Project C10/K20 Transplant

[gpgofast]

My dad's old "parts truck". He cannibalized the rearend about 30 years ago but otherwise this C10 is complete. Will be mating the body to a K20 chassis. I will probably leave the running gear stock at this time unless I can find a wrecked late 1990's Suburban/K2500. Paint is all original, in great shape other than being faded and virtually NO rust anywhere. About 67,000 miles on the A/C equipped body. It's been sitting in the Nevada desert for about 35 years. Can't wait to start.

Missing a few parts such as brake/clutch pedals, brake booster, etc..I will keep everyone updated as I move forward.

[El Dorado Jim]

will be looking forward to your progress

[gpgofast]

Picked up a titled chassis in Yakima...I wish it already had 3/4 ton axles. We will see once I get the differential covers off. Clean and straight...

[gpgofast]

Linked to photobucket.

[gpgofast]

Frame almost ready to head to the sandblaster. All brake and fuel lines removed. Just need to wank the motor and its off. I will probably leave the axles on with the shackles broken loose to make it easier to haul. I will pull the last eight bolts at the blaster...may have to wait until we get a break in the weather...Going to be hard to paint when it's snowy and cold outside.

Good chance I will be replacing the rear axle with a 14 bolt and replace the Dana 44 hubs with 8 lug units.


[IMG][/IMG]

[El Dorado Jim]

good choice on a new rear end, the 14 bolt out of a 73 or newer truck will fit, you just have to move the spring perches and shock mounts, a 3/4 ton dana 44 front end out of a 73-76 will bolt right in,, ,,,,,,,. I think the ones out of a 71-72 would be pretty hard to find, and I think most of the 3/4 ton rear ends from the early 70's were Eaton, stay away from those....stay away from drum brake front ends on '70 and older trucks..if you change to 3/4 ton axles, you will need the larger brake booster/master cylinder setup from a 71-72 3/4 ton 2 or 4 wheel drive truck,get brackets and firewall brace and rod from brake pedal to booster from a donor truck also has the proportioning valve at the master cylinder....don't try and use your 1/2 ton stuff, won't work!!!!!I have done two of these conversions......keep us updated!

[gpgofast]

Jim,
Thanks for the advice. I found a front end locally with 8 lug hubs. My brother thinks he has a couple of donor 14 bolts "laying around". Sometimes nice to have excess junk around. I will be on the lookout for the correct brake master and proportioning valve.

[gpgofast]

Well, I've "located" drivetrain and need to make a decision on engine. My brother happens to be some kind of "prepper". I wasn't looking to go the EFI route but when someone has a complete engine it makes the decisions for you:

[gpgofast]

Also, I've located a Dana 60 out of a Longhorn and my brother suddenly "remembered" that he had an 8-lug Dana 44 with a bad ring gear.

[gpgofast]

[gpgofast]

Due to the weather this winter I haven't been able to blast the frame yet, but here are some updated pictures. The SM465 and NP 205 cleaned up and ready to go back in.

[gpgofast]

Started prepping the body. Front clip removed and bed is ready to pull off. Once the new frame is complete, I will roll out the C10 chassis and roll under the new K20 chassis.

[gpgofast]

My big brother polished a test spot on the front end!



The hood will have to be clayed to remove the tree sap, but the paint looks like it is going to polish ok!!!

[gpgofast]

Interior cleaning up ok.

[gpgofast]

SM465 and NP205 inspected, cleaned up and ready to run...

[gpgofast]

Cab separated from the C10 frame and ready to by cribbed up to roll the old frame out.

Not sure if I stated this earlier. I am working on this truck "remotely". I live in Washington state where I am working on the chassis and the donor truck is in Nevada. I am working on the donor about one weekend a month. Once I get the chassis complete, I will haul it to Nevada to marry the two...

Makes it a little slow going, but hopefully have a driver before the fall...

[gpgofast]

Frame blasted and ready for paint.

[gpgofast]

Primered...

[gpgofast]

Poorman's rotisserie...

[gpgofast]

[gpgofast]

On the way from Washington to Nevada to join the chassis to the body...




Notice the Dana 60 axle not installed yet. Didn't have eight lug rims in Washington. Will install the axle once it's mated to the cab.

[gpgofast]

Cab cribbed high enough to clear the frame and rear tires...about 32 inches off the ground to the beam carrying the cab...

[gpgofast]

Now have to lower the cab down. Amazing what you can do will cribbing and a hydraulic jack....

[gpgofast]

Cab's all the way down. Needed to lower the rear of the frame to the ground to get the timbers out....



Time for the Dana 60 to go under...

[gpgofast]

Chassis and the cab mated together...