Transmission swap

[775stepside]

I have a 77 step side half ton I believe, it's 3 speed manual trans in it. I eventually want to swap it over with a automatic trans. What all is needed to do this swap. It is also 4x4.

[andrewmp6]

Do you know which t case you have now? It can be a np203 or np205.Do you want a auto or do you want a overdrive as well?

[775stepside]

Possibly an over drive as we'll, maybe like a 350 turbo, or 400r something like that. Not sure what tcase I have. I want to convert it to 2wd

[nekkidhillbilly]

so your converting to 2wd?

[775stepside]

Yes I want to convert it to 2wd. Make it a hot rod truck instead of a big ol 4x4 with crappy 3 speed trans.

[andrewmp6]

Honestly i would sell it and buy a 2wd truck.A short bed 4x4 is worth a lot more then a short bed 2wd truck.Or see if anyone wants to trade and maybe throw some cash your way.

[willett]

Ditto. Unless your into doing a major undertaking your still going to have a front diff and it will just look like a major hack job

[nekkidhillbilly]

yes you will need a whole lot of parts off a 2wd to do the swap. you can ad a good trans to the 4wd. 2wd is much easier to find than a 4wd.

[775stepside]

What if i just buy a 2wd frame with all the goodies and just swap over?

[andrewmp6]

Its a ton of work and will lower your trucks value.A short bed 4x4 here is 4k for a rust bucket but rust bucket 2wd short bed start about 2 grand.I mean you could sell your truck get a nice chunk of change for it.Us that money buy a nice short bed 2wd and do no work.And if you get a 81 or newer it has a 700r4 in it factory.Or if its a older truck swapping a overdrive trans in a 2wd is real easy.

[tommartin]

77 step k10? Love this truck, I was looking for one before I got my 79 K10 LWB. 2WDs are all over So Cal, and cheap too. I would hate to see your truck torn apart. But I defiantly do understand working with what you have. I almost bought a 2wd and swapped it to 4wd.

You have any pictures?

[wilkin250r]

ANY restoration project is either a ton of money and just as much work, or half a ton of money and five times as much work.

Unless you have a great sentimental attachement to THAT truck, I would take the easy route. Sell/trade the 4wd and get a 2wd. Since the 4wd is more valuable, it's entirely possible you can offload a truck that's 30% done, and aquire a truck that's 70% done.

Plus there is the added benefit that an actual 2wd truck will generally have a lower front end and better front suspension for street use. Hot rod trucks also generally come in two varieties, lowered or raked, and the 2wd truck is better at BOTH than a 4wd truck.

This project (ANY project) is already going to be difficult, expensive, and time consuming. Don't make it harder than it needs to be. Selling/trading your 4wd for a 2wd will give you both a head start, possibly extra cash, AND give you a better platform to build on. It's a no-brainer.

[775stepside]

Got it, yea I have done most body work on the truck, and I'm buying new doors fenders interior pieces as well. I might just take the lift out and bring it down to stock ride height. Will see what happens and what the wife says. To think I was selling mine for $1,000 lol, I picked it up for $1,300

[andrewmp6]

See how much you can get a short bed 2wd around you for.

[775stepside]

I might just stick with my truck, we do get a lot of snow in the winter so it would be helpful.

[andrewmp6]

You have two options get a adapter kit to use your t case,Or get a 700r4 and np208 from a 81 and newer 1/2 ton and use that.The other things are do you want a factory column shifter or a aftermarket shifter in the floor?

[nekkidhillbilly]

id find a np208 or np241 imo. simple swap and the 205 will sell for some bones easy.

[775stepside]

Hmm I would want the column shifter, but I might be trading my truck for a boat

[nekkidhillbilly]

column shifter would workfine just need the od shift indicator. the linkage may be different but again still a small fix.