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Frank Aldrich

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2018
Posts
2
Reaction score
1
Location
Raleigh, NC
First Name
Frank
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K20 Bonanza
Engine Size
400
Hi, mt name is Frank and My wife and I live in Raleigh, NC. We just bought a 1977 K20 for our horse farm. Does need some work. Chiltons was no help. Has duel gas tanks but will not switch away from drivers side tanks. Half the gauges do not work. Odometer goes backwards. Has the 400 engine and heavy duty 4wd transfer case. Is the camper version and was owned in CA for 39 nears. Will be looking for help on how to work on it and where to get parts. Trying hard to find a good local shop for electrical work. Thanks for letting me join.

Frank
 

1987 GMC Jimmy

Automobile Hoarder
Joined
Jan 23, 2016
Posts
5,848
Reaction score
2,387
Location
Mississippi
First Name
Jesse
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V1500 Jimmy
Engine Size
350
Welcome. The 400/NP205 is a cool combo. You now have access to a bunch of service manuals and wiring diagrams in the Square Body Library so I’d check that out if I were you. Chilton and Haynes are good for some things, but when it comes to certain specifics, they don’t make the cut.
 

animal

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
5,435
Reaction score
3,564
Location
Georgia
First Name
Lee
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
c10 silverado
Engine Size
350ish
:welcome:
 

82sbshortbed

Fuckemall!!
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Posts
14,923
Reaction score
49,508
Location
SE Texas
First Name
Doug
Truck Year
1982, 1984
Truck Model
1500 shortbed, 1500 longbed
Engine Size
454, 305
You now have access to a bunch of service manuals and wiring diagrams in the Square Body Library s


Being a new member myself that's good to know. I didn't know about that. My square needs a lot of electrical work and the diagrams will come in handy where the manual I have won't. Thanks for the info.
 

82sbshortbed

Fuckemall!!
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Posts
14,923
Reaction score
49,508
Location
SE Texas
First Name
Doug
Truck Year
1982, 1984
Truck Model
1500 shortbed, 1500 longbed
Engine Size
454, 305
:welcome: from Texas
 

WFO

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Posts
3,413
Reaction score
4,490
Location
Texas Panhandle
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.
 

1987 GMC Jimmy

Automobile Hoarder
Joined
Jan 23, 2016
Posts
5,848
Reaction score
2,387
Location
Mississippi
First Name
Jesse
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V1500 Jimmy
Engine Size
350
Being a new member myself that's good to know. I didn't know about that. My square needs a lot of electrical work and the diagrams will come in handy where the manual I have won't. Thanks for the info.

Yeah, no problem. It's pretty quick and easy to get the info. I'll just download them, Ctrl+F what I'm looking for, and go from there.
 

1973c10

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Posts
6,376
Reaction score
24,013
Location
Oregon
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
Welcome aboard
 

75gmck25

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2016
Posts
2,038
Reaction score
1,838
Location
Northern Virginia
First Name
Bruce
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
K25 Camper Special TH350 NP203
Engine Size
5.7
Based on the specs I've seen, in 1977 the stock Tcase with an automatic would have been the full-time NP203, and if you have a 400 engine you may have a TH350, not a TH400 (usually reserved for big block engines). However, GM did not always follow its own specs.

If you have an NP203 it should have a shift pattern like the one in this picture. http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/drivetrains.html
The NP203 has kind of a mixed reputation, because the full time 4WD/AWD cut into gas mileage. However, for snow plowing and towing its nice because you are always driving both axles through the differential in the Tcase, and you can just shift in to High-loc to get full 4WD. If yours is an NP203 converted to part-time, the tell-tale sign is usually the addition of switchable locking hubs up front (full-time hubs were standard).

The Camper Special package was usually rated at about 8400 GVW, and you got a large front swaybar, extra wiring for the camper, and a relay in the engine compartment for camper power. The 2nd battery tray was optional, but often added with the camper package. Its a very useful GVW package because you can carry about 1.25 tons in the bed without exceeding the GVW (mine lists max weight as 2640 lbs), and the rear end won't even sag with that weight. You also don't need catalytic converters, and emission equipment on the engine is minimal.

However, if you plan to use that GVW you need to make sure you buy 10 ply rated (load range E) truck tires that can take the weight, not standard light truck tires. Load range E tires are usually a litte more expensive for an equivalent size, but its worth it to keep the load rating. 245/75R16 or 235/85R16 are common sizes of E-rated tires that work well on stock GM 16" steel wheels. If you read their specs carefully to pick the right one, even Walmart carries E-rated truck tires.

Bruce
 
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Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,266
Reaction score
8,743
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
:welcome:
 

Charlie

Mopar by Birth. Chevy by Choice.
Joined
Aug 2, 2017
Posts
1,837
Reaction score
910
Location
Euless, Texas
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Cheyenne 10 LWB
Engine Size
350/TH350/AC/4 BBL Quadrajet
:welcome:
 

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