83 C10 2x4 to 4x4 Swap

[ChevyJoe]

Alright, so I have an 83 C10 Shortbed Stepside which is my daily driver. Also, a 77 K20 Plow truck with an extremely rusty frame, with more rot holes than I first saw when purchased. Basically wondering how much work it would be to swap the C10 to 4x4. The K20 is complete so I have all of the parts I'll need. I've tried to find a good build thread, preferably with pictures along the way, but can't seem to find one.
So has anyone done this type of swap, and if so, about how long did it take. This will be a driveway job not a full on garage. Any help is appreciated!
77-350 SBC, NP203 trans, 10 bolt front 14 bolt rear

[Jason S]

Essentially two ways.  Easy way (relatively speaking): a body swap; more difficult way: modify your C-10 frame to accept the 4WD suspension.

  Your C-10 is likely a low hump cab and the K20 is high hump.  You will have to do some floor modifications for the cabs to swap. You may just cut out the K20 cab center section and weld it into the C10 floor.

Other items: long bed frame and a short bed, '83 bumper mounts a bit differently than '77, braking system (keep the K20 master cylinder/booster.  Are the C10 and K20 automatics or is one or both manual transmission?  Clutch pedal assembly may need to be swapped.

There is a posting in the tech section on cab floor differences:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11838.0

Here are some postings on 2WD to 4WD conversions.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11948.0

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=20490.0

[Irish_Alley]

to add on, i think the second easiest way is swap rear axles then remove the front springs and hangars and drill some holes for the brackets on yours
pretty much everything between 2 and the bracket 2 attaches too and 19

[ChevyJoe]

Essentially two ways.  Easy way (relatively speaking): a body swap; more difficult way: modify your C-10 frame to accept the 4WD suspension.

  Your C-10 is likely a low hump cab and the K20 is high hump.  You will have to do some floor modifications for the cabs to swap. You may just cut out the K20 cab center section and weld it into the C10 floor.

Other items: long bed frame and a short bed, '83 bumper mounts a bit differently than '77, braking system (keep the K20 master cylinder/booster.  Are the C10 and K20 automatics or is one or both manual transmission?  Clutch pedal assembly may need to be swapped.

There is a posting in the tech section on cab floor differences:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11838.0

Here are some postings on 2WD to 4WD conversions.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11948.0

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=20490.0

The frame on the K20 is so far gone it's not even worth it, but all of the mechanical parts (axles/tcase/tranny) are in good condition. Ya the C10 has the low hump, but don't the 4x4 floor humps unbolt? I don't mind cutting things to make em fit, done it for a few other things. The rear bumper on the C10 is custom made so that won't be too bad of an issue, i can just make different mounting tabs. Both are Autos so that shouldn't be too much of an issue, but will the 2wd tranny work in the K20, since its seen better days and is getting tired. Thank you for the info and links!

[ChevyJoe]

to add on, i think the second easiest way is swap rear axles then remove the front springs and hangars and drill some holes for the brackets on yours
pretty much everything between 2 and the bracket 2 attaches too and 19

Ya i did see one thread where the guy did that, removed the front axle but kept the springs and hangers/shackles attached and then just lined it up on the other frame and drilled all of the holes, but it was better than trying to take all of it apart. It isn't going to be a show truck by any means so it doesn't have to look perfect. But trying to keep it all together sounds like an easier way.

[Captkaos]

You need everything connected to the front axle springs off the 4x4 and then measure prior to transfer to the donor.
Starting on this post is where I started to tear down my 89 Blazer to make it 2WD: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=15648.msg174145#msg174145