idrivea2002golf
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2025
- Posts
- 80
- Reaction score
- 134
- Location
- San Diego
- First Name
- Spencer
- Truck Year
- 1981
- Truck Model
- C20
- Engine Size
- Not sure yet.
Unfortunate life BS is getting in my way and I'm being forced to get rid of my project truck.
It's a 1981 C20 crew cab that started life with a 350. I've done a 4x4 conversion using the axles and transfer case from a 1977 K20 truck. The NP205 was converted to fit the ZF transmission and accommodate the passenger side differential of the Chevy (Ford front diffs are driver side the the Ford BW case doesn't work).
I've stripped out the interior as it had a bunch of mice droppings. There's more cleaning work to do. The seats are the original benches that I steam cleaned and reinstalled. I have all the trim pieces stored in a tote for re-installation.
As part of my build I decided to do an engine swap (I bought the truck without an engine/transmission). It's currently got a Ford 7.3 idi non-turbo diesel and the ZF 5 speed manual out of a 1990 F350 4x4. The engine hasn't been started since being installed (ran in the old truck before the swap).
Chassis is great and has no rust. The 1977 axles have a bit of surface rust but nothing major. The cab, however, has a fair amount of rust along with rain channels, door frames, and firewall (where the HVAC system pulls air).
I have a clean title in my name and currently registered as non-op in CA. The engine swap will require the vehicle to be "referee-ed" if someone wants to continue registering in CA. I can provide a copy of the title from the Ford to show the year/weight of the vehicle to assist with the refereeing.
This is a project and not probably one for the faint of heart. I can explain the work I've done thus far and what I would do if I were going to complete it. But since I'm moving/losing my job I won't have time to finish it.
The build is further along than seen in the photos below. The engine and transmission are installed. The passenger fender and hood are reinstalled although they need to be aligned. The transfer case is not installed but I have all the parts and cross member to do so.
I'm offering this up for 1,500$ but I need it gone before Christmas so I won't refuse a decent offer. The engine/transmission alone are worth probably 1,500-2,000$. It is not drive-able in it's current state and will need to be towed. Best way to reach me is text at 949.766.fourteenfourteen. Located in 92061
It's a 1981 C20 crew cab that started life with a 350. I've done a 4x4 conversion using the axles and transfer case from a 1977 K20 truck. The NP205 was converted to fit the ZF transmission and accommodate the passenger side differential of the Chevy (Ford front diffs are driver side the the Ford BW case doesn't work).
I've stripped out the interior as it had a bunch of mice droppings. There's more cleaning work to do. The seats are the original benches that I steam cleaned and reinstalled. I have all the trim pieces stored in a tote for re-installation.
As part of my build I decided to do an engine swap (I bought the truck without an engine/transmission). It's currently got a Ford 7.3 idi non-turbo diesel and the ZF 5 speed manual out of a 1990 F350 4x4. The engine hasn't been started since being installed (ran in the old truck before the swap).
Chassis is great and has no rust. The 1977 axles have a bit of surface rust but nothing major. The cab, however, has a fair amount of rust along with rain channels, door frames, and firewall (where the HVAC system pulls air).
I have a clean title in my name and currently registered as non-op in CA. The engine swap will require the vehicle to be "referee-ed" if someone wants to continue registering in CA. I can provide a copy of the title from the Ford to show the year/weight of the vehicle to assist with the refereeing.
This is a project and not probably one for the faint of heart. I can explain the work I've done thus far and what I would do if I were going to complete it. But since I'm moving/losing my job I won't have time to finish it.
The build is further along than seen in the photos below. The engine and transmission are installed. The passenger fender and hood are reinstalled although they need to be aligned. The transfer case is not installed but I have all the parts and cross member to do so.
I'm offering this up for 1,500$ but I need it gone before Christmas so I won't refuse a decent offer. The engine/transmission alone are worth probably 1,500-2,000$. It is not drive-able in it's current state and will need to be towed. Best way to reach me is text at 949.766.fourteenfourteen. Located in 92061
probably won't get to do that swap again but c'est la vie. 
