'76-'78 have smaller birfs and knuckles than the minitruck stuff, but the mini parts will swap right over, the inner part of the C just needs a little grinding for the birf.
The disc brakes on the front are better than the mini stuff.
The front axle will be slightly narrower than your current rear axle. The rear axle, in addition to being offset, is a similar width to the pre-'86 minitruck axles.
Depending on the year, you might have 3.73 gears. If you've got 4.10's, then you probably have (But not necessarily) a 10-spline pinion, which can break when subjected to stupidity. Up front, a coarse spline pinion (no matter what people say) is PLENTY strong.
The third members with a coarse pinion are approx. the same overall strength as the 8", BUT.. put a fine spline in there, and it's MUCH stronger. The axle shafts are the same 1.31" 30-spline as the pickups, but the rear shafts have a funky neck-down that causes problems, along with c-clips. Oh, and the rear wheel bearings SUCK!
Define "sweet deal", and I might be able to give you a more definite "go for it" or "pass on it" opinion.
All you really need is a '85 front axle from a minitruck, and a V6 third member for the rear, and it'll be pretty strong for what I'm guessing you're gonna run it.
