4x4 Problems

[Lowered13]

I just picked up a 1977 Chevy K10 about a month ago and have just had the first significant about of snow fall. I went to get out of the driveway and onto the road and i had a hard time getting out even though i locked the front hubs and had it in 4hi and tried 4lo. When i looked just the right rear wheel had been spinning for traction. So it seemed like my 4x4 wasn't working. What could be the problem here? Is it working right and it just to much for the truck or is something wrong with my truck?

I am pretty sure the truck is all stock drive-train and sense it is a manual it should have the gear driven np205 transfer-case.

[enaberif]

77 should have a NP203 which is a full time transfer case. If you have locking hubs then perhaps someone put a part time kit into your truck in which case the shift pattern is COMPLETELY changed over the original shift pattern.

Either way to confirm what transfer case you have crawl under the truck and either take a picture or look for a round circle with 3 bolts in the middle of the case.

If you don't have the round cover with 3 bolts its a 203.

** Edit **

Most 1/2 tons were equipped with automatic transmissions and mostly the 3/4s tons got the manual. Still sounds to me like something was swapped so again.. take a look underneath.

[Lowered13]

This picture says it would be something else. (Picture from fourwheeler.com) Also i was told it was a K10 could be a K20. It has the 3 speed with a granny low.

[74CustomK20]

Really need to post a pic or 2 from the sides and back. We can help ya identify it pretty easily.

[cadillac_al]

It should be a 205 and the chart confirms it. I must say I never saw a manual with a 203. I wonder if the transfer case linkage is sticking somewhere. I have only had 203's but I did have one that the shifter was messed up and wouldn't activate the 4wd lock lever on the transfer. I had to unhook the linkage and move the lever manually. I don't know if a 205 works that way but I would play with the shifter and make sure the hubs are locked in. I would jack up each front wheel to be sure the hubs are locked first. Then see if the front drive shaft turns when you put it in drive and try to move. Goodluck.

[Lowered13]

This is the truck and it does feel like it is shifting into the 4x4 gears so i will have to try and check the locking hubs.

[Auctioneerhere]

I had a 75 with a 4 speed & 203. They are out there.

[TrailerTrash]

i saw a pickup and a K5 with a standard/203.

we need a picture of the transfer case not just the truck.

are you sure the hubs werent locked and you unlocked them? maybe some cheap hubs with the markings worn off?

[wildwilly4x4]

lightly tap the wheel hubs(on the iron part) with a small hammer or wrench. Sometimes the wheel bearing grease is kinda old and sticky and wont let the hub engage.

[nonstop]

With it on the ground and hubs unlocked, put it into 4wd and try to spin the front driveshaft. It shouldn't spin. If it spins, there is a problem in the case or with the linkage. Now, lock the hubs, put the transfer case into neutral and try to spin the front driveshaft. It shouldn't spin. if it spins, look to see if the front shafts are spinning. If they are, there is a problem in the hubs. If they are not spinning, there is a problem in the front differential.

This is, of course with an NP205. There is still the possibility you have an NP203, but we can't tell without seeing a picture of the case.

[77K10Silverado]

Cool truck no the less!

[slotard]

Nonstop has some good troubleshooting steps no matter what transfer case you have. You need to find where your problem is.

[barry1982]

I had a similar problem with my 82. Of course I discovered the 4 x 4 wasn't working while attempting to pull a boat/trailer out of a little lake at the bottom of a steep ravine..... Got lucky, (thank God I have a limited slip diff).... and was able to get out in 2WD. Turns out one of my Warn hubs was not working properly. Even though I was turning the knob, the internals on one side were not engaging. I could be wrong, but seemed like if one side doesn't engage... the other side doesn't work either...? I bought a new set of Warn manual locking hubs, repacked the inner/outer wheel bearings, and never had a problem since.

[slotard]

Originally Posted by barry1982

I had a similar problem with my 82. Of course I discovered the 4 x 4 wasn't working while attempting to pull a boat/trailer out of a little lake at the bottom of a steep ravine..... Got lucky, (thank God I have a limited slip diff).... and was able to get out in 2WD. Turns out one of my Warn hubs was not working properly. Even though I was turning the knob, the internals on one side were not engaging. I could be wrong, but seemed like if one side doesn't engage... the other side doesn't work either...? I bought a new set of Warn manual locking hubs, repacked the inner/outer wheel bearings, and never had a problem since.

It isn't so much that if one side doesn't engage the other does as that the way an open differential works, zero traction on one side means zero on the other side. If you had the right kind of limited slip or locker you'd get some force on the engaged side.

[wilkin250r]

From the picture, it looks like he has locking hubs. I realize that doesn't guarantee it's a 205 transfer case, but it does make it very very likely.

I like nonstop's advice a few posts ago. Lock the transfer and unlock the hubs, and see if you can spin the front driveshaft by hand. This will tell you if the transfer case is locking properly.

Then unlock the transfer case (neutral), and lock the hubs, and try to spin the driveshaft again. This will tell you if the hubs and/or front diff. are locking properly.

[hatzie]

Trucks didn't come with limited slip stock. Just Eaton G80 Gov Bomb lockers. In the last 40 years anything is possible tho.

[slotard]

Originally Posted by hatzie

Trucks didn't come with limited slip stock. Just Eaton G80 Gov Bomb lockers. In the last 40 years anything is possible tho.

was a front locker even an option? And I know these didn't have LSDs, I was talking about in general.

From what I've read the G80 in the 14ff isn't too weak... I hope not as I'm planning on picking one up this weekend. Then again I don't have big tires.

[hatzie]

I believe it was only in the rear.
Maybe I misread his post I thought he was getting the one wheel peel at the rear...

Limited slip diffs are available for the Dana 44 so it's possible someone installed one.

The G80 is reputed to be pretty fragile even in the 14bolt. Don't use LS additive in it just gear oil.

[cadillac_al]

The Detroit Locker for GM 14 bolts is one of the cheapest ones to buy. I wouldn't screw around with any used one.

[Lowered13]

I did find out that i have a limited slip in the back and the hubs were full of water and mud so they couldn't lock into place.

[slotard]

That's not good. I hope they aren't too beat up from that, at least they're working now.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Lowered13

I did find out that i have a limited slip in the back and the hubs were full of water and mud so they couldn't lock into place.

If you have mud inside the hubs the spindle seals are shot.
1977 is probably still a Dana 44.
How crunchy are the Timken tapered wheel bearings? Probably not great.
Don't forget there's a Cartridge Needle Bearing inside the spindle that the stub end of the axle rides inside. If there's mud inside the hubs the bearings are probably not in useable condition.

Once you're that far into it it's not much more work to replace the Axle Universals and the inner axle seals.
Don't cheap out on the bearings, seals, and 5-760X U-Joints. Timken, Chicago Rawhide and, Spicer aren't much more than the cheapies and they are worlds apart in quality. It's enough work that you don't want to be doing it again in the next 5 years.

You may need a Speedi-Sleeve if the stub and inner ends of the axle are grooved where the seal runs.

Is it a GM-Eaton G80 locker or an actual aftermarket Limited Slip?

[cadillac_al]

Yup, you better go through those bearings. I lost a wheel bearing in my truck and I didn't notice it until it was way too late. I am even a mechanic and listen for any strange noises all the time and even maintain this truck more than all my other vehicles. I was amazed at how destroyed my spindle was and I didn't hear or feel a thing. They fail fast once mud gets in there.

[Lowered13]

I don't know what I have for axles so I took a picture of both axles to see if you guys would know which ones they are. This is a little off topic but I was wondering if anyone knows of a way to look up what my truck came with for options? Also I did end up finding out that the truck came with an automatic and was converted to a floor shift. I found this out when the steering column was replaced in my truck.

[Lowered13]

It wouldn't let me put them one the same post.