Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed?

[ScottH]

Came a cross a 79 K20 for sale that's a shortbed and I thought they didn't have three quarter ton shortbed trucks. I may be thinking of the earlier years though. Can anyone shed some light on this? VIN checks out as 3/4 350 79.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks.

[1969k10stepside]

I dont think so.If it was,it will be a ROUGH ride.

[ElGracho]

GM didn't offer short bed 3/4 tons from 73-87.

[ScottH]

Thanks, didn't think so.

[f.monroe]

If the trim tag is still in the glove box you should be able to check the wheel base length there . I dont think it is factory but you never know . Frank

[49studebaker]

I'm not so sure, back in 78-79 my brother bought a short bed, 454ci, eight lug axles/wheels with a four speed. It may have been custom ordered, it had came from California. Very rough riding. I don't really know if they did, but I do know for sure I rode in one that was a year or two old.

[piecesparts]

GM didn't offer the 3/4 ton shortbeds in those years, BUT you could order a 1/2 ton with the heavier axles and springs as an upgrade. That is what was great about those times, you could actually place an order for what you needed or desired and GET it. Today, no deal with the dealers. I have a friend with a 76 Chevy shortbed 4-wheel drive that has 3/4 ton stuff under it and a six cylinder/manual tranny setup. It is a beast in the snow and on the farm.

[Dean]

I had a neighbor once who made his into a short bed. I was never sure why though.

[75shortysocal]

frame swap?

[DirtyLarry]

The only factory swb ¾ 4x4’s that I know of are Dodges of the 60’s and early 70’s.
No need to do a frame swap on this era of GM. Just swap in a rear 14 bolt 10.5 axle and swap on front 8 lug brake rotors and backing plates like I did to mine. Then I guess you could call it a swb K20. The front dana 44 axle is the same on 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons other than the outers. There really are no major differences between a ½ ton and ¾ frame rails in those days either....just leaf spring packs and beefer axles.

People have been swapping in 14 bolts and 8 lug front brake rotors for years on short beds. Go over to CK5 or any offroad forum and there will be million posts on it. The reason why all the offroads are doing it is the small 12 and 10 bolt axles are way too weak for sever off road use when spinning big meats, locking differentials, etc. That is why I swapped in the ¾ stuff.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Dean

I had a neighbor once who made his into a short bed. I was never sure why though.

The short bed gives a alot of leeway on doing things. For starters, they get around in snow and slick spots better, they can turn in shorter areas, and they are easy to handle. The long beds give more hauling space, but I grew up around short bed trucks and always did what I needed to.

[Dean]

I guess my neighbor way back when did it a little different. He cut the 3/4 ton frame and took a section out. He bought a short bed and new driveshaft that I know of. Probably more as I wasn't watching that close. It had a 454 in it I know.

[gflo383]

my cousin has a 79 or 80 SWB with 3/4 ton guts in it. 4x4, i guess i never thought about it, he must have installed all that stuff himself. its laso all time 4x4, does that mean anything?