1972 C20 to C10 Conversion Help!

[1972BlueC20]

Hi Guys,

Been away for a while, just renewed my premium membership today.... thanks again for all your help in the past with many things!

I know there is plenty info on this forum about this subject and I have read lots of it lately, but there is many difference of opinions regarding the best way to complete this conversion and whether to use parts from donor trucks or to buy a kit and new parts.

Was hoping to get direct answers for my particular situation, all help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Ok...

My Truck :

1972 C20 Cheyenne Custom Camper, very clean 89K original miles. I have the original engine, but have swapped it out with a 330 HP 350 crate with Vortec heads. TH350 w/ shift kit. Runs great, pretty quick for a heavy c20.


I would like to convert to 5 lug all the way around (stock c10), but I want a positrac rear end and I want to lower it a little for improved stance and maybe put american racing torque thrust type wheels on it (not sure on the wheels yet, many options)

I want to convert the rear brakes to disc as well.

Eventually would like to add an overdrive tranny like a 700R4 or the like.

I may eventually like to shorten the bed and frame but probably wont.

Currently I don't have power steering, but I was about to buy the conversion kit from Tuckers.

so...

whats the best course of action for me?

Do I buy a donor truck to get the needed parts? If so, what year and model?

Or do I buy new kits? If so, which kits and from where?

Also, can I go ahead and buy the power steering kit from Tuckers? I can still use the the same PS setup even if I do the C10 conversion later right? Don't want to buy something now if I'll have to buy something else later if not compatible.

Also, would I be better off selling my C20 and just buying a C10 instead?

My problem is I kinda hate to mess with such a nice C20 survivor, but the truck has sentimental value and my wife isn't cool with me selling it really...she likes it....but is ok with converting it....I really want a C10 but this truck became available for a good price and I didn't know what I know now....looking back I would of probably just saved my money and got a C10 later but it is what it is...I've got almost $20K in this truck already between the purchase price and all that i've done since I bought it. It's really solid and turns heads everywhere I go.


Please help!!!


Thanks,
Brian

[1972BlueC20]

Some Pics!

Don't have the tool box on there anymore

[saltynuke]

That is a beautiful C20. As a fellow C20 owner-- I like the idea of keeping it a 3/4 ton. Performance Online now makes a front disc conversion for the C20- might have some insight on the rear disc conversion. What is the paint code for that awesome blue paint? My son really wants me to paint our C20-- I'd like to get something on her before the east coast wreaks havoc on it.

[1972BlueC20]

Thanks man!

It's actually a fairly rare paint combo, hard to tell from the pic but it's a lighter blue on the cab top and a darker blue on the rest of the truck.

It's paint code is 559, Dark Blue / Med Blue

It was repainted once about 10 years ago, not sure how true they stayed to the original shade. Others on here have commented that it looks pretty close.


I personally want to repaint it one day and maybe do a marina blue or something. Not sure.

As for the C10 conversion, I'm torn too....I just need to see how much it will cost and if I can do the work myself or if not, how much my shop will charge to do the swap then I will be able to make up my mind.

[lolife99]

Call ECE.
www.earlyclassic.com.
They sell a 3/4-ton to 1/2-ton conversion spindle for the front that will make your life easy!
For the back I would locate a factory 1/2-ton 71-72 rearend.

[1972BlueC20]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Call ECE.
www.earlyclassic.com.
They sell a 3/4-ton to 1/2-ton conversion spindle for the front that will make your life easy!
For the back I would locate a factory 1/2-ton 71-72 rearend.

cool thanks!!

would a 71-72 c10 rear end be posi??

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by 1972BlueC20

cool thanks!!

would a 71-72 c10 rear end be posi??

Finding a posi rearend is just going to be luck.
Locate a good donor rearend and then build it to your specs.
(Pick whatever gear ratio you want,... add a posi,... and new bearings and seals.)

[Mike C]

What a great looking truck! My opinion, leave it alone and enjoy it and the utility a C20 brings. I miss my '70 GMC Sierra Grande with the big block.

I enjoy my 69 short step in a different way, and if you want a 1/2 tonner to mess around with, just get a second truck. The more the merrier.

[In The Ten Ring]

I wish my truck was a lwb C20. (Actually I wish it was a lwb C 30).

C10's are all over the place, I would think one could be found easily.

[Ram-Man]

I was going to convert mine but decided to keep the 8 lug. I put in a Porterbuilt stage 2 rear and stage 1 in the front. Here's the progress thread. I just backed it out of the garage yesterday. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=691739

[FirstOwner69]

I rarely comment on threads like this... but, from a fellow C20 owner, please don't mess with it. Trans... fine, do it. Rear discs... fine. Power steering, do it. It' a fantastic truck as it is!

[jocko]

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!........ Yours is one of my absolute favorite trucks in one of my absolute favorite color combos. BEAUTIFUL and rare as it is - altering it will give you what you want for now. But you'll be sorry.... (ask me... a 3/4 ton convert, don't think I'll ever go back)

And while I'm at it! Shawn, welcome and keep YOUR great color combo too! Two real nice C20s you all have there.

[cypressbog]

It's your truck and you can do whatever you want to it. Cut the top off it and call it a convert able for all I care. I do have to ask a question. If you wanted a half ton truck, why didn't you buy one?

[SS Tim]

Just a reminder.

"...If you decide you can't live with it PM for my shipping address! :-) "

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...30&postcount=7

[sleepertruck72]

I have a 72 C20..with that same engine. For power steering , I used the same gearbox I had with the front accessory drive from the 96-98 Chevy trucks. One serpentine belt is awesome, and It bolts right up to the Vortec heads. I cut the metric fitting and re-flared the line using the fitting for standard size (to fit the gearbox ) The pump side stayed the same.(metric with O-ring) Works perfectly.. That would be cheaper and easier than converting to just another half ton truck in my opinion...Either way, That rig of yours is really nice

[1972BlueC20]

well....i think you guys helped me make up my mind!!

It will stay a C20 and maybe ill just have an excuse now to buy another truck!!

I do want to add power steering though, and AC eventually and rear discs!

Can you guys drop me a link for a rear disc conversion for the 8 lug?

Also will this power steering conversion kit be good? There are many kits available.


http://www.tuckersparts.com/Power-St...t-F-PSK67.html


I'm not ready to do the serpentine conversion yet so I'll be staying with the V belt for now.



Thanks guys for talking me out of it!!! I was actually feeling bad about the prospect of changing it up since it's so clean. I just love me a SWB C-10 everytime I see one! I guess I'll just have to buy one now!!! haha

[j_cst_10]

Skipping record here but... As a C20 owner, I wouldn't go back to a C10 unless it was for a sport truck build.

Do what you want with it because it's yours but I would recommend keeping it around for a while and letting it grow on you. It is really cool and shouldn't be reduced to a light duty truck in my opinion.

[j_cst_10]

Or just sell it to me.......

[frenchy51]

I think you made the right decision. Power steer for sure. Why rear discs though? Should stop just fine as-is.

[frenchy51]

Great looking truck!

[jessemthompson]

Wow, that is a really nice truck! From seeing what you want to do and what you have, I would sell the truck and just buy a C10. I would not hack that truck up. It you wants a SWB C10, you could find something nice to start with from what you would make on the sale of your C20. You'll spend more money trying to convert it.

[1972BlueC20]

Thanks guys!

As for rear discs, the truck stops ok but the brakes lock up really bad in the rear. They were much worse and then I had a shop adjust them and they got much better but they still lock up horribly in a panic braking situation. Maybe that is normal, I don't ride anyone's rear and am careful when wet. This is my first old school vehicle so maybe that is normal and I'm just spoiled with all the fancy ABS and 4 wheel disc we have today lol


Anyone know if that power steering kit from Tuckers link i posted is a good choice?

[frenchy51]

They are power brakes-correct? They shouldn't lock up like that. I'd fix them before converting to rear discs. a good mechanic should be able to solve your braking problem.

[1972BlueC20]

Originally Posted by frenchy51

They are power brakes-correct? They shouldn't lock up like that. I'd fix them before converting to rear discs. a good mechanic should be able to solve your braking problem.

Yes they are power brakes. Are they easy to adjust? Maybe I could try myself. Any links for rear drum brake adjustments would be greatly appreciated
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[lolife99]

Are you sure you don't have a wheel cylinder or an axle seal leaking in the rear?
I see no reason the rear should lock up.