What would you do?

[solid66]

this is getting frustrating I just recently traded a lifted 1985 k5 blazer for a 1966 k15 with a 327 and a four speed the trans and steering box is blown out.Since the truck had been sitting for about 5 years I decided to pull the motor and go through it.i was very surprised that the info the previous owner had told me was true(only 800 miles on the rebuild before it was parked !!!!!!).
My question is I also have a complete 1986 k5 blazer that I had gotten for parts for the previously traded rig.It has a 700r4 or a 4L80e trans 373 gears front and rear and all of the brakes(for the power brakes)and all of the steering,but Ive been told that this steering gear box wont work for this truck and the brake booster is not what I need so that being said should I just trade my blazer off for the parts or find a 1965 thru 1972 truck for the parts I need or put this body on a later model truck frame with everything on it already? ???Any help would be great thanks for any input

[del]

The 86 steering box will work, but it needs adapted. Someone makes an adapter kit for the install, but I just made a plate to adapt the box on. If I remember right one hole lined up, then I had to drill the others.

Are the power brakes vacuum, or run off the power steering?

del

[solid66]

thanks for the reply the brakes are vacuum and it looks like I might use the axles from the parts rig also for the disc fronts and they have 4.10 gears in them not the 3.73s that I had been told they had.With the brakes being vacuum do you see any problems I might run into?
Again thanks for the reply I drive truck around here and will take me a bit to get back to read any posts.

[del]

Using the newer axles has its advantages, parts availability is the big one. Welding on new perches is the tough part, no big deal if you have access to a welder. Now the vacuum booster takes more room, not a problem just different than the hydro boost. Maybe somebody will chime in who has done this conversion, I need to do something similar to my 66. I think I gave up on the vacuum because it was too close to the valve cover (454), and that is why I am considering the hydro boost. Yes my truck is slowly getting worked on and by no means done, or road worthy.

del

[solid66]

thanks del sorry its taken so long to get back I appreciate the feed back, is the hydro boost more expensive and more of a pain to deal with since I am running a small block, or do you think I should just stay with the vacuum boost or change to hydro and I will be running a lot more tire around 38" this truck will not be off road after I get done painting it so I'm not worried about breaking axles but they will still have new after market shafts I just haven't chosen which ones yet,and while on the road a friend of mine is working on trussing the axle housings.
My trucks progress is also slow but with winter coming I'm going to get more time to wrench on it.any way thanks again.

[del]

If you own the vacuum booster, and it fits, use it. Many of the eighties blazers originally were diesel and came out with hydro boost. Now as far as which one works better, they are designed to work on similar vehicles, just one works with out vacuum (might be good for a big cam). Big tyres will change brake perfomance, and the after market should have bigger brakes, or switch to 1 ton axles for their bigger brakes.

del

[solid66]

Ive been looking into using a bear 17" 6 piston caliper set up and converting the rear to disc but if I changed to the dodge 1 ton or 3/4 ton they are already disc in the rear and are heavy enough brakes for what I need hows your truck coming along thanks again

[dpeers]

I used everything from an 85 chevy truck, no problems.
i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt144/DPEERS/60%20truck/100_0889.jpg