67-72 4x4 questions

[Deer_hunter_088]

So, I have a 69 k10 I'm restoring, It's currently on a shortened squarebody frame, and I want a longbed k20 by the end of it. I have a 72 c20 parts truck, trailing arm rear, could I use my squarebody front suspension under the c20 to make it a 4x4? Finding a 4x4 frame is impossible around me that someone doesn't want an arm and a leg for.

[jerry moss]

talk with board member BlueBullet, he's doing a longhorn to a K30 swap. i just sent him the brackets for the front leaf springs and your C20 frame has marks where all the brackets need to be mounted, it's even marked in the rear for leaf spring hangers. if you decide to go that route your squarebody rear diff will bolt in with the only modification needed is one shock mount will have to be relocated to the front of the axle housing.

[Deer_hunter_088]

Originally Posted by jerry moss

talk with board member BlueBullet, he's doing a longhorn to a K30 swap. i just sent him the brackets for the front leaf springs and your C20 frame has marks where all the brackets need to be mounted, it's even marked in the rear for leaf spring hangers. if you decide to go that route your squarebody rear diff will bolt in with the only modification needed is one shock mount will have to be relocated to the front of the axle housing.

Sweet, I assume my square front end will bolt in the front?

[57taskforce]

https://www.offroaddesign.com/replac...ucks-pair.html

https://www.offroaddesign.com/1967-1...ly-kevlar.html

https://www.offroaddesign.com/tensio...hevy-pair.html

The only thing I don’t believe ORD makes is the rear main eye hanger but you could always use all four 2wd hangers for a 67-72 2wd if need be. I’m not a fan of converting to 4x4 and leaving the trailing arms personally. There’s a little welding that needs to happen on the 2wd frame to mount the front shackle hangers but otherwise it’s not a bad job.
Square body stuff uses longer front springs so it’s definitely not a “bolt in swap”. Not saying it’s not possible, it’s just more involved. You can use the sqaure body steering box, axle and drag link as they are all basically the same as 67-72.

[jerry moss]

Originally Posted by Deer_hunter_088

Sweet, I assume my square front end will bolt in the front?

yes it will bolt right in, you might have to fabricate brake lines. your steering box off the square body will bolt in too. you will need an engine and transmission crossmember for a 4x4. if someone close to you doesnt have them i have both but shipping would be a killer. i also have a torque bracket for a 205 transfer case if thats what you'll be running.

[Deer_hunter_088]

Sweet! I wonder if the square crossmember would fit, plan is to make it a leaf truck all around. I'd like to find a 205 but I do have a fresh th350 or a 465. Engine will either be a ls or a 350, whichever I decide to put in it as I have both. Plan is to make it a nice old truck but still be able to do truck stuff. One of the trailing arms is bad so I'm 99%sure it'll be leaf sprung when done

[57taskforce]

Ord also makes a 4x4 engine crossmember too… look around on there any you’ll find it.

[special-K]

Just take all the Squarebody 4wd parts off that chassis and install them on your 2wd chassis...spring mounts, cross members, everything.

[Deer_hunter_088]

Originally Posted by special-K

Just take all the Squarebody 4wd parts off that chassis and install them on your 2wd chassis...spring mounts, cross members, everything.

If special k says it'll work I know it will. Did some measuring and it'll move the wheels back half inch in the wheel wells up front, but I'm sure I can figure it out to make it line up right. I'd rather have a k20 long bed as I have a 94 shortbed show truck and haven't had a long bed. Plus, I've always liked the look of a lifted longbed.