What do you think I should do?

[rs74]

I had a 63 K20 with 19,000 original miles and I sold it Feb.2010 for $4650. This was an old brush truck for the local fire department and had seen better days despite the miles on it. I am not sure what the original engine was but it blew up within two months of buying it new. Chevy sent them a new 283 to replace it. Don't think it came out with the 283 originally.

Okay, so I have been kicking myself in the rear for selling it but needed the money at the time. I just called the guy who bought it and was asking about it. He has done nothing to it except take the original lock ring rims off to put on another truck. He said he would sell it back to me for what he gave for it. I might be able to come up with the funds to buy it but it might take a while.

My delema here is that I have an 84 K30 running gear with a Dana 60 and 14 bolt dual rear end and all the suspension for it and have been wanting to build a one ton using a 60-66 truck. Would I be better off just keeping it a 3/4 ton or building a 1 ton.

Keep in mind this truck will need redone regardless. It had the typical lower fender rust areas and the wood in the bed was shot from the water tank that sits in it. Of course there may be more hidden rust elsewhere. It has the original step side bed on it minus the fenders. They took them off when new and put those utility boxes on the side. There are water lines that are run under the truck, has big extension bumpers and pumps on it that all would have to come off. But with only having 19,000 miles and all battered and bruised would I be in the wrong if I made it into a K30 dually? Here are a few pics of the truck. Not good pics but this will give you an idea the shape it was in when it left me in 2010. Sorry about my lifes story there.

[rs74]

More pics.

[rs74]

And a few more.

[rs74]

If I go the one ton route I would probably take the step side bed off and put a flat bed on it since it would have a C&C dual rear end. I am not sure the bed would fit without cutting and making the tubs wider.

[markeb01]

I can't offer any advice on the suspension swap, but I'd sure try to get it back if possible. I've always been partial to former fire equipment, no matter how it is configured. Mechanically they are generally well maintained in better condition than their civilian counterparts.

[RANDY COX]

It's up to you my friend,do you want originality or upgrade,you might find someone on here that wants the OEM,stuff and use those funds to pursue your build,,or would it be easier to put that cab on your k30 frame,,,don't know....I'm sure you'll get plenty of more Ideas....

[rs74]

If, and a BIG IF I get it back I would take everything off that had anything to do with being a brish truck. When I first bought it I had thoughts of restoring it back to its former glory but that would be alot of work. I just want an old heavy truck to do some work when I need it. We was in the middle of building our house and funds were running low and I had just got laid off so I had to sell it.

I can remember hearing it when I was a little kid. You could hear the little 283 just screaming before you even seen the truck. Alot of truck for a 283.

[rs74]

Originally Posted by Randycox

It's up to you my friend,do you want originality or upgrade,you might find someone on here that wants the OEM,stuff and use those funds to pursue your build,,or would it be easier to put that cab on your k30 frame,,,don't know....I'm sure you'll get plenty of more Ideas....

I just don't want to ruin the truck by switching it over. I am all for original but this truck is going to need alot of work. It would still be the same truck minus the front and rear ends. If you can't tell I am leaning hard to the conversion if I end up with it. I will have to do a few things first to come up with the funds. I think it would be a pretty cool old truck.

[rs74]

A picture of a picture.

[88Lt1wagon]

I'd think you could find another cab and front clip to throw on a newer chassis for less money. You're talking about filling a lot of holes that you wouldn't need to fill if you just started with a civilian cab.

[RANDY COX]

That's an Idea maybe it would be better off for you to find another donor cab and front end and let someone else restore it to it's former glory...prolly be alot cheaper to in the long run.

[rs74]

I had thought about that. The only reason I wouldn't go this route is that the cab and frame numbers wouldn't match. I do have the 84 K30 C&C chassis though.

[RANDY COX]

I know my truck is not #'s matching,71 4x4 frame with 64 body,Frankenstein...I guess it will be just titled as a 64 truck title.....hope I don't have any issues when I do the title transfer...

[jdl71]

Originally Posted by rs74

If, and a BIG IF I get it back I would take everything off that had anything to do with being a brish truck. When I first bought it I had thoughts of restoring it back to its former glory but that would be alot of work. I just want an old heavy truck to do some work when I need it. We was in the middle of building our house and funds were running low and I had just got laid off so I had to sell it.

I can remember hearing it when I was a little kid. You could hear the little 283 just screaming before you even seen the truck. Alot of truck for a 283.

That was the main question I had. If you don't care about the fire stuff, and don't have to have that particular truck, I'd keep looking. Around here anyway $4600 could buy you a lot of 60-66 truck for the money. You've already got the K30 running gear.