Hi everyone. I've been a member on this site for a couple of years now but recently changed my username (used to be Madbomber88). I have a 72 K20 and a 71 K5.

I'm finally biting the bullet and jumping in with both feet on a frame off restoration/modification of the K20. It began tonight!

This will be a long and most likely slow process, but here's my original intent (subject to change due to budget constraints of course).

Goal is a stockish looking 72 on the outside with the technology on the inside to be a 100% reliable daily driver.
- New GM PP 383 mated to some TBD Fuel Injection
- NV4500 conversion
- Trying to keep the same basic color scheme but am open to all ideas (please!)
- Relocate fuel tank to under bed
- Update interior for comfort and convenience
- The rest is up in the air, but basically take everything apart, clean, paint, protect and put back together
- Keeping the new 14B FF with limited slip in the rear and the newly rebuilt D44 in front (both are 3.42s)

Wish me luck, and I'll do my best to post everything I do, and I welcome any and all comments, both the good, bad and the ugly.
-Tim

Before pics...

Ok, now the first actual build post (although not much)
Shut off the engine for the last time, and put her up on those wheel dollies.
The garage is relatively small, and this will allow me to push it agains the wall when I need the room. So far so good, but it takes alot of force to push her around, alot more so than advertised.
Anyone have a good name for this build?

Looks like a nice project! I have 3 questions though, what size tires are those, and what kind of rims are those/ what did they come off of or where did you get them? they look cool, almost like a Chrysler rallye-style wheel.

The tires are 285/75/16s on the original rims that came with the truck. I've never thought about them before, I always thought they were just the originals. You think they may not be? Haven't decided if I will keep them or not...

Jake,
whereabouts in Maine are you? I have family in both Portland (he owns a chevy dealership), and Kennebunk

Well,they arent the stock rims for the era,thats for sure.Nice Project.I remember when mine went on the dollies so it could be moved around,now the tires are too wide for them...:lol:

Ahhhh yup,got people in Bideford Pool,right between them the two,I do.Those are Dodge wheels,like-em.
Cheyenne K.How`s that?

No, those aren't original 1972 rims, they look damned cool IMO though. I'm about 3 hours up from Sanford, on the coast. (don't want to give out my town name, people will start stalking me. :lol: j/k)

Those are Dodge rims, Tim?

Looks like a nice project! I have 3 questions though, what size tires are those, and what kind of rims are those/ what did they come off of or where did you get them? they look cool, almost like a Chrysler rallye-style wheel.

Jake: Here is a pic of the Chrysler Rallye. I have them on my '39 Ford.

LockDoc

this is the only type of wheel I have ever known to be called a Chrysler Rallye. Those on the 39 ford look like a Chevy rally to me:confused: The truck wheels do look like the Chry wheels...I love em.

I love the truck by the way!
Totally awesome

nice truck... I like the original looking paint, what size tires are those?

They look a little like what Bus Ted Knuckle posted. They have a similar resemblence anyway. :D

Mike, they're 285/75/16s. I like the height of them but I wish they were a bit wider to get the stance right.

285/75/16 (32.9x10.3)

Those are the same size as mine, backspacing helps a little but my truck is a SWB so they fit a little better... Yours don't look bad ...

You could mount the 285s on 8" rims to get your results.

mine are one 15x8's they are 33" x 10.5"

Is that supposed to be an 8 lug truck? "Project long wait 4x4"

Yes, it's an 8 lug from the factory. I bought it from a farmer in TN and it had been mainly used on the farm its whole life. It had the Eaton HO52 when I got it and gears that were way too tall. I couldn't even drive the thing on the highway, so I got a new 14bolt FF with an eaton limited slip and 3.42s. I love it. Still have the eaton and it is in great shape with a locker if anytone is interested

You mean the gears were too low,right.Tall gears are high gears as in a lower ratio/lower numbers.
I`m interested in the rear.I`m having problems with a locker and parts are...tough.Do you know the ratio?Let me know about it.thanks.

Pretty sure the gears were 4:10s

Those on the 39 ford look like a Chevy rally to me:confused:

Nope, they are off of a 1976 Chrysler Cordoba and are a 5" x 4 1/2" bolt pattern (Ford 9" rear)

LockDoc

Mopar had an almost identical rim to the truck rallyes and they had chrome centers.Truck 8-lugs are in another class and those are Dodge.
4.10 would suit me fine.That`s what my rear is,so no set-up would be required.Send me a message if you`d like to get rid of that.

Hugger Orange and White is the best color combo GM used, imo. That's going to be a great build, cannot wait to see more.

Those dollies are great, but not nearly as simple to move around as they make you think. It takes two of us to move my Dad's '69 AMC AMX around on them.

since this will be your last project as a single man how about project "The Last Bachelor" or maybe "Project Ball & Chain" :lol:

or using a theme relating to the truck how about project... "Citrus Resurrection", "Orange & White Dine-O-Mite", or "K20 Too Tho'ed" lol. just a little brain storming :crazy:

do you know the width of the rim that's on there now? I like the look. Nice truck by the way. Great ideas on the new parts too.

I'm not 100% sure on the width of the rims, but I am guessing they are 7.

Jeez, those rims sure caused quite a stir! :lol:

Nice truck, I wish my 72 K-20 project was half as rust free as yours..

I too am curious about those wheels. I always wondered why no one made a 8 bolt copy of the chevy rally, I know it would sell. Ford made a wheel that looked close in the early 90's, but I have never seen them in 8 bolt.

Let us know if you see any markings on the rim.

They are Dodge truck rims...again,7"x16".They were used since`93.

that is a nice k20 cheyenne!! Does it have factory A/C? What are the options on this truck?

eedgell

With what’s all going on, (Name change from madbomber88, because the FBI is watching your every move) & your Fiancée is out of town, I think you should call it “Covert Restoration”. This will defiantly test the waters with your Fiancée :lol: ......also matches your “captain capsize” below your avatar.
I like your avatar! Mr. Smith.
s/t

I like the name ideas! Keep them coming.
I don't have an option list on the glovebox, but yes it has factory A/C, tach dash, any where else to look for an option list?

Have you looked under/behind the seat for a build sheet tucked in the springs?
s/t

Code name:Lonesome Fortune(ately)

Got a little more of the teardown done today, took the doors off and the seat out. I can't believe that the cab floors are in such good shape. Here are some pics of that and also the bench seat, trying to figure out if it is stock or not. Anyone know?

nice floor, hope mine looks that good when i'm DONE!

It's a stock seat.
Nice truck!!!!! Look at that floor. Awsome.

Did it have a rubber mat or carpet?

it had the rubber mat, wanted to keep it but it was pretty dried out and cracked

Ok, I'm getting ready to pull the fuel tank. Two questions for the experts, first of all, what is the capacity of a stock tank? Reason I ask is because this one never took more than 12-13 gallons and I thought that was a bit low.

Also, someone want to educate me on the fuel tank system in these things? What are the two lines on the left hand side of the tank that run of the rear pillar of the truck, and where do they go??? I know the ones in the center are probably send and return and then one of the ones that runs up the pillar is a vent, but what's the other one, and where do they go?
Thanks!

Are you going with a rear tank? If so then save all of that stuff (sending unit, vent etc..) since guys are often looking for those items to buy.

where are you stationed? I'm a CPT in the Army...

I am going with the rear tank, so I will keep it all and put it up for sale.
msgross, I'm stationed at the NRO right now, how about you?

Ft. Indiantown Gap PA I'm Active Guard for PA instructing in UH-60 Blackhawks.... nice truck, i'll keep an eye on it.

Those lines go up to the reserve tank where the rest of your fuel goes:lol:.No really,they are for venting.The tank should hold 21 gal.
Another name suggestion:Project Mistress
You probably don`t want a feminine name,but I`m stuck on the"wife out of town" theme.

Made a little progress today, got the windshield and back glass out, headliner removed and gas tank out as well. Is there any market out there for these tanks? I know there are lots for free in the classified section. I'm amazed out how great a shape this thing is in.
I was pleasantly surprised at how little rust was hiding in the windshield channel.

Does the section of the rear glass look like a repair that was made some time ago? Kind of strange cause everything else on the truck looks 100% original body wise, and if it was a repair, it was made a long time ago...

does look like it was repaired... fiberglass maybe? I'd take the wire wheel to it and see what's left. Repair it with steel...

Tank can really only be sold locally due to shipping...swap meet or a local board member.

Teardown continues...
Got the front clip, master cylinder, heater core off. I'm getting ready to take the cab off this Friday (working the engineering solution for that).

Finally found out what the smell was that came when I turned the heater on...Quite a big nest for the little feller. He's in the lower right in the 2nd pic, you can see his tail. So two questions...

1. Should I replace the evaporator core while I am in there to be safe?

2. Are these leaf springs stock? At first I thought they were sagging a bit but doing research, all the stock replacements for 72 K20s are 3 leaf while I have 4. Any thoughts? I can't imagine why they wouldn't be stock...

More

:barf: That mouse reminds me of the 61 cj5 i tore down pulled off the oil pan, and found his nest. never found him though but we found a snake a few days later and he escaped (inside the vocational building) still haven't found him. oh well. I swear I can still smell it sometimes:barf:.

Pulled the same thing out of my shop vac a few weeks ago -- shows how often I actually clean.

Somehow, between the mouse, the pending return of your fiance, the Dodge rims, etc., a name for this project has to emerge. Just hasn't hit me yet...

I had three nest in my truck, both side vents and one behind the seat...

Ditch the heater core and get a new one.... while you're in there...

looks like that steering stabilizer is rubbing too...

Made some major progress today, taking both the bed and cab off. Definitely getting tight in the garage though...
No major problems but I think I tore my shoulder lifting the bed up against the wall. Somethings are just not supposed to be a one man job.

Cab

so what's the plan for this truck? Those flowmasters don't look good up against the driveshaft though... Take a look at my sig and you will see my bare frame pics...

Oh the joy of taking the body off the trucks and you know its going to be a long time till it goes back on..My cab is coming back off my 4wd this weekend too..I agree with Mike on the flowmasters,they are too close to the driveshaft

That pic is fairly deceiving, when I look at it now it looks very close, but there's actually plenty of clearance.

The goal is a daily driver with modern techology and reliability yet retaining a 99% stock appearance on the outsidef. I'm sure things will change as i go along though...

2. Are these leaf springs stock? At first I thought they were sagging a bit but doing research, all the stock replacements for 72 K20s are 3 leaf while I have 4. Any thoughts? I can't imagine why they wouldn't be stock...

My 69 K20 also had 4 leafs. I think the 3 leaf springs were for the K10's. The stock spring does have a reverse arch when installed with the engine in place.

Here is a pic of my stock spring

http://yukon.b0xen.us/lift/lift-05.jpg

And it next to a 4" Tuff Country spring

http://yukon.b0xen.us/lift/lift-07.jpg

Hmm, looking at my stock spring, looks like it actually had 5 leafs.

Yukon Jack,I think you are right on the 3/4 tons having more leafs.My 71 K10 had 3 leafs stock,I think.I would have to go check in the parts shed where the stock ones are to see for sure though

Thanks for the info. How do you know if they need to be replaced? If I don't replace them, I will need to get another retainer clip that wraps around the springs. Mine is lose and detached. Where can I get that?

I would know to replace mine if they were cracked.If you want it to sit a bit higher you could have the springs re-arched.I don't know where you can get the retainer clips...Oh,I just went out and looked at the set of stock springs I have,and they have 4 leafs.It was a 1/2 ton 4wd

i would think a suspention shop in your area might have the retainer, or maybe you could have a local welding/ machine shop make you one?

Wow, that cab is in tremendously good shape. You're starting out with a better truck than a lot of us have *after* restoration.

It's really strange. Where I thought there would be tons of rust, there isn't any. And where I though there wouldn't be rust, there is rot. I wish I knew the history of this truck better. All I know was that it was a farm truck in Tennessee for most if not all of its life. The best part is that I have only had to cut off a few bolts as opposed to many when I did this on my 71 K5. It's been easy so far to dismantle

My 68 K-10 has three front leafs and it has the HD spring option. I purchased leaf spring clamps at my local machine shop (speciailize in suspension) for a few bucks a piece.

At least they are cheap. How do you get them on though?

They are "U" shaped then there is a back plate that goes on. You bend the ears down after you sandwich the spring. Or there is a stronger type that has a U shape and a bolt that locks it around the leaf.

Is there a hole in the spring? The old one's had the U part riveted onto the leaf. The new one's have a notch to fit into that hole, or you could put a few tack welds on it.

If you have trouble finding a set I can send you some for actual cost. I would need to know how wide the spring is though.....

my 71 K10 also has 3 leafs in the front... with the heavy front spring option.

my 69 K20 only had 2, (maybe 3 i cant remeber) leafs in the front... i cant imagine that was the right spring though, it should have been more like yukon jacks springs

I was away on business for the last week, so not much progress.
Cut my head pretty good on the bottom of the cab last wing and will have a decent scar from that, but no guts no glory, right?

Today I started cleaning the bottom of the cab. It has some pretty heavy duty undercoating on it that was taking forever to get off with a wire wheel, so I switched to a torch and a scraper and it works much better, just has some nasty fumes, thus the protection. This will be a very time consuming process, but well worth it. Hope to make some more progress this week.

ouch!! add one tetanus shot to your build thread....

torch and scraper is the best way for under coating.... then I sandblasted it once it was removed... my frame had the same thing...

That's the great thing about being in the military...you're forced to have your shots up to date. Also made me realize it's probably a good idea to know where the nearest hospital is...

I hear ya... might wanna wear a hat.. The hairline almost took a turn for the worse... I'm in the same boat and we need to preserve it the nest we can!

I hear you, what little is left is precious. I am getting close to just shaving the whole thing...

Got some more done today. Pulled the transfer case (man that thing is heavy, anyone know how much it weighs? Had to bring that down a set of stairs and it was no fun), transmission and clutch out. Cleaned up some more little stuff. As soon as my engine cradle comes next week (on sale at summit for $24), I'll pull the engine and start prepping the frame for paint..

One thing I found was that the frame was ground on both sides like it was done for clearance for headers, but the ram horns are still on it. Anyone know what this could be for?

There's not much left on the clutch.

Also I'm going to start posting for sale post in the classifieds for a bunch of the stuff I have taken off, some of which will be a complete TBI system with fuel pump, computer and painless harness, SM465 tranny, original 350 engine, rear driveshaft, and a few other things.

couple more