Engine/Trans swap

[Hoghunter]

Hey all, I have a 71 k20, 350 with a 4spd. My trans needs work(hard to shift into gears), transfer case has the same problem especially shifting into 4low and I recently found out that the crank in my motor is bad(loose). So I was toying with the notion of picking up an 89 2500 suburban 4x4 for $800 and gutting it for my truck. It has about 163k on it, has a 350 tbi with turbo 400. And I'm not 100% on the axles but I think the rear is a 14.

Need your thoughts and opinions.....will most of those parts fit and is it worth moving in that direction? I'm not building a show truck(it's my homedepot/camping truck) and would like to swap to an auto trans.

[Lattimer]

A tbi 350 with that mileage will be very near death in most cases. Either have to swap the electronics with it, or add an electric fuel pump to your truck and change the manifold for a carb. I don't think the tbi engines had provisions for a mechanical fuel pump. Axles and trans/t-case would probably be good upgrades but probably need rebuilt with the mileage. 89 Suburbans were still straight axle with lockout hubs? I think the trucks changed to IFS in 88, not sure on the Suburbans. If you are not using the front axle, have to check and make sure the gearing is the same in your front and the donor rear before swapping.

All doable, but a lot of work for stuff with that high of mileage, IMHO. I'd personally try to find a donor under 100k, or hit the junkyards for later model engine/trans/t-case to swap in. That would give you overdrive as well.