shorten a k20?

[ChickenRammit]

has anyone ever shortened the wheelbase of a k20, say to the length of a k10 shortbed? i'm trying to find a smog exempt k10(1975 or older), but they seem to be extremely rare. i'm finding k20's all day for around $1600-$1800. i want to build a new trail rig, but i don't want the long k20 wheel base.

 

[Dudge]

A local guy cut down a K30 and mounted an S-10 Blazer body on it. I never saw the work, but he mudded it real hard, and it held up. He plated it on both sides of the frame and welded it up. It shouldn't be a problem at all if you cut in the right places. I read somewhere that if you cut in a step pattern and weld it back up it's much more stable, which makes a lot of sense.

 

[silveradoreb]

I shortend my K30 from a 131 inch WB to 112". All I did was move the font hangers forward and installed a shackle flip in the back.

 

[imiceman44]

A local guy cut down a K30 and mounted an S-10 Blazer body on it. I never saw the work, but he mudded it real hard, and it held up. He plated it on both sides of the frame and welded it up. It shouldn't be a problem at all if you cut in the right places. I read somewhere that if you cut in a step pattern and weld it back up it's much more stable, which makes a lot of sense.

That is the way to do it, somewhere I saw a post for someone doing a 69 long bed to a shortbed frame with the step cut and then plating it on the inside.

 

[imiceman44]

I shortend my K30 from a 131 inch WB to 112". All I did was move the font hangers forward and installed a shackle flip in the back.

That will wok fine if you want to lift the truck anyway, the arch for the axle is not needed once you lift it.
That is how I want to do my crew cab frame when I am shortening it.

 

[imiceman44]

has anyone ever shortened the wheelbase of a k20, say to the length of a k10 shortbed? i'm trying to find a smog exempt k10(1975 or older), but they seem to be extremely rare. i'm finding k20's all day for around $1600-$1800. i want to build a new trail rig, but i don't want the long k20 wheel base.

Are you looking for a frame with the title or you looking for a frame period.
If you find a title, i have a frame from a K20 you can cut up and make the size you want.
$100 and it's yours.

 

[ChickenRammit]

I shortend my K30 from a 131 inch WB to 112". All I did was move the font hangers forward and installed a shackle flip in the back.

i like what youve done here. i want to use a bed from a k10, do you think the front body mounts for the long bed and the short bed are in the same location? in this case all i would have to do is add rear body mounts for the short bed? also, would the stock gas tank still work in this situation?

 

[silveradoreb]

well you dont have body mounts for the bed. just a few bolts. If you got the frame the right lenght I would say a short bed would fit fine, but I dont know for sure.

 

[imiceman44]

i like what youve done here. i want to use a bed from a k10, do you think the front body mounts for the long bed and the short bed are in the same location? in this case all i would have to do is add rear body mounts for the short bed? also, would the stock gas tank still work in this situation?

The tanks will no fit, you will need the shorter tanks because the spring hanger will be in the way

 

[Goose]

I found some frame measurement files I've had for a while.
I'll see if I can't get them posted so they're legible.


Once you know the measurements of a short and long bed you find a place in the frame to take the extra length out.

The best place is in front of the forward rear spring hander and behind the cab mounts.

 

[Goose]

GM frame dimensions

I couldn't get the pics to load properly, but did find the site I sourced them from about 5 years ago.

Here's the link:

http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/framespecs.html

 

[ChickenRammit]

I couldn't get the pics to load properly, but did find the site I sourced them from about 5 years ago.

Here's the link:

http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/framespecs.html

dude, thanks for that link, that was just the information i was looking for. trips me out too, because i always thought a k-10 and a blazer had the same size frames, but as it turns out the blazer is shorter than a k10. i never knew that.

 

[Goose]

Happy cutting!!

 

[j20m715]

i like what youve done here. i want to use a bed from a k10, do you think the front body mounts for the long bed and the short bed are in the same location? in this case all i would have to do is add rear body mounts for the short bed? also, would the stock gas tank still work in this situation?

I do not think you could just slide a short bed forward (the arch of the frame would conflict with the crossmembers of the bed).


Im building a short bed crewcab.
I havent cut the frame down yet.
I plan on taking a section out right behind the cab & then also a short section at the rear.
The bed is bolted on with 8 bolts, 4 on each side.
Looking from the cab to the tailgate the 2nd row & 3 row of bed mounts line up for both short & long beds.
It centers the wheel well over the tires.
I will use the 1st row bed holes to lineup with the frame holes to get the factory spacing between the cab & bed.

Hard to explain but easy to see when under the truck.

As for gas tanks you would have to use ones for a short bed (16 gal).
The frt spring hanger for the rear springs would be in the way of the long bed tanks (20 gal).

Let me know if I can help with any other questions.

 

[frankin5]

they just did a show on Trucks on this very subject. Cut a c20 into a C10. Two step process. 12" out of the front of the bed and 8" out of the rear of the bed.