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Old 10-03-2007, 04:55 AM   #1
1974ChevyC10
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Turning a C-20 into a K-20

ok my dad has 73 2wd 3/4 ton which has been sitting for the last 5 years.i would like to buy it from him and turn it into a K-20.truck originally came with a 454 and TH400 and if i recall its a cheyenne super so its pretty well loaded well as loaded as you'll get for 73 anyway.truck currently has no motor or trans.my plans are to add a front axle,4 inches of lift,33 or 35 inch tires,unsure on the motor but ill add a 700r4 for better driveability,not sure which tcase to use and the rest will be determined later.so my questions are what would be a good gm front axle to use,which would be the best tcase behind an auto trans,what other situations will i come across in turning a C-20into a K-20.
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The Beast-1978 C10 LWB

Red-1978 C10 LWB

(Uncle Mike)Michael Henry Millett 11/5/1957 to 03/08/2012
Gone but will never be forgotten-RIP

(Uncle Chuck)Charles Manning Gulbronsen Sr 1956-2012
Taken from us to soon but you will live on in our hearts-RIP
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Old 10-03-2007, 06:29 AM   #2
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

Best transfr case is a NP205 best axles would be Dana 60 front and 14blt rear.
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Old 10-03-2007, 10:50 AM   #3
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

Yup, get a 1Ton donor 4x4 and swap it in.
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Old 10-03-2007, 09:48 PM   #4
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

If you are Intent on Doing this, I feel best Route would be to Find a Donar Frame & Swap Body Over.

Much Easier than trying to add Axle's to your 2x4 Frame...........

Good Luck, Rick
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Old 10-04-2007, 01:06 AM   #5
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

I think adding 4wd axles to the 2wd frame is easier then swaping bodys unless you are planing on doing a frame off resto any way.
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Old 10-04-2007, 10:18 PM   #6
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

For the rear I used spring hangers from a 4x4 truck also because the 2wd ones were a lot shorter. I kept the 2wd leaf springs and did a shackle reversal on the rear and used a 4" lift block. My friend has a 1981 3/4 ton with a 10" lift and 36's and my truck sits about 1 1/2" taller than his. Here are some links to some pics.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/100_0456.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/100_0453.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/100_0536.jpg

I will try to find some pics of the front set up for ya.
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Old 10-04-2007, 10:09 PM   #7
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

I converted a 1976 C30 from 2wd to 4wd and it was really simple. I took a 4" square tube 1/4" wall, measured and placed the spring hangers where a 4x4 trucks are. Then I did some measuring to find the axle center line and drilled a 5/8 hole in my tube and it so happened that there was already a hole in the frame so I bolted it down. Then I welded it to the frame to ensure it wasn't going anywhere. I did some more measuring and cut a hole in the rear part of the frame below the firewall for a 4x4 shackle. I went to my buddy's junk yard and got the cast shackle mount from a full time rusted out turd. I then made sure it was square and drilled four more holes and bolted it on using grade 8 bolts. I made the shackles from 1"x5/16" flat stock. I didn't make the shackles until I had the leaf springs on and the axle under it so I could get the truck level. I used 6" lift springs and with the 4" tube it is 10" of lift. I used a 4wd steering box and the rest is pretty easy from there. Oh one more thing, I did use the engine crossmember from the K20 as well because you will get rid of the 2wd one.
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Old 10-05-2007, 03:25 PM   #8
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

do a serch ob b-52 or diy4x and they make every thing to do the convertion
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Old 10-08-2007, 11:11 AM   #9
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

Quote:
Originally Posted by earl87gta View Post
do a serch ob b-52 or diy4x and they make every thing to do the convertion
Yep. This is what I did on my 71 C30.

www.diy4x.com

I used the Beyond B52's kit for a first gen.

Uses a rear spring in the front for 4" of lift and a very nice ride.
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Old 10-08-2007, 03:12 PM   #10
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

I think Im going to copy your Idea grendel but Im going to shorten the 1ton frame to work with my burb.
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Old 10-08-2007, 10:35 PM   #11
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

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Originally Posted by earl87gta View Post
I think Im going to copy your Idea grendel but Im going to shorten the 1ton frame to work with my burb.
That works, I am using a 1 ton frame on my C/k30 conversion.
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Old 10-09-2007, 01:15 AM   #12
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

Im going that route in case I do get a 6bt to put in the burb. Plus braging wrights to say I have the only true 100% 1 ton 68 burb
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Old 10-09-2007, 03:19 AM   #13
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

If you need any info on swapping a 6bt in let me know, I have done many diesel conversions. I am currently working on a 1991 f350 with one.
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Old 10-09-2007, 03:44 AM   #14
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

Cool thanks I have a 6.2 I was going to put in it but Im watching for a 6bt at a good price to use instead. if I dont find one by the time Im ready for the engine the 6.2 will go in.
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Old 10-09-2007, 03:49 AM   #15
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

Keep an eye on ebay I saw a 94 p pump engine probabally a 160hp unit with a nv4500 5 speed with a starting bid of 1500 and no one had bid on it as of then. That is a steal of a deal.
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Old 10-09-2007, 04:15 AM   #16
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

The cheapest one I found here was 3k with no trans.
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Old 10-09-2007, 04:28 AM   #17
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

Here is an ebay link to one right now. It would be a good start.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5-9-C...QQcmdZViewItem
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Old 10-09-2007, 04:35 AM   #18
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

Here is another
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CUMMI...QQcmdZViewItem
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Old 10-09-2007, 12:40 PM   #19
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Re: Turning a C-20 into a K-20

I bet shipping would be a lot of $$$$
1974ChevyC10 sorry about the high jack.
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