Frame swap - C10 to K10

[TrybalRage]

I saw a couple of other frame-related posts, but just wanted to clarify.

I have a 1985 C10 that I bought in GA, super clean body, no rot, just surface rust on hood and roof. I moved to PA two years ago and a 2WD truck in the northeast just doesn't work real well in the Winter.

Wife and I had considered getting an older 4WD vehicle with a plow for our driveway (it's a bit long to shovel). Past two winters I've been borrowing a lawn tractor with a little plow on it (thanks Dad!).

I recently found an 82 K10 with a plow that the body is rotted out on, I've been kicking around finding something like that and swapping my C10 body onto the K10 frame.

Since the years are so close, I would think it would be a pretty straightforward swap, right? The K10 is stick, so if I wanted to keep that I guess I'd have to cut a hole in the floor, but if I keep my TH350 then that wouldn't be a problem. Other than that, most things should bolt right up, I would think.

Any advice or things to look out for if I pull the trigger?

[RyanNewberry]

Very easy and should be straight forward. Main difference is the k10 cab has a high hump for the tranny tunnel and you would need to put that in the c10 cab regardless of keeping it a stick or auto. I usually just cut out the high hump and weld it in. Since the years are very close and body style is the same you won’t need to worry about body mount differences.

[mongocanfly]

my 81 has a bolt in high tunnel...

[RyanNewberry]

Really mongo? That’s interesting, I could be completely wrong so correct me if I’m wrong but I always thought that the 73-80 trucks were the bolt in tunnels. The later years were built in to the flor, then again I could be wrong.

[44th Miss Inf]

82 or 83 was the last year of the bolt in tunnel. My 82 had one but my 84 doesn’t

[Joe Z]

4x4's and manuals have the high hump unless colum shift. The floors are very different and you'd need to do some cutting if it's not a bolt in panel. If you swap to an auto you'll need a 4x4 tranny but you won't need to modify the floor as much. Maybe just a small patch or a love tap or two with a hammer. I think you might be better off getting a solid 4x4 model but if you go this route is be interested in your 2wd chassis.

[sweetk30]

i have 3 trucks with 2wd donor bodys on them .

and if you do a 2" body lift they clear the floor just fine.

my 1 truck started with a 456/205 combo and now has a 400/205 combo . with the 2wd low floor pan hump it clears just fine on a 2" body lift.

currently in the starting stage of another 2wd to 4x4 swap . going to try a 1" body lift .

my trucks are also k30 1ton frame trucks. but the extra on k30 frames is on the bottom sides .

[TrybalRage]

Originally Posted by Joe Z

I think you might be better off getting a solid 4x4 model but if you go this route is be interested in your 2wd chassis.

If I go this route I'll keep you in mind. It's amazing how well the underside holds up in an environment that's not 30 years of road salt. It would be a nice setup for someone who wants to keep 2WD.

[Joe Z]

Originally Posted by sweetk30

i have 3 trucks with 2wd donor bodys on them .

and if you do a 2" body lift they clear the floor just fine.

my 1 truck started with a 456/205 combo and now has a 400/205 combo . with the 2wd low floor pan hump it clears just fine on a 2" body lift.

currently in the starting stage of another 2wd to 4x4 swap . going to try a 1" body lift .

my trucks are also k30 1ton frame trucks. but the extra on k30 frames is on the bottom sides .

Somehow I don't think I'd have ever thought of that but it makes a lot of sense.

Personally I love my 2wd. I live on a steep hill and have never had an issue, even the few times I ran it without snow tires. 7 years and a lot of deep snow but never been stuck. Stick shift makes a world of difference. My auto 4x4s were worse. Had to use 4 wheel in light snow.

[sweetk30]

what ever your needs are 2wd or 4wd is all that matters .

me i need work trucks . i have a 2wd short bed fun toy .

my 4x4 trucks have snow plows on them and haul scrap and wood and trailers .

it just happens i get great deals on clean 2wd trucks no one wants and rusted out k30's no one wants so i body swap them . and bam i have a like new k30 .

77k30 with 85 c10 body
85 k30 frame with 2wd cab and box mix and match
79k30 c&c long frame with flatbed and 87 c10 cab / front clip and made matching trailer from the rest .

[sweetk30]

current one is this 87 c10 2wd going on k30 crew cab frame i am shortening to std cab frame and using whats left of the old plow truck flatbed driveline/suspension/axles.

dosnt look like it in the last pic but she went from 135" wb to 110" . back of frame was shot so i shortened it up . and few years later now the body is falling off it . and i miss the long bed wheel base ride .

the doner 87 in first pic is a 700 buck truck . fully loaded silverado v8 . long list of parts / work needed to make road worthy . so i said screw it same work load for me to just frame swap it .

[sweetk30]

i see joe z your only 110 miles away from me south .

[Joe Z]

Originally Posted by sweetk30

i see joe z your only 110 miles away from me south .

You up by or in New York then?

[sweetk30]

horseheads ny just over the boarder

[Marvin]

I changed my 1966 c10 frame to a k10. In my case I needed to extend my frame 41”. So I got a 1968 k10 frame that was damaged on the left front. Since I needed the 41” I took the two frames, front is a c10 and welded the rear of the k10. With the two frames I only had one joint in the middle. As for the front c10 I only had to make one change that was where the rear shackle connect to the frame. The frame is different at this point. So I had to flatten the frame and drilled some holes. If you are thinking of changing a c10 to k10 replace the frame. There is a huge difference.

[808_67C10]

I love flat beds... its a pretty popular trend here in Hawaii. Mostly because the toyota beds always rust out so, they just build a flat bed. That said, been seeing a yellow 80ish K10 running around my neighborhood with a flat bed. Looks pretty awesome!