Just thought I'd make a few posts and centralize my questions for this truck since I'm doing so much to it. I got it and 7 days later the 9" locked up, and since then (17 days ago) it's been sitting on blocks slowly getting worked on.
Being 3.73 gears I couldn't find any good diffs immediately, so I got the 3.55 carrier out of my dads 66 f100 parts truck, and when I was ready to put it in the truck, I noticed there was no fill hole on the diff. This is where I stopped on the 9" about 10 days ago. I'm. Swapping a 14bolt or Dana 70 In the rear and 8lug jeep Dana 44 knuckles onto my front to make it match. Well the 360 is wore out, the t/case is wore out, and the c6 keeps constantly overheating, so I'm swapping the fresher 400 from my 77 highboy in and I mated a Dana 21 case to the np435, as I already sold the 205(wish I didn't). I'm cleaning up and painting everything before I put it in, I plan to run my current Holley projection. carboonthe 400 also. This is about where I'm at right now, gonna hopefully finish up the painting this week.

 

Here's some pics I meant to put on the other post but this app on my phone won't let me...

Here's the difference in a 4x4(Dana 21) and a 2wd yoke.

 

What is your lift and tire size? I'm weighing my options right now. Thanks.

 

Is the current pic it's a 6" lift(so I was told PO did it but I can ask him as were in contact) and the tires are 35x15.50x15s. Tires and wheels aren't mine and they aren't balanced one bit so they ride like crap ATM, can't even dream how rough 70+ would be.

 

I really need to stop opening threads with pics of attractive dents. Almost makes me want to sell of the '81 and get me another one.

 

It's just awesome to know somebody openly just said that about my truck lol. Right now it's sitting on blocks due to the... "Axle modifications", but I did paint the engine and get the accessories back on it today. I'm not going to use the alternator or PS pump that was on the 400, rather I'm going to swap on the alt and PS pump from the 360.
VHT, 2 coats

I was gonna use these ground hawgs as "weekend warrior" tires as they are not road worthy and I noticed 2 of them leak at the bead when filling them up with air today...

and last pic. My friend did this on his 79 short bed (but with pink on the antenna) and he said I should do it, so I did but with white, I think it came out good.