1986 K10 4 speed to 5 speed

[epfatboy]

Hi,

Picked up a ‘86 K10 (really more of a mut but you get the point) with a LS swap and a SM465/NP208. The front and rear are standard 1/2 ton with 3.08’s.

Looking to do some upgrades and would like to understand my options. The truck is my local grocery getter and runs on limited fire roads, basically a “NH Mall crawler”

To start the upgrades I’d like to toss a 5-speed in there with the right t-case and front/rear diff/gear.

Would like to know what my tranny/t-case/diff options are.

I have read if I want to go with a late model 5-speed I need to run a ford front end as the diff is on the opposite side versus the early stuff. Not opposed to that but I think the ford front ends are hard to come by

I don’t mind Swapping the ring/pinion but I haven’t done the research to understand if I can stuff a 3.73 in the carrier.

I also really can’t remember how good the early 5-speeds/t-cases are? I know I drove an assload of them but my memory is relative to the time!

Any help appreciated, I’m sure all this info is here but my search’s haven’t had great returns. Will take any links to info as well, thanks!

Also it runs on 33’s, not planning to change that.