Happy To be Here! Looking for advice on my 98 K1500 5.7!

[Ronna]

I've had this truck since 2005 as a utility vehicle only. Worked on it here and there to keep it up, but never got serious until now. I've decided to bring her back to life. Planning on a bunch of body work, paint the 9's this summer. Trying to get everything else top notch before then. Engine runs great, 5.7L 350, added a shift kit during an unscheduled trans rebuild a few years ago, and also added a trans cooler. Hypertech Power Programmed, Race Car Dynamics 6" lift and 33" tires. Gibson headers, true dual exhaust with Flowmasters, and K&N Cold Air Induction.

Areas of interest:
1.The interior is blue, two bucket seats up front, fold-away bench in the back. A lot of the plastic is faded, cracked or cracking. Other than junk yards, anybody got a bead on a resource for everything I'll need to redo the cab?

2. I'm wondering (read a few of the other threads) if anybody has replaced the 3.73 OEM rear axle gears by investing in 4.10 gears for the 33" tires?

3. I'd love to see/hear of other folks who've not only restored but updated their K1500 to what we have out there today. Feel free to drop in any and ALL advice you may have.

Appreciate ya'lls time!

 

[SUBURBAN5]

Welcome to the forum. Have you checked lmc truck?

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

2. I'm wondering (read a few of the other threads) if anybody has replaced the 3.73 OEM rear axle gears by investing in 4.10 gears for the 33" tires?

There was a discussion about this earlier this year.

Look here:

4.56 or 4.88 on a TBI blazer with 33's, maybe 35's in the future?

My truck has the 3.42 gears and with 33's and a basically stock TBI it's a dog. The next mod I want to do is gears, but with it parked next to my F250 on 35's I keep thinking about going with those in the future. The truck is never used for towing, does see some off road use, very little...

www.gmt400.com

 

[GrimsterGMC]

Welcome, I changed the gearing in my 1988 K1500 350/4L60 from the factory 3.4 to 4.1 as it had 33's on it and it brought it back to the factory shift points for the trans. Leaving it taller and the TCC will be constantly disengaging, causing high trans temps that are terminal to a 4L60.

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

I changed the gearing in my 1988 K1500 350/4L60 from the factory 3.4 to 4.1 as it had 33's on it and it brought it back to the factory shift points for the trans.

If @Ronna's got 3.73s now, a 20% change (same as you) puts him at 4.56.

I assume his 3.73s are stock; my father's 1995 K1500 350/4L60E RCLB came stock with 3.73s, FWIW, and JB5 brakes.

With those big tires on @Ronna's truck the OE brakes are at a disadvantage... at least compared to the OE tire, but if not towing or other HD work it may not matter. There are at least of couple of recent / active threads on brakes...

 

[Ronna]

Welcome to the forum. Have you checked lmc truck?

Not recently, But I will. Thank you!

 

[Ronna]

Welcome, I changed the gearing in my 1988 K1500 350/4L60 from the factory 3.4 to 4.1 as it had 33's on it and it brought it back to the factory shift points for the trans. Leaving it taller and the TCC will be constantly disengaging, causing high trans temps that are terminal to a 4L60.

Sincerely appreciate the input. Thank YOU!

 

[Ronna]

If @Ronna's got 3.73s now, a 20% change (same as you) puts him at 4.56.

I assume his 3.73s are stock; my father's 1995 K1500 350/4L60E RCLB came stock with 3.73s, FWIW, and JB5 brakes.

With those big tires on @Ronna's truck the OE brakes are at a disadvantage... at least compared to the OE tire, but if not towing or other HD work it may not matter. There are at least of couple of recent / active threads on brakes...

Great stuff. Thank YOU!

 

[movietvet]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.