Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30

[MrBeast]

It is amazing what a difference modern coatings make on these trucks, so far superior to the paint they had back then, although through the 80's they really had some issues, it seems today what is available to us is far superior.

[BlueBullet]

Yep there sure is a lot a avenues one can take

[BlueBullet]

Went to Action Auto and had a rattle can mixed with factory color. They weren't able to do it at the local NAPA. I am happy with the end result. I painted the lower kick panels and a radio delete that was pretty rough.

[BlueBullet]

Working on cleaning up the outer heater box waiting on parts. Reconditioned the heater controls. I don't like the look of the standard rivets so I went with the same rivets that are used for vent window weather stripping. It think it looks cleaner. In order to make it work I ground down the existing molded rivets. Then I took a 1/8 bit and drilled through the faceplate using the molded rivet center as a guide. I then drilled out with a 5/32 bit. On the front I had to counter sink the faceplate just a little to get enough length to get a good bite with this particular rivet. The bit I used to counter sink is a 13/64 I think. I went down just enough to get through the stripped faceplate. I am real happy with how it turned out even the my faceplate wasn't much to begin with but it is the best I had on hand. When putting back together I sprayed the cables down with PB Blaster to loosen and lube things up.

[BlueBullet]

Switched out the Cab Harness for a Auto harness I had on hand. Washed the inside of the cab and started putting back together. I went with original door seals because of price but mainly because when you glue them on they don't move. I have a set of push ons on Casper and they pull away in the corners. I find that irritating. Switching to black interior also. How about the paint match on the radio delete?

[Dieselwrencher]

That's looking really nice! I haven't had any issues with my precision push on door seals moving on my 72. They've been on a couple years or more too.

[BlueBullet]

Got the transmission linkage rapped up today. Had to add three inches to the linkage rod. I just took a 3/8 x 4" bolt and chopped the threads and head off. Then welded it up. Used the frame mounted bracket from K30.

[BlueBullet]

Alos finished freshening up the outer heater box and got it mounted. Finished hooking up heater controls and duct work. Ran speedo cable and set in instrument panel.

[fishnixon]

Nice Job! Keeping an eye on ‘ya...👍

[BlueBullet]

Been plugging away at odds and ends. Finished instrument panel install and tach wiring. I ordered a new engine harness for an automatic with HEI since I didn't have any good ones saved. Cleaned up a front wiring harness that I had saved from a parts truck. Got harness installed. Also cleaned fuel tank, installed new sending unit and got set back in cab and hooked up. Topped off with new filler cap.

[BlueBullet]

Also finished up the brake lines. I am pretty happy with how they turned out. I used copper nickel alloy line which is pretty easy to form. I rolled the 3/16" around a socket to form. The 1/4" was not as easy it wanted to kink so I had to form by hand turned out alright. All and all went together nicely.

[Dieselwrencher]

The lines turned out pretty nice. It sure is coming along pretty quickly.

[BlueBullet]

Thanks Ryan!! The Big Bird is coming together now. Got the cab squared up and the front fenders and inner fenders hung. Not sure what I am going to do with front passenger fender. I have another one the same color but is borderline in better shape. I used poly cab and radiator support mounts and I like many others had to shim the front of the cab with 4 shims for alignment.

[BlueBullet]

Also fixed a seat spring on a seat I traded for a while back. Cut up 90 off another broken seat spring I had and pinched her back together with some ferrals.

[Vintage Windmills]

Nice progress!

[Dieselwrencher]

Those body lines look really nice! Nice seat spring repair.

[BlueBullet]

Thanks guys!! Things have been going together pretty good. I chased all threads on nuts and bolts and that really speeds up assembly. With a little blood, sweat and swear words I was able to get the passenger fender straightened out better. Mounted back on the truck got the grill installed. Next installed an auxiliary transmission cooler. More blood sweat and swear words.

[BlueBullet]

Next back to the cab. I got the high hump sealed and installed. I ran the kickdown wiring up through the transfer case shifter hole. Then got the tar mat set and then the rubber mat. Will let that sit for a bit to settle in before installing door sill plates.

[El Dorado Jim]

sub'd

[BlueBullet]

Well today was another busy day. The main shop had room so I thought now would be a good time to get the flatbed sectioned down. I started off marking out the areas that needed to be cut. My measurements for outside of tire to outside of tire is 81.5". By taking out the outside boards that brings it in from 94.5" to 87.5". I don't want to much over hanger of the bed width wise so hopefully that will work out. This way I will have some room to go if I want to put on a little wider rear tires. I started off by cutting out the corners. Then cut the back off. Once I got rear section separated from the remaining wood pieces I was off to cutting and sectioning the bed length wise. I was in a groove so I missed a lot of pictures. Meanwhile a buddy swung by and helped me get the seat in the truck. I got the be cut and put the extra section outside to save for possible future rust repairs.

[BlueBullet]

More pictures

[BlueBullet]

Few more. I will be putting a blanket seat cover on the seat. I cut out a stake pocket from the extra section and will add that back in in the back of the bed.

[BlueBullet]

Then was off to bringing in the sides. I took 3.5" off each side. Plasma cutter the cross members and a skill saw and cut down the length of the bed and snapped the side off to get to the bed screws with a sawzall. After cleaning up the sides I temporarily attached them with wood screws and washers. The front corners fit with a little trimming. After getting the rear panel sectioned down I removed the swing down hitch. Thought that was pretty neat so I might reinstall in the future. The back was a little tricky getting back in and aligned but managed to get tacked back in. Somewhere along the way I didn't measure twice and cut once so now the bed will be an inch shorter at 107". All and all today was a good day and I am shot.

[BlueBullet]

Got the bed done for now. I will eventually make a headache rack and a ways down the road I am thinking of making it a tilt bed.

[BlueBullet]

I also cut down the old sides and installed them.