K20 (3/4 ton 4x4) info needed

[1969k10stepside]

I am thinking about buying a 69 K20.It is a nice truck and I want it(go figure)
What will be different than a k10(1/2 ton)?I know the axles and suspension are different but is everything else the same?Will it have a D60 rear and D44 in the front?Are the driveshafts the same as a K10?I have a spare running gear,tranny,and t case for a 1/2 ton but will it all bolt in the 3/4 ton w/ no modification?

Thanks

[skchevota]

It might have the dana 60 rear or it could have the rockwell bahemath. the front will have the d44, and yes you can bolt in the 1/2 ton drive train however the drive shafts on the k10 use smaller u-joints than the k20, you can swap yokes on either end or run a convertion U- joint.

[JAKES 68GMC]

The rear end will most likely be a Eaton HO52, cause thats usually what Chevys had. GMCs got Dana rears. The front could be either an opened or closed knuckle Dana 44, because 1969 was a transition year. (I don't like the CK, doesn't turn sharp enough) I'm pretty sure the rear d-shaft is same length for 1/2 and 3/4 tons. The engine, tranny and t-case should bolt in fine, but not sure about the axles.

Hope this helps you, Dustin.

[Americanrider]

Originally Posted by JAKES 68GMC

The rear end will most likely be a Eaton HO52, cause thats usually what Chevys had. GMCs got Dana rears. The front could be either an opened or closed knuckle Dana 44, because 1969 was a transition year. (I don't like the CK, doesn't turn sharp enough) I'm pretty sure the rear d-shaft is same length for 1/2 and 3/4 tons. The engine, tranny and t-case should bolt in fine, but not sure about the axles.
Hope this helps you, Dustin.

Correction:
1970 was the transition year, 1969 & below where closed knuckle/drum brake, 1970 was open knuckle & drum brakes, 71 & up are all open knuck/disk brakes.

[breeh]

Originally Posted by Americanrider

Correction:
1970 was the transition year, 1969 & below where closed knuckle/drum brake, 1970 was open knuckle & drum brakes, 71 & up are all open knuck/disk brakes.

Sorry to differ with you on this one but '69 was the transition year. I had an original '69 K20 with open knuckles and drum brakes.

[1969k10stepside]

Well,it will hopefully be in my driveway..dont know yet.I would say it would have a closed knuckle front axle as my half ton does also.I need to look it all over.I guess if I do get it I better dig out my spare t case and tranny and clean them up and get ready to go in.I think it still has the driveshafts and all the related parts just missing the tranny and t case so I shouldnt need anything else.Now getting the heavy sm465/rockwell 221 in it....that will be fun.Stay tuned...I might be showing some pics of it sitting in my yard

[Yukon Jack]

Hope you get it, course I'm a bit partial to 69 K20's!

[1969 GMC]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

Hope you get it, course I'm a bit partial to 69 K20's!

of course for the regrettable fact that it isnt a GMC!

good luck !

[1969k10stepside]

Look what I found under alot of junk in my garage
Still planning on getting the truck.I am digging out everything I need to put it together and cleared a spot for it in my yard

[Bishops Trucks]

You can just ship that trans case and tranny to Virginia for me!

[1969k10stepside]

The shipping of that would kill you and me

[Bishops Trucks]

Dustin,
I know those things are heavy. I bought a setup like that for another truck I had. When I got to the tranny shop and the guys came out to get it off my truck, they had this "Oh Sh!t" look on their faces. I couldn't imagine what it would cost to ship that setup.

[1969k10stepside]

When I pulled them out of the truck they came from I had to remove the engine seperatly because the engine lift wouldnt raise it all up at once.When I need to move it I just pull it around by the shifter.(It stays in one spot unless Im cleaning up a mess).That is alot of weight in a small package there.That will be fun putting in the k20 if I get it.(It has about an 8" lift on it).Shipping would be more than the tranny/t case,and even the motor I bought all put together

[Bishops Trucks]

You might have to remove the cross member and bring it up from the bottom with a engine hoist through the cab. Good Luck! When I get back to the states I need to find a setup like that for my '68. It was a manual originaly and someone swapped in a t.h. 350. I'm kinda partial to shifting gears.

[1969k10stepside]

I like the granny 4 spd too but hate first gear on it when Im driving down the road alotI didnt want that low geared sm465 for a DD so a th350 is gonna go in the 71 swb 4x4 or I would have put this setup in it.Probably would have put a np205 in instead of the rockwell though and sold it because they bring alot of $$$ around here.Spent 2 months looking for a np205 though for the shortbed.....

[msgross]

same setup I have in my 68 K-10, except I have about 2" of crud on it. What was the original color of the tranny and t-case when new? I think i'll pull the engine then go after the drivetrain with the hoist from the top though....

[1969k10stepside]

Update: Didnt buy the truck.Spent the money elsewhere
I believe the original color was a redish brown.I attacked my tranny/t case w/ a pressure washer to get the grease off and get it looking like that.With the body off its very easy to pull motor and tranny.I try to pull the stuff with the body off whenever possible.You probably wont be able to pull it all out at once.My motor had to come out seperate as that setup was too heavy for my heavy duty engine lift

[1969k10stepside]

My 69 1/2 ton 4x4 has closed knuckle drum brakes

[breeh]

There you go! There is the definition of a transition year. Some had closed knuckles and some had open knuckles. I think that a lot more of the '69's had the closed knuckles though.