1986 c20 revival

[Jered1987]

Hey everybody, I'm getting a 1986 c20 with 350 4 bolt engine and th400 tranny. My wife's grandfather is giving me the truck when we move down south the body is in excellent condition. The truck has been sitting for atleast 5-10 years but he starts it up every so often and drives it. The axle I'm guessing needs a rebuild because he said the spider gears are bad. I'm probably taking the truck to a shop to have the rear redone. What all does everyone recommend doing on it as I have a two hour trip going through atlanta. I know I'm getting new tires,tune up kit, belts, radiator hoses battery.

[MTCK]

Welcome. Post some pics up. Sounds like a neat truck. Likely has a 9.5" semi floater, and if it needs work maybe consider a 10.5" full float rear from the salvage yard.

[Jered1987]

I'll try to post some pics of the truck we are moving down to georgia from ny to be be near my wife's family in two weeks

[sweetk30]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Welcome. Post some pics up. Sounds like a neat truck. Likely has a 9.5" semi floater, and if it needs work maybe consider a 10.5" full float rear from the salvage yard.

x2 if the spiders gears are bad then the cost of fixing at shop price = crazy money .

14ff from heavy 3/4 ton swap in fairly easy and then never have to think about it again for the most part .

[Jered1987]

Originally Posted by sweetk30

x2 if the spiders gears are bad then the cost of fixing at shop price = crazy money .

14ff from heavy 3/4 ton swap in fairly easy and then never have to think about it again for the most part .

Yeah I was thinking about it. Most of it had to do with the lack of time and i didn't want to get a dud 2nd axle and break down on the highway with my pregnant wife. But for sure I need all the money I can scrounge right now.

[cadillac_al]

Don't those c20's have ff 14 bolts? Those never fail. I would pull the cover and have a look for $0 cost.

[Dead Parrot]

#1. Don't have your pregnant wife in the truck with you when you are driving the truck back. That way, if the truck breaks down, she is safe at home or with her parents.

If you can, find out what axle it has now and buy rear end oil and a new gasket. Inspect the gears before you hit the highway. Highway driving is fairly easy on spider gears as you are mostly going straight. If they are in decent shape, just drive it to your new home.

Price renting a vehicle hauling trailer and tow vehicle and just haul the truck to its new home. Will let you fix it local to you and not risk a road side breakdown.

Add to your list of stuff: A gallon or 2 of antifreeze, oil change + filter, new wiper blades, and a quart or 2 of ATF.

[donut]

I'm with Dead Parrot.

I know you said money is an issue, but with everything your up against, paying a wrecker to haul it to your house will at least buy you some time. More if something breaks...

[Jered1987]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

#1. Don't have your pregnant wife in the truck with you when you are driving the truck back. That way, if the truck breaks down, she is safe at home or with her parents.

If you can, find out what axle it has now and buy rear end oil and a new gasket. Inspect the gears before you hit the highway. Highway driving is fairly easy on spider gears as you are mostly going straight. If they are in decent shape, just drive it to your new home.

Price renting a vehicle hauling trailer and tow vehicle and just haul the truck to its new home. Will let you fix it local to you and not risk a road side breakdown.

Add to your list of stuff: A gallon or 2 of antifreeze, oil change + filter, new wiper blades, and a quart or 2 of ATF.

My wife's grandfather has a newer Silverado 1500 and a car trailer was thinking about that but sometimes he can be rather moody. He didn't know the gear ratio. And he said that the truck is good enough around town, but not for the couple hour drive from stockbridge to Calhoun georgia. Are axles that bad to tear apart and redo? They looked pretty straight forward but didn't know if the shims and what not make them horrible to do .on a side note, anywhere in particular i should get better quality brake tools or will autozone/ Napa tools be good enough?