1995 C/K 1500

Scyry · September 1, 2005

I know I just got rid of my truck, but I am already thinking of what the next truck I want to get is. I want an OBS with a 350 and a 5-Speed. I am trying to sort out all the minor changes that happened in the mid years of the OBS. Correct me if I got any of this wrong please.

1.) 1995 was the last year of a 1/2-ton with a 350 and a 5-speed

2.) 1994 was when the nose was changed

3.) 1995 was when the interior was redone and the first year of the driver air bag

4.) 1996 was when the passanger air bag was added

Basically what I am getting at is 1995 is the only year with the new dash, 5-speed, 350, new nose and an air bag? If so that is what I will be looking for. I know it will be a PITA to find but oh well, especially since I want a regular cab with a step side.

Being that a regular cab, sport side, 4x4, 5-speed, 350 and a 1995 will be a rarer truck. Is it possible to change a fleetside out for a stepside? Or are the frame rails diffent? Also I doubt there is any difference between the trannies in the V-6, 305 and 350 so I could do an engine swap if I find a mint truck that matches everything but the engine.

I know this a lot of questions, but if you can help me with any it be greatly appreciated. I am still atleast 6 months out from even thinking of doing this. This will be my toy to build up and make into what I want.

MS3DALE · September 2, 2005

Your wrong on numbers 1 and 4:

You could get the "L31" 350 Vortec V8 with a 5-spd. (Don't let anyone tell you any different because a few salesmen here at the dealership ordered them for customers,One of which was a brother of one of the techs.that work here,Its a '98 and he still has it.)

And '97 was the first year for the passenger side air bag,I had a '97 so I'm sure on that one too.

The frames are the same from a Fleetside to a Stepside,Same part numbers.

I think the trannies are the same for a V6 or 305/350 but that I'm not 100% sure of.

Scyry · September 2, 2005

Thank MS3, the 350 Vortec with a 5 speed would be fun. I know you could get it with a stick in a 3/4 ton, but didn't think you could in a half ton. My other question would be, would it take much more than dropping a 350 Vortec into a 4.3 or 305 Vortec 1996+ and reprogramming the compter? I am assuming I could need a different fuel pump and other basic goodies.

MS3DALE · September 2, 2005

Can't help you too much on the computer programming but I can tell you that the fuel pumps are the same for a 4.3-V6,305,350 or 454-V8.

OUMike · October 17, 2005

Thank MS3, the 350 Vortec with a 5 speed would be fun. I know you could get it with a stick in a 3/4 ton, but didn't think you could in a half ton. My other question would be, would it take much more than dropping a 350 Vortec into a 4.3 or 305 Vortec 1996+ and reprogramming the compter? I am assuming I could need a different fuel pump and other basic goodies.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you get a TBI (pre 1995) 4.3L and you wanna go to a Vortec (1995-1998) your best bet is to pull the computer from one in a yard somewhere. I was at my bank a while back and there was a dude next to me in a truck identical to mine except white. I could tell it was a 1994 based on front end and dash (new front end, old dash) and he said he'd pulled the motor and computer from a 98' 5.7. The trannies are completely unchanged so there will be issues there. He said just make sure to match the right computer with the right motor. Apparently its a pretty easy swap. I will probably be doing this myself in the near future. I'd like to get a NBS driver, but my ol' 94' is way to clean to not hold on to.

BigE · February 5, 2006

Thank MS3, the 350 Vortec with a 5 speed would be fun. I know you could get it with a stick in a 3/4 ton, but didn't think you could in a half ton. My other question would be, would it take much more than dropping a 350 Vortec into a 4.3 or 305 Vortec 1996+ and reprogramming the compter? I am assuming I could need a different fuel pump and other basic goodies.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you get a TBI (pre 1995) 4.3L and you wanna go to a Vortec (1995-1998) your best bet is to pull the computer from one in a yard somewhere. I was at my bank a while back and there was a dude next to me in a truck identical to mine except white. I could tell it was a 1994 based on front end and dash (new front end, old dash) and he said he'd pulled the motor and computer from a 98' 5.7. The trannies are completely unchanged so there will be issues there. He said just make sure to match the right computer with the right motor. Apparently its a pretty easy swap. I will probably be doing this myself in the near future. I'd like to get a NBS driver, but my ol' 94' is way to clean to not hold on to.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

95 is still TBI!

OUMike · February 6, 2006

Thank MS3, the 350 Vortec with a 5 speed would be fun. I know you could get it with a stick in a 3/4 ton, but didn't think you could in a half ton. My other question would be, would it take much more than dropping a 350 Vortec into a 4.3 or 305 Vortec 1996+ and reprogramming the compter? I am assuming I could need a different fuel pump and other basic goodies.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you get a TBI (pre 1995) 4.3L and you wanna go to a Vortec (1995-1998) your best bet is to pull the computer from one in a yard somewhere. I was at my bank a while back and there was a dude next to me in a truck identical to mine except white. I could tell it was a 1994 based on front end and dash (new front end, old dash) and he said he'd pulled the motor and computer from a 98' 5.7. The trannies are completely unchanged so there will be issues there. He said just make sure to match the right computer with the right motor. Apparently its a pretty easy swap. I will probably be doing this myself in the near future. I'd like to get a NBS driver, but my ol' 94' is way to clean to not hold on to.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

95 is still TBI!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ooh old post. I think I actually meant like...pre Vortec era. I don't remember, because I don't remember what I was thinking over a year ago

silverado3500 · April 3, 2006

Few things. . . Passenger airbag didn't come until 1997. (our 1996 doesn't have one)

as far as the automatics go, anything in a 1500 will have a 4L60E. I think there are different torque converters between the v6 and the v8s. And yes, you could have the 350 with a 5 speed. They weren't the most common, but they were definately available.

ZE5 · April 28, 2006

And '97 was the first year for the passenger side air bag,I had a '97 so I'm sure on that one too.

I think the trannies are the same for a V6 or 305/350 but that I'm not 100% sure of.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've got a 96 and it doesnt have passenger airbags(thank god). If i were to get a specific tranny i would get a New Venture 4500. They are wickedly durable(as long as you use the right oil in them). But my question for others would be can you mate a NV4500 to a small block? I know you can mate them to a big block and the 6.2/6.5 diesel.