Kevin's 1977 Chevy Silverado Big Block 454 w/ TH400 trans

This is the truck I've been working on for about three years. The frame and axles are from a 1985 GMC Sierra 3/4 ton 4x4 with a 350 engine and a TH400 transmission. My grandpa purchased a 1977 Chevy Silverado Camper Special brand new back in 1977. That truck had a 454 big block engine and a TH400 transmission in it. My goal is to make the '85 GMC look like a 4x4 version of my grandpa's truck -- with a plethora other modifications/ customizations. I have pictures of the project posted on webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/keevo429

I recently posted this same video on a different website that doesn't destroy the quality of the file. Check it out here: http://www.vimeo.com/1770778

This video was taken 8/20/08, two days before I left for Clarkson University.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• chevy
• 454
• big
• block
• 1977
• silverado
• restoration
• powdercoat
• 7.4liter
• restore
• rebuild
• truck
• 4x4

[monsterchevy1975]

What transfer case do you have on it? I'm puttin a big block 454 in my truck with a 400 turbo transmission. My truck now has a small block 350 with a 350 turbo transmission, and an NP203 transfer case, but the 400 turbo is 3 inches longer than the 350 turbo, I'm trying to do some research and so far I found out that I might have to get an adapter to make the 400 turbo fit on the NP203 transfer case and I also might have to move the tranfer case crossmember back about 3 inches.

[keevo429]

@monsterchevy1975 I'm using the NP 208 transfer case that came with the 1985 GMC. It was mated to a TH400 transmission in the '85. If you read the description, you'll notice that I'm making the 1985 GMC look like a '77 Chevy that my grandpa bought new in '77. The '77 had the 454, TH400 transmission, but was only rear wheel drive. I wanted to use the older transmission because it was in better condition with fewer miles. Simple transmission swap right? No.

[keevo429]

@monsterchevy1975 The '77 transmission had a longer tail-shaft because it was in a 2wd truck. I took both transmissions apart to take the short tail-shaft out of the '85 transmission and put it into the '77 transmission so that it would mate with the NP 208 transfer case.

[keevo429]

@monsterchevy1975 The NP 203 is a full time all wheel drive transfer case, and from what i understand, not as strong as the NP 208 and definitely not as strong as the NP 205. You might be better off going to a junk yard and finding a vehicle similar to yours with a TH400 (if it was an option for your truck) and getting a transfer case that's not an NP 203 so you won't have to buy an adapter. Good Luck.

[thugstylef]

hey which transmission would you say is better the 700r4 or the th400

[keevo429]

@thugstylef I've only ever had a TH400. I don't know anything about the 700r4 other than it has overdrive. I think that'd be a nice thing to have for increasing fuel mileage a bit. In my research though, the TH400 is a very strong transmission and is frequently used in heavy-duty / high performance applications.

[Mr85chevyk20]

were is the truck ?

[cgrobe21]

That. Is. One. Big. Ass. Engine. Test. Stand!

[turtlezed]

N-I-I-I-I-I-C-E  TEERUCK.

[fatharmonix]

thank you for painting the chassis up so plain simple perty :D



[KyleMullins20]

I just got a boner

[fizzphoenix]

Wow nice.

[triniboy2007]

WHEN DO WE SEE THE FINISHED PRODUCT!!!

[McLarenMercedes1995]

@monsterchevy1975 the cast iron np203 is stronger than than the aluminum np208. a np 203 will fit a turbo 400 both my k30s have thurbo 400's mated to np203's

[utoobdude67]

@keevo429 By far, the Th400 is much stronger than the 700r4. The 700r4 has the advantage of a lower first gear and have an OD, but what good do gear ratios do you if you break the transmissions all the time? Even a Th350 is more likely to tolerate more abuse than a 700r4. There are some good transmission discussions at gmsquarebody com. There is a guy there that builds Th350, th400's and 700r4's for offroading squarebody trucks.

[rollinwillingham]

i think he likes red ..........lol