Question about frames

[Dr_Snooz]

Does anyone know if there is a difference between the frame rails on a K20 vs. the K30? Is the K30 frame stronger? Basically, if I bought a 3/4 ton frame (crew cab) would I be able to build a 1 ton truck on it?

Thanks!

[yellowk20]

Ok, the 1-ton frames are thicker and taller ( both 2wd and 4wd )


BUT the 3/4 ton crew cabs are the exception , they are built on 1-ton frame .


So yes you can use a 3/4 ton crew cab frame to build a true 1-ton truck

[pholliday1]

Generally on the crewcabs the only thing your picking up ( no pun intented) on the 1 ton is a little heavier spring rate and the bigger/beefier dana 60. most people are after the dana 60 that run bigger tires lift kits etc.

[Captkaos]

Ditto on what Pholliday1 stated...
Keeping in mind there are only 3/4 Ton 2WD frames, there are no 3/4 4x4 crew cabs.

[bake74]

Ditto on what Pholliday1 stated...
Keeping in mind there are only 3/4 Ton 2WD frames, there are no 3/4 4x4 crew cabs.

     I just want to get this right in my head, GM used actual 1 ton frames to build the k20 crew cabs correct ?  ( like Yellow k20's  76 k20 crew cab truck, and the 75 that I saw in redding Ca. where I live ).

[yellowk20]

Yes, the frame for the 3/4 ton Crew Cab is the same as the 1-tons. Really the only thing thats not 1-ton is the Front Axle

[Dr_Snooz]

I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my truck after it jettisoned its timing chain and bent all its valves. I need a 4x4 for where I live and I need a smog exempt truck. I also want a 1-ton crew cab. I went to check out someone's project truck last week. He wanted $2,000 firm for a K20 4x4 crew cab frame, body, Dana 60 front axle, all relevant steering hardware, 35" rims and tires. There were also a few boxes of random parts. It sounded like everything I wanted but... He claimed it was a 1975 smog exempt body, but the VINs didn't match. The last 4" of the frame had been cut off for a short bed conversion. Without a clear registration, it was just an expensive pile of scrap iron for me. I got the creeps and walked away. Was I an idiot?

[yellowk20]

Does California check frame vins??? every vin check I've ever had has been on the cab only. I've swapped cabs onto other frames many times due to damage,Rust, or 4x4 conversion

[87454westernhauler]

would all of thses trucks have the vin on the frame then? I have never spoted one on any of my trucks, but rust probably would be the issue with that. As far as i know they would only check cab. 

[Dr_Snooz]

I'm hoping to get a pre-'76 body (or at least a VIN plate) so I can be smog exempt (my truck is an '86). He had a current registration for a 1975 truck, but not the truck he was selling. It was like, "buy my pile of scrap metal and I'll through this tag in for free." Granted a good frame, Dana 60 and a set of rims and tires isn't exactly scrap, so that's why I'm still questioning it. I'm over-complicating this. Sorry.

[yellowk20]

would all of thses trucks have the vin on the frame then? I have never spoted one on any of my trucks, but rust probably would be the issue with that. As far as i know they would only check cab. 

Haha yeah I didn't know they had a vin stamped on the frame until I moved to New Mexico

[bake74]

Haha yeah I didn't know they had a vin stamped on the frame until I moved to New Mexico
[/quote]

     There should be only a partial vin on the frame, not a complete one.

Does California check frame vins??? 

     The only time a CHP officer is going to go crawling around under a dirty truck is when you give the DMV a reason to question your truck. (like shady paper work )

I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my truck after it jettisoned its timing chain and bent all its valves. I need a 4x4 for where I live and I need a smog exempt truck. I also want a 1-ton crew cab. I went to check out someone's project truck last week. He wanted $2,000 firm for a K20 4x4 crew cab frame, body, Dana 60 front axle, all relevant steering hardware, 35" rims and tires. There were also a few boxes of random parts. It sounded like everything I wanted but... He claimed it was a 1975 smog exempt body, but the VINs didn't match. The last 4" of the frame had been cut off for a short bed conversion. Without a clear registration, it was just an expensive pile of scrap iron for me. I got the creeps and walked away. Was I an idiot?

     Dr_Snooz  if you are looking for a crew cab 4x4 single axle they are much harder to find then a crew cab dually 4x4.  I believe the frames between a dually and single rear axle are the same, I have found several dually"s for under $1000.00, but not 1 single rear under $4000.00 (the single rear 73 -75 are very rare to find at all).
     I have been kicking around the idea of my next project for a single crew cab 4x4, of course 73 -75, so I have been looking and that is why I say the single's are hard to find.
     I do know where a 75 crew cab single rear 4x4 is for sale now, he wants $4000.00 for it and it runs good, I do not know where you live and what price range you are looking for, but if interested pm me and I will give the info to you.

[pholliday1]

Confused so bare with me. Do I have it right that capt. is certain there were no factory 3/4 ton 4x4 crewcabs? This is actually being discussed on another thread on this site. Yellow k20 states he has one and I bought a 3/4 ton crew 4x4 1975 vin#CKY245B161908 I since scraped cab and box due to rust issues but kept the frame and put it under my 90 crew. And yes the frame is stamped with this same vin in at least 2 spots that I remember when I sandblasted it. And to make it more confusing my frame is stamped with a 12-14-74 built date. Now i kept the title for the 1975 ( why I'm not sure) I don't mean to be disagreeable but it sounds like we have 2 sets of different information and being that we have folks turning to our group for accurate info I think we owe it to ourselves if nothing else to figure out where all the confusion is coming from.

[yellowk20]

Not to be a jerk, But Captkaos is wrong . Crew Cab 3/4 ton 4x4 's do exist .  You cant get more proof then the VIN and RPO code sticker

[beastie_3]

he said 3/4 ton 4x4 CREW CABS