Looking for some suggestions

[77GMCTruck]

I was looking at the window sticker for the truck I just inherited. I'm trying to make it more highway friendly.

Currently the 77 has a 350 4bbl (new engine with 2k miles on it) and the original TH-350 Trans and 4.10 gears in the rear.

I'm thinking of getting a Gear Vendors Under/Overdrive (will take awhile with the cost) but was wondering what would be a good highway gear for the rear-end without hurting the towing ability.

Just wondering what everyone thinks.


Thanks

[77GMCTruck]

I was looking at the window sticker for the truck I just inherited. I'm trying to make it more highway friendly.

Currently the 77 has a 350 4bbl (new engine with 2k miles on it) and the original TH-350 Trans and 4.10 gears in the rear.

I'm thinking of getting a Gear Vendors Under/Overdrive (will take awhile with the cost) but was wondering what would be a good highway gear for the rear-end without hurting the towing ability.

Just wondering what everyone thinks.


Thanks

P.S. I promise to post pictures ASAP. I took them but then on the way to my brother's house to post them I dropped my digital camera and it's not working now. My brother is deployed with his camera currently so I am in a "holding pattern".

[Captkaos]

Welcome I am in Birmingham also. I would get a 700R4 instead of the Gear vendors. If you plan to do alot of hauling, you can get a 4L80E and use a compushift controller to shift it. There was a writeup of it in custom Classics...
Here it is...
http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/07...60e/index.html

[slugish]

Cant beleive they put 4:10 gears with a turbo 350 trans. Not much freeway driving Ibet . My vote would be a 7004r ,rebuilt with shift kit & upgrades.

[N2TRUX]

Personally I would try to locate a rearend with 3.42 gears. You can probaly find a complete rearend for less money than you can change your gears out for.

That gear vendors OD will take forever to pay for...

[MylilBowTie]

I agree it will take awhile to pay for GV unit. But so will the built up 700r4 or the 4L80E + the computer. I would vote for the GV unit myself. The 4L80E + the computer would be good also but probably cost more than the GV unit. I would agree on the 700r4 if there wasnt any towing. Rear gear change is also a good idea depending on what you want to do.

What kind of towing are you wanting to do? What's the trucks load capacity? What size tires are on it or you wanting to run?

[Captkaos]

I don't know how much the compushift controller is, but there is a place in town that can rebuild 4L80E's for $750. The gear vendors is $3000...

I just found the Compushift price: $1187.

I also ran across a topic on using a Diesel TCM to control it but it requires A LOT of wiring and A LOT of bin modification.
http://www.syty.net/forums//showthread.php?t=44593

[77GMCTruck]

As for the towing, my mother and stepfather just bought a house here in Birmingham, AL. My mother has a house still in East Texas they are going to sell and they have a 12 foot enclosed trailer that might be towed behind it. I would like to keep the towing capacity for the truck since it is a truck.

It is a Sierra Classic Camper Special 3/4 ton. I'm not sure of it's towing capacity yet, but it does have a brand new 350 V8 (lower half only) that I have not been able to determine the horsepower or torque on yet. It's all original (stepfather bought it new in May '77). It's in great shape and since he's going to be living close to here I want him to approve everything that I do to it.

It's his pride and joy but my mother has a 2002 F150 King Ranch Pickup with 36,000 miles on it that rides a little better and since he's in his "golden years" he likes that saddle leather interior and comfort.

Personally I don't plan to drive it as a "daily driver" but my brother just bought a 2007 supercharged Shelby GT Mustang that he's wanting to take to car shows, hence why I want to keep the towing capabilities. I'd like to someday take the truck as well when I do a little more tweaking to it.

Since I might never get a musclecar this will be my cruising vehicle and I want it to be "highway friendly". The tires on it are the same size as what came on it originally. 16.5 with a width of 9.5". Personally I want to put a set of Torque Thrust rims on it (no bigger than 17"). I love the restomods that are classic on the outside and modern on the mechanics, but I just want to improve the handling, mileage and looks with some changes.

First thing is first I want to change out the steering wheel to a Wood Grant steering wheel and run a new dual exhaust system. I'm thinking JBA headers with Flowmaster 50 SUV mufflers. I like that tough sound but not alot of insulation in the interior of these trucks.

I cannot complain about the price of the truck (free with 92,000 original miles and 1800 on a new engine), but I do not want to radically change the truck as well...at least in appearance. I definitely want to try to improve the ride.

[streetstar]

whew --- improving the ride of a 3/4 ton will take a bit of work -- the easiest thing would be to swap in 1/2 ton springs. while you are at it, swap the front spindle for a 1/2 ton unit so you can use a 5 lug rotor (for those American Racing wheels you mentioned) and as Ken said, look for a 1/2 ton rearend with mild gear ratios.

For just towing a light camper or a small car hauler (under 10,000 lbs towing weight) -- the 1/2 ton suspension will not hurt a bit and will ride much smoother when unloaded.

Some horse trading might minimize the wallet damage - the 4x4 guys are bananas for the HD rear ends and one may have a 3:42 rear to swap.

But it would be easier to start with a 1/2 ton if you just want a smooth, easy riding cruiser with occasional tow capability

[Pyrotechnic]

Is that 92,000 miles on the original transmission ? Turbo 350's aren't weak, but with that age and amount of miles, I'm not sure I would trust it for towing.

I vote 4L80E with shift computer.

[MylilBowTie]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

I don't know how much the compushift controller is, but there is a place in town that can rebuild 4L80E's for $750. The gear vendors is $3000...

I just found the Compushift price: $1187.

I also ran across a topic on using a Diesel TCM to control it but it requires A LOT of wiring and A LOT of bin modification.
http://www.syty.net/forums//showthread.php?t=44593

Seems like a good deal on the 4L80E. Thats what they run from the junkyards around here.