k5xjfiles]

That Dana 44 will be fine if you don't go nuts....especially since it will be open.

[newstedcomeback]

Yea the dana 44 is gonna stay until I break it. Here's a pic of the 4 inch lift on the front.

[WhiteWhale]

why dont you leave the 700R as it is and run a divorced NP205?

[newstedcomeback]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

why dont you leave the 700R as it is and run a divorced NP205?

Thats an idea... But then I would have to make a crossmember for it and deal with the super long linkage to put a stick in the cab. I dont think i want to go that route.

[andrewmp6]

They do make cable shifters and you could even twin stick a divorced case also.

[newstedcomeback]

Today I decided that I'm gonna go with a steering angle correction arm from ORD. This makes the drag link more level and at less of an angle with a 4" lift. Should help prevent bump steer. I'm gonna go with this for now and maybe someday later on a can convert to crossover steering.

http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringcorrection.htm

I have read that taking the stock steering arm off the knuckle is almost impossible. And I would have to agree. However I used my portable band saw and pie cut sections I used LOTS of penetrating oil and then used a chisel and big hammer to rotate the cone washers enough times to keep slicing chunks out of them. I did happen to cut into 2 of the studs. But I double nutted the studs and backed them out with an impact gun.

[72 Copper C-10]

you should beable to make the 208 fit with the 205 crossmember, but you have to have the older style 208 mount and adapter. You will probably have to modify the floor to fit the 208. I had to do the same thing with my 241. As far as strength I think it's plenty strong, my friend has a mud truck with a Big block pumping out 600 plus horsepower and it hasn't had and issue. The Low range in the 208 is so much nicer than the 205

[newstedcomeback]

Today I moved the Dana 44 outside and cleaned it. I used degreaser in a spray bottle, a big screwdriver, and a wire brush. I Pressure washed it after i scrubbed everything loose. It came out pretty good. I plan on changing all the seals and painting it soon. at least now I can touch it without instantly getting my hands filthy.

[70stroker]

Looks good, im in middle of doin the exact same thing right now.

[newstedcomeback]

I picked up a front sway bar of a later model 3/4 ton truck. I also picked up a 700r4 4x4 output shaft and a tall adapter for a 700r4 to a NP208. The 208 I have sat outside for a while and got some dirt inside the case. So I plan on doing a full rebuild..