Long story short, I picked up a extra truck. 1995 K2500 ext cab, long bed. 350 TBI, 9.5 SF rear. This truck will just be a "work truck/junk truck" that I could always sell off in a pinch.
I have bigger and badder trucks sitting around, but I have a ton of parts lying around:
Chip Burner
Vortec Heads
Electric fans
HP Dana 44 4.10s
Chevy Dana 60 5.38s
Chevy Dana 60 4.10s
2 x 14 bolt rears 4.10 4.10
Rear 60 4.10s
Complete SAS kit from SKY
Some of that list may go on the truck, some might not. The real first thing to solve is the trans. It currently has a 4L80e that (I am told) slips badly. I also have a 5LM60 sitting around, clutch pedals and all.
Rebuilding the 4L80e
Pros: 1. Probably take it to some one and have them bench build it, so minimal work involved.
2. Truck stays an automatic, so she could drive it (snows in N. IL and she has a car), as well has family members needing to borrow a truck.
Cons: Probably spending $1,000 to have some one do it right
Swapping in the 5LM60
Pros: 1. I already have everything to swap it, but the clutch.
2. I've owned a 350/5LM60 before and loved it.
3. I'd save the 4L80e for a better project
Cons: 1. Time involved in the swap
2. No granny first (had a 350 Vortec/ NV4500, rarely ever used L, but glad I had it sometimes)
I have bigger and badder trucks sitting around, but I have a ton of parts lying around:
Chip Burner
Vortec Heads
Electric fans
HP Dana 44 4.10s
Chevy Dana 60 5.38s
Chevy Dana 60 4.10s
2 x 14 bolt rears 4.10 4.10
Rear 60 4.10s
Complete SAS kit from SKY
Some of that list may go on the truck, some might not. The real first thing to solve is the trans. It currently has a 4L80e that (I am told) slips badly. I also have a 5LM60 sitting around, clutch pedals and all.
Rebuilding the 4L80e
Pros: 1. Probably take it to some one and have them bench build it, so minimal work involved.
2. Truck stays an automatic, so she could drive it (snows in N. IL and she has a car), as well has family members needing to borrow a truck.
Cons: Probably spending $1,000 to have some one do it right
Swapping in the 5LM60
Pros: 1. I already have everything to swap it, but the clutch.
2. I've owned a 350/5LM60 before and loved it.
3. I'd save the 4L80e for a better project
Cons: 1. Time involved in the swap
2. No granny first (had a 350 Vortec/ NV4500, rarely ever used L, but glad I had it sometimes)
