Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Here she be. Really digging the height. Thanks again 1972K20!

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

The truck is looking good! Is your current cab floor in better shape than the donor cab? It looks like it in the pics. It might be easier to cut the roof from the donor at the a and b pillars and install back on your original cab. Then transfer over the cab light stampings. I swapped a roof on a cab this way and it was pretty slick.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

That's what I planned on doing, or having someone do. I got the cab, bed, and a decent grill for 350. So I'm using the glass and top part of cab and then the firewall and dash will be about the only thing left that's good.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Well the project was at a stand still until I found someone to do the body work. But now I'm back at it again. Here's a picture of it before the body work. As of now the frame is back to our shop for blasting and paint and to rebuild the front end. Will be about a month to a month and a half for her to be primed and rust free and put back together at my house. A long ways to go!

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Doing a little frame boxing since I had extra metal and still don't know what drive train I want/can afford, but it makes me want a duramax.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

A Duramax would be awesome.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Nice work on those plates. It's good to hear you found some one to complete the body work too. That sprayer looks like it's too clean too. :lol:

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Thanks! Maybe later down the road it will get a duramax. I just don't have the money to do it correctly like i'd want. I plan on going with an ls truck motor or maybe even an 8.1. But I havent decided yet. The sprayer is what I did all of my work under:lol: The floater tires are the front of the JD and the skinnies are the rear of our Hagie. At least im short so it worked out pretty good.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Replacing the whole front end. Napa stuck it in me without lube:waah:

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

The pile of front end parts. Almost a new front end. Also blasted and painted all of the parts that mount to the frame.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Looking nice! Nothing good is cheap anymore!

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

No sir! If anyone has a good duramax drivetrain let me know;)
Body man has been putting in work. The PO to the bed had a mud truck. He said he filled the dent with about a 1/4" of bondo.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Redneck paint booth... Almost everything is painted. Just need to put things together now.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Looking nice! You have to work with what you have available. Looks good to me. :lol:

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Thanks! Dieselwrencher, you seem to know quite a bit of information on these trucks and their engine swaps. How much more modifying does it take to get a duramax to sit under the hood than an Ls. I'm going to do one or the other, but I'd rather put a duramax in than an Ls. Thanks again!

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

The real difference will be in the engine mounts. You will probably have to build your own engine mounts and cross member. I'm not really sure if anyone is manufacturing them for a GM 4wd swap. You shouldn't have to modify the fire wall either. You'd have a little more work doing the exhaust and getting the RH drop tcase set up if you use an allison than an LS swap. In the long run I wouldn't think it would be that much more difficult. You can get a harness reworked for the duramax just like the LS's, and if you got a donor truck you'd have everything you need to transfer to your truck. (Other than the RH drop tcase)

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

That doesn't sound too terrible. The main thing I'm worried about is wiring but I know plenty of people that could get it done if I can't, just may be a few more dollars.. In the long run I think it'd be worth it. I also plan on running a manual transmission instead of the Allison since I just got my floor pretty much done and I don't want a body lift.;) thanks by the way!!

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

And money.. I'll probably stick a 6.2 Ls with a 5 speed manual or an automatic if I get a package deal.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Axles hung

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

I went and checked on how the body man is doing. He has one bedside looking mint. The other needs some massaging. Currently getting the bed floor patched. I have to get my fuel tank so he can get a fuel door put in the bedside.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Frame is finally done. Back off to the body man. Hope to see it done within the next month or two.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Bed is bolted down. Now he's getting my gas, possibly diesel tank to fill through the marker lamp

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

To get everyone's attention back to this thread. She's getting a duramax. I bought an np241 passenger drop t-case and an Allison transmission the other day. Waiting until I can get off of work to go and get the motor. Body work man plans to have the bed primed along with the front clip and hood. :metal:

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

That's cool!

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Can't wait to see this.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

I hope it will be!

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Your telling me! ;)

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

My Duramax engine, harnesses, and coolers are coming in Friday! The guy doing my body work is moving pretty well. He has got the inner fenders and core support coated with a smoother bed liner. The fenders and hood are primed. The bed needs some little patch panels to remove some bad denting. And then it's ready for its sand and prime. The cab is about to be started. Super excited as I get to build my dream truck. Also my c20 "daily" is getting a 700r4! She's been off the road for a while after I blew the old th350. We've been so busy on the farm we just haven't got around to it.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Awesome man! Good for you! The body work is looking great!

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Thanks. Yeah he's doing a pretty dang good job on it. Wanting to get the drivetrain stuck in so he can get my floor built to accommodate the Allison. Although I want a zf6 the Allison is available and cheaper but it'll also be faster;)

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

I'm interested to see what's done to make the Allison fit. I've got an Allison as well that I will be using in my K30 build.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

That's one thing about this thread is I want to make it ver informational. I'm not going in to it blind but a lot of it we'll see as it goes.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Got my duramax, Allison is getting picked up Sunday, front clip is assembled.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Harness has been sent off, right now I'm gathering misc. engine parts that were taken off the truck when pulled. Also ordered an egr delete with a 3" down pipe. The bed is done pretty much. Just needs another coat.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Harness is done and on its way back. Ecm and tcm are getting tuned and should be headed my way sometime this week. I tore down the engine and painted it. Waiting on a few parts to finish it up and we will be putting it in place. I'm wanting to get by with little to none frame notching but I also want to run a stock hood. I am not going to do a body lift either. I'm not too concerned about cutting my floor or a bit of my firewall up. We will se as we go. And yes the cab still needs aligned.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Paint

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Awesome project!

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Thanks! Looks like you need to start a thread for your k10! The L92 was an option along with the 8.1. But the duramax has always been my dream! Things should start to pick up a little as we aren't seeing 3 digit temps and we won't have to wait on many parts.

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

Depending on how your project goes I might just change my mind :)

Re: 4x4 1971 K20 build
 

We will see. I'm really excited to see how she turns out! I haven't seen an l92 swap yet. Either way you can't go wrong! I'm trying to get my build to be very informational so others can do it as well!