C30 4x4 conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bueno 68C-10 · 08-31-2016, 11:59 PM

I picked up a rust free 67 c30, but no motor or trans. I am wanting to convert it over to a 4x4. Is it easier to convert the original frame? Or is it easier to put the body onto a 73-87 4x4 dually frame? Let me know what you think! Thanks in advance!!

**57taskforce** · 09-01-2016, 12:20 AM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=703160&page=6

This is the correct way to do it in my opinion. The 73-87 frames are different and it doesn't come out near as nice as this.

Bueno 68C-10 · 09-01-2016, 12:53 AM

Yeah that looks fairly straight forward! There are a few measurements I'm not sure how you would find.
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**special-K** · 09-01-2016, 07:16 AM

Either way works well. Staying with existing frame is nice and clean, but you need to have a 4wd donor or gather a heck of a lot of stuff

Bueno 68C-10 · 09-01-2016, 09:04 AM

Why do people call the 73-87 less clean? Is there that many mounts to move?
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**57taskforce** · 09-01-2016, 10:44 AM

Because the frame bends in different places and its hard to get the body bolted up without a body lift in my experience.

Bueno 68C-10 · 09-01-2016, 12:01 PM

With the body lift does the frame stick out very far below the body? Does anybody happen to have a picture?
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Bueno 68C-10 · 09-01-2016, 11:02 PM

I read in one of the threads on this topic that you need to straighten the frame in a certain place. Where is that and is it major?
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**special-K** · 09-02-2016, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bueno 68C-10

Why do people call the 73-87 less clean? Is there that many mounts to move?
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I meant "clean job, meaning less work". Also will look 100% original with no alterations needed. These trucks set on a 73-87 frame nicely, especially a cab & chassis. The only issue with pickups is the bed sits higher due to frame contour, so the cab needs an inch of lift. No biggy there, hardly worth mentioning. Another difference is the later frames are longer in front of the cab, so the frame tips need to be trimmed (unless you are running a custom bumper, such as winch) and the radiator core support needs to be moved back a bit. This presents the issue of providing new mounting farther back. There is no need to straighten or alter the newer frames

I could show you two trucks, one using 67-72 frame and one using newer frame and you couldn't tell, unless you crawled around underneath it.

Bueno 68C-10 · 09-02-2016, 08:52 AM

Ok thanks for the advice!! I just wanted to make sure I saw the big picture before diving in!
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**57taskforce** · 09-02-2016, 09:05 AM

Your not referring to the e brake cable holes in the front of the 67-72 c-30 frame that need to be filled so you can bolt the spring mounts to the frame are you?

Bueno 68C-10 · 09-02-2016, 09:24 AM

Yeah that must be what it was but that's nothing too major or structural. Thanks!
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**Jeff's bowtie's** · 09-02-2016, 07:24 PM

It's not that bad of a job here's pics of how I did mine
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**Jeff's bowtie's** · 09-02-2016, 07:25 PM

Another
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**Jeff's bowtie's** · 09-02-2016, 07:27 PM

Pic
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**Jeff's bowtie's** · 09-02-2016, 07:28 PM

Welded new plate in
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**Jeff's bowtie's** · 09-02-2016, 07:30 PM

Pic of finished
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72MARIO · 09-02-2016, 07:59 PM

Jeff,

did you use 1967-72 spring length or 1973 up ? I am working on building my 1 ton longhorn chassis and not sure what length to use.

Bueno 68C-10 · 09-02-2016, 08:06 PM

Is that where the spring shackle then bolts?
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**Jeff's bowtie's** · 09-02-2016, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72MARIO

Jeff,

did you use 1967-72 spring length or 1973 up ? I am working on building my 1 ton longhorn chassis and not sure what length to use.

Yes I used the brackets from a 69 blazer frame and ordered 4" lift springs for a 72 K/20 for the front
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**Jeff's bowtie's** · 09-02-2016, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bueno 68C-10

Is that where the spring shackle then bolts?
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Yes the last pic was with the bushing installed
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Bueno 68C-10 · 09-03-2016, 12:06 AM

How much different are the newer springs compared to the 67-72 springs in length?
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**Jeff's bowtie's** · 09-03-2016, 12:16 PM

They are the same length they are for a 72 they are arched to give the 4 inch lift
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Bueno 68C-10 · 09-03-2016, 12:22 PM

I plan to use mine as a ranch truck so I want to make sure that I will be able to handle a load still.
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**57taskforce** · 09-03-2016, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bueno 68C-10

I plan to use mine as a ranch truck so I want to make sure that I will be able to handle a load still.
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You can get brand new oe style springs for a K/20.
Here's an example at the bottom of this page:http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/leaf-s...c/pickup-67-72

08-31-2016, 11:59 PM	#1
Bueno 68C-10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: near Grand Island, Nebraska Posts: 211	C30 4x4 conversion I picked up a rust free 67 c30, but no motor or trans. I am wanting to convert it over to a 4x4. Is it easier to convert the original frame? Or is it easier to put the body onto a 73-87 4x4 dually frame? Let me know what you think! Thanks in advance!!

09-01-2016, 12:20 AM	#2
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,586	Re: C30 4x4 conversion http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=703160&page=6 This is the correct way to do it in my opinion. The 73-87 frames are different and it doesn't come out near as nice as this. __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s

09-01-2016, 12:53 AM	#3
Bueno 68C-10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: near Grand Island, Nebraska Posts: 211	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Yeah that looks fairly straight forward! There are a few measurements I'm not sure how you would find. Posted via Mobile Device

09-01-2016, 07:16 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Either way works well. Staying with existing frame is nice and clean, but you need to have a 4wd donor or gather a heck of a lot of stuff __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

09-01-2016, 09:04 AM	#5
Bueno 68C-10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: near Grand Island, Nebraska Posts: 211	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Why do people call the 73-87 less clean? Is there that many mounts to move? Posted via Mobile Device

09-01-2016, 10:44 AM	#6
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,586	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Because the frame bends in different places and its hard to get the body bolted up without a body lift in my experience. __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s

09-01-2016, 12:01 PM	#7
Bueno 68C-10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: near Grand Island, Nebraska Posts: 211	Re: C30 4x4 conversion With the body lift does the frame stick out very far below the body? Does anybody happen to have a picture? Posted via Mobile Device

09-01-2016, 11:02 PM	#8
Bueno 68C-10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: near Grand Island, Nebraska Posts: 211	Re: C30 4x4 conversion I read in one of the threads on this topic that you need to straighten the frame in a certain place. Where is that and is it major? Posted via Mobile Device

09-02-2016, 08:52 AM	#10
Bueno 68C-10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: near Grand Island, Nebraska Posts: 211	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Ok thanks for the advice!! I just wanted to make sure I saw the big picture before diving in! Posted via Mobile Device

09-02-2016, 09:05 AM	#11
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,586	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Your not referring to the e brake cable holes in the front of the 67-72 c-30 frame that need to be filled so you can bolt the spring mounts to the frame are you? __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s

09-02-2016, 09:24 AM	#12
Bueno 68C-10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: near Grand Island, Nebraska Posts: 211	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Yeah that must be what it was but that's nothing too major or structural. Thanks! Posted via Mobile Device

09-02-2016, 07:24 PM	#13
Jeff's bowtie's Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kearneysville Wv Posts: 3,960	Re: C30 4x4 conversion It's not that bad of a job here's pics of how I did mine Posted via Mobile Device Posted via Mobile Device Attached Images

09-02-2016, 07:25 PM	#14
Jeff's bowtie's Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kearneysville Wv Posts: 3,960	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Another Posted via Mobile Device Attached Images

09-02-2016, 07:27 PM	#15
Jeff's bowtie's Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kearneysville Wv Posts: 3,960	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Pic Posted via Mobile Device Attached Images

09-02-2016, 07:28 PM	#16
Jeff's bowtie's Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kearneysville Wv Posts: 3,960	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Welded new plate in Posted via Mobile Device Attached Images



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09-02-2016, 07:30 PM	#17
Jeff's bowtie's Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kearneysville Wv Posts: 3,960	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Pic of finished Posted via Mobile Device Attached Images

09-02-2016, 07:59 PM	#18
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Jeff, did you use 1967-72 spring length or 1973 up ? I am working on building my 1 ton longhorn chassis and not sure what length to use. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

09-02-2016, 08:06 PM	#19
Bueno 68C-10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: near Grand Island, Nebraska Posts: 211	Re: C30 4x4 conversion Is that where the spring shackle then bolts? Posted via Mobile Device

09-03-2016, 12:06 AM	#22
Bueno 68C-10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: near Grand Island, Nebraska Posts: 211	Re: C30 4x4 conversion How much different are the newer springs compared to the 67-72 springs in length? Posted via Mobile Device

09-03-2016, 12:16 PM	#23
Jeff's bowtie's Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kearneysville Wv Posts: 3,960	Re: C30 4x4 conversion They are the same length they are for a 72 they are arched to give the 4 inch lift Posted via Mobile Device Posted via Mobile Device

09-03-2016, 12:22 PM	#24
Bueno 68C-10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: near Grand Island, Nebraska Posts: 211	Re: C30 4x4 conversion I plan to use mine as a ranch truck so I want to make sure that I will be able to handle a load still. Posted via Mobile Device

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