My next project

[57taskforce]

I was hoping to start working on my short bed 69 K10 this year; and I still may but I’m needing a 4x4 to haul wood and other junk around with. My K20 has a near mint OE bed with a 95% dent free original floor, so hauling anything with it is out of the question. I’ve still got my ‘98 K2500 but I’ve sold it to my brother and am holding onto it for another year while he is out of the country. After that it will be all his. I had planned to buy my current 2018 Sierra 2500 company truck this year as it is mileaged out but that is not going to happen because I’m not paying the ridicules trade in price it’s going to bring in a month or so when it gets traded off. So long story short I’m still short and 8’ bed hauler.

I got to thinking, I’ve got an ‘84 silverado C20 I bought last spring that I was planning to do some work to and flip. I know where a few th400/round 205’s are. I know where a few parts trucks are that I can rob the front spring mounts and front crossmembers from to add the front axle, and the rear front 4x4 hanger. I’ve got a few sets of 8 lung axles around. Yep.. C20 to K20 conversion using the 2wd frame. I’m not looking for or interested in another K frame swap. I’m going to do this on the cheap. Hopefully over the spring/summer. I’ve got all the tools to do it, and I’m going to document it just for the hell of it. I’m a glutton for punishment I guess! I’ll add a few pics of the C20 tomorrow.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

I was hoping to start working on my short bed 69 K10 this year; and I still may but I’m needing a 4x4 to haul wood and other junk around with. My K20 has a near mint OE bed with a 95% dent free original floor, so hauling anything with it is out of the question. I’ve still got my ‘98 K2500 but I’ve sold it to my brother and am holding onto it for another year while he is out of the country. After that it will be all his. I had planned to buy my current 2018 Sierra 2500 company truck this year as it is mileaged out but that is not going to happen because I’m not paying the ridicules trade in price it’s going to bring in a month or so when it gets traded off. So long story short I’m still short and 8’ bed hauler.

I got to thinking, I’ve got an ‘84 silverado C20 I bought last spring that I was planning to do some work to and flip. I know where a few th400/round 205’s are. I know where a few parts trucks are that I can rob the front spring mounts and front crossmembers from to add the front axle, and the rear front 4x4 hanger. I’ve got a few sets of 8 lung axles around. Yep.. C20 to K20 conversion using the 2wd frame. I’m not looking for or interested in another K frame swap. I’m going to do this on the cheap. Hopefully over the spring/summer. I’ve got all the tools to do it, and I’m going to document it just for the hell of it. I’m a glutton for punishment I guess! I’ll add a few pics of the C20 tomorrow.

Sounds like fun, I'm in to watch.

[dennislbrooks]

Yea -- 2wd to 4wd K20 - go for it.

[57taskforce]

I should have the complete front 1/3 of a blazer frame lopped off right behind the front door body mount, at the house later this week. That’ll get me both the front cross members and the spring hangers with a template to drill and mount the shackle hanger if I do it right. Here’s a few of the truck as it is now. 100% rust free, original paint, and pretty damn straight, was a 6.2 originally now has a 350.

My plan is to swap axles with either a temporary 1/2 ton set I’ve got or maybe even the current 44/14boltFF axles under my 72 K20 with another re perch in the rear. The 72 is about to get a set of square body K30 axles in the next few months, but I had been planning to run them under my ‘69 K10. We’ll see what happens. Id like to keep it 8 lug but don’t have any non dana 60 front 8 lug axles other than what’s under the 72. If I do run the 6 lug set I’ve got It would only be till I could come up with another 8 lug 44 or convert one of my dually 60’s over to single wheel.

Planning stock height for now but probably lift it 4” and 35’s in next few years. This one actually belonged to my wife and she was kinda sad when I said I was about ready to let it go. I’m going to build it for her to keep. She’s pretty excited for it. I didn’t realize she had run around in it quite a bit when she was a kid when I bought it last year.

[b454rat]

Maybe cause I had a 1 ton, but NONE of the factory stuff works on a 2wd frame. Check out Offroaddesign.com, they have the stuff to convert to 4wd using a 2wd.

[57taskforce]

Thanks, I’ve got a K30 frame at the house, you are right, the 1 ton stuff won’t work. My 57 is on a 88 blazer frame and a little work with the tape measure and the blazer crossmembers will clear. The front spring mount/cab mount combo just bolt up in place of the factory 2wd core support mounts with a few extra holes drilled.

[Richard]

Will keep an eye out for the build.

[duallyjams]

Sounds like a plan, everything should go smoothly.

[Dieselwrencher]

I'm looking forward to the build too. IMO I think the C trucks have less holes in their frame than the K trucks of this era. It might actually be stronger with the C frame. That is cool she has an attachment to it and it'll be hers.

[57taskforce]

Thanks guys, surgery has begun!

[57taskforce]

Got this hacked off and hauled to the house today, from an ‘86 blazer. Might start pulling the motor and mounting the frame pieces next weekend.

[Dieselwrencher]

Is that a pinion snubber behind the RH engine mount?

[Richard]

Seems a bit far back and to far right for the pinion. Axle is in front/under the crossmember.

[57taskforce]

Ryan, that is just a leaf spring bump stop, maybe blazer only? My 57 has the same one. I can see where it looks like a pinion snubber for sure.

I’ve been knocking rivets off with my air hammer off and on for 2 days. Making some progress. Front crossmember is out and the engine crossmember is about ready to come out. I’m probably going to try and pull the motor next weekend as momma and the kids are going to salt lake to visit my brother in law. I’d like to have the drive train out and the 2wd crossmembers removed and start mocking 4x4 stuff up by the time they come back… we’ll see what happens. I sure do love the hell out of my IR air hammer. I’ve had to sharpen a few chisel bits up with my die grinder but boy does it make quick work or those rivets. I’ll add some more pictures in the next day or two.

I gotta get going on this quick. I’m fixing to bring home an Iroc that’s been sitting for a LONG time for me and my boy to start messing with. I’m pumped to start building the iroc so my boy can have a blue Camaro like me
I also power washed the engine, frame and cowl. I couldn’t believe how much New Mexico red dirt there was in top of the cowl… it was plumb full. I’m amazed it didn’t cause any rust. Crazy to think that’s just many years of blowing dust.

Edit: of course both of the damn pictures loaded sideways and upside down. I’ll deal with that in a bit.

[Dieselwrencher]

You are very lucky there is no rot from that clogged mess. The Iroc sounds fun for sure. A good air hammer and a sharp chisel bit definitely are your best friend for tackling those rivets. A punch bit doesn't hurt either.