New to the site, I have a chance to buy three 68' 2500 4x4. I am looking for some drivetrain info, are the rear axles Dana 60's or are they 14b, what manual tranny was offered and what T-case. It's a bit of a drive to go see them so I am hoping to get as much info as I can before the drive. thanks
D60 in the rear, maybe, but not likely. Ever heard of an H052? D44 closed knuckle with drum brakes in the front. Trans...in a 68 more than likely an SM420 with a rockwell 221 t-case. This info is based on the fact that nothing has been done to the trucks in the last 40+ years
i would think a sm 420 for the trans. god knows what for the t case. maby a 205? probably an eaton rear axle if its stock, maby anything else. remember its an old as heck truck and people have always been swapping stuff on these. for stuff that old usually if your buying it for its body not the drive train. remember that drive train is OLD and in need of refreshing at best and worn/broken at worst.
i agree with gwizz. pretty much plan on buying it for the body and frame only, as the closed knuckle d-44's are fairly un-desirable. so really check the body, especially at the base of the fenders nearest the cab, the body mounts for the cab to the body. dont be afraid to prod it with a scredriver, find the rusted out stuff, if its not a complete waste then repair panels can be had from LMC truck for most areas on that truck. as far as the rest of the drivetrain goes, get familiar with what different trans and transfers look like. if it's a stickshift im thinking it will be equipped with a sm420 and 203 transfer, which is desirable if you plan on doing any kind of doubler setup later, and if not the transfer adapter and input gear are worth some $ by themselves.
Thanks for the pointers, not sure if i'll take the truck unless its in really good shape (I love the 2nd gen body) I'm planing for a 14bff in the rear and a sm465tranny with np205 "t" case. This is going to be a project so all drive train will be stripped and resealed at the very least.
68 chev 3/4 4x4 is sitting in my driveway right now. It was all stock when I bought it.
307 small block
D44 closed knuckle drum brake front.
Eaton rear
Rockwell 221 transfer case
SM 465 trans
Yes Rockwell transfer cases did come behing the 465. I have 2 of them. The setup that is in the 68 and one out of a 69.
I just bought this one tonight from woodland ca
1968 K20 light duty? 6 lug?
44 front open knuckle disc brakes
12 bolt POS!
I believe sm465 mated to t221
sbc 350 with 2 barrel
Thru 68 also had wider springs and a flat frame rail where the steering box mounts. Check and decode the vin to see what the cab is, but if it's pieced together the cab and frame may not be from the same year, so check the spring mounts and steering box mount to see 68/earlier or 69/later.
And if you keep the clip and throw bigger axles in it put K20 on the fender, from here it looks like it says C20 which is 2WD.
Have fun, I love playing with my 68 K20 "Dakota Cadillac" Cummins Burb.
There must be a split somewhere in 68 then. I have a 68, 69, & 72. the frame and cab VIN's match on all 3. The 68 is a 3/4 ton the 69 & 72 are 1/2 ton. The area around the steering box is identical on all 3. The width of the front springs are the same on all 3. The 68 and 72 both have the same Rough country 4" lift on them. The only difference was the rear U bolts. One required the round style the other was square.
If you get the 205 adapter I think you can bolt in a 205.
These are just my trucks. GM used quite a few different combinations so verify what you have before buying parts.
At least you know what you're working with now. But a word of warning is lifts that fit 69 up won't fit the 68 frame.
DIY4x sells a heavy washer that will take us the extra space so you can run the later, narrow springs if you're looking to lift it any. If not, a 52 swap from them will narrow the mounts for the front or cheaper is to swap the later model stuff on and use bolts instead of stock rivets.
Good luck, and throw some torque under the hood, it only took me 24 ft of tube to mount my Cummins combo.
That thing looks exceptionally clean and straight, compared to Alaskan junk. Not only that, but most people would ask double that here for a rusted out piece of shit.
i only paid 500 for my truck... but it needs EVERYTHING....
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