Trying to find out what I have: 67 4x4?

[67gmcstepside]

New to this site as I just bought a 67 GMC 4x4 LWB stepside The reason for the question is the vin is a CE but it has a 67 2500 suspension and drive train. So far I figured out that the rear is a HO52. Not sure what trans/transfer case is in it. Its a 3 speed column shifter. What should the front diff and transfer case be for a 67 2500 4x4. I have been restoring 1st gen camaros and this is my first attempt at a 4x4. You will see many questions as the factory assembly manual is not as straight forward as the 69 camaro. Any information would be apprecated.
Don

[72 CustomCamper]

CE is a 2 wheel drive with a V8...


Chuck

[67gmcstepside]

Thats one of the only things I know so far about the truck, that the cab was replaced and that it has a ho52 rear. I was hoping to fing what transfer cases and trans could have come with an original 67 gmc.
Thanks

[bhoeger70]

I am not sure if it would have been a saginaw or a muncie three speed but a four speed should be a sm420. The transfer case should be the timken 221.

[msgross]

rockwell T-221 transfer case with a closed knuckle Dana 44 front axle would have been stock, drum brakes on all 4 wheels. I know the Chevy's had K Vins so you might have a different cab, or GMC didn't follow the same VIN system that chevy did...

any pics?

check out my "money pit" build thread for a 68 4x4 build, you will see that you can put a new axles in the front and go power steering w/ disc brakes.

[67gmcstepside]

Big MIKE, I spent the afternoon reading your project from start to finish. Grabbed over 20 pics of yours to compare with my truck. The strange part about this truck is that everything looks original. Right down to the dried up body mounts. But it does have a Ce vin 4 headlights and a gmc grill. So I know it started life as a gmc. It has a ho52 rear, a 3OT and drums all around. Once it stops raining I will get some pics of the tc, trans and front diff. I need to know what I am starting with. Its amazingly rust free. Even the grey bumpers have no rust on them. The front and bed fenders also are rust free.
Thanks and I got a lot out of your project thread.
BTW:Front disks and PS are the first 2 mods. I would like to replace the 3sp with a 4sp before I get to far into the build. I am trying to find what 4sp trans would be a good fit/less hassel.

THANKS ! Only pic I have so far.

[71blksuper4x4]

The 465 would be the transmission to get if wanting a 4 speed.

[msgross]

check craigslist for a 4 speed/w NP205... They usually go for $200 total and are bulletproof. driveshafts will change length but parts are easier and cheaper than the 221, by the way the 4 speed is a granny low gear so it's not much different than your three speed.

some guys jump to the NV4500 (5 speed) but then you are talking $$$...

thanks for checking out my build, it's been a long road since im an active duty soldier working on my MBA and have a family... usually the truck takes last place with all of that going on.

remember, the trucks come apart easy but go back together a lot harder!

The long stepper is very cool, one of the board members has a red one and it look very mean lifted with 33's or 35's...

you can look at your front diff cover for a little tag on the bolts, it should have your gear ratio, or you will have to pull the cover to find it on the ring gear. You can put an 8 lug dana44, corporate 10-bolt or dana 60 under their pretty easily... then you have to deal with the brake lines and steering linkage.

[67gmcstepside]

Thanks guys, this is exactly the info I was looking for. Mike, the front diff does have a tag on it. I'll get out and see what it says and report back in.
Thanks again, I have restored 3 69 camaros in the last 5 years and I know what your saying about taking apart vs. putting back. I might just get the truck running with its original gear for now. What are the issues with the 221 TC that everyone replaces it?

Don
Pic's to follow.

[67gmcstepside]

Looks like its an original 44. Tag 50-11 4.55 Can disk brakes be added to the dana 44's?

[msgross]

wow 4.55's...


The closed knuckle dana 44 is near impossible to add disc brakes too, open knuckle is easy. There might be a kit out there but i'm not familiar with one. You have a more limited turning radius as well. Nothng wrong with the axle unless it's leking gear fluid near the inside of the wheels. The best setup that guys swap to is the 14 bolt rear and dana 60 front from CUCV's (k-30 military trucks). You can find those setups for about $1500. Then you can easily do 4 wheel disc if you wanted.

diy4x.com and offroaddesign.com have a lot of great parts...

The rockwell is a good transfer case, but parts are more expensive since they stopped using it in 69, the 205 is more common. I'd run it "as is" for now and make sure everything has fresh gear oil in it (including the TC). The rockwell is also noisy compared to the 205 so you might feel like you are driving a tank with the in cab noise...

[67gmcstepside]

yea, I was surprized when I wipped off the tag. 4:55's. Not good for any highway driving. Wonder why someone would order 4.55's??

My plan:
Order new wiring kits - ordered yesterday
install engine (rebuilt 350) get it running
change all fluids
get truck running - verify 4x4 functionality
rebuild front hub locks. One just turns freely.
start priming the body parts and re-install
convert 3ot to floor shift.
see what issues I have and go from there.

Thanks Mike for the replies. I have a lot to learn about the old 4x4's. Camaro's
seem to be so much easier.

Don

[msgross]

does it have gauges or warning lights? I have an NOS underdash harness for sale in the parts board..

[67gmcstepside]

It has warning lights but I plan to go with all gauges. Whats the harness for Mike?

[msgross]

it's for warning lights or aftermarket gauges.. it can be modified for gauges but i'm not sure what is required.

what wiring did you purchase?

[67gmcstepside]

Just noticed my bellhousing is cracked. Its a 5505. Is there another housing that is interchangable or am I stuck hunting down this one.
Thanks!

[msgross]

not sure.. should be plenty that work though.

I looked at my 68 chevy dealers pamphlet today and noticed that the only options for 4x4's were 3.73 for 1/2 ton and 4.55 for 3/4 ton.

[vectorit]

You can look on the upper portion of the frame next to the steering box for the last half of digits of the VIN to see if it jives with your cab VIN.
Here is a pic of mine on my 68 burb K20.

[67gmcstepside]

Thanks for that vin location 7T124842 doesn't match the cab. So cab is a replacement. The CE in the cab vin was a dead give-a-way. At least I know its a 67 frame/4x4 setup.
BTW: I was looking for a pic of the alt mounts. You double helped. Now I have to find those mounting brackets for the alt. Also thats one heck of a rad shourd. Is that original?
Thanks again!

Don

[vectorit]

Yep, it's the original fan shroud for my truck.

Glad I helped with the VIN mystery, and with the alternator brackets.

[67gmcstepside]

vectorit, I see no PS. How bad is it turning at slow speeds?
Don

[vectorit]

It's not all that bad if you have narrower tires, but in my case I am running a 33" tall 12.50 wide BFG All Terrain tire and it can get tiresome on the arms.
But I have been driving this truck since I got a DL, so I am pretty use to it I guess.
If I could put a PS box in I would, but there are mods to the frame needed to make that possible. I'm not to thrilled about doing that, and like I said I am pretty use to it now.

[msgross]

you can install an adapter plate for the PS..

[Yukon Jack]

Good looking truck, I like long stepsides! I replaced my three on the tree manual with a SM465 in my 69 K20 due to the fact that the three on the tree was constantly locking up between gears - especially when it was cold out. Run your existing gear and enjoy the truck. If and when you have an issue, make upgrades. Like mentioned, the T221 is a bit louder than the NP205 and parts are harder to find. Definitely keep an eye on the gear oil level in the T221 - with the high rear output, they don't like getting low on gear oil - ask me how I know.

If you go to changing the transmission, the adapter to swap in an SM465 is a bit difficult to find for the T221. That is a good excuse to make the jump to the SM465/NP205.

[67gmcstepside]

Thanks for the info Yukon Jack. I am going to try to adjust and get any slop out of the 3pd linkage before going the 435/np205 road. Funny how small the 3 sp trans is compared to the 4sp.
Thanks again,
Don