K20 Questions on a Frame

[Seanext]

Ok so here we go. I needed a frame for my 71 K10. The current frame has been repaired several times over the years for rust issues so the search was on for a frame. Another board member located one for me in KY about 5 hours away. Went and got it yesterday, in the southeast so we have been flooding here and more rain over the next two days. Frame is still on the trailer been trying to get out and take pics but just want stop raining. As soon as it breaks I will post pic to help with the questions.

Here is what I know so far.
The frame is a long bed with 8 lug axles.
Had a step side bed on it.
It is a true 4X4 frame not converted.
Vin tag was gone from the cab so no help there.
The serial number on the frame starts with 0 so I am assuming it is a 70. There is the correct bumps in the frame for the power steering mount.
It has a 292 cross member.
Has power steering gear box.
It has the bracket mounted to the frame for automatic and not one for the clutch pivot on the frame rail.
Has a 8 lug closed axle Dana 44 I assume.
Has 8 lug Eaton HO52 I assume.

Here are the questions and know this thing is 46 years old and parts could have been changed over the years just wondering what "could be" original.

1. It is my understanding that a 70 should be open knuckle with drum brakes? Again will get BOM numbers and pics when I can. Were there 70's built with the closed knuckles?

2. Will the numbers on the Eaton tell me if it is a HO52 or HO72? if not how do I tell which one it is? My understanding is HO52 were 3/4 and HO72 were 1 ton but there is a lot of conflicting information on this one. Also will the numbers tell if it is no spin.

3. How rare would a 3/4 ton 4x4 292 with auto and power steering have been?

4. What other information can gather from the frame to tell me exactly what year it is and any other information

Ok the monsoon stopped for a few minutes and got this pics

[Seanext]

More Pics

[Seanext]

I tried to get pics of the BOM for the front axle but there is an after market steering damper mounted over where it would be so will have to remove it to get to the number will try later. Rains came again.

[Seanext]

I found the Eaton axle code and it shows 1970 KE20 4.57 to 1. Still doesn't match the 292 cradle KE should be V8 but the year is correct. Could have been a special order?

[Seanext]

Were engine cradles bolted or riveted in from the factory?

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Seanext

Were engine cradles bolted or riveted in from the factory?

I’ve always seen them bolted. You may already know this but that 292 cross member is very uncommon! That would not take long to sell if you wanted to.
Decent looking frame you’ve got there

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Seanext

It has a 292 cross member.
Has power steering gear box.
It has the bracket mounted to the frame for automatic and not one for the clutch pivot on the frame rail.
Has a 8 lug closed axle Dana 44 I assume.
Has 8 lug Eaton HO52 I assume.

Here are the questions and know this thing is 46 years old and parts could have been changed over the years just wondering what "could be" original.

1. It is my understanding that a 70 should be open knuckle with drum brakes? Again will get BOM numbers and pics when I can. Were there 70's built with the closed knuckles?

2. Will the numbers on the Eaton tell me if it is a HO52 or HO72? if not how do I tell which one it is? My understanding is HO52 were 3/4 and HO72 were 1 ton but there is a lot of conflicting information on this one. Also will the numbers tell if it is no spin.

3. How rare would a 3/4 ton 4x4 292 with auto and power steering have been?

4. What other information can gather from the frame to tell me exactly what year it is and any other information

Ok the monsoon stopped for a few minutes and got this pics

1- it must not be the original '70 front axle. You are correct, '70s have drum brakes and open knuckles which means same steering as '71-up. ;69-nack had different steering arrangement.

2- The K/20 rear will be an HO52. Some may have the side bolt, but not an HO72. Some mistake them for HO72s. It's the same rear (in single wheel) in either series, but HO72s have bigger brakes.

3- A Stepside K/20 would be rare and even more rare would be an automatic with 4.57s. Not sure that arrangement would be factory, axles of auto swapped in.

4- I can't think of any way to tell the years apart between '70 and '72... other than serial #. '69-back front spring hangers are different.

[57taskforce]

Also 72 has the spring stop strap welded to the drivers front hanger and the bolt on bracket behind the drivers front spring to keep the spring from going thru the floor in the event of a crash. I can take pics of those later. I think the dealers may have even started putting them on in 71 because of a recall. 72 should be factory installed as far as I know.

[Seanext]

I was thinking the front axle must have been replaced at sometime but didn't know if maybe early 70 models had the closed knuckle axles. It is hard to tell what may have been swapped through out it's life. I guess I will just sell them and keep what is under my truck now. Thanks for all the information.

[special-K]

The frame is right anyway. I saw an opposite situation recently. Five or so years ago a member in PA needed a better frame for his '72 K/20. I found one for sale described as being a '69. I could see in the pictures it had an open knuckle Dana44, red lnob Spicer lock-outs, later front springs, later steering, and NP465/NP205. I put the member on to it and told him "Don't bother telling him he has it listed wrong, just buy it. It's exactly what you need". Just last month we stripped the frame of all components in preparation for the swap.

I would try to offer up the '69 front end, or pair of axles if not keeping rear for spare. While most want open knuckle and disc brakes, there are those who "restore to original" and the parts are worth saving for them.

[Seanext]

I will list the parts on the parts board as soon as I can get them off the frame. I am firm believer in keeping what we can alive from these old trucks. There is no telling how many of these old truck get sent to the crusher. I bought some parts from a guy in SC that was taking some metal from his machine shop to the scrap yard and meet a guy bringing a 70 lwb to sale for scrap, gave him 300 dollars for it and drove it home. Never my luck but another one saved.

[special-K]

Yep. Keep 'em alive!

[Seanext]

Got a chance to spend some time with the frame today and had to share the Mod's the last owner installed LOL

Pic 1 ran wiring through flexible conduit. I guess it would be hard to chaff the wire that way

Pic 2 ran brake line through water hose not sure why but it is sure is a pretty green.

Pic 3 not sure why but they cut the middle section of the transfer case crossmember out

Pic 4 It is had to see but they welded the trailer hitch in and took a step bumper and bent the bracets and the bolted and welded the bumper to the frame.

All of the Mod's can be fixed but just intresting what people do to this old trucks

[Seanext]

Sorry Pics will not up load say my security token is broken

[jocko]

The 0F in the frame VIN indeed means it's a 70, but also a Flint truck.
4.57 is standard ratio, but so is a 6 and manual trans. An original automatic truck "should" have come with 4.10s - so I would have guessed that the auto trans was swapped in if you had 4.57s. But, good eye on the lack of frame clutch linkage pivot, so who knows!

[Seanext]

Here is one pic i think

[Seanext]

Here are the other pics

[CarlsLQ9SS]

Hey Melvin

I missed alot of that when I was looking at the frame for you, but it was grew up in the weeds and trees!!! I did see the 292 cross member and the auto piece for the shifter on the frame though. The water hose and brake line is classic! lol. If you didnt get the frame I was gonna grab the the 292 cross member out of it. They had also put a ford power brake booster on the cab at some point...

Carl

[Seanext]

I am sure there will be more things that will make you go HUM wonder what they were thinking. LOL

[BlazerBill]

Did all K10 get the frame reinforcement plate at the steering box to frame location? Or was it an option on all K’s? Thanks for your response
B.B.