New Heavy Chevy!

NJRVer wrote:
I have to disagree on the Dodge's. There is a pretty obvious difference between a 1993 and a 1972. I owned two 1985's and the place I worked in the mid '70's had early 70's Dodges. They were horrible trucks. Then they upgraded one to a 1980 Dodge. What a difference! They were so much nicer than the 70's and that's what made me buy the '85's. From 1980-1993 almost no difference.

Sure, the late '80s-early '90s trucks were much nicer than the early '70s, but the basic body style was the same, and that was my point.

I had a 454 Chevy crew cab DRW pickup back in the mid 70's.

rjstractor wrote:

NJRVer wrote:
I have to disagree on the Dodge's. There is a pretty obvious difference between a 1993 and a 1972. I owned two 1985's and the place I worked in the mid '70's had early 70's Dodges. They were horrible trucks. Then they upgraded one to a 1980 Dodge. What a difference! They were so much nicer than the 70's and that's what made me buy the '85's. From 1980-1993 almost no difference.

Sure, the late '80s-early '90s trucks were much nicer than the early '70s, but the basic body style was the same, and that was my point.

OK, I stand corrected. We had 1970-71 Dodges where I worked. They were different.
1972 body changed.

ksss wrote:

The original steering wheel is much like the steering wheel on a mid 70's grain truck. I would stay with the smaller one as well.

If the OE wheel is larger diameter then definitely better with this one. Not a lot of room in the cab and the wheel turns with 1 finger. Could be smaller even.

Which brings about an observation. 35 year old truck with crusty looking power steering pump. Turns so effortlessly even 35s and big block, it’s not even funny.
Yet others, My Dodge, cough cough, couldnt make a good steering pump until 2008 or whenever the upgrade came.

rjstractor wrote:

NJRVer wrote:
I have to disagree on the Dodge's. There is a pretty obvious difference between a 1993 and a 1972. I owned two 1985's and the place I worked in the mid '70's had early 70's Dodges. They were horrible trucks. Then they upgraded one to a 1980 Dodge. What a difference! They were so much nicer than the 70's and that's what made me buy the '85's. From 1980-1993 almost no difference.

Sure, the late '80s-early '90s trucks were much nicer than the early '70s, but the basic body style was the same, and that was my point.

So true, my dad used to say a Dodge won’t start if a dog so much as pees on a front wheel. I recall a couple 70s Dodges we had at work when I was a kid that I spent an inordinate amount of time keeping running.
70s chevys not so much.

8.1 Van, thank you for sharing! Awesome looking rig and prolly as good of memories!
I’d drive that truck with a huge smile on my face today!

More good news the more I look into the truck.
Carb is a 750 Edelbrock. Good size for that motor happy w that. And mates up nice with the Performer 2 intake.
Better news is it’s a Vortec Gen VI motor not a gen v TBI. Same benefits as the TBI with 1 piece main seals but has roller cam and a bit better ports. Provided it’s stock of course. Looks like it and idles almost too smooth for a carb big block.
Still not a monster power engine but not gutless by any means.

I did not find that my 89 R3500 4bbl or 88 k3500 tbi454 motors we overall great power house rigs. Think most of it was tall gearing in th400 trans. No low end get up and go. The 88 had better overall throttle response and pulling power.
My 81 292 4 so Muncie could out pull both of the 454s getting loads moving or get up steeper grades. Probably due to that low first gear in trans.
Freeway wise the 454s were good. If I could get the load moving.
I personally prefer the 88-2000 body style.
That truck is a nice find. A beefed up 700r4 would be a good trans to change out the th400 from. Lower first gear, and an OD to boot!
Marty

Boy does this bring back memories

Another thing to check out is the steering box to frame rail for cracks on the frame rail

Mine cracked and made up my own bolster plate out of 3/16” plate and welded it to the frame

Recall or was it a TSB...factory booster plate between the steering box and frame rails

There are some upsets that you’ll have to make room for. They are the mounting points to the frame and is to keep the steering box off the frame a bit (don’t their need, but they designed it that way). Their booster plate had holes to have the steering box mount directly to the plate, which mounts directly to the frame rail

Mine cracked early, as found that with the 33” tires, could move boulders out of the why with turning the tire against them. Also, hill climbing...zig zagged the steering wheel all the way up...that got the tire tread edge to bit more/better

K5, so think a higher GVWR would put more stress

@Marty. Have had plenty of squarebodys and GMT 400s. 400s might be the most reliable overall truck ever made IMO.
None are powerful in stock form compared to anything in recent years or earlier years.
Was really shooting for a TBI / 700r4 truck for drive ability but not going to mess with this one I think. So so simple and reliable setup.
Will pull engine and give it a rustoleum rebuild before painting the truck.
Good times!

@ben. No cracks in frame! Idk if it has the adapter/brace you were talking about. Will look.