Newbie, Buying my first. 72 GMC K20

[Joseph2001]

Thank you everyone, I'm trying to stay motivated, don't have much I can do without parts right now. Need to go Junk Yard diving soon. I'm on the job hunt right now, can't buy parts without money lmao.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Joseph2001

Thank you everyone, I'm trying to stay motivated, don't have much I can do without parts right now. Need to go Junk Yard diving soon. I'm on the job hunt right now, can't buy parts without money lmao.

We're all rooting for ya. Good luck on the job hunting.

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by Joseph2001

I have no clue why they posted upside down. When I took them they were right side up. Lmao
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iPhone does that to me when I post pics here. Drives me crazy.

[Moose Monkey]

Keep going, Joseph, your are doing great.

[Joseph2001]

Still Tinkering on what I can. Going next weekend to get push rods then Junk yard diving for an Intake, Finally located a Junk Yard in the area! And people tell me that there is Plenty of our trucks sitting in it

[Big Block]

Once the 67-72 truck bug bites you you're hooked for life. Looking forward to watching you build this truck giving it a second life.

[Joseph2001]

Hey guys, Sorry for not giving y'all an update. Been working and busy. Haven't had anytime for the truck. Did get aDD for now 1991 F150, 300 I6 2wd, working on license soon! But now every evening as I sit on my porch and look into the barn where the 72 is sitting and get tired of not doing any work to the old girl, and it's time to do something about it. After throwing the idea back and forth I'm wondering, what would it take to mount that cab on a more modern Chevy frame? I like the idea of having a more modern suspension and drive train.
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[Joseph2001]

I'm thinking 1988-95, I don't care for the vortec system that came with 96. There is plenty of those trucks in my area that are healthy.
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[AJC]

Would you keep the efi?

[Joseph2001]

Originally Posted by AJC

Would you keep the efi?

That's the plan atleast. With access to the machine shop, body mounts won't be a problem. Only thing I see being a problem is the electronics, but if I buy a whole truck it will have all I need. Is it hard to go to the electronic dash cluster?

[AJC]

Are you giving up on a solid front axle? Here are some frame references from the gmt400 up fitter hand book. Looks like you will have to cut the frame down.

[57taskforce]

The ifs in the 88-98 trucks ifs ok but no where near as stout as those front leaf springs and Dana 44. I've got 2 of each and while my 98 k2500 and 01 suburban ride smooth, they have way more moving parts and eat ball joints and steering parts much faster than my old solid axle trucks do. Not to mention the sagging torsion bars that need adjusting from time to time. There's a lot more to a frame swap than body mounts, my 57 is on an 88 k5 frame. The newer frames drop and Bend in places the old ones didn't. It's definitely do-able but it is a good bit of fab work to get everything right. In the end it's certainly your truck to do with as your please and that's what makes this hobby what it is...how ever these old 4x4 trucks are about as good as you can get when it come to 4x4s. An old tbi engine would be easy to swap into your truck and keep the efi.

[Joseph2001]

I'm not sure the exact plan yet. Makes me wonder what the frame from the Suburbans and Tahoes in those years look like. I'd like to be able to buy a complete truck pull the cab, front clip and ect. And set mine down in its place, staying with a flatbed so bed length won't matter much. But the electronics from a newer motor and drive train are my concern. We can cut and much frames all we need.

[AJC]

Wheel bases for Tahoe 117.5 4 door (GMT420), Tahoe/K5 111.50 2 door (GMT415) and Suburban 131.49 (GMT425).

Link to GMT400 upfitter manual
https://www.gmupfitter.com/files/med...uckCurrent.PDF

[Joseph2001]

I'm just looking for a quicker option rather than trying to patch my frame again, or cut the old and weld in a new section. I like the thought of having new equipment under the old cab. And where finding another 67-72 donor truck around here seems to be impossible, the frame is either worn or they want way too much Money. I'm up in the air right now about what I want to do.

[Joseph2001]

57taskforce, you pointed out my biggest issue with it. The less moving parts the better.

I would love to do a modern frame, suspension and drivetrain. But I love the reliability of the older stuff

[57taskforce]

What are your current frames issues? I'm sorry if you posted that earlier in this thread and I missed it.

[Joseph2001]

The whole rear of the frame is about rotten out, I think I posted pictures before. The frame is cracked on one side, and there is multiple steel plate patches from the PO

[Joseph2001]

Don't mind me, I'm just acting like a bipolar woman, trying to decide what to do. Lmao

[57taskforce]

Ahh that makes more sense. K frames are getting hard to come across thats for sure. It is possible to solid axle swap a later frame for what it's worth.

[Joseph2001]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Ahh that makes more sense. K frames are getting hard to come across thats for sure. It is possible to solid axle swap a later frame for what it's worth.

Now you got the gears in my head turning. I wonder what years chevy used efi, that would still be square body wouldn't it? And would it be easy to go to an overdrive transmission with it?

If I buy a donor truck, I could use its frame and efi 350. And swap everything from my truck over? Then see about going to overdrive.

[57taskforce]

Yep you could. 87 is fuel injected in all square trucks, the blazers, suburbans and crew cab 1 tons squares all ran until 91. Gm kept the tbi in the trucks until 95. In those year trucks the only overdrive auto would have been the 700r4, except 94-95 which had a 4l60e.

[Joseph2001]

I think it's time start a hunt. Although it might upset my dad to tear down a perfectly good 88-98 Chevy (They are his 2nd favorite trucks, first being our 67-72's)

[AJC]

92 was the last year 700r4/4l60 was used in the gmt400.

[Joseph2001]

Correct me if i'm wrong. There was the 4l60 and the 4l60e, E for electronic.