78 4x4 for $500 just how far is to far gone?

[Leroyswift]

Thats a real peach!My 78 is so rusty. The bed had a plastic liner and under it was just the supports. It was so rusty i climbed in the back hung down and sawzall-ed off the rusted turbo mufflers. I am almost too embarrassed to post the pics. The interior is terrible also, but I drove it home 20 miles after it sat for two months thru twisting hairpin curves of western NC mountains, With no fault.I found a bed and LH door for $180 and with little add ons like new terminals, Universal joint, and other odd and ends puts me around $700. I read about the transmissions was the sm465 the only 4 speed used in the 70's? how about T-case?

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by Leroyswift

Thats a real peach!My 78 is so rusty. The bed had a plastic liner and under it was just the supports. It was so rusty i climbed in the back hung down and sawzall-ed off the rusted turbo mufflers. I am almost too embarrassed to post the pics. The interior is terrible also, but I drove it home 20 miles after it sat for two months thru twisting hairpin curves of western NC mountains, With no fault.I found a bed and LH door for $180 and with little add ons like new terminals, Universal joint, and other odd and ends puts me around $700. I read about the transmissions was the sm465 the only 4 speed used in the 70's? how about T-case?

If it's a 4-speed truck, it had an NP205 transfer case. That's the one everyone wants. It's gear driven, cast iron, and built like an absolute tank.

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by Your41Plague12

If it's a 4-speed truck, it had an NP205 transfer case. That's the one everyone wants. It's gear driven, cast iron, and built like an absolute tank.

Not necessarily. The NP203 (era correct) and NP208 (could have been swapped in) were both put behind 4-speeds, neither of which are desirable.

Easiest way to tell if the T-case is a NP205 or not is look between the rear output and front output rear bearing support. Is there a little round cover held on by 3 bolts? If so...that is a NP205. If not, that transfer case is junk.

The Rockwell T221, which was attached to the SM420 (unsure if they ever came behind the SM465) was also a good, tough transfer case.

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by Redcap

Not necessarily. The NP203 (era correct) and NP208 (could have been swapped in) were both put behind 4-speeds, neither of which are desirable.

Easiest way to tell if the T-case is a NP205 or not is look between the rear output and front output rear bearing support. Is there a little round cover held on by 3 bolts? If so...that is a NP205. If not, that transfer case is junk.

The Rockwell T221, which was attached to the SM420 (unsure if they ever came behind the SM465) was also a good, tough transfer case.

I've never seen a factory 4-speed/NP203 combo. I was pretty sure all 73-80's came with NP205's behind a 4-speed, and sometime into the early 80's. You're correct about the NP208's though, it could have been swapped in. I agree, just check for the 3-bolt cover and let us know!