C20 to K30?

[Rednwhitec20]

I have a 1971 c20 and a 1998 K3500. What work will have to be done to make my 71' body fit on the 98' frame. I plan on rebuilding the engine and trans from the 98' also.

[57taskforce]

Not sure but I'd be willing to bet the 98 frame is wider. Not to be a jerk but why? I've got a 98 2500 hd and I'd take a solid axle over the ifs any day. If I were in your shoes I'd swap a np205 and dana 60 into that c20 and be done. you could always use the motor and trans from the one ton in the c20 frame if that's what you want. Any thing is possible with some skill, money, tools and a place to work. I said if going 4x4 I'd much rather have a solid axle than ifs.

[Rednwhitec20]

How much would it cost to do that and how long? Its my daily driver so I want to do it fairly quick.

[57taskforce]

Well a dana 60 will run you about 1000, you could also use an 8 lug 10 bolt or dana 44 for far less than the dana 60. You'll need a 4x4 steering box set up for push pull steering. The np205 can be had for 1-300 depending on which transmission you run with it and what the prices in your area are like. If you elected to run the drive train from the 98 you'd have to use a different transfer case because the front drive shaft drop is wrong. I'm assuming your c20 is a leaf spring rear. That would be ideal but if not people on here have used the coil rears in a 4x4 configuration. Time... If it's on you than a few months off and on on the weekends you could probably have it all licked... If your dedicated probably less time. It's a bit of cutting/ welding to hang the springs and you also need the front frame leaf spring mounts from a donor truck. It sounds like a lot but it's a lot less work than swapping the frame. There probably a few more thing but this is the big stuff I can think of off the top of my head. There's always the 67-72 4x4 frame swap option too. Which is still less work than the 98 frame swap

[Rednwhitec20]

I've been Looking into buying an original 71' 4x4 truck with a bad body and restoring the frame this winter and swapping my body on. Is that the easiest option?

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by Rednwhitec20

I've been Looking into buying an original 71' 4x4 truck with a bad body and restoring the frame this winter and swapping my body on. Is that the easiest option?

That is the easiest, aside from just selling your truck and buying a K20. Problem is, no K20's are really easy to find anymore, but still easier than converting a 2wd to 4x4 or swapping onto a newer chassis. Biggest hurdle with newer chassis is the frame drops are different under the cab and bed.

[oldertruckfan]

Princeton Kansas isn't all that far from the Kansas City/Metro area. Theres plenty of 4x4 parts on craigs list if you're wanting to do a conversion. I just picked a decent bed up from your area.

[franken]

A square (73-87 or so) front diff will bolt on fairly easily.
I'd go round pattern NP205 and 94+ NV4500, which can be found cheap if you're willing to wait a bit while trolling CL.

[71blksuper4x4]

Definitely finding a factory 4x4 frame is the easiest time saver you could do and just restore the frame over weekends and swap bodies when the time comes. You will want to save the high transmission tunnel from the 4x4 cab as well. Welcome from Kansas! Trevor

[oldertruckfan]

you might be interested in this

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4721230890.html