Something I've been studing about... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

skyhawk1 · 10-17-2003, 08:43 PM

I have been thinking about this for a couple of months and now I've just about decided to get to work. Here's the plan... I have a 71 K10 4x4 that needs just about everything fixed on it. I have a 71 C10 that I restored about 3 years ago that's just sitting in the garage not being used (I built it for my grandson Clay) well he's just 4 years old, so it'll be a while before he can drive it. Well the other day he told me that he really needed a 4 wheel drive, so I'm considering taking Clay's C-10 apart and putting the cab and front clip on the 4-WD frame and making him a 4x4. That's the easy part and I can do that without a problem. My question for you guys is this. I have a 79 3/4 ton Suburban with good running gear, 350 with Turbo 400 and full time 4-WD hubs, can I use the running gear from the 79 under the 71 frame? The reason I want to use it is it would be more heavy duty, and believe it or not I kinda like the full time 4-WD. Oh almost forgot, the C10 is a short wheel base, so I would have to find another bed for the 4-WD. (the 71 K10 body is really bad including the cab and bed). Any comments would be appreciated.

Mudder · 10-18-2003, 02:46 AM

Do the needed research, then go for it.....................

**JIMs70GMC** · 10-18-2003, 07:09 AM

Yes you can use the drivetrain from the 79, engine to axles. Most should be bolt in except for the rear spring perches they may need to be relocated, take some measurments.

Mudder · 10-18-2003, 10:05 AM

Have you thought about modifying the Burb frame and using it and the drivetrain. I have heard they work well for the swap.

Terry S · 10-18-2003, 05:11 PM

Do you need another grandson? I'm 37 but I act like I'm four most of the time

skyhawk1 · 10-18-2003, 06:17 PM

Mudder, if I use the Burb frame, wouldn't I have to relocate the cab mounts? Hey! wait a minute. The Suburban is about 3.5 inches longer than the 71 K10, I don't think that would work, unless I cut off some of the frame.

skyhawk1 · 10-18-2003, 06:18 PM

Terry, sorry I don't need another grandson, have 4 grandkids already with another on the way. Thanks anyway.

10-17-2003, 08:43 PM	#1
skyhawk1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Oceana WV USA Posts: 184	Something I've been studing about... I have been thinking about this for a couple of months and now I've just about decided to get to work. Here's the plan... I have a 71 K10 4x4 that needs just about everything fixed on it. I have a 71 C10 that I restored about 3 years ago that's just sitting in the garage not being used (I built it for my grandson Clay) well he's just 4 years old, so it'll be a while before he can drive it. Well the other day he told me that he really needed a 4 wheel drive, so I'm considering taking Clay's C-10 apart and putting the cab and front clip on the 4-WD frame and making him a 4x4. That's the easy part and I can do that without a problem. My question for you guys is this. I have a 79 3/4 ton Suburban with good running gear, 350 with Turbo 400 and full time 4-WD hubs, can I use the running gear from the 79 under the 71 frame? The reason I want to use it is it would be more heavy duty, and believe it or not I kinda like the full time 4-WD. Oh almost forgot, the C10 is a short wheel base, so I would have to find another bed for the 4-WD. (the 71 K10 body is really bad including the cab and bed). Any comments would be appreciated. __________________ "The World's a Mess"! 71 C-10 72 Suburban 2WD Oceana, West Virginia

10-18-2003, 07:09 AM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Yes you can use the drivetrain from the 79, engine to axles. Most should be bolt in except for the rear spring perches they may need to be relocated, take some measurments. __________________ 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

10-18-2003, 05:11 PM	#5
Terry S Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 118	Do you need another grandson? I'm 37 but I act like I'm four most of the time __________________ I can do all things thru Christ, but he evidently doesn't want me to beat that Camaro light to light....

10-18-2003, 06:17 PM	#6
skyhawk1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Oceana WV USA Posts: 184	Mudder, if I use the Burb frame, wouldn't I have to relocate the cab mounts? Hey! wait a minute. The Suburban is about 3.5 inches longer than the 71 K10, I don't think that would work, unless I cut off some of the frame. __________________ "The World's a Mess"! 71 C-10 72 Suburban 2WD Oceana, West Virginia

10-18-2003, 06:18 PM	#7
skyhawk1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Oceana WV USA Posts: 184	Terry, sorry I don't need another grandson, have 4 grandkids already with another on the way. Thanks anyway. __________________ "The World's a Mess"! 71 C-10 72 Suburban 2WD Oceana, West Virginia

10-18-2003, 02:46 AM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Do the needed research, then go for it.....................

10-18-2003, 10:05 AM	#4
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Have you thought about modifying the Burb frame and using it and the drivetrain. I have heard they work well for the swap.



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