My build 65 K20

[Richarde2194]

I decided to post my build progress so far on my 65 c10 body swap onto a 72 k20 frame.
This is what the 65 looked like before I started anything, had some 4x4 frame no idea what it came off of, and had a healthier 355 sbc.



This is the 72 I bought for the frame and axles, has a 14 bolt in the rear and a Dana 60 4.10 gear ratio and both are limited slip.



Pulled the 72 body off and rented a sand blasting booth (which I don’t recommend, super nasty job and didn’t save that much money..) sand blasted the frame and painted it with tractor implement enamel with a hardener additive. Very strong paint defiantly impressed with it.



Built and gantry crane to do the body swap, pretty much everything lined right up, except the rear cab bolts were a couple inches off, had to drill new holes into the cab. I bought some body lift spacers and cut them to the length I needed because the body mounts were sitting at different heights.



Bought a manual conduit bender to bend up a roll cage to keep me and the old lady safe, still need to add more bracing and triangulation, but got the skeleton in so I could get my seats installed and keep moving forward.



Right now I am working on electrical and plumbing, putting radiator and fuel cell in the bed and dropping a fuel injected 572 bbc running E85. I will keep everyone informed on the progress. Thanks for checking out my build!!!

[Captainfab]

Sounds interesting. Too bad the pics aren't showing up.

[Richarde2194]

Mmm... I’ll have to look into that, they are showing for me..?

[Richarde2194]

Hopefully photos are viewable now...

[350TacoZilla]

Truck looks good man, wasn't bad looking before either. I would bet if that frame isnt a 67-72 like what you swap over to it might be a 73-77 frame, maybe even k20 suburban, the external style hubs are pre 78 anyhow.

[Richarde2194]

Yeah I’m not even sure what the frame was, is had a 14 bolt and a dana 44, but all the body mounts were moved around to fit the 65 body, it was a hack job for sure..reason for just buying a good frame and starting fresh
I will be posting more pictures soon!!!

[Captainfab]

I can see 'em now.......

Originally Posted by Richarde2194

Hopefully photos are viewable now...

[Richarde2194]

This is the original interior from when I bought the truck.


Another pic of the roll cage being built.


Replacing all the electrical while the truck it tore apart, there was some questionable stuff from the previous owner..




Relay panel I built for the bigger power items, like fans, air compressor, and fuel pump


More pictures coming soon!!

[jdl71]

Looks good. I've heard the 67-72 frames are pretty similar this seems to confirm. I guess I've got gotta ask though, why did you sacrifice the '72? Those K trucks arent a lot easier to find either.

[Desert.Chevy]

Looks great. Good work. Your information is a lot of help, Thank you. I'm Diggin' the cage. 👍

I have my 65 c10 bigwindow longbed on dollies. Slowly working on it. I'm looking and saving for a k10,20,30. Thinking k20. Still haven't figured out the best year frame or truck to buy. I know I wanted 4x4 when I bought my Truck, I'm still figuring out steering info and diff info, gearing ratio, Tire size30"-35", Lift ratio all combined.

What lift did the 1972 k20 have?
What are the frame lengths?

[Richarde2194]

I’ve had the 65 for some years so we have a little history lol and you see a lot less 4x4 65’s out there than the 72’s. I was torn in between the two for awhile tho, because that 72 was super clean..which I could afford to build both!!

[Richarde2194]

Originally Posted by Desert.Chevy

Looks great. Good work. Your information is a lot of help, Thank you. I'm Diggin' the cage. 👍

I have my 65 c10 bigwindow longbed on dollies. Slowly working on it. I'm looking and saving for a k10,20,30. Thinking k20. Still haven't figured out the best year frame or truck to buy. I know I wanted 4x4 when I bought my Truck, I'm still figuring out steering info and diff info, gearing ratio, Tire size30"-35", Lift ratio all combined.

What lift did the 1972 k20 have?
What are the frame lengths?

What are you wanting to do with the truck? Mud Boggs, sand dunes, shows, all the above? A lot of is is what is available to you? I found that 72 long bed on Craigslist near by and everything lined up perfect except rear cab mounts which was an easy fix, also the horns are different but I’m not worried about that.