72 K10 to C10 conversion

[67see10]

This might be a odd question because it appears that every one is doing the opposite, but can a k10 to converted to a c10? Has anyone done this conversion before?

I have a 70 c10 donor truck and I also have a k10 chassis that was giving to me.

[jocko]

NOOOOoooooooo DOOOOoonnnnnnn'tttt DOOOooooo Iiiiiiiiiiit!
But seriously, the easiest way to do it would be to swap onto a C chassis.
The "easiest-er" way would be to sell it and buy a C10. You may come out ahead financially, especially considering the cost of such a conversion.

So, it begs the question, what is the reason for wanting to do it?

I guess I'm a little confused - you have a K10 chassis only and a 70 C10 donor truck. I assume the C has the body with it and that it's a complete truck? It sounds like your conversion is already done and you have a leftover K10 chassis(?) Not trackin.

I realize I haven't answered your question as to what all is involved - but my point is that there's a reason you don't see this conversion written up often (if at all) - it's less hassle and less $ to buy a C and sell a K. If there is some sentimental reason for keeping THIS particular truck, well, then I get that, and hopefully someone will be able to provide an answer with much more detail than I have.

[67see10]

So the reason why i asked is because the frame is a Shortbed and the donor is a a longbed frame. I was trying to determine if it would be easier to swap all the parts from the lwb donor to the swb frame than to cut the lwb frame down.

[randy500]

Honestly you should build the original short bed 4wd frame as 4wd....

There should be a bunch of threads on converting 4wd blazer to 2wd...
Some differences are 4wd rear spring hangars at different and longer
4wd frame is thicker and has a wider top and bottom flanges

[57taskforce]

I bet That factory shortbed 4x4 frame will bring more money than a 2x4 short... just sayin. Far less 4x4 shorts were made than 2x4.as far the work. Definitely easier to cut the long 2x4 frame down than convert a 4x4.

[supercheyenne]

Originally Posted by 67see10

This might be a odd question because it appears that every one is doing the opposite, but can a k10 to converted to a c10? Has anyone done this conversion before?

Look into Blazer conversions. It's common to turn a K5 into a C5.

[jocko]

It sounds like you REALLY don't want a 4x4? Because I'd have to agree with some of the posts above in that a K10 frame is a terrible thing to waste (that sounds harsh, but they're not exactly common). Personally, I'd build the swb K10 out of your set of trucks (but that is me, what matters is what YOU want when you're all done with this).

So, just to confirm, your ultimate goal here seems to be a swb C10, yes?

Personally, since the body swap to a K10 swb frame that is converted to 2WD is a frankentruck and a C10 lwb that is cut down to a swb is also a frankentruck (and I do NOT mean that in a derogatory way, I'm just saying the both are far removed from stock at that point), I'd say go ahead and cut down the C10 frame as has been done a million times by others before trying to convert a swb K10 frame to a swb C10 frame. Both require work, but one of these options leaves you with an intact swb K10 frame when you're done. Very nice to have - or very nice to sell.

Having said all that, if you choose to do what I think you're trying to do, then supercheyenne is probably spot-on with checking out the blazer side of the house, that's about the only place I've seen K to C conversions.

[canuckian]

If you're set on a 2wd short bed truck, I'd cut the long bed down and either wait for another donor cab/bed to build the k truck or sell it to help fund your c10 build.

Real 4x4 trucks are getting harder to find, especially short bed ones.

[1972K20]

4wd short bed is hard to come by.

[67see10]

looks like i'll be building a 4x4 truck in the future

[special-K]

It's common to turn a K/5 4wd into a K/5 2wd (no such thing as a C5) because 2wd drive K/5s are also rare...and desireable, same as the shortbed K/10 compared to C/10. If you don't want a 4wd just sell/trade the 4wd chassis for a 2wd.

[Mike C]

I'm piling on with the other guys. Don't convert the K10 to a C10. Short bed 4x4 are WAY less common than 2x4 trucks. Find someone who wants a 4 wheel drive shorty and sell it to them then buy a 2 wheel drive truck for yourself.

[TBohne]

Wish I was closer to you, I have a c10 short bed frame that is blasted and painted I would think about trading for that k10 chassis.