Why K20’s ?

[bhayes1]

Maybe it’s just my perception but K20s / 2500s seem to be more desirable than the K10s / 1500s. My last one had 4.11 gears and a th350. With a factory tire height, as most of you know it didn’t like the highway.

As soon as I sold it, I regretted it and bought another one that I am slowly collecting parts for. With the 1/2 4x4s having basically everything else the same but with gearing in the 3.xx’s it seems like they would be much more driveable in today’s conditions - and therefore more desirable than the 3/4ton trucks.

Is my perception right and if so why do you think that is. Just throwing it out there.

BTW - ultimately my dream is a GV OD unit behind my np205 which would make the above a mute point. Still just curious.

[Coley]

Respectfully....I have always found the 1/2 tons to be more desireable than the 3/4 tons....and not necessarily from a personal perspective.
We have a lot of 3/4 tons up here in the PNW and a lot of 4wd's.....so the big, heavy duty stuff isn't that difficult to find.

The high option 1/2 tons tho'....that is a different story and particularly in the K10's...which are quiet rare around these parts.

The feedback I've heard about the 3/4 tons is the suspension and ride is too harsh and a great many guys aren't working these trucks anymore, just enjoying them.
As a result, the 1/2 tons...K10, 2wd, etc end up being more driveable in the long run.

That said, it all comes down to personal taste. If i had a classic camper, I would love to have a nice restored 3/4 ton (C20, K20) to put it on!

All good
Coley

[71blksuper4x4]

It is all dependent on the individual's tastes.

K20's appeal to more of the working class as they still work some of these trucks and the K20 of course, having the higher hauling/towing capacity, attracts someone whom needs a good working truck. It also is appealing to have the cab clearance lamps for the nostalgic look. Many people also had family members they grew up with that had the more heavy duty work trucks on farms and such. They were also quite a few high optioned K20's. Many due to pulling campers and the like.

K10's are different. There doesn't seem to be as many highly optioned models as opposed to their big brother. The long bed's are desirable of course, but not anywhere like the short bed versions. That's where I believe most of the appeal of a k10 lies, is having a short bed version. There is just not that many compared to all the longbed k10 and k20's.

I do believe though if there would have been a factory 67-72 K30, I believe they would be a hot investment. If the squarebody k30 is any indication, People love the heavy duty trucks. Those K30's whether single cab or crew cab, are on fire lately.

[Baime]

Bhayes,
I liked your comments about K20 trucks.

My thoughts about the popularity of 1/2 tons vs 3/4 tons.

I understand why the 1/2 ton short bed trucks are desired. They can be lowered and modified to be a very nice alternative to a sports car.

I purchased a C2500 LWB figuring it was the least collectable of the 67-72 GM trucks, but I just liked the heavy duty feel and look of it. I wanted an old truck, not a sports car. I also want to use it like a truck.

Take care,

JP

[truckster]

I've owned close to a dozen of both 1/2 and 3/4 ton Chevy and GMC trucks from 1964 to 1986 model years. The 3/4 tons definitely ride rougher, so if you're not using it to haul seriously, the 1/2 is a better option.

[Chris 71 K10]

I am definitely new to these trucks as I have only had my 71 K10 a few months now. I am not fully clear on the differences of the K10 to the 20 other than the gearing. I'm guessing there was options that could make them closer or further from each other. Mine is factory with heavy rear springs and can hold a pretty decent load. 3.07 gears make for nice hwy driving like you mentioned so as it is my daily this is nice but we do have horses, and a 2 horse trailer and they are not light. I have pulled the trailer but not loaded with the horses yet. That may be a slow haul but with my gearing but I am hoping not horrible.

[bhayes1]

And to clarify, I was not trying to make a comparison of a SWB highly optioned K10 vs a LWB K20 - two differently sought after trucks.
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[67chevemall]

What is the first year for k20?

[CRMW]

K20's rock and I hear you about the 4:10's. My truck came with 3 gas tanks, the ranch that it came from had a long driveway and I think the Aux tanks were needed to get it to the gas station. I have an 09 with a 5.3 & a 6l80 that i want to swap in. Some tweaking for another 50 or so hp and with the granny low and double od gearing in the 6l80 I'm hoping to make the 4:10's sing.

Chris

[jocko]

Originally Posted by 67chevemall

what is the first year for k20?

1960.

[jimer1964]

^ That is one kool K20!

[KQQL IT]

A K20 just looks right.
Some 33x12.50s slot mags and few inch lift go together perfectly.

Like a C10 looks proper down on a 4 - 6 drop.

[special-K]

4wds are brawny. A K/20 is brawnier.

[CG]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

A K20 just looks right.
Some 33x12.50s slot mags and few inch lift go together perfectly.

I agree =)

[special-K]

I agree. New shiny or old dull

[davepl]

Depends on you, I think. In the broader market the lighter duty trucks were more cheap and plentiful and remain that way in the used market. You'd think people would prefer towards the HD units, but only some do.

I know I do, and restored a Longhorn with 1T frame instead of a half. Probably worth less than a halfton when I was done but its what I wanted, a "real" truck.

[special-K]

I have an 8-lug fetish. They call me 8-lugger I always say I like 'em all, and I truly do. And I would own any. But my primary preference has always been K/20s and secondary is 8-luggers because that's what I felt I needed for my commercial and personal applications. The 1/2 tons I have had were K/5s and short beds, although I have owned a few long bed 10s just because. Same with Suburbans. There's something about a K/20 Suburban over the rest. I'm just a truck guy so I want the most truck and for me K/5s and short beds are my cars. If I got a muscle car it would be an El Camino. If I wanted a horse I'd get a mule.

[davepl]

Yes, a K20 sub would be a fine beast. Something like that would need a straight cut first gear just for the sound!

[outfield]

All of my trucks prior to my '69 K20 where short beds. I got by hauling with these by putting down the tailgate, or making two trips if the load was too heavy...

I bought my '69 K20 about 2 years ago, and it is a work truck. I have towed trailers, hauled fire wood, lumber, rock, dirt, scrap metal, furniture, plywood, ladders, made dump runs, etc. I never knew how much more room there was in a long bed! And how much better a K20 handled the heavy loads!

And then the "K" 4 wheel drive is the only way to go for someone like me that spends time out in the woods.

So I think the popularity of the K20's is that they can do it all, if you don't mind a bit of a rough ride, and driving the speed limit (most of the time).

[too much stuff]

Originally Posted by davepl

Yes, a K20 sub would be a fine beast. Something like that would need a straight cut first gear just for the sound!

They are a fine beast...

[57taskforce]

I like the K20s because I feel that for what a truck is intended to be ( hauling, towing, working in general) they are the king of the mountain in the 67-72 years. (Closely followed by the long horns, too bad they never made them with factory 4x4) The K20s are extremely capable and equally relaible as they came from gm. Nothing against shorties or hot rod trucks but I’ve got a late model camaro to go fast in. I like my trucks to be ready to work if I need them to.

[CG]

Originally Posted by too much stuff

They are a fine beast...

That thing really is a beast!!!

My 72 K20 burb was converted to K10 before I bought it. A friend of Marks had a chassis from a little bit later model Blazer (I think it was a Blazer?), anyway it was converted to 3/4 ton with 14 bolt ff rear. At the time I was just looking for a 700R4 for 4wheel drive. Mark told me about this and I thought what a great way to get the burb back to K20 status and get my 700R4. Then someone wanted the burb more than I wanted to keep it haha!

Now I have this rolling chassis with 3/4 ton running gear. Im keeping the 700R4 and have no use for the rest. I do have a shorty 4x4 project, but I think making that 3/4 ton would be kind of weird. Plus at the rate Im getting rid of stuff shorty will probably go away too (its a mutt so don't get excited lol).

[special-K]

In a word, K/20s are the Mack Daddys. Ok, words... over

Originally Posted by too much stuff

They are a fine beast...

There are those slots again!

[bhayes1]

Speaking of the creatures. This one recently came home with me (last week)... I've been trying to make right since I decided to sell my GMC K2500 a year or two ago and regretted it ever since. I've been buying and selling trying to trade up enough to get another driver out of the deal. I am happy to have this one. She is a little rough but overall has what I am looking for.

Anyone know whats up with the rear sway bar?

[bhayes1]

w/ pics