Newb from Northern Illinois

[Randall12v]

Hey All,

Just joined the site, been a while (12yrs.) since I've owned my old 80 K20...After selling the K20, bought a 97 Dodge as I got into diesel's. Modified that truck quite extensively with numerous twin and single turbo configurations, billet 47re, etc. etc. then an 06 Dodge 5.9 CR, 03 Chevy Dmax, and now an 09 Ford 6.4. I just sold the '97 Dodge 3 months ago and have had the itch to get another big project going.

Anyways, I've decided I'm going to start a new project sometime soon., but need to gather info. Hopefully get my shop built late this year, then this will be happening. Always had multiple of these trucks around growing up, and wanting to re-live that time.

I'm looking to either do 1 of 2 things:

1. Find a good condition 81-87 reg. cab long bed K30 and begin resto-mod with a Duramax/Allison or Duramax/47RH swap. This will require much work to fit everything in place, strengthening the frame, etc. etc. but a big issue is finding the 80's K30, in good condition, without paying too much $$$.

2. Find a wrecked but salvagable reg. cab long bed 01-07 Chevy/GMC 2500 equipped with the Duramax/Allison already and swapping a 80's body onto that frame. Figured, driveline and frame will already hold everything I want already, updated driveline parts as well. Sure, IFS isn't that great, but D60 swap shouldn't be too bad. This way will also have a lot of fabrication as well.

Either two options I want to purchase a wrecked truck for all the wiring harness, engine, trans., etc.

Here's what I'm looking for now...if anyone has info...

Frame and cab mounting dimensions for both 80's K30's and 01-07 Reg. Cab, 8ft. bed.

Thanks!
Mark

 

[89Suburban]

Welcome aboard mark. We may have the body measurement info you are looking for. Check in our library. I would post a link for you but I am on mobile right now.

 

[Old77]

 

[Randall12v]

Welcome aboard mark. We may have the body measurement info you are looking for. Check in our library. I would post a link for you but I am on mobile right now.

Thanks! I think I found the link. I'm on my phone as well, so I can't make the pictures larger. Looks like good info though!

 

[79SierraGrande]

Welcome! It is nice to see another northern Illinois resident onto the site.

 

[Stroked]

Welcome! Sounds like a cool project.

 

[bucket]

Howdy! Hope you find a project/donor truck soon!

 

[Mr Clean]

from N.E. Texas!

 

[Randall12v]

Howdy! Hope you find a project/donor truck soon!

I'm searching for both! Seems to be lots of c30's in this area. All the k20 or k30 are overpriced around here.

Found a body damaged 06 lbz ext. Cab shortbed 4x4 for $6000, but I haven't found the frame difference b/n regular cab long bed vs. Ext. Cab shortbed.

 

[89Suburban]

Thanks! I think I found the link. I'm on my phone as well, so I can't make the pictures larger. Looks like good info though!

I'mma gonna go fix that **** right now, thanks for reminding me of that issue.


Try it now bud:

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?p=165663#post165663

 

[1ATony]

Welcome to the site

 

[Randall12v]

Think I found a place to go shopping!

http://peoria.craigslist.org/pts/3771445583.html

 

[RetroC10Sport]

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Randall12v]

Think I've narrowed down my search....

01-07 Chevy/GMC Duramax, 2wd, reg cab/long bed...

yes 2wd, later convert trans to 4wd, maybe 271 tcase and of course the dana 60 swap, then swap on 81-87 body.

Depedning on budget and if I find a 80's body, may consider swapping the body first, then setting up the dana 60 afterwards

I'd like to stay with as little as lift as possible, would love to stay with 33's, but will settle for 35's as I plan to hit the drag strip often.

Looking into some leads right now on the high mileage (200,000s) 2wd Duramax's, most in $5-6000 range, would like to be under $5000 for a budget, so I may just wait a few more months. I've chose 2wd as they are much cheaper to come by and usually reg cab long bed config., plus if I went 4wd all that front axle would be removed anyways.

Had a lead on a local 85 K20 complete body with minimum rust including front clip, cab, bed with title for $450, but it sold the day before I called.

Anyone with any leads feel free to PM me!

Thanks!

 

[Country705]