Have a few questions - 83 CC 1 ton

[Mattman2010]

What would be the best axle to find for the front? Will one ton axles have their spring perches out wider than say a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton? I think that I have seen that the rear axle has wider spring perches than the 1/2 or 3/4 ton.

Does anyone know what kind of rear axle it would have?

All I would need the axles to have is the same gearing and it should all run smooth?

[1985-GMC]

The best front axle for it would be a Dana 60 (drw and srw have different hubs so find the one you want), definitely with the same gears as whatever rear you use. Your 80 K20 should have a 10 bolt front and a 14 bolt full floater rear, your C30 should have a Dana 70 rear. 1/2 3/4 and 1 ton single wheel perches are all the same width, drw perches are actually narrower then srw perches.One thing I forgot to mention, 4wd rear spring hangers stick down about 4" lower than 2wd ones and the same goes for duallys but they are also tucked in closer to the frame. I remember something about crew cab rear spring perches being different than regular cabs but idk if it was drw or srw?

[Mattman2010]

Yeah it is a DRW, So I guess I would need a Dana 60 with the hubs that will work with the DRW.

As far as the hangers, Would taking the ones off of the K20 work to make the truck level? Would the truck be level if I used the front springs off of the K20, and used the stock springs off of the c30, but with the hangers off of the k20?

[1985-GMC]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

I remember something about crew cab rear spring perches being different than regular cabs but idk if it was drw or srw?

Originally Posted by Mattman2010

Yeah it is a DRW, So I guess I would need a Dana 60 with the hubs that will work with the DRW.

I meant I read something a while back about CC perches being different but I cant remember what exactly it was.

I might work if you use the K20 hangers on the C30 frame but you would have to cut and re weld the perches on the dually axle and that will put your springs closer to the tires. Ill do some measuring tomorrow to see if you could get away with it. But yes if you successfully do all that the truck should sit level.

[Mattman2010]

Alright, I am just trying to figure out what I can do, just so I kinda know before. I still need to go look at the truck, but that might be another week. I think most of the converting it to 4x4 will be figuring it out while I am there actually doing the conversion. Because some things I think I will actually have to try to figure out what works best.

I am assuming that there are probably holes drilled for the cross member for the transfer case to mount? With the rails being taller, would I have to use some kind of spacer for a transfer case and the transfer case cross member?

[1985-GMC]

Im not real sure if all the holes will already be there or not, and i don't think you will need any kind of spacer for the cross member. What transmission and t-case does the K20 have?

[Mattman2010]

I don't know exactly what transmission it has, but it is a 4 speed with a granny low. second gear is messed up on it. the transfer case is a 205. The crew cab has a 4 speed in it, but I dont think that the 205 will bolt to it because I would assume sense it is 2wd it will have a longer output shaft than a 4wd transmission.

[dropd80s]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

1/2 3/4 and 1 ton single wheel perches are all the same width, drw perches are actually narrower then srw perches.

Actually one ton single wheel axles do have narrower spring perches as well as the DRW, I have had two SRW K30s a 79 and an 84 both Crews and they both had the narrow perches. From what I have seen if its a one ton, it has the narrow perches, 2wd, 4wd, C&C, CC, or RC.

[1985-GMC]

OK thats good to know, ive never dealt with a 1 ton srw. I just had to assume, and you know what they say about assuming, it makes an ass out of you and me.