Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Low 60's here in Kalispell - 60 miles shy of Canada!

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Do you miss New Mexico yet???;):lol: How are you liking the new place??

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Too Late..... :lol:

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Sorry...:devil::lol::lol:

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Got the power steering fixed, put new hoses on. I made my own return assembly since the replacement steel portion wasn't even close to the right bend. Also had to shorten, bend and reflare the pressure line since it wouldn't fit either. Has anyone ever found one to fit like it should?????? I've checked three brands on the last two trucks I've done and they all need to be reworked!!!

Good news is it seems to be working smooth- quiet, and one finger ease of turning. Fluid already looks dirty but I'm hoping its just the micro bubbles in there and that they will resolve.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Great build thread. Really like the truck. Nothing better than getting one back on the road!!

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Jud - we had a problem with the first set of pwr steer lines. I suspect the parts guy gave us one for a 2wd not 4wd - the 4wd one fit nicely. Pete

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

I had one once with the return in the wrong place and it was the correct part number for my year model truck, i blame the rebuild company's.. The auto parts guy eventually found a correct one but i don't know any part number any more.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Wes Hepp (Classicheartbeat) gave me the correct part # IIRC...

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Pics of the power steering hose that was the return one for a 4x4 up top. Middle is original and bottom is the replacement I made from scratch.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...g/P1010172.jpg

The flaring tool sure is handy but you need at least a good inch of straight at the end, plus another 1/2" for the nut. Again, I had to rework the pressure line and had to make the entire end about an inch long, so had to get creative with the vise and striking the tool with a hammer.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...g/P1010173.jpg

Anyways, that's enough about the steering hoses. Here's the current parts pile, with more stuff from brothers 65% off sale not yet in the pile.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...g/P1010175.jpg

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Dang your going thru what i went thru! but i didn't get any brothers 65% off sale anything!

Cant remember now if your doing stock springs and new shocks or if you have a lift? I was gonna ask what part numbers your shocks are if its a 4"

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Went to an auction and picked up some goodies. Got a high lift trans jack, old standard gas station sign, and a air compressor. Prices were good since the sale wasnt' advertised well. Got a upscale trans jack for use with the lift for $50, two floor jacks and two engine stands for another $50 total! One jack is scrap but the other is nice and made in the US!
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...25145_5821.jpg

There was a dump truck there with no rust that a scrapper bought. Keep thinking I could have used it for the $900 it sold for! Even if it is a dodge... Needs an engine but the sheetmetal is all in the box. I am coping by telling myself I could get a classic Mack or GMC someday though I know deals like this won't come around too often. Tires weren't even dry rotted and the 11yd box was in nice shape. Could actually use something like this for the landscaping and dirtwork on my hobby farm. Its still there and a little voice in my head says "leave a note in the cab to buy it" ....
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...124951_804.jpg

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Now back to the K20. I'm working on the box and tailgate. Here is a pretty straight gate with no rust through I've had that may work well on this one. Fished a mouse nest and junk out of the gate after 30 mins with one of those little flex claw grabber tools. Biggest thing to fix are the holes for the aluminum factory trim this one had.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...105701_949.jpg

All the crap that was inside. Somehow it didn't lead to much rust at all. Must have been stored inside
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...105644_569.jpg

Got the trim off the box, but kept burning through with my wire feed and 0.030" wire.:devil: I now have some 0.023 that hopefully will fix that issue. Just a few other areas to weld on the box as shown below. Otherwise pretty solid box I was using for a trailer. These will get a coat of flat ochre to match the rest of the truck.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P101017213.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P101017211.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P101017214.jpg

Debating if I should replace this bedside with a straighter one I've got from a parts truck. Will be painted ochre so may not be too noticeable when sprayed? This is a work truck/driver so I don't want to go too far with making it real pretty.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d.../P1010177a.jpg

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Just a 2.5" up front to level out with the HD rear factory springs. It is back end high about 2". Shocks are for 2" lift but may tolerate a 4", they look pretty long. Just go to summit's site and see if they're the same PN for both.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

welding trim holes shut around brakelights
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010176-2.jpg

and patching the few rust spots in floor
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...0/P1010172.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010175-2.jpg



http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010177-2.jpg

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Love the build so far! Now, did i miss the part where you switched from just getting it drivable? Or does drivable include decent beds and rear disc breaks???

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

:lol: it seems one thing leads to another! at least the rear discs can be blamed on no available drums for the one year only ho52 brakes. The other upgrades, no excuse for:lol:

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

But it's gonna be one fine rig.....who needs an excuse!!

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

:metal:

Im certainly just making fun of that thing we all do. Its called the the "Might As Well" syndrome. I can tell you im glad you are doing the things you are doing! Super excited to see it done!

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Spent the weekend finishing up the bodywork on box and painting it.

Stupid trim holes...
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010173-2.jpg

Welding holes shut with "nail" trick
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010175-3.jpg

Primered welded areas and sanded original paint:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010177-3.jpg

I should try to dig up the pics of the box before we straighten out around the taillights. It was pretty bad, and toomuchstuff (Eric) helped me with his studgun a year or so ago.

Painted box. Too shiny, need to dull it somehow to match rest of truck.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...173358_667.jpg

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

OR you could just paint the rest of the truck... Just sayin!

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Also, What line/type of paint did you use?

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Just rub it down with a scuff pad. Looks real good. But it's not a driver yet is it?

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Not yet, need to do the brakes yet. wanted to get box painted before the minnesota winter is here. Im also getting the bumpers, tailgate, and a driver door ready to shoot while weather allows. i really need an indoor place to paint. i can do the brakes in the warm shop anyday. also, i am still debating if i should swap in a temporary front axle or just rebuild the one thats in there. If i swap, it would also have to be rebuilt at some point but at least it would be up and running while i rebuild the original. Maybe its easier to just pull the original and rebuild and let the truck sit while i do...

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

what i found that would match. Equipment enamel, made by valspar. Cat yellow color is almost a perfect match right out of the quart cans. Nothing special at all.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Like this? Were you able to spray it?

http://www.hardwareworld.com/Tractor...Fe-DQgod2m4Anw

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

There is a guy here on the forum that used the same stuff on his frame, said it was pretty tough stuff.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Yep! That's the stuff. Its pretty durable, which will be good for this work truck. I added naphtha and hardener/reducer to thin it down some. Its pretty thick right out of the can. Even thinned, I got a fair amount on and no runs either. Course I put in on slow, took about 1.5 hours to shoot the whole bed including a couple coats. I used the same stuff but in semi gloss black for the frame.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Results!

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...240122_343.jpg

Now I need to figure out which rear bumper to run. I like the second one from the left, but it may not be period correct. The one on the right has a shallow area for the plate, so it always got bent. Thinking the one on the left or second to left, any thoughts?
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010181-1.jpg

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

I think the grey one might be a late 70's ford bumper, it looks much the ford bumper i bought and never put on my truck.. Not that i think anybody would care...

If ya ran a class 3 hitch you wouldn't have to worry about that shallow area?

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

If you are going for the classic "look" then use the left 1. Otherwise it really doesn't matter. Most people would never know the difference and it's a work truck that isn't getting parked and judged on the concourse anytime soon.

GET THOSE BRAKES DONE!

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Seems so wrong to go and scuff up that nice paint! Though i will admit that it does make it look more "right".

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Been busy getting my property ready for winter. Also helping my buddy a little with a 67 GMC K1500 I sold him. We are trying to get the big block V6 in it running, here's a pic of it.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...0/P1010184.jpg

Now back to the Ochre 71- I did get the pinion seal replaced in the D44, seal area on yoke journal did not have any wear! Nice to catch a break. Also I did get the front bumper down to bare metal, straightened it, and primed. The rear is pretty much like new! Both from Teeitup, thanks again Randy.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...0/P1010186.jpg

Getting brake parts ready for rear axle rebuild and brake job.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010180-1.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010181-2.jpg

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

I remember that stage.. :o)

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Nice work, and nice Deere. Does it burn oil? :lol:

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Very nice progress. I like what you did on the bed. Hard work, I can relate.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Thanks guys for the compliments, helps keep these drawn out projects going!

Ryan, its a 25 year old oil burner that doesn't burn the oil in the crankcase :) Love the little 3cyl, diff lock, and 2spd rear end in it. I have a tad over 3 acres in grass and I probably only go through 15 gal of fuel all season! Unfortunately, its the only oil burner on the property now. I am searching craigslist to remedy that though ;)

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

I thought it probably was. Those are some dang nice little tractors. People are still pretty proud of them too!

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Got the old front axle out on Wednesday. Putting the skyjacker setup and good D44HD in today. Then on to the rear axle bearings, and disc setup. All bundled up, its about 20F out now!

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

First off, I got the front axle in, so that's good. Nice to have lockouts and intact axle shafts!

I also had to grind the rivets off the one upper shock mount since they were loose. I replaced with 2 UNF 3/8" bolts.

Then I lost a couple battles this weekend.
The first is the driveshaft is too short to connect by about an inch when the axle is hanging down. I verified the springs were symmetric and they are. I am going to put a '72 front driveshaft on. They are about 2 inches longer for some reason! Here is a pic, the top yoke is off the ochre 71 and the one in the middle is off the 72 rusty parts truck. Not sure what the bottom was from. Notice how the front yoke portion is a longer on the 72. The main body is also longer than the 71. I wanted to just swap front portions but the 72 front is too tight on the 71 main body.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010184-1.jpg

The axle looks like its where it should be, about halfway between front and rear of fender opening
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010192-1.jpg

Second battle I lost was with the shocks. The fronts have 9 inches of travel and only about 3.75" of that is usable between resting height and fully compressed. I'd like more like 5-6 inches of compressible travel. Similar situation on rear. I ordered these per Summit's website with a search filter of 2.5" lift. Guess I should have just ordered stock height. That would give me about 6" of compressible and 3" of extension which seems ideal.


Also thinking I should trim the U bolts down some. Speaking of them, I need to find a torque value for them:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/d...0/P1010188.jpg