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1984 K20 Dana 60 swap and suspension

redneckK20s said:
I'm starting to revisit the work on the '84, I've got a little pocket change. 203/205 doubler is still the game plan but is there a better alternative for similar cost? Going to bolted up to an NV4500 now instead of the 465.
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I think exbox + 205 or 203 or + "big modern chain drive case out of a wonton" are both the same-ish cost and without redundant gear ratios and weigh less.
 
arse_sidewards said:
I think exbox + 205 or 203 or + "big modern chain drive case out of a wonton" are both the same-ish cost and without redundant gear ratios and weigh less.
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I think I might be too stupid to source my own gears for the ecobox, I wouldn't even know where to begin. Weight isn't really too much of an issue and additional length isn't going to both me either. I already have the 203 and 205 so I might just order the doubler kit and just do it.
 
Made a little progress, got the trucks shuffled. Been working on pulling the 454 from the '85, down to just motor mount bolts and it's out tonight. Depending on how that goes might start cutting loose some u-bolts.
 
Engine is out but ran out of daylight.
 

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Let my dogs hang out with me while yanking the D60 and Buddy doesn't respect my space much. D60 is out. Done more work this week than the last year and a half but at least I'm getting something done.
 

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More progress tonight. U-joint strap bolts all rounded when I tried to get them out so my Milwhackee grinder took care of them. U-bolts are tighter than a nuns pussy so I'm gonna grab my 3 foot 1/2 drive ratchet from work tomorrow to finish the job a little easier.
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Got the 10b loose last night, the u-bolts fought me all the way out and I didn't have any more cutting wheels for my grinder. Didn't feel like shuffling the car so it's still sitting under there. Going to go ahead and slide it straight under the '85 and put the u-bolts in so I can move it around to get the rear out. Stupid to swap a 14b ff for a 14b ff but this one has matching 4.10's to the D60 and has some type of locker. Debating on biting the bullet on a disc conversion since I'll have it out already.
 
If you want to go with an ecobox all you need is the front half of an NP231. Input and planetary assembly, sun gear (requires cutting the front half of t he transfer case, the slider piece that sits on the shift forks, front input bearing and seal, plus all the snap rings. If you look at the Jeep build by Mike Honcho he did a good assembly. I did one, but not as detailed as his. They're easy and you get a 2.72:1 ratio instead of the 1.98 from the 203 or 205. Their website has lots of good info.

Part 1 shows what you need from a 231, and part 2 shows assembling it as well as installing it on a 205.

Engine Adapter | Installation Manuals | Northwest Fabworks

Need help with you engine adapter? Support with your 4x4 gear box? Contact Northwest Fabworks for installation manuals or at [email protected].
northwestfab.com northwestfab.com

I picked my parts up from the local pick n pull. I just disassembled the whole 231 in the bed of the truck in the yard, and told them it was some $20 part. I was fortunate enough to find a cracked case and threw it over the fence (stole it) then took it home to cut out the sun gear.
 
RunningProblem said:
If you want to go with an ecobox all you need is the front half of an NP231. Input and planetary assembly, sun gear (requires cutting the front half of t he transfer case, the slider piece that sits on the shift forks, front input bearing and seal, plus all the snap rings. If you look at the Jeep build by Mike Honcho he did a good assembly. I did one, but not as detailed as his. They're easy and you get a 2.72:1 ratio instead of the 1.98 from the 203 or 205. Their website has lots of good info.

Part 1 shows what you need from a 231, and part 2 shows assembling it as well as installing it on a 205.

Engine Adapter | Installation Manuals | Northwest Fabworks

Need help with you engine adapter? Support with your 4x4 gear box? Contact Northwest Fabworks for installation manuals or at [email protected].
northwestfab.com northwestfab.com

I picked my parts up from the local pick n pull. I just disassembled the whole 231 in the bed of the truck in the yard, and told them it was some $20 part. I was fortunate enough to find a cracked case and threw it over the fence (stole it) then took it home to cut out the sun gear.
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I appreciate the insight, I did not know. I think for cost effectiveness I'll probably still end up doing the 203/205, I've only ever wheeled this truck (or anything really) when it was severely undergeared so I think just having a double low and better axle ratios will make all the difference for me.

I took this thing to SMORR with open 10b/14bff with 3.42 gears and 38" tires and managed to keep my clutch alive, so this should be a huge improvement.
 
Getting more done, slowly. Burned a couple hours getting the 10b lined up, ended up making a bolt into a leaf spring guide pin because the passengers side was fighting me. Of course the u bolts weren't right but they'll work for it to roll.
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More progress tonight. 14b is out of the '84.
Don't judge me, taller jackstands are expensive as fuck.
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May be the dumbest question ever but anyone know what weight distribution on a big block squarebody is? I'm spring shopping and trying to figure it out. Truck weighed 5280 on the old setup, going to round up to 6k to make it easy. Figure 60/40 with the big block and other stuff. So 3600lbs frt, 2400 lbs rear. 52" springs 5 leaves and one flat 1875 capacity should be about perfect for the front. The rear I'm doing 56's 8 leaves and 1 flat 2600 capacity. Remove 3 leafs per side puts me at 1625 per side. That should give me a little bed payload capacity, can always add leafs back in if need be.
 
willis_racing said:
I intend to scale mine when it's done but that's probably a few months out.

If you're ok with breaking down packs to set ride height, shouldn't be much of an issue.
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I'm pretty clueless but learning as I go, I think I'll manage. I'm going to keep the old leafs around in case I need to sneak in an extra to add some height. I want as much flex as possible, load carrying doesn't really matter.
 
Got the 14b snuck out from under the '84 and managed to get it out of the shop without incident. Figured out none of the rest of the U-bolts I bought are remotely right so I had to save what I could. Saved 3 off the '84 but the 4th is junk. Managed to save 1 off the '85 so I should be able to slap the 14b back under it. Cut the rest with the grinder because I was fresh outta patience.
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Figured out with enough rage I could get the other axle under the truck with the tires on it. Winner! Done for the night. Bolt up the axle, steal the headers and hopefully this turd will sell so I can order some suspension and steering parts.
 
Are the springs with the broken eye 56? I am not far and have springs. Send me your number
 
3.42 14b installed in the '85 with the shitty old u-bolts. Sprayed them with penetrating old and ran the nuts up and down them a few times to give myself some help. Fought a little getting the pins lined up but got it there. Cut the header bolts and robbed these perfect headers off this thing to replace the incorrect beat to fuck ones on the '84 that now leak pretty badly because I most likely broke a motor mount on its last hurrah trip.
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Guy's supposed to let me know if he wants the '85, as soon as it sells I'll order the shackle flip and B52 kit.
 
I'm one squarebody poorer but $1000 richer. Paid $2500 for the truck in 2021, got a decent 454, headers and tons from it so I feel like I did okay. I know I could have got a lot more out of it but I know the buyer and he's going to actually use the truck.
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Leaving for a week long motorcycle vacation next Sunday so there will be a pause on progress, but I plan on ordering the shackle flip and B52 kit when I get back.
 
Good progress on the project.

Side note. Cinder blocks hold weight better when the openings are vertical. The way you had them laying on their sides underneath the truck is sketchy, especially with that weight on them.
 
Yeah I thought I had read that somewhere. I'll cut some scraps of plywood and get them turned the right way so I don't come out to a shitty surprise one day. Thanks for the heads up guys.

Edit: Ordered the B52 and shackle flip today with a few other little odds and ends. Hopefully it shows up by the weekend but if not no big deal.
 
Got my B52 and shackle flip kit yesterday. Waiting on my coworker's kid to give me a quote on leaf springs to see if I can save some coin, if not I'm going to run down up to Kansas City and pick up a new set for $600. I know it's dumb but I'd rather start with fresh springs.
 
Uh, again, I have a set of springs right here. Roughly 1.5-2 hours away from you.
 
_stucky said:
Uh, again, I have a set of springs right here. Roughly 1.5-2 hours away from you.
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Thanks to stucky for the hookup on some 56" springs and showing me around his '87 that he's building. Gave me something to actually see and put my hands on, also gave me a bunch of pointers and probably cost me some more money by showing me some of the cool stuff he's doing. ORD crossmember is on the list now and looks like I'll be buying the crossover steering from ruffstuff instead of ORD so I can actually adjust the toe without pulling a rod end.
 
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