c20 into a 4x4 using oem gm k10 equipment?

[dmartin1]

Can anyone see a problem with using a 1972 c20 frame and putting the oem equipment off a 71 k10 onto it?

I have the fabrication ability and large welders, lifts etc.

Does anybody know if this will work, or is a c20 frame dimensions too different to work with the k10 crossmembers?


If it helps any, i also have a 1978 k20 i could use parts from or even the axles ( dana front, 14 bolt rear).

[Bigdav160]

Is it a leaf spring or coil spring frame? I would think a leaf spring frame would be easy. Probably bolt in.

Coil spring frames are a little different shape and has a large central crossmember.

[First c10]

dmartin1, 2wd to 4wd will take some work. check out 7dee2's build
7DEE2

He did it but used 3/4 or 1 ton running gear but the same work is need to make a 2x4 to a 4x4.....
hope this help

[franken]

Originally Posted by First c10

dmartin1, 2wd to 4wd will take some work. check out 7dee2's build
7DEE2

He did it but used 3/4 or 1 ton running gear but the same work is need to make a 2x4 to a 4x4...

He did a frame swap which is a bit different. I think the unanswered question above about whether the current truck is leaf or coil springs is valid. I seem to recall that rear WMS is slightly (1-1.5") different on 2x4 and 4x4 67-72 trucks.

As for the 78 K20, the front would bolt up to a 67-72 4x4 frame but the frame brackets won't be on a 2x4 frame so some fab would be needed. The 78 rear has spring perches further out and one shock mount is on the wrong side. Those would need to be moved.

The front crossmember is also different on a 4x4 as I recall.

[andrewmp6]

As long as both frames are the same wheel base it should work maybe be bolt in.

[LowLifeS10]

Im in the progress of converting a -72 c20 to 4x4 by using a blazer k5 -82 as a donor. Im using all the brackets from the blazer except the most rearwards. The brackets needs to be modified a lil bit.

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by franken

He did a frame swap which is a bit different.

We did explore using our donor 84 K3500 3+3 frame early on but ultimately acquired a C20-30 Longhorn frame that we converted to 4wd. We used a generation correct 4x k-member and retrofitted both front (71-72 K20) and rear (mostly 84 K3500) suspensions utilizing all 1 ton drw running gear.

Originally Posted by dmartin1

Can anyone see a problem with using a 1972 c20 frame and putting the oem equipment off a 71 k10 onto it?

I have the fabrication ability and large welders, lifts etc.

Does anybody know if this will work, or is a c20 frame dimensions too different to work with the k10 crossmembers?

If it helps any, i also have a 1978 k20 i could use parts from or even the axles ( dana front, 14 bolt rear).

First c10 is correct in that we did use the style parts you describe. I don’t see any problem using the 71 K10 stuff up front on your C20, the front position hangers are a bolt on most of the work is in the front rear position and the k-member.