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I recently found a 61 GMC Suburban with factory 4wd. Can some of you 4wd guys get me up to speed on this rig. It has a 305 V6. What transfer case would this truck have? What front and rear axles and front hubs and what gear ratio is stock. This is a 1/2 ton. Are there any later model axle assemblies that would bolt in and give me a higher gear and 6 lug? My goal is to keep it mostly stock but I will make changes to make it more driver friendly. I appreciate all input.

Sounds like a sweet truck. If it's a 4 speed, it has the SM420 tranny. Divorced Rockwell T221 transfer case...check it for leaks. If you let it leak down it will grenade itself.

Front axle is a D44 with drum brakes. Not sure what the rearend would be, 12 bolt, D44, or the semifloater Eaton. Gears are probably 4.56.

You could get 6 lug axles with disc front brakes from a newer 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup, blazer, or burb, but you might have to move spring perches and shock mounts. 3.08 or 3.42 ratios would work well.

Here is a site that is all about the 60-66 GMC's & the big block v6 engine.

http://www.6066gmcguy.org

You have lots of reading to do, as there is a bunch of great information on that site.



-W

Is it a NAPCO conversion? Not sure if they did conversions in 61? Look on the front axle and see if there is a stamping that has the words NAPCO. If so, don't cut it up! Its worth more stock. I have a 58 Panel with a NAPCO conversion, and a divorced transfer case with a PTO winch. These are cool trucks.

Michael