seeking 4x4 advice...

[phuloi68]

After a cold winter obtaining and cleaning parts, I am about to start putting all the pieces together to make a truck. I have a 81 longbed 4by frame, a new Mr Goodwrench 350 crate motor, front and rear axles and a 203 transfer case from a 79, front and rear axles from an 85, and front and rear axles and a 205 transfer case from an 81. this is all 1/2 ton, and will be hooked to a 350 automatic.
The advice I am seeking is what would be the best combination to put together?
I will be doing limited snow plowing for my drive and a couple of others, I will be pulling a 7x16 cargo trailer sometimes and some highway driving.
I don't know what ratio's any of the axles are.
My tentitive plan is to use the 81 front axle, the 205 t/c and the rear axle from the 85(because it is about 1 year old).
Any input would be appreciated.

[Pelican]

I'm not up on GM parts, but you will have to determine if the gear ratios are the same in the axles you wish use. It's easy to check, make a mark on the disc or drum and rotate so the mark is on top. Next on top of the yoke, make a hash mark that extends to the housing where the pinion enters. Now rotate the disc or drum 1 full revolution and count the number of times the yoke rotates. Just over 4 times would be 4.10, 3 3/4 times would be 3.73, etc.

[Big Nate's Plowing]

to be honest I would scrounge around some local junkyards and try and find a 14 bolt SRW rear end w/¾ton springs that axle has some HUGE brakes on it 13½"x3½" shoes-drum and a dana 50-60 for the front, again huge brakes and some beef. take it to the local truck shop and they can look it over and give it a higher gvwr, either 8600 or 11,500# then you basically have a light duty 3/4 to or 1 ton

[wyldman]

I'd use the 81 rearend,as it would be a 12 bolt (the last year for them),over the 85 rear (just a 10 bolt).

I like the NP203 TC's better,but if your doing a lot of highway driving the NP205 would be better for mileage and longetivity.

Like the others have said,it's important the gear ratio's are the same front to rear.

[phuloi68]

thanks for passing on the information about my request