Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**ScottH** · 02-03-2007, 05:45 PM

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 · 02-03-2007, 06:05 PM

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

ElGracho · 02-03-2007, 07:36 PM

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

**ScottH** · 02-03-2007, 08:31 PM

Thanks, didn't think so.

f.monroe · 02-03-2007, 10:15 PM

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 · 02-03-2007, 10:50 PM

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 · 02-04-2007, 11:01 AM

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 · 02-04-2007, 07:42 PM

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

75shortysocal · 02-04-2007, 07:45 PM

frame swap?

DirtyLarry · 02-04-2007, 10:12 PM

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 · 02-04-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-06-2007, 06:24 PM

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 · 02-09-2007, 02:47 AM

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?

02-03-2007, 05:45 PM	#1
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,190	Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? 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. __________________ 1963 C10 swb fleetside 1966 GMC G1000 Handi-bus (future project) 1955 Chevy 2 dr. wagon

02-03-2007, 06:05 PM	#2
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,019	Re: Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? I dont think so.If it was,it will be a ROUGH ride.

02-03-2007, 07:36 PM	#3
ElGracho Gentleman Jim Driver Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 1,553	Re: Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? GM didn't offer short bed 3/4 tons from 73-87. __________________ Joe '75 GMC Gentleman Jim '84 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super duper plain (manual steering, manual brakes, no dome light, no cig lighter) '85 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super plain Vortec 4.8 4L60E trans also: '81 K30, '83 C30 Crew Dually, '84 M1028 CUCV, '85 M1009 CUCV, another '85 C10 SWB, '89 R3500 Flatbed

02-03-2007, 08:31 PM	#4
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,190	Re: Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? Thanks, didn't think so. __________________ 1963 C10 swb fleetside 1966 GMC G1000 Handi-bus (future project) 1955 Chevy 2 dr. wagon

02-03-2007, 10:15 PM	#5
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Re: Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? 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 __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

02-03-2007, 10:50 PM	#6
49studebaker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Victor, Montana Posts: 386	Re: Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? 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. __________________ 04 4x4 GMC Ext. Cab lifted 71 2wd GMC / Ramjet 350 ready for sheet metal 49 Studebaker pickup

02-04-2007, 11:01 AM	#7
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? 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.

02-04-2007, 07:42 PM	#8
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	Re: Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? I had a neighbor once who made his into a short bed. I was never sure why though.

02-04-2007, 07:45 PM	#9
75shortysocal 350+dual flows= fun :) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: TORRANCE ,CA. Posts: 120	Re: Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? frame swap?

02-04-2007, 10:12 PM	#10
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	Re: Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? 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. Attached Images __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram

02-06-2007, 06:24 PM	#12
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	Re: Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? 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.

02-09-2007, 02:47 AM	#13
gflo383 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 130	Re: Did they make a 79 K20 shortbed? 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? __________________ 1986 IROC-Z lS1/T56 Moser 9" 78mm Turbo 1968 C10 step side, 5.3 Maggnacharger TVS1900 6L80E 2009 CCSB 5.3/6L80 4x4 http://members.cardomain.com/gflo383



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