Hello all!
Well I’m considering buying my first 4x4 lifted truck project. I have always wanted one but somehow found myself with muscle cars and vintage drag cars.
I found a 79 Chevy shortbed, 454, auto with what seems to be a really professional lift job. The only downside is that the transfer case it out, and I mean out as in laying in the bed of the truck. They guy swears it was a great running truck before the t-case went out. I have some questions as a newbie!

1) What are some of the things I should watch out for as a new 4x4 buyer? I know quite a bit about cars but I’ve never messed with a 4x4 before.
2) What transfer case is in this and how do I identify a replacement?
3) What is a fair price for a good working transfer case?

Here are a couple of pictures. It’s in the North Dallas area so if anyone might recognize it, I would be grateful for some input.
Thanks

J



http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t131/KrashakaMick/bigtruck003.jpg


http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t131/KrashakaMick/bigtruck004.jpg


http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t131/KrashakaMick/bigtruck006.jpg

The case is a 205. Not sure what they cost there but should be able to find one for $100-250, just depends. Should be able to rebuild that one, there real strong, and theres lots of support out there for that case.

The truck should be worth a couple grand, but it looks to be on a dealer lot so I can only guess what the want for a lifted, bright colored 4x4 in Dallas, with a Big Block.

Its proally seen some abuse if someone tore up that T-case with a big block and those tires. Really had to tell with out being able to drive it.

Offer them a parts truck price for it.

Looks like they put a 14bff in the rear and a d44? up front. Someone has done some work to that thing.

Body looks good from those pics but be weary of covered up rust. Look at the rocker panels closely, and around the front windshield gasket too.

Yeah that's a np205 transfer case, they are pretty hard to break but it is possible with a 454 and some abuse. They are pretty easy to find, rebuild, replace and shouldn't cost more than a couple hundred.

What transmission is in it?

How much are they asking for the truck?

Thanks for the replies.
Yes it's on a car lot and they are asking 3000.00 I offered 2000 but of couse they passed. I have a few pics of the underside and the axles. It looks pretty solid. Not sure if the trans is a TH 400 or a 700R. I'm gonna go back on Saturday and see if it will start and take a closer look at this thing. At first glance it looked pretty solid. I will post a few more pics as soon as I load then to photobucket.

J

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t131/KrashakaMick/bigtruck007.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t131/KrashakaMick/bigtruck008.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t131/KrashakaMick/bigtruck026.jpg

It also looks like the cab roll cage was done pretty well.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t131/KrashakaMick/bigtruck018.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t131/KrashakaMick/bigtruck016.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t131/KrashakaMick/bigtruck015.jpg

holy bald tires batman!

that truck looks a bit rough for $3K, and not being able to verify function
of axles & brakes just makes it worse. I wouldn't go over "parts" truck price
either. I don't know what the market for these trucks is like where you are,
but you'd be hard pressed to get over $1500.00 in NorCal....

that truck looks a bit rough for $3K, and not being able to verify function
of axles & brakes just makes it worse. I wouldn't go over "parts" truck price
either. I don't know what the market for these trucks is like where you are,
but you'd be hard pressed to get over $1500.00 in NorCal....

I don't think there is much of a market for these here in Dallas. What would something like this go for if it was on the road and everything working?
I've checked Ebay and it seems like there are quite a few nice lifted 4x4 trucks not meeting reserve, or not getting bid on at all.

J

that is a th350 205 so i would assume it has the 350 trans.


look like a truck i would own. i sure wouldnt pay 3k for it, but i am cheap and like to do my own work.

trucks like this are very unstabil in price. some thing like the 205 be pulled out for me turns it into a $500 truck, you have no idea how many other things could be wrong with it because you cant drive it.

a complete, drivable truck is worth more for the simple fact that you can test it and confirm that its in a position you can work with.

I sold a 3/4 ton here in TN a few months back for $500. It was a running driving truck, had miss-matched gears front/rear. But , I would put that in the same category as no T-case. It didnt have nice paint like that, but it gives you an idea how far they are off on there price.

I'm surprised they didnt jump all over 2K.

I sold a 3/4 ton here in TN a few months back for $500. It was a running driving truck, had miss-matched gears front/rear. But , I would put that in the same category as no T-case. It didnt have nice paint like that, but it gives you an idea how far they are off on there price.

I'm surprised they didnt jump all over 2K.

Yeah I was kinda surprised myself that they didn't take 2K.
Now I'm kinda glad they didn't!!

The trans is probably a TH350. Maybe the adapter broke, that is pretty common. Check the frame for cracks where the steering box bolts on. Take a pic of the trans from under the truck and post it. Point out all the work the truck needs to run and offer the guy $2000 again. I like the color.

If you can start the engine and hear it run, thats step 1.

Step: 2

Axles are probably ok, at least the rear axle. They are hard to break.

Junkyard parts for trannys and t cases are relatively cheap.

Check for rust: Step 3.

Look at the rockers under the doors. The floorboards from the pedals back to the seats. The cab corners.

These are the huge rust areas on this truck and some are worse than others.

I paid $4000 for mine, which probably was too much. I would just be careful.

I found a guy that was friends with the original builder (gotta love google!) and he told me that the 454 had a flat cam when he sold it, and that the tranny is shot as well. He told me what trans it was, but I forgot....all I remember is that it was a dumptruck application transmission. Oh, and that the T-case was shot, but I already knew that.

sounds like they have a $800 truck if the body is in great shape. iwouldn't put over $800 in it regardless not being able to drive it.

i dont know how you wreck a 205 with a auto trans.

in one of the pics you can just barely see the rear flange of the trans and it looks like a th350 to me, and that is not a "dump truck" trans. it allways could have been swaped after dude originaly built it.

bad trans, bad motor, missing trans parts, never saw the drive shafts, bad tcase. looks like a solid truck, its balanced well with tires and height, looks clean and straigh and i like the color, cage work looks nice and sturdy.

i would drop a few hundred bucks for a good starter truck.

that 14 bolt they swapped in may have different gears!

The trans is probably a TH350. Maybe the adapter broke, that is pretty common. Check the frame for cracks where the steering box bolts on. Take a pic of the trans from under the truck and post it. Point out all the work the truck needs to run and offer the guy $2000 again. I like the color.

point out all the work it needs & offer ONE thousand.
it's pretty, got a cage, but in Cali, without being able to drive
(and smog certify ) it could only be sold as "parts".

It's got potential, but it'll be a money pit for a while.....

i wouldnt even go that high.

Giant lift blocks as well.

Yeah, but you're even tighter than me. No small feat, 'cuz I'm a cheap-ass..:D

For 2 to 3 grand in the Dallas Area you should be able to find a descent early bronco, intl scout, or jeep.. They wont be perfect but neither is the one your looking at, and they will have much more long term potential.. Keep looking

i dont know how you wreck a 205 with a auto trans.

in one of the pics you can just barely see the rear flange of the trans and it looks like a th350 to me, and that is not a "dump truck" trans. it allways could have been swaped after dude originaly built it.

bad trans, bad motor, missing trans parts, never saw the drive shafts, bad tcase. looks like a solid truck, its balanced well with tires and height, looks clean and straigh and i like the color, cage work looks nice and sturdy.

i would drop a few hundred bucks for a good starter truck.

Add push/pull steering to the list and it appears that the cage is welded to the floor.

You also have all the wires laying around all over the place. That alone looks like trouble.

You can do much better for $2000.00. I would look for something with fuel injection that runs and drives.

Good luck,
Chuck