Need Input on path forward with my 73 D1110 4x4 345

Coreythedford

Coreythedford

New member
Reaching out here as I have spent many hours researching and going back and forth on a path forward on my truck. Current state its all stock, runs has the 4 speed and the NP205 4x4. I am after a good driving experience so when I go down that path I hear two options on transmissions NV4500 or 700r4. Then if I get one of those I need a drive shaft modification. and adapter plates/bell housing, cross members, you get the idea, then for saftey I will need a Brake pad conversion, and oh yeah I have not address the suspension or loose steering. So to sum up my babbling here, I believe I can do all the above and prob drop 10K on the truck or find a used 1992-2007 reg cab, short bed Chevy 2500. I can then just take the chevy body off, rip out the wiring and then place my cab and bed on the top with the 345 engine adapter to the NV4500. Has anyone done this? Or am I overthinking it? I am exhausted of research so reaching out. Also its hard finding that said Chevy, So does it have to be a NV4500? what if I keep it like a Chevy 1500 truck if I dont plan do a lot of towing. isnth there an NV3500 or something out there?
 
You asked so many questions, it is hard to answer any which one directly as your path changes every sentence. Sounds easier to take a modern drivetrain and stick it into the body and original frame and do away with the IH engine.
 
not really a lot of quetions was just trying to give the story. There has to be someone that has upgraded their rig that has advice. I think either way there is a can of worms to open, I was just wondering which one is best. So basically here they are see below
1. Keep my rig the way it is and slowing upgrade it peace by peace
2. Do a body swap to a newer vehicle that has new suspension, disk brakes etc
 
Thanks for jumping in @FDChappie. I just want a dependable daily driver, This 345 is strong and only 53k on it and I view it as the heart of the truck, so want to keep it. so open to suggesttion on Transmission, suspension, etc.
 
Well, these trucks were the most dependable daily drivers a available when new. So perhaps repairs and maintenance is the way to go in stead of upgrades. I agree about the 354 being a great engine, it's a major part of the awesome character of these trucks.
 
Would like to lift it, have it be more stable on the road and get a 5 speed, thats all. Is there some kind of stablizer I can get so its not all over the road? i.e.
 
Let's start with the safety issues. Assuming your wheel bearings, ball joints, steering and springs are in order (which is not likely) these front axles have 0 caster which makes them wander. A newer axle from a Chevy or Dodge will get you some caster and disc brakes. How much lift are you after?
 
Gear the axles correctly for the driving you want to do and you dont need to do a $5000 5 speed swap.

And there are Zero kits available for putting a NV4500 behind an IH engine anymore. IHPA sold out of them if i recall from a recent thread on Binderplanet.com

So youre only option is a 2WD GM automatic 4 speed behind it or keep the current Manual. If going to an auto 2wd trans you likely may need to shorten the jack shaft between the trans and tcase and or have a new one made with a slip joint.


With my Scout and a T19 wide ratio 4 speed 3.73s and 35s I could cruise all day long on the freeway it did 80 MPH no problem and did so at a decent rpm that wasnt screaming. When I swapped to 4.88 Gears It was still decent on the freeway and could maintain 70 MPH. The T19 was a great shifting trans. A close ratio would be awesome for a daily.

When I put the 1 ton axles under it with 5.38 Gears it was no longer driveable on the freeway. I was at an RPM too much higher than the PCV could maintain and started blowing oil out everywhere.

I then latteralled to a GM 5.3L with an NV4500 Just to have that 5th gear. The nv4500 is a much clunkier noisy trans albeit shifts smooth. I wouldn't call it an upgrade at all because the Powerband of the IH 345 was much better in my opinion. And the powerband of the 5.3 from 3rd to 4th gear is crap.

So in my opinion, If I was to do it again. I'd put the 345 back in, the T19, figure out how to marry it to a doubler/ NP205 and 4.88 Gears. And it would have stayed driveable on the Freeway.

Best driving experience though was 35s, 3.73s and 345/T19. My rig is Rock crawler first driver second.
 
This is awesome and thank you.. I will research T19 as not sure Ive seen that one, I have the 205 in there as well. Luckily i think I have the 3.73 in there already, but I need a lift to get to 35's which I want (currently I got 31's). what kind of lift did you use? I hear using like a 5 inch knuckle behind the springs and a 4 inch block in the back will work and give it a good stance without breaking the bank. what size shocks did you get?
 
FDChappie said:
Let's start with the safety issues. Assuming your wheel bearings, ball joints, steering and springs are in order (which is not likely) these front axles have 0 caster which makes them wander. A newer axle from a Chevy or Dodge will get you some caster and disc brakes. How much lift are you after?
Click to expand...
Sorry I missed you response! How much lift? just a good stance. Enough for 35's. So I am guessing a 4-6 inch lift like my chevy had. But if I get an axle at a yard how much chain reaction will that cause? 4 wheel drive adapters, etc..
 
Ihpartsamerica.com has all the lift kits categorized very well for the year of your truck. Jeff's got it all sorted out and very easy to get it all in one convinent package.
 
What ever you decide on for transmission needs to be a divorced set up so has to be a 2wd transmission.

Honestly get it running and driving with the lift/ tires you want and reassess after you have driven for awhile. Don't put the cart before the donkey.
 
So I chose the 4 inch for the front but noticed the back doesn’t have choices? Is this ok . Here is what I have in the cart.
 

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Scout is Different so im not exactly sure which lift you will need for the rear. Jeff might chime in or give Mike a call at the store.
 
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