C20 to Cherokee compatability

[sean]

I can't stand to see good things go to waste. A buddy has a 72' C20 4x4 w/ front end damage. It would be to much to recover so it's just a pile of parts. So how much could be strapped to my 83' Cherokee. I think I have a NP208, T5 and 258. I currently have N/T Dana 44 up front w/ AMC 20 in the rear. The PO installed a 4" lift with new front springs under but I'm not sure what happened in the rear. I'm over and on blocks. I have never had another FSJ and don't know what the original springs look like but in the haynes manual the last spring lies flat and appears to be on blocks as well? Mine doesn't have a flat spring and the block looks about the same height. Considering just about everything on my FSJ needs rebuilt it would be cool to rebuild the wider axles. I know about driver and passenger side drop being an issue. Would the T-case swap over to make it work? Steering? Thanks.

[waggin'ear]

C20? K20? J20 (wouldn't be in 72' though)?

C20 and K20 are chevy 3/4 tons , 2WD and 4WD respectively.

in 72 the J trucks still had the 2000, 3000, 4000 badges i'm pretty sure.

You probably need more info to get good answers

[sean]

I,m talking about a 1972 3/4 ton 4x4 Chevy. So that's K20, sorry.

[waggin'ear]

The rear end might be an eaton which is a very strong axle. some came from the factory with a detroit no spin locker. It looks like a giant ford 9" with a dropout center section. You would probably have to relocate the perches to fit. I think that an eaton would be cool.

The front is probably a dana 44 and i think that some years the chevy's used smaller U-joints (like dana 30 size) so that would be something to watch out for.

Auto or manual ?

should have either a 205 or 203 transfer.

Not much is gonna bolt in though.

[sean]

I think it's automatic. I havn't seen it for awhile. I just thought I'd ask because my running gear is acting pretty tired, and there's all this cool junk just rotting.

[mdill]

I don't think the locker was avalible with the
Eaton rear, my dad tried to get locking rear when
he ordered what is now my 72 K20 Burb , it has the
Eaton rear, but I have the doc from his coespondance
with the sales guy, and he was unable to order the
locker in the K20 burb. (I would think but don't
know for fact that pickups would have had the same
limitation)

[waggin'ear]

A detroit no-spin was definitely an option in the eaton.

I don't know for sure if it was available in 72 though.

Rumor has it that you can also use a detroit for a 14 bolt if you swap to the 14 bolt shafts. the 14 bolt shafts need to be machined down.

[ February 04, 2004, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: waggin'ear ]

[mdill]

I wopnder if it was factory option in other
years, or just after market ?

Mike D.

[waggin'ear]

It was definitely a factory option.

Detroit doesn't make them anymore so getting one now is a PITA.

People are selling them used of the chevy board on a regular basis:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/

Usually they sell the entire third member.