c10 to k20

[jasonda]

Hello, I have a very nice 1968 c10 long bed body that I am wanting to place on a k20 chassis however I have not found a 67-72 k20 chassis close enough and at the right price to justify one. I have found a 1978 k20 with a bad body and a 1982 k30 that is usable for this project. Can anyone tell me the major differences between the chassis and if it would be easiest to use the whole donor chassis or swap the diiferentials and transfer case to the 68 frame that is currently under my c10?

[HEISEL]

I asked about this not to long ago. 73-87 are a lot less money and there are a lot of them. I was told that it was a waist of time. It can be done but the body mounts have to be moved Amongst other things. By the time you are done you'll wish you would have just got the 67-72 frame. Good luck in whatever you do.

[argonaut]

The later model frames are thicker, especially the 1 ton. But while 60 to 72 have a single drop section in the frame the 73 and up have a two step drop which can make body mounts interesting. I've seen it done cleanly on one truck by using custom made "convertion" body lift mounts. They sat on top of the stock 73-87 mounts and extended up amd over to the proper body mount locations on the cab. In the process they gave a small body lift effect which wasn't really very noticeable.

[trukman1]

Originally Posted by HEISEL

I asked about this not to long ago. 73-87 are a lot less money and there are a lot of them. I was told that it was a waist of time. It can be done but the body mounts have to be moved Amongst other things. By the time you are done you'll wish you would have just got the 67-72 frame. Good luck in whatever you do.

Questions about this swap comes up all the time. Listen, I've been there and done that. Never again.

The 73-87 frames are longer, shaped different and not conducive to the swap. My advice, pay for the right frame...buy once, cry once. I know custom truck builders who won't even go there with all their experience and facilities.

I could go into a lengthy, detailed descriptions of all the pitfalls but I won't. If your determined to do it that's your business but don't say you weren't warned ahead of time.

[VonDog]

My 2 cents - Buy a 4x4 year proper. Leave the 2x4 as is or customize it. I like them original be it 2x or 4x - Just my opinion.

[charlieo]

I did that whole thing . A buddy had a 74 blazer frame ( Free) w/ the axles and I had the 70 cab , bed, front end . What I did was start from the rear and mounted the bed first since the frame raises up there. Then placed the cab on after re-locating the cab mounts to the frame . You have to use a body lift kit or the taller rear cab mounts on the front to raise the cab up to match the bed . No biggie. Then just started mounting front fenders where they go and fabbed a steel/rubber radiator support mount the whole time making sure the door/fender/bed gaps were good. In the mean time while doing this I converted everything over to a 4bt cummins/nv4500/np205 transfer case . Just down to needing paint and body work. If any questions let me know .