ready to build a new 4x4...suggestions?

[CG]

im ready to build a new 4x4 and would appreciate some constructive input. it will be registered as a 68 4x4 3/4 ton long box. i really want the strength of the 3/4 ton or is that over kill for what i want to do with it?

first choice is the stock 68 3/4 chassis. i have some very nice 16x8 wheels i could use with this set up. i really dont want a sky high truck. any opinions on tire size? this rig will be for hauling and towing, not off roading. if i have to go with a small lift im ok with that. no disks with the stock 68 . ive heard good and bad on the stock style front end.

i also have a complete 71 4x4 1/2 ton chassis. with this i could transfer the 2.5 lift softride springs off my current ride, or just use the 3/4 ton springs off the 68 chassis?. also i would use my stock style rallies with the 33 x 12.50. i already have. would helper springs or helper air bags make this 1/2 ton as sturdy as the 3/4 ton?

what will i be carrying? loads of pavers and bricks, loads of drywall, loads of lumber, loads of top soil etc etc... or pulling my 61 lincoln on a car trailer or any other 67-72 trucks i cant live without.

as far as drivetrain it will be using the 71 transfer case and automatic tranny. i have a very nice professionally rebuilt 350 small block i can put in or i have a 68 427 4 bolt i can put in (not a tall deck). gas mileage isnt a consideration.

any suggestions on this build will be appreciated.

[Blue_71]

if it was mine, i would use the 68 K20 drivetrain... on that, i would put a rear 14 bolt out of a 73-87 k20, and a front dana 44 or 10 bolt from a 73-87 k20.. i would also find a SM465 4 speed if its going to be used to towing, ive seen too many autos blow up under a load.

the 1/2 tons literly cant be made as stout as a 3/4 ton.. i welded some 1/2 ton frame horns on my k20, and they are visably smaller (thinner) then the rest of my frame

hope i could help

[CG]

hey thanks for the quick input. as far as a 4sp goes i have one of those too but man i hate shifting with a passion. maybe if i had the turbo 350 built stouter than stock?

[Blue_71]

hehe i dont blame ya there, i love shifting but its starting to get to me in the form of weak knees.

after re-reading your post, you could probably get by with a mildly built th350 or a stock th400... the things i haul usually cant though (about 8 tons of hay), but you should be fine with an auto. you could even get by with the rearend out of the 68, but if its an eaton corp (most likely) it is difficult to find parts for. the only real concern i would have with the 68 equipment would be the front diff, because of the closed knuckle and the very large turning radius... it might not be too much of a problem, ive never personally drove one, but ive heard it can be a real pain with a trailer

[4x4Poet]

Originally Posted by CG

what will i be carrying? loads of pavers and bricks, loads of drywall, loads of lumber, loads of top soil etc etc... or pulling my 61 lincoln on a car trailer or any other 67-72 trucks i cant live without.

This screams 3/4 ton full floater rear axle, though not necessarily the one under there now. An Eaton, D60, or 14bFF would do fine.
The 12-bolts are strong, so if you only intend to *occasionally* haul pavers, bricks, top soil, drywall, loads of lumber, and other *lightweight* items, then maybe the 1/2 ton axles would be fine. Especially if you just put put around town with the heavy stuff. If you stick with the 12-bolt, replace the axle bearings as a preventative measure and use synthetic gear oil.
The front discs would be nice to have, as well. Tough call without knowing exactly now much heavy hauling will be done. Also, the 12-bolt has more gearing options and more locker or limited slip options than anything but the front D44s or a D60.

i also have a complete 71 4x4 1/2 ton chassis. with this i could transfer the 2.5 lift softride springs off my current ride, or just use the 3/4 ton springs off the 68 chassis?. also i would use my stock style rallies with the 33 x 12.50. i already have. would helper springs or helper air bags make this 1/2 ton as sturdy as the 3/4 ton?

I would avoid air bags on a work truck. The frame is not up to airbag pressure under a full load of bricks. I'm not fan of helper springs, especially when they ruin the ride, but they have their place. Swap springs as you please, but know that most lift springs aren't up to heavy loads. Your call. 33s would be fine but probably need a little suspension lift if you expect to seriously sag the bed under a heavy load. Light fender trimming is also an option and usually the best solution, but it can change the looks. Personal preference.
What? Looks can be important.

as far as drivetrain it will be using the 71 transfer case and automatic tranny. i have a very nice professionally rebuilt 350 small block i can put in or i have a 68 427 4 bolt i can put in (not a tall deck). gas mileage isnt a consideration....

I wish I had your engine choices. I'd love to run a 427. The NP205 is up to the task, for sure. The TH350 can be upgraded to handle heavy towing or loads, but an upgraded TH400 would be better [Captain obvious, here].
If you stick with the TH350, you save costs since you already have the proper adapter for the xfer case and also won't have to swap in a TH400 compatible input shaft into the NP205. No brainer, IMO. Set the strength issues aside until the truck proves that you need more tranny beef.

Sounds like a great project. I just picked up a '72 K20 with the Eaton rear axle. Great clunker, but it will serve my needs. My first 67-72 pickup, too.

[special-K]

A couple suggestions I have.First,I would go 3/4t.The`68 front springs won`t swap with the`71(`69-up).You could do the small(2 or 2 1/2")shackle-flip and not change anything with the rear springs.Either get add-a-leafs or 2"lift(HD-type)springs for front.Or,go to a spring shop and get it exactly how you want.For tires you could run 285/75x16s on those 8" wheels.I have this set-up currently on a truck with about 2" of spring work.Use a super-HD tranny cooler and maybe a temp guage.I have one in the blank(vac)hole in the dash.There`s also deep pans for capacity.I had no problem getting parts for my Eaton rear.The closed knuckle doesn`t turn as tight,but you could live with it.Here`s what the wheels/tires/lift looks like:

[4x4Poet]

A picture's worth a thousand words. If only that dog matched that work truck!

[JIMs70GMC]

Sounds like the beginings of a stout work truck.

[Americanrider]

I'd go with the 68 K20 setup. A dana 44 front fron a newer truck with disk brakes. A corp 14FF bolt rear (move spring pads & shock mounts) 16x8 wheels are fine. If your using it as a work truck lifting it makes it harder to load. (harder on your back) HD spings and some gas shocks front, air shock rears to even it out under loads. Never did like auto trannys but your in Seattle I understand why you would want it. What gearing are you planning to use? Here is a pic of my 67 K20 standing on 265-16's and worn out stock shocks. Tall enough to clear anything I want to drive over and still low enough to side load with the bucket of my small tractor.

[special-K]

And pull a lever to unload!Nice six-eight.About the dog(Cubby).It`s my daughter`s(really!).When he comes over he`s all shampoodled.When he goes home he`s got burrs,grease spots,been in the mud,and took a roll in the cow-pies.He looks better to me with his face all blackish.She hates it,but knows he`s had the time of his life,so...
He`s a Hillbilly Pedigree.

[CG]

i have a 71 4x4 half ton now. i built it years ago but never really finished it. (no paint or body work). we were doing a total redo on a brick house when i got her on the road. i remember filling that poor thing up with all the stuff you use on a home redo and thinking next time i build one of these things i want it to be a 3/4 ton big block and auto matic. i dont want to wish i had a 3/4 ton anymore. lots of great ideas guys. i will sort through them and get to gettin on this thing. ride height on the two trucks you guys posted are both perfect. too much higher and you cant load the darn things by hand. im going to see if anyone makes 3/4 ton springs with a 2 inch lift to them. i know i can get em for half ton. as far as gearing i dont know yet. i will have to see what it has now. ive seen quite a few 3/4 ton 4x4 on craigs list with shot motors. maybe that would be the way to go for getting a later model front and rear end. im still up for suggestions on stuff i may be missing...thanks a ton

[Americanrider]

There is a set of 3/4ton axles in Portland up for sale, check the 73 & up parts board. A 4.09 F & 4.10 rear IIRC. Was thinking about getting them for my truck but already have a good front so I only need a rear now.

[CG]

Originally Posted by Americanrider

There is a set of 3/4ton axles in Portland up for sale, check the 73 & up parts board. A 4.09 F & 4.10 rear IIRC. Was thinking about getting them for my truck but already have a good front so I only need a rear now.

hey thanks i will look them up. lol i forgot about the other parts boards. i never look at the newer trucks. guess i need to expand my horizons a little.

[4x4Poet]

If you choose to go with a 14bFF, the 73up 3/4 ton trucks have the wrong spring perch spacing, as AmericanRider alluded to. I ton GM trucks had 14bFFs with the same spring pad spacing as 67-72 GM 4x4 light trucks. I think 1 tons are 77up. And I'm speaking of SRW, though DRWs probably have the same spacing, obviously. Just addl hassle with the DRW set up.

BTW, we're ahead of ourselves. What rear axle does the '68 3/4 ton have and what gear ratio? If it is a D60, no need to change. Preferable, in fact. If it is an Eaton, I'd run it as long as you don't mind the 4.11 gear ratio.

[CG]

im not sure what it is. the chassis doesnt come home till the 15th. i bought a project/pile-o-parts from a board member. ive been picking up misc stuff for the last year. not sure what i was going to build. i had to let the burb and all the parts tires wheels etc etc go since my honey said she would never ride in it no matter how much work i did to it. i have the start of a couple of shortbed projects. tons of extra body parts. extra 4x4 chassis. im in the process of going through what im going to keep now. i will keep just what i need for this project only, and sell everything else so i will have room to spread out a little. thanks again guys for the advice. its really appreciated.

[cheyenne10]

Who is the member in you area with the long standing for sale ad for a 68 anniversary addition cst 4x4? (Dan I beleive) I can see it now a clean 68 3/4 4x4 with factory air. My favorite would be with dana 44 disc front, dana 60 rear with 4.09/4.10 gears, T400/NP205, 454 BB, air, tilt, tach, 68 buckets, why scrimp!! We have used new spec stock springs at it really brings up tired old saggy looking trucks. We bought our springs from Benz Spring in Portland. Will have 2nd set on burb in month or so. Attached is 72 K20 with these stock springs.

[CG]

Originally Posted by cheyenne10

Who is the member in you area with the long standing for sale ad for a 68 anniversary addition cst 4x4? (Dan I beleive) I can see it now a clean 68 3/4 4x4 with factory air. My favorite would be with dana 44 disc front, dana 60 rear with 4.09/4.10 gears, T400/NP205, 454 BB, air, tilt, tach, 68 buckets, why scrimp!! We have used new spec stock springs at it really brings up tired old saggy looking trucks. We bought our springs from Benz Spring in Portland. Will have 2nd set on burb in month or so. Attached is 72 K20 with these stock springs.

hey bob your a mind reader. i bought that set up from dan and im going to use the cab and a few other things i bought from you. which means i will be selling that short chassis when i get around to digging it out from under all the stuff i have stacked on it. oh and if you could give me a little more info on those springs it would really be appreciated. thanks, mark

[special-K]

I want a short 4wd frame!!Dig it out,stuff it in an envelope,stick a stamp on it,and pop it in the mail....I wish

[CG]

Originally Posted by special-K

I want a short 4wd frame!!Dig it out,stuff it in an envelope,stick a stamp on it,and pop it in the mail....I wish

sorry..its a shorty 2 wheel drive, otherwise i would have popped it in the mail for ya

[Americanrider]

CG are you building that 68 Annie that Dan was selling? Thought that was a 4sp truck?

I'd also like to know the price of your new spring set cheyenne 10, up here in Tacoma they want about 145 ea for stock front 3/4ton 4x4 springs and 225 ea for rears.... and they are made in Portland LOL.... might be worth the trip to save WA sales tax, after all our witch govn'r will just spend it on dumb $&!*# anyway.

[cheyenne10]

I think our prices were maybe that per pair. I will do some looking for receipts. They are easy to deal with. here is contact info.

http://www.benzspring.com/

[CG]

Originally Posted by Americanrider

CG are you building that 68 Annie that Dan was selling? Thought that was a 4sp truck?

I'd also like to know the price of your new spring set cheyenne 10, up here in Tacoma they want about 145 ea for stock front 3/4ton 4x4 springs and 225 ea for rears.... and they are made in Portland LOL.... might be worth the trip to save WA sales tax, after all our witch govn'r will just spend it on dumb $&!*# anyway.

yes thats the one. but i will be putting the four speed and transfer case on my list of stuff to sell.