Which one is better???

[kxnomore]

Hi Everybody. This is my first post, so here goes...

I have two classic chevy's. The first is a 1971 K20 350/ 350 Custom Camper factory ac (missing all its parts though) with the blue and white. It runs really, really good but has dents in every possible location. Even the valve covers are dented if you get my point. But no non- surface rust. none, nada, zilch.

The second is an Olive green/ white 1972 C20 factory big block that has a ton of the good stuff. Factory AC, Tilt Wheel, sliding rear, etc. etc.. I bought it for a song (in my opinion- $900) and drove it home. It does have bad rocker panel rust under the doors though.

My question is I got the 72 to make the 4X4 better, but I kind of like the big block sound.

Which is the keeper? I can only have one and stay married at the same time. Oh, I know you all like pictures so here goes.

[Livrat]

I would put the Big Block in the 4X4 and swap any goodies and put all of the good sheetmetal on it and scrap the C20

[Longhorn Man]

how good is the relationship?
we need photos of her to help with the decision
welcome to the board, what part of Cali you in?

[LockDoc]

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1st, to the board. I agree with Livrat. But I guess it depends on whether you would rather have a 2 wheel drive or 4x4..... I love my big block.

LockDoc

[72armyswbtruck]

I would go with the Big Block and 4X4, keep the 4X4 and the motor and parts from the other truck then sell what was left of the c20.

[cstm68]

I also agree with Livrat.

[kxnomore]

I never thought about the motor swap, but I like it!!

Does the transmission bolt right up and would the mounts and towers work from the 72 two wheel drive to the 71 4X4?

Here's a pic of the old lady for Longhorn Man, but as much as I love my truck it doesn't love me back, if you know what I'm saying!

[Longhorn Man]

neither of yours has the love back option? I guess it's a rare option.

[JameslovesJammie]

How much storage room do you have? I would pull everything from the c/20. Everything you listed as options, anyway. Lots of good looking options on that truck.

Sweet talk your wife into letting you keep it! Mine would!

[WorkinLonghorn]

You've got two wives also??!! Keep 'em both I say.

[Bishops Trucks]

Take everything you want off the C20 bigblock truck and put on the 4X4. Sale what is left and buy your honey something nice. She might let you get another parts truck to play with.

[chopper103in]

Originally Posted by kxnomore

I never thought about the motor swap, but I like it!!

Does the transmission bolt right up and would the mounts and towers work from the 72 two wheel drive to the 71 4X4?

Here's a pic of the old lady for Longhorn Man, but as much as I love my truck it doesn't love me back, if you know what I'm saying!

i like these options--- id keep them all

[LockDoc]

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If you pull the BB mounts & towers when you pull the motor you should be good to go. The BB towers are different.

LockDoc

[Livrat]

Sorry that I missed you were new to the board... WELCOME aboard from Washington

The transmission will bolt right up.. just use the stock 4X4 mounts and crossmember.. the only problem is the valve covers may hit the firewall.. I have seen several way of dealing with that issue..
#1.. A body lift..

#2 A Big hammer.. (not pretty but effective)..

#3... And my personal choice is move it all forward 2-3 inches.. which means shortening the front drive shaft.. and having a new rear one built.. and if you want to keep the stock 5inch diameter driveline.. you better sit down before you hear the quote from your local driveline shop (my quote on 5inch tubing was $60 per foot!!).. so I opted to go with a 4 inch diameter.. got a complete new one for $380..
You will also have to deal with moving the shift linkage forward on the frame and bend your transfer case shifter handle to work in the stock hole.. I have done several by this method.

#4.. if you decide to want use a 700R4 trans for the overdrive.. the only thing then you would need to move is the front crossmember as the 700R4 is a couple inches longer than a T350 and it has the same rear bolt pattern as the T350 but you will need to shorten the tail shaft.. either by just cutting it off or getting an $100 aftermarket one .. that way you do not have to deal with the linkage/drivelines/and drilling holes to move the transfer case crossmember..

One other thing I found is the 4X4 fan shroud will no longer work.. nor will the 2WD Big block one.. but a factory 2WD small block one fits perfect..

Mark
aka: Livrat

[68GMC454]

well i would pull the big block and put it in the 4x4..then strip all the other options to..then take the extra parts and put them backinto the 2wd,,and sell it for 500 or more..and send which ever is not your wife to me..

[kxnomore]

Originally Posted by cougar

You've got two wives also??!! Keep 'em both I say.

Sorry Cougar, just the one on the right.

All good suggestions and thanks to everybody. If I take these options off the two wheel drive and put them on the 4 X 4, what does it do to the value of the second recipient truck (4 X 4)? I mean that those options won't be listed on the build sheet. As a general question, how important is the build sheet to the value of the truck?

By the way, isn't it great that you can now buy most of the parts for these trucks? I remember many years back scrounging junkyards for parts and you couldn't find anything!!

[krue]

Unless it's a cherry swb fleetside bb, air, tilt cruise etc, being original doesn't count for a lot imo.