72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

After a more than a year of parts scrounging and saving I was finally ready for the restoration of my 72 K20 Super, which was rescued just before the scrapper by the last owner. This NM truck in original paint is nearly rust free but was used as a work truck. Under the carpet I found bullets, pinon nuts, pieces of arrow heads and Blakes Lotaburger wrappers – definitely New Mexican. The original bed had to go and was replaced with a 70 bed in original paint. This had a camper on it and is in excellent shape. The tail gate is replaced with a NOS piece. The fenders had dents or extra holes and were replaced with rust/bondo free OEM replacements in original paint. The LH door had a dent that was bondo’d over so was replaced with a NOS piece. The rear of the cab has some bad damage from rocks that were chronically wedged between it and the bed.
Sadly, I don’t have the time or skills to do the job myself. The pics below show the truck before then at the resto shop – they’ve already corrected what Paul Duncan would describe as a “birth defect” by adding the factory auxiliary tank that GM forgot.

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

More before:

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

The original motor was gone. Duncan and Son located this correct 350 for a 72 K20 - looks ugly but has under 60K miles! Pulled from a suburban. Will get a rebuild...

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

At the shop....

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

One more NOS gate gone...

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

"Under the carpet I found bullets, pinon nuts, pieces of arrow heads and Blakes Lotaburger wrappers – definitely New Mexican."

That's great stuff!! No Allsup's chimi wrappers and empty Bud cans??

Very cool truck to start with... I can't wait to see what you do with it...

Good luck with your project.

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

LOL!! I did find some old school beer can pull tabs! No Allsups wrappers though. Thanks Joe!

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Thanks! Yep, back to all OEM save for a 700R4 tranny, dual exhaust, and maybe the 16.5 x 9.75 steelies. I also like the stock look. In the end, if looks anywhere close to yours I'll be pleased.

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Pete, that is going to be "super" nice when you get finished. Remember when you get the engine rebuilt to remind them to not deck off those #'s that are on the engine. They show that it is a 1972 k20 auto.

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

looks like a nice place to build a truck and the shop looks nic also

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Jason - Thanks and I appreciate the heads up - definitely want to keep that code. I appreciate the parts!

Thanks! I'm sure it will be there for a while yet...

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

*SUSCRIBED* This is a great survivor story! If you need anything don't hesitate to ask, I'm only moments away. ;)

s/t

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

in to watch. i really like the k20s especially in that color combo

Ryan

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Thanks again all. No recent progress. The shop is finishing up some work on couple of vehicles ahead of mine. Hope to post some new pics in next 2-3 weeks. Pete

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

I'm in to see another stock K20...I wear a bit thin seeing all the drop/chop/butcher threads...to each his own, but I love the K20's :)

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Progress made. A lot of sheet metal has been media blasted. That bare steel looks purdy! The cab is patched up now and they did a solid job. The bed is still in the booth. Front clip is on deck to be blasted. My Bowtie Overdrives 700r4 is to arrive this week.

Thanks for looking!

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

more....

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

That is one nice cab!

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

looks nice. Who is the shop doing the work and where is it?

Ryan

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

I'm going along for the ride on this one. You've got a great start, that cab is unreal!
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Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Thanks guys! I thought I had an almost perfect cab until I saw the rock damage. Not too much rust here in NM. Sadly, I see cabs like this regularly scrapped at the local U-Pull It.

Mild to Wild Classics is doing the work here in Albuquerque: http://www.mildtowildclassics.com/

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Looking in Nice project pete Wht Interior is the shhhhhhhhhtttttt

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Thanks Dave! I'm tempted to recover the bucket seats with orange Highlander plaid if that is possible. What's interesting is my belts are originally black rather than parchment. I wonder what belt color most parchment bucket seat trucks were equipped with: black or parchment? I may have to buy back those parchment belts LOL!

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Nice Pete. Looks like you're building a keeper!
Steve

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

The cab is looking great. Can't wait to see this one done.

Oh btw, Love those colors!!!:lol:

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Appreciate the encouragement fellas thanks! I gotta fever and the only cure is more orange!

The 700r4 arrived - here's a shot of the engine in place with relocated motor mounts to accommodate the longer length vs. the TH350. It'll be nice having some space between the HEI and the firewall. Anyone have this set up in a 4x4? I'm wondering if I should stick with the 4x4 fan shroud or install a 2wd shroud now that the motor is closer to the radiator.

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Here are some recent pics of the finished job on the inner cab repair and of the bed. The bed floor is essentially dent free. I opted to paint the bed floor rather than apply a liner. Again, gotta see more orange! Leaning toward single stage Imron paint rather than two-stage but welcome anyone's 2-cents on this.

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

metalwork is looking great. why not leave the engine and move the tranny crossmember back to accommodate the added length?

Ryan

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Ryan - i thought about that too. Seems like most guys have gone the route I did in order to spare shortening the drive lines and moving the other cross member. Seemed like the cleanest way to go and gives more room for the HEI (not that that's a problem I'm aware of). My one concern is how much clearance will I now have between the oil pan and the front diff but I don't expect to really off road the K20 once the build is complete. Nevertheless, here's me stuck on a hill this weekend in my 4Runner close to rolling when I tackled a hill NOT in 4 low. Doh! That was close...

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Hey Pete.......I bet you are chompin' at the bit to get that truck going, it's looking great!

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Nice truck!
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Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Can't wait till it's don! Thanks guys!

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More progress. Most sheet metal is primed. Frame is getting blasted.

Any votes for single stage vs. clear coat? Also, need help with pics of G60 aux leaf springs per this post: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=539277.

Thanks for looking!

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

more...need the firewall hole for the tach harness grommet.

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Just read your build. Very nice. I vote for single stage in the paint department...

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Frame is back. Pics show the front hooks in place and new frame brackets for the rear hooks.

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Frame is painted (now dusty) and axles are off for new seals, etc. The HO52 will get a NoSPIN and the front axle a set of OEM Spicer hubs.

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Going to be a nice truck when its done

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Coming along very nice DeadheadNM! Can't wait to see it with paint on it.

Re: 72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build
 

Looking good Pete.