C10 to C20 Frame Swap?

[taylorpdavis]

Hello all!
I inherited my Grandfather's 1986 C10 about 5 years ago.  Slowly but surely I have been bringing her back to her former glory but now it is time to get into the heavier stuff.  I want this to be my forever truck so I was wondering about the practicality of putting my cab, bed, etc. on a donor c20 frame.  If everything is heavier duty, does it stand to reason that it should be an upgrade and last longer?  I know I'm in for a fair amount of work, but like I said, I want this to be my forever truck.
Any info or discouragement is welcome.
Thanks,
Taylor

[zieg85]

The actual frame is the same between a C10 and C20.  My opinion on the heavier duty suspension is the ride is stiffer which shocks the frame more.  Tires are more expensive.  The added weight and lower gearing does take more fuel to move the truck.  So unless you need a 3/4 Ton for heavier weight hauling all the time I wouldn't do it.  You can have a heavy duty set of leaf springs and increase the load capacity of what you have and put load rating C tires the LT235 75 R15 and be close to 3/4T truck.  My $.02 free of charge...

[Blazin]

Unless you want to go to a K frame, its not worth the effort / work to swap.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i think a 1/2 ton will last as long as a 3/4 ton as long as the 1/2 ton is not stressed beyond it's design capabilities?   Just my theory.

[Irish_Alley]

Like stated its not worth it IF your not switching to a 4x4 frame. the frames are pretty much the same you wouldnt notice the metal thickness with your eyes its only around .040". the main thing is axles and spring

[taylorpdavis]

Thanks y'all!  I just assumed that the c20 frame was beefier than mine.  I'm not realign interested in making mine 4x4 but would it make sense to upgrade to a k10 frame?  I'm getting close to buying a rebuilt motor for it and I would like to start tackling the big stuff all at once.

[Irish_Alley]

we most do is buy a 4x4 truck with a beat up body take the body off and clean up the frame and all then put their 4x2 body on the 4x4 frame with a 3" body lift or they mod the floor hump to clear the transfer case

[taylorpdavis]

The 4x4 upgrade is intriguing but I might be biting off more than I can chew.  I'm guessing if I don't have any major defects with mine, I would be ok with the stock c10 frame.  While we are on 4x4, would it make sense to look into a locker for the rear?  I occasionally drive her up to the family farm where she can get stuck.  I always keep a come-along in the tool box for those occasions.  Thanks for letting me tap into y'all's expertise and experiences.  Maybe one day I can answer someone else's questions.

[Irish_Alley]

i wouldnt put a locker in the rear just for the occasional farm trip. if it was a off road toy or mud toy then i would be thinking about the whole 4x4 then a locker but why spend that much money on a locker when you can prob buy a 4x4 truck for not much more

[taylorpdavis]

Thanks y'all!  I think that I'm going to dig in to the project with the original frame unless I find something catastrophically wrong with it.  She is in need of new suspension so that is on the agenda.  The front end sits pretty low especially on the driver side.  Will getting new coil springs solve this?

[Irish_Alley]

if the truck is drivable/safe now and you did want to i would work on getting a frame now so you can build that while you still drive the truck. then once youre done the frame then work on swapping the frames it will cut your down time down big time

[taylorpdavis]

That's not a bd idea.  I'm going start going over some of the other pending issues so be on the look out on some of the other discussion topics!  Thanks so much for the help so far!

[78 Chevyrado]

main difference i noticed on my 78 C20 vs my 77 c10 is the front end has no rubber bushings in it except the sway bar.  everything else is steel bushings.  tightens up the ride nicely.  think of it as a step up above urethane.   rear springs still have rubber bushings though.  i don't know if the c20 stuff will bolt up to the c10 frame, but after having 1/2 tons, i'm now sold on 3/4 tons.  i don't want another 1/2 ton.   it does ride like a truck, but if i get tired of that i have my impala. 

Stock info IIRC is

frame is a tad taller and thicker.

I know the cab mounts are different from 1/2 to 3/4 ton.  i don't know how.  front suspension has all steel bushings.  has 8 lug wheels.    thats all i know of.

[Captkaos]

3/4 and 1 tons come factory with those bushing.  You can put a complete 1/2T crossmember with all the outer parts under a 1T or 3/4T and vise versa..