New here helping out a buddy...

[CanTheWhales]

Hey, so I've been on Pirate for a while, but I tend to stay mostly unnoticed in the Toyota forum so I know how new guys get flamed and I'm ready, but I've got some quick simple questions. Recently, my buddy acquired an old, tired 1989 1500 4x4 with a automatic and 305 with about 207xxx on the clock. He's looking into building a 454 to drop in but somebody told him a big block won't fit because the motor is offset to line-up with the transfer case. Also when looking at lift's a lot of kits said something about upgrading the idler arms from 2-bolt to 3-bolt. Does this stuff make sense and does anyone have any personal experience with either of these issues. Also how well will the IFS system hold up to 35's and a BBC? Thanks in advance for you help...

[trkklr77]

i wouldnt be surprized if the motor was offset in th eframe, that has nothing to do withthe motor type or size. a bbc is going have the offset centerline as a sbc. you may have some fun getting around the tcase and such depending on how you setup the exhaust, reguardless gm use bbc in the ifs trucks from 88+.

the strength issue depends on how well the motor is built but i wouldnt count on it lasting forever.

[GMCTruxrule]

Try it. If the IFS breaks, and it probably will eventually, replace with solid axle.

[krmn88]

I have a 96 1500 4x4 toned with older bbc (early 80's).. It fits and yes it is offset which means you can not run long tube headers and you must run stock style starter. I run patriot block hugger headers (stock manifolds also work it took me 3 sets of block hugger/ close quarter headers to finally fine one to work with a little grinder on motor mount action). IFS sucks but it can be down if you take care of your truck service hubs, balljoints and tierods often . No fourwheel drive launches, any sort of front end hop, the obvious abuse must of us here put our trucks through.

35's and ifs w/ bbc i would say is the limit. I had a 6" procomp for a while and I do not remember ever upgrading the idler arm. If I were to start over I would have never have wasted my money on the ifs lift kit. I would do 33's and 3"-4" lift to save the ifs some troubles.

Good luck!

[CanTheWhales]

Wow, thanks a lot for all the positive (and very helpful) responces. It looks like what he wants to do will work if it's taken care of. The truck is intended for hauling a 4-wheeler in the bed and pulling a 17' car trailer to the drag strip so, the SFA would be unneccesary really anyways. Thanks again for the help. Are there any other issues We should watch out/look for concerning these trucks?

[trkklr77]

its a half ton so figure on exploding the rear axle soon.

[GMCTruxrule]

Find a 6 lug semi floater 14 bolt for the rear.

Be good to go then if that is all the more brutal you are going to get with it.

[krmn88]

Agree, with a 454 and a 10 bolt and 35's the 10 bolt will be running on borrowed time. You can even run a ff 14 bolt (you will have a rear 8 lug axle though) with 1410 u joints and a slip yoke out of a 3/4 ton cummins for the 1410 u joint at the transfer case it will all bolt up and slip in like it was meant to be there.

good luck!

[HAPPYJOHN]

Try it. If the IFS breaks, and it will eventually, replace with solid axle.

Fixed it for ya! :D