First Post from a Chevy Noob! What parts do I want?

[16VWer]

Guys,

First great forum and I'm hoping you can help me a little bit, even though it is a bit out of the Sy/Ty realm.

I've always been a fan on the Sy/Ty's, but they are a little out of my price range and I'd feel bad driving the a rare truck almost daily, plus I want to be able to pull a few VW's around town on a tow dolly and I don't think the Sy's are setup for that.

So here's what I'm thinking in my head, but need to be guided on what will work and what will not work. I've owned 2 Chevy’s in my life, one was a beat s-10 that I drove for a winter and sold for 500 bucks more then I paid for it and one was a Nova, so go easy on me.

Game Plan:
2nd gen S-10 (I hope that's not the red headed stepchild on this forum) extended cab, maybe crew cab.
AWD
Prefer Automatic, but not required if there isn't an auto out there that will not explode
A little bit lower then stock, but not slammed
Some more motivation under the hood in either the form of a 3.8T, 4.3T or a 350 (easiest and cheapest I assume)

The questions I need help with from you guy's is the AWD setup. What's my best bet? I assume the 2nd gen Bravada stuff bolts right in, but is the first gen stuff the same or different? I'm just thinking finding first gen parts will be cheaper and easier. Somebody mentioned Astro van AWD parts. Are they the same as the Bravada parts? My understanding is the bell housing is all the same for V6 vs. V8, is it the same if I buy a 4 banger truck? Is it easier if I start with a 4X4 or a 2wd truck (i.e. different gas tank, exhaust, frame mounts)?

Thanks for all the advice in advance,
Ryan

 

[George Blake]

Re: First Post from a Chevy Noob! What parts do I want?

350 is MUCH cheaper. Normally aspirated or SC.
If you want AWD, the Borg Warner 4472 is great. No computer controls and very tough.
If you want to beat it like a red headed stepchild, 4L80e.
If you are just gonna cruise, 700r4.
Start with a 4.3 liter 4x4 setup. That way everything is intact. Front diff, drive axles, etc. On the 350 and how to get it in, look up JTR (Jags that run). They are the BEST as far as what all is needed to get a 350 into an s-10.
You really needed to post this in the "conversions" forum. This one is better for drivetrain specific stuff. We'll cut you some slack though with "1" post to your name

 

[turbodig]

Re: First Post from a Chevy Noob! What parts do I want?

Guys,

First great forum and I'm hoping you can help me a little bit, even though it is a bit out of the Sy/Ty realm.

I've always been a fan on the Sy/Ty's, but they are a little out of my price range

Not right now... check the classifieds.

Really, you'll spend more on a conversion than what you can get one for right now.

 

[16VWer]

Re: First Post from a Chevy Noob! What parts do I want?

Thanks for the replies, the main reasons I want to build one vs buy one. I want the extended cab, I like the 2nd gen better then the 1st gen and I want to drive the thing in winter and not feel like I'm destroying a rare truck. Oh and I forgot to mention I have access to the insurance auto auctions, so buying wrecked trucks for parts is fairly easy for me. By the way there isn't a single wrecked Sy/Ty that I could find on the auction block right now in the country.

Is the front axle assembly the same for 4wd and AWD? Is just the transfer case different to adjust power to font and rear? What is the split for AWD? I'm guessing 70/30 or somthing close to that.

 

[George Blake]

Re: First Post from a Chevy Noob! What parts do I want?

Thanks for the replies, the main reasons I want to build one vs buy one. I want the extended cab, I like the 2nd gen better then the 1st gen and I want to drive the thing in winter and not feel like I'm destroying a rare truck. Oh and I forgot to mention I have access to the insurance auto auctions, so buying wrecked trucks for parts is fairly easy for me. By the way there isn't a single wrecked Sy/Ty that I could find on the auction block right now in the country.

Is the front axle assembly the same for 4wd and AWD? Is just the transfer case different to adjust power to font and rear? What is the split for AWD? I'm guessing 70/30 or somthing close to that.

Differential is the same. Driver's side is the same. Passenger side is different. Don't worry about that though. Use any Bravada transfer case you can find. Preferred transfer case has a 32 spline output shaft.
350 NA then follow up with a supercharger will make a "staged" build that you may be able to better afford. AWD rocks.

 

['JustDreamin']

Re: First Post from a Chevy Noob! What parts do I want?

Use any Bravada transfer case you can find. Preferred transfer case has a 32 spline output shaft.

You need to be looking for a '96 and older Bravada tcase (which is the BW4472). The '97 and later ones use an active on demand (computer controlled tcase) which will require a whole bunch more work, unless you buy a Bravada with it already installed. The later model tcase is a NV136, btw.

'JustDreamin'

 

[SY2455]

Re: First Post from a Chevy Noob! What parts do I want?

Well most of the stuff is cover already, Just make sure you pay attention to what George said about the trans. So welcome, where are you located?