1972 k20 under construction

[21Yellowfin]

Hello All,

New to the forum, I am in the process of having my 72k20 redone. Here is some of the back story I bought the truck off of Ebay for a fair price of $6500. it was at a restoration shop being sold for a customer. I decided to leave it with them and have the truck painted, thinking I would do the rest when I got it back. like most everyone I am just busy with work, kids, and life. As time went on I kept adding to the project. Here is what I have so far, the truck is being sprayed this week, and I am looking for ideas or suggestions on what you guys recommend or would stay away from in the finishing stages. it is my hope to have the truck back on the road this summer.

1. stripped down and sand blasted frame, replaced all bad metal in cab
2. all new running gear Dana 60 front Corp. 14 bolt rear with 4:10 gears and lockers
3. professionally built 383 stroker small block with Holley Sniper fuel injection & rebuilt 350 turbo trans. stock 205 transfer case
4. Skyjacker 6" soft ride springs
5. 20" American Force Wheels with 35" Toyo MT tires
6. Fox racing reservoir shocks
7. Vintage air a/c (factory unit was pretty bad shape)



dana 60 front end

[DeadheadNM]

Small detail but the metal atop the dash is painted to match the dash pad and in a flat finish. Also, the holes for your door mirror look to be incorrectly located for the base mirrors depicted in the first photo. I'd make sure they are where you want them before the paint goes on. If you are using the base model OEM mirrors then relocate the mount holes.

[El Dorado Jim]

can't wait to see this come together!!

[special-K]

The mount holes are for pre-71 mirrors, so I guess that's not a '72 door. Looks like your truck is a K/10, not a K/20. There are so many details, it's probably best to just ask about an individual things as you get to them

[BILT4ME]

Originally Posted by special-K

The mount holes are for pre-71 mirrors, so I guess that's not a '72 door. Looks like your truck is a K/10, not a K/20. There are so many details, it's probably best to just ask about an individual things as you get to them

Yeah, the "original" photo shows 6 bolt front axles, while the "in shop" photos show 8 bolt axles.

Also, all trim holes have been filled/replaced with aftermarket parts.

Did YOU upgrade the axles and shocks or did you buy it with those added?

[57taskforce]

I'm in for this one. Looks like an awesome start!

[jocko]

You can confirm whether you have 72 doors by the presence of the vent window reinforcing screw on the inside of the doors. Will be the only screw visible above the door panel - under the vent window rear edge. 71 or earlier doors, or more appropriately, 71 or earlier regulators, don't work with with 72 door panels. Am guessing those are not, as mentioned above, based on the presence of only that one mirror bracket pattern.

[21Yellowfin]

Hey guys thanks for the replys, I am hoping to get some help here. The title & Vin match and show the truck as a K20. the running gear under the truck was in fact six lug. In my readings is it true that some of the 1972 k20 trucks came with six lug running gear? it had a Dana 44 front and what appeared to be a Eaton Rear. I have kept the original running gear to save for a future k5 for my wife or a truck for my daughter that insists this truck will be hers. I opted to install all 8 lug running gear under the truck and not reinstall the original running gear. I fully intend on driving this truck, and wanted to have it pretty bullet proof and hopefully as trouble free as possible. With this being said i ordered a already built set up from Boyce Equipment with posi and lockers. The truck did not have the Fox Shocks either it was pretty stock, when I decided to lift the truck I wanted to do what I felt would look the best and provide a nice ride. Everything I read recommended the Skyjacker Soft ride lift. As for the Doors the original ones were not in the best of shape so we ordered aftermarket doors to replace them. It has never been my intention to have a show truck with everything period correct. I would consider this truck to be more of a restored, I just want a extremely clean and reliable truck that I can drive and enjoy. This is my reasoning to do the lift, newer wheels and non factory paint. The Truck will go back to Blue and White, but it will be a House Of Colors candy blue with a pearl white. The step side shown is the colors I will be using. The interior will be either black or grey leather, as I'm undecided and am supposed to meet with the upholstery shop next week. What are your thoughts of my ideas? I do not foresee me ever selling this truck so I have kept that in mind. thanks for your time and comments.

Michael

[71threequarterton]

Originally Posted by 21Yellowfin

What are your thoughts of my ideas?Michael

My thoughts are: It's gonna be rad. Your line of thinking is pretty darn close to what mine would be for this truck and I'm looking forward to watching the progress.

[DeadheadNM]

Solid plans - will look great when done. To clarify, no k20 had 6-lug axles. Dana 44 was used up front for 1/2 and 3/4 ton but those for 3/4 t were 8-lug. The Eaton rear would be corrrect for a Chevy.

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Solid plans - will look great when done. To clarify, no k20 had 6-lug axles. Dana 44 was used up front for 1/2 and 3/4 ton but those for 3/4 t were 8-lug. The Eaton rear would be corrrect for a Chevy.

x2, your truck is a K10 and you are making it a K20 by changing to 3/4 ton axles,I did that also on my 72

[21Yellowfin]

Thanks everyone for the input, It appears I need to do a little more digging into the vin situation and find out what it is exactly I have. It appears to be mix matched frame and cab, with the title for the cab. the next question I have is the dash was cut and I had it repaired, have you any of you guys installed and used the retro sounds head units? it seems to be a nice set up with blue tooth. I am about to order and wanted to get some feed back. thanks again for your help and input.

[52napco]

Post your vin if you like and there are several that can tell what you have...looks like you
Are going to have a really nice truck so bear in mind that in most states mismatched
Vins are a huge issue for registration...most states inspect the older vehicles and require
3 matching vins.

[21Yellowfin]

Originally Posted by 52napco

Post your vin if you like and there are several that can tell what you have...looks like you
Are going to have a really nice truck so bear in mind that in most states mismatched
Vins are a huge issue for registration...most states inspect the older vehicles and require
3 matching vins.

CKE242S121769

From what I can find the cab at least is a 1972 V8 Chevrolet k20 built in St. Louis truck # 1769 of approx. 19,648 built. I still need to find a vin stamped on the frame and see what that was to. Here in Florida the truck was recently registered in the last few years so I should have no number registering. thanks in advance for your guys assistance.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by 21Yellowfin

CKE242S121769

Looks like Chevy, 4WD, V8 gas, 3/4Ton, 1972, St Louis, #21769 of the production run.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=570059

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/Chevyear.html

Appears to have originally been a K20. Axles may have been changed to 6-lugs by a PO, but you now have 8-lugs so it's all good. Should turn out great, can't wait to see the build pics and the finished truck.

[21Yellowfin]

Just a little update, its been a while. Truck has been torn back down frame and running gear have had the final paint. Reassembly has started and the cab and bed to be painted soon.

[Dieselwrencher]

Your truck project is looking very nice! Hopefully they get your engine covered up asap!

[21Yellowfin]

Just an update the cab finally has some color and will be installed back on the frame this week. This has been a painfully slow process, but slow and steady!

[72 tigger]

Very nice! Has to feel good to see some paint

[Dieselwrencher]

The paint looks really nice!

[jocko]

Great paint color. Reminds me of the truck below. What is the actual color? Almost looks like my Silverado's factory color. Wanted to ask about interior paint - have never seen a white top truck painted with white on the inner roof and pillars - interesting. Sure does look nice - gonna be a real sharp truck, looking forward to more pics as it progresses.

[21Yellowfin]

Originally Posted by jocko

Great paint color. Reminds me of the truck below. What is the actual color? Almost looks like my Silverado's factory color. Wanted to ask about interior paint - have never seen a white top truck painted with white on the inner roof and pillars - interesting. Sure does look nice - gonna be a real sharp truck, looking forward to more pics as it progresses.

The color is a house of colors blue with a pearl white. Had never seen the truck before that you attached. Nice truck though. As for pillars and roof the original paint scheme was the same, just wanted to change the color since I decided not to build truck back stock.
Posted via Mobile Device

[21Yellowfin]

update on the truck, still moving along slowly but surely. Hoping to have on the road by the end of the year! definitely been along time coming, im sure a lot of you can understand how a new paint job turns into this kind of project

[Paul72]

Looking good! Reminds me of my truck a couple years ago. Although I went with the green/white combo, I really like that shade of blue! Get ready for a lot of conversations with strangers once you're driving it!

Keep up the good work! Looking forward to seeing it on the road!

Paul

[Ol Blue K20]

Looks great, I like the color combo