4x4 frame swap

[lifted k10]

Hey guys, I have a 2wd 86 c10 and would like to do a 4x4 swap. My question is are the 4x4 shortbed frames the same from 73-87, or do I need a specific year frame ill need for my 86 body?

[wyo tim]

I belive anything from 73 up will work.

[kris's66lwb]

The bumper mounts i beleve changed in 81 could be wrong but id stick with anything 81 and up but the holes should be the same for all tyhe squear bodys

[andrewmp6]

You also gotta change out the trans tunnel the 4x4 ones are taller then a 2wd one.

[Big Tex]

Lifted K10, I'm in the process of doing this myself. '83 SWB C10, that will be a K20 SWB when complete. The trans tunnel was quite a surprise to me, in fact I didn't even think about it till I was trying to jack up my transmission to make the front plane of the bell housing plumb, and the truck started to move. The next day, I did a little research on this trusty site, and found out that the tunnel has to be changed. Here's some of my pics of the difference, and what it takes to swap it.

[trout]

the front of the frames are diffrent from 73-80 to 81-87 and also the raditor support mount to the first cab mount support are in diffrnet lenth between 73-80 and 81-87 other than that ther bassicly the same

[maskale]

while ur doing all this, change out ur engine cross member to an aftermarket one, check the frame for steering cracks, weld up and add the weld in stiffener plate and the bolt in brace.

[Zebb]

This is an 86 on a 79 frame.