Frame differences c-20 vs c-10 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71/454 · 09-09-2006, 07:40 PM

Like it says, are the frames the same height. Could a guy make a c20 a c10 by just bolting on c-10 upper and lower control arms and spindles and cross link. And by changing the rear diff?

Longhorn Man · 09-09-2006, 08:59 PM

the frames are 99% the same, jut some added braces.
The whole front suspention needs swapped, and the rear axle too.

71/454 · 09-10-2006, 03:34 AM

Can you swap just the a frames or do you have to swap the crossmember too. I only ask because i have the a frames on the floor but no crossmember. What about the steering box?

Longhorn Man · 09-10-2006, 06:29 AM

frames... i assume you mean a arms? I couldn't tell you.
the steering gear box is the same C/10 -C/30.

68jimmy · 09-10-2006, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71/454

Like it says, are the frames the same height. Could a guy make a c20 a c10 by just bolting on c-10 upper and lower control arms and spindles and cross link. And by changing the rear diff?

That is basically what I did with my 68 GMC... I started out as a 2500 with a 351 V-6 and 3-speed column shift. Now a 350/TH350 sits there with crossmembers I salvaged. I converted the heavy leafs and rear diff to a trailing arm setup with a 12 bolt 3.07. The front was almost the same, except that I left the lower c-20 arm installed a c-10 upper and used the spindles/disc brake setup from a 90 chevy.

It can be done just take a grinder and a few grade 8 bolts...

Here is a pic of mine now that I've got it rolling again.

classicchev · 09-10-2006, 12:23 PM

Dave, I have a bare 3/4 ton frame and a bare 1/2 ton frame and if you put them side by side the only differences are:
of course 5 bolt front spindles and diff
rear springs are bigger
rear crossmember has a couple diagonal braces to the frame rails
a couple other braces here and there
A arm U bolts a larger

Other than that they are pretty much identical. Im sure everything will just bolt on. I even think withe the correct ball joint the spindles will interchange(i should have tried this before I put the 3/4 ton stuff back on)

Darren

71/454 · 09-10-2006, 10:53 PM

Thanks for your help guys, man i love this site!

ClemsonChevy · 09-11-2006, 12:54 AM

Well heres my question then: Why are the cab mounts different between C10s and C20/30's? Can you interchange them? Is the difference just that the 20/30's are stiffer supporting?

Longhorn Man · 09-11-2006, 09:52 PM

WOAH!!! good point!
The cab mounting pads on a 2 wheel drive 1/2 ton is higher. (needing shorter rubbers) All the other trucks require the tall rubber mounts due to a lower mounting pad.

ClemsonChevy · 09-12-2006, 09:58 PM

I also just noticed that the rad core supports are different rubbers also. Is that just like the cab, to add more "cushion for the pushin'".......for the rougher duty trucks?

71/454 · 09-15-2006, 02:00 AM

looking at the cab mounts that was my first impression. I'm guessing that the stiffer springs make the truck ride rougher so they put in fatter cab mounts to soften it up. The cab mount being lower in the rear was the only thing i can find different so far

09-09-2006, 07:40 PM	#1
71/454 Turbo Guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 353	Frame differences c-20 vs c-10 Like it says, are the frames the same height. Could a guy make a c20 a c10 by just bolting on c-10 upper and lower control arms and spindles and cross link. And by changing the rear diff? __________________ 1972 Gmc Custom swb intercooled twin turbo 327 10.5-1 and 12 lbs of boost, Nodular iron case super t-10 4 speed with a blowproof bellhousing, 12 bolt eaton posi soon to have moser axles. 1998 Honda CR250 fully ported, case matched, milled head, vortexed carb and revalved suspension but don't forget the woody woodpecker decal kit! Things I've broken so far: 12 bolt diff saginaw 4 spd many, many pieces Aluminum case Super t-10 4 spd

09-09-2006, 08:59 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Frame differences c-20 vs c-10 the frames are 99% the same, jut some added braces. The whole front suspention needs swapped, and the rear axle too.

09-10-2006, 03:34 AM	#3
71/454 Turbo Guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 353	Re: Frame differences c-20 vs c-10 Can you swap just the a frames or do you have to swap the crossmember too. I only ask because i have the a frames on the floor but no crossmember. What about the steering box? __________________ 1972 Gmc Custom swb intercooled twin turbo 327 10.5-1 and 12 lbs of boost, Nodular iron case super t-10 4 speed with a blowproof bellhousing, 12 bolt eaton posi soon to have moser axles. 1998 Honda CR250 fully ported, case matched, milled head, vortexed carb and revalved suspension but don't forget the woody woodpecker decal kit! Things I've broken so far: 12 bolt diff saginaw 4 spd many, many pieces Aluminum case Super t-10 4 spd

09-10-2006, 06:29 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Frame differences c-20 vs c-10 frames... i assume you mean a arms? I couldn't tell you. the steering gear box is the same C/10 -C/30.

09-10-2006, 12:23 PM	#6
classicchev Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 1,936	Re: Frame differences c-20 vs c-10 Dave, I have a bare 3/4 ton frame and a bare 1/2 ton frame and if you put them side by side the only differences are: of course 5 bolt front spindles and diff rear springs are bigger rear crossmember has a couple diagonal braces to the frame rails a couple other braces here and there A arm U bolts a larger Other than that they are pretty much identical. Im sure everything will just bolt on. I even think withe the correct ball joint the spindles will interchange(i should have tried this before I put the 3/4 ton stuff back on) Darren __________________ 67- 72 Parts collecter

09-10-2006, 10:53 PM	#7
71/454 Turbo Guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 353	Re: Frame differences c-20 vs c-10 Thanks for your help guys, man i love this site! __________________ 1972 Gmc Custom swb intercooled twin turbo 327 10.5-1 and 12 lbs of boost, Nodular iron case super t-10 4 speed with a blowproof bellhousing, 12 bolt eaton posi soon to have moser axles. 1998 Honda CR250 fully ported, case matched, milled head, vortexed carb and revalved suspension but don't forget the woody woodpecker decal kit! Things I've broken so far: 12 bolt diff saginaw 4 spd many, many pieces Aluminum case Super t-10 4 spd

09-11-2006, 12:54 AM	#8
ClemsonChevy 8 vehicles only 4 that run Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 236	Re: Frame differences c-20 vs c-10 Well heres my question then: Why are the cab mounts different between C10s and C20/30's? Can you interchange them? Is the difference just that the 20/30's are stiffer supporting? __________________ 95 2500 350 w/ 3.73 72 GMC 1500 SWB stepside 65 Chevy C10 SWB stepside 72 Chevy C10 LWB fleetside

09-11-2006, 09:52 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Frame differences c-20 vs c-10 WOAH!!! good point! The cab mounting pads on a 2 wheel drive 1/2 ton is higher. (needing shorter rubbers) All the other trucks require the tall rubber mounts due to a lower mounting pad.

09-12-2006, 09:58 PM	#10
ClemsonChevy 8 vehicles only 4 that run Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 236	Re: Frame differences c-20 vs c-10 I also just noticed that the rad core supports are different rubbers also. Is that just like the cab, to add more "cushion for the pushin'".......for the rougher duty trucks? __________________ 95 2500 350 w/ 3.73 72 GMC 1500 SWB stepside 65 Chevy C10 SWB stepside 72 Chevy C10 LWB fleetside

09-15-2006, 02:00 AM	#11
71/454 Turbo Guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 353	Re: Frame differences c-20 vs c-10 looking at the cab mounts that was my first impression. I'm guessing that the stiffer springs make the truck ride rougher so they put in fatter cab mounts to soften it up. The cab mount being lower in the rear was the only thing i can find different so far __________________ 1972 Gmc Custom swb intercooled twin turbo 327 10.5-1 and 12 lbs of boost, Nodular iron case super t-10 4 speed with a blowproof bellhousing, 12 bolt eaton posi soon to have moser axles. 1998 Honda CR250 fully ported, case matched, milled head, vortexed carb and revalved suspension but don't forget the woody woodpecker decal kit! Things I've broken so far: 12 bolt diff saginaw 4 spd many, many pieces Aluminum case Super t-10 4 spd



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