C vs. K - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shelby987 · 06-01-2005, 09:37 AM

Okay, I am a newbie, but I was pretty sure that the C series of truck C10, C20, C30 was 2wd, and the K10, and K20 was 4x4. I am constantly seeing trucks being sold that are listed as C10's and C20's, but that are also running 4x4 drivetrain. Am I missing something special about the K series....should I assume that a truck listed as a C series that is 4wd is either being listed by someone who doesn't truely know what their truck is....or its a 2wd on a 4x4 frame? Or were C series trucks sold with 4wd from 67-72????
Thanks

Paul72 · 06-01-2005, 09:43 AM

A factory "C" series truck should be 2wd, however, there are Custom/10 and Custom/20 as well as CST/10 and CST/20 trucks that can be either. Blazers are a different story - all Blazers are K/5 whether 2 or 4wd.

I'm sure someone else will chime in with more info.

Paul

**JIMs70GMC** · 06-01-2005, 11:14 AM

I believe the difference is the model number on the glove box door v. badging.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 06-01-2005, 12:51 PM

Also, they never made any K badges, except for the K/5 Blazers. So a 4x4 3/4 ton truck will have C/20, Custom/20, or CST/20 emblems, and a 2wd 3/4 ton truck can have the same.

roger0080 · 06-02-2005, 12:59 AM

After 33-38 years of surving, by now alot of these trucks could be pieced togther.
I have seen many "4WD's" with a 2WD VIN number.

Even though it's 4WD it could have been a 4WD from day one where someone later does a cab swap from a 2WD. In which case the actual title VIN would be correct yet.

So when you see a 4WD with a "C" Model number and not a "K", heads up! something funky is going on.

And vice-versa, you could have a 2WD with a 4WD cab put on it.

roger0080 · 06-02-2005, 01:01 AM

... quick follow up, from the factory you won't get a 4WD truck with a "C" series designation in the VIN or Model; It will be "K' if 4WD.

Blazer1970 · 06-02-2005, 06:54 AM

Bottom line is that the fender badges don't mean anything when it comes to 4 vs. 2wd. The C or K in the first position of the VIN (or the second position on a '72) DOES indicate 2 or 4wd.

Americanrider · 06-04-2005, 02:54 AM

My truck has the stock C-20 emblems on the fenders, but I call it a K-20 because thats what my VIN starts with, KE2xxxxxxxxxx I not sure when GM started using the K for the truck, sometime in the late 70's I think.

When in doubt..... check it out! GMC Pauls VIN decoder page.

http://www.gmcpauls.com/chevrolet_data.htm

http://www.gmcpauls.com/67-72_chevy.htm

06-01-2005, 09:37 AM	#1
shelby987 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Just outside Durham, NC Posts: 894	C vs. K Okay, I am a newbie, but I was pretty sure that the C series of truck C10, C20, C30 was 2wd, and the K10, and K20 was 4x4. I am constantly seeing trucks being sold that are listed as C10's and C20's, but that are also running 4x4 drivetrain. Am I missing something special about the K series....should I assume that a truck listed as a C series that is 4wd is either being listed by someone who doesn't truely know what their truck is....or its a 2wd on a 4x4 frame? Or were C series trucks sold with 4wd from 67-72???? Thanks

06-01-2005, 09:43 AM	#2
Paul72 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Waterloo, IA Posts: 1,147	A factory "C" series truck should be 2wd, however, there are Custom/10 and Custom/20 as well as CST/10 and CST/20 trucks that can be either. Blazers are a different story - all Blazers are K/5 whether 2 or 4wd. I'm sure someone else will chime in with more info. Paul __________________ '72 Chevy K20 - 383/4sp/205 - SOLD after 41 years in the family Next project - K/5 Tahoe (71 Blazer on 99 Tahoe chassis) Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=789958

06-01-2005, 11:14 AM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I believe the difference is the model number on the glove box door v. badging. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

06-01-2005, 12:51 PM	#4
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	Also, they never made any K badges, except for the K/5 Blazers. So a 4x4 3/4 ton truck will have C/20, Custom/20, or CST/20 emblems, and a 2wd 3/4 ton truck can have the same. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

06-02-2005, 12:59 AM	#5
roger0080 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Carver County, Minnesota, USA Posts: 626	After 33-38 years of surving, by now alot of these trucks could be pieced togther. I have seen many "4WD's" with a 2WD VIN number. Even though it's 4WD it could have been a 4WD from day one where someone later does a cab swap from a 2WD. In which case the actual title VIN would be correct yet. So when you see a 4WD with a "C" Model number and not a "K", heads up! something funky is going on. And vice-versa, you could have a 2WD with a 4WD cab put on it. __________________ 72 Chev C-10 90% restored (former AZ truck) ... 71 Chev K-20 Cheyenne my vacation crusier... 72 Chev C-10 Now retired and striped after many faithful miles... 72 GMC 1500 Retired to the junk yard after bought new in '71...

06-02-2005, 01:01 AM	#6
roger0080 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Carver County, Minnesota, USA Posts: 626	... quick follow up, from the factory you won't get a 4WD truck with a "C" series designation in the VIN or Model; It will be "K' if 4WD. __________________ 72 Chev C-10 90% restored (former AZ truck) ... 71 Chev K-20 Cheyenne my vacation crusier... 72 Chev C-10 Now retired and striped after many faithful miles... 72 GMC 1500 Retired to the junk yard after bought new in '71...

06-02-2005, 06:54 AM	#7
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,510	Bottom line is that the fender badges don't mean anything when it comes to 4 vs. 2wd. The C or K in the first position of the VIN (or the second position on a '72) DOES indicate 2 or 4wd. __________________ Tim

06-04-2005, 02:54 AM	#8
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	My truck has the stock C-20 emblems on the fenders, but I call it a K-20 because thats what my VIN starts with, KE2xxxxxxxxxx I not sure when GM started using the K for the truck, sometime in the late 70's I think. When in doubt..... check it out! GMC Pauls VIN decoder page. http://www.gmcpauls.com/chevrolet_data.htm http://www.gmcpauls.com/67-72_chevy.htm

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