72 K20 Cheyenne Super Build

[Dieselwrencher]

Something along the lines of it's going to be a long time or hack it out yourself.

[ryanroo]

yeah, that sounds about right...

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Thanks a whole lot guys!! I won't be going anywhere. I'll do what I can to help out so that others can benefit from my mistakes. I'll post up some pics of the K20 in snow once settled in. Appreciate all the support. Pete

If that's the case start following my build because i could use all the help i can get LOL! Super beautiful truck!!

What size tires? wondering how big i can go and use the spare tire carrier?

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

If that's the case start following my build because i could use all the help i can get LOL! Super beautiful truck!!

What size tires? wondering how big i can go and use the spare tire carrier?

Thanks!! Subscribed. The 33" tires work just fine in the spare carrier - I'll check clearance once my truck arrives in MT. Not sure if 35" would fit...

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Thanks!! Subscribed. The 33" tires work just fine in the spare carrier - I'll check clearance once my truck arrives in MT. Not sure if 35" would fit...

Thank you!

To follow up after read the entire build:

Can i assume that the reason to allow for ether forward mount or rear mount motor mounts in the frame is to allow for the front axle to clear the cross member on a 4X4?

Can you look and tell me if when they mounted the bed did they use rectangular rubber 1/4" cushions between the bed and frame? if they did was 1/4" spacers required on the cab mounts and radiator support mounts?

Sure wish i could take my truck to where you had the work done!

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Thank you!

To follow up after read the entire build:

Can i assume that the reason to allow for ether forward mount or rear mount motor mounts in the frame is to allow for the front axle to clear the cross member on a 4X4?

Can you look and tell me if when they mounted the bed did they use rectangular rubber 1/4" cushions between the bed and frame? if they did was 1/4" spacers required on the cab mounts and radiator support mounts?

Sure wish i could take my truck to where you had the work done!

Yes, GM moved the motor back 3" on 4wd's I assume to clear the front diff...we moved mine forward by ~1.75" for the 700R4 install - I don't foresee issues with clearance and the suspension is stock.

The asphalt/rubber spacers were not originally on this or the bed-donor truck (or my K10). I did add these however but kept OEM size cab/rad support cushions. All the body lines look good.

Thanks for the good words!

[swamp rat]

>>>
The asphalt/rubber spacers were not originally on this or the bed-donor truck (or my K10). I did add these however but kept OEM size cab/rad support cushions. All the body lines look good.<<<

Thats interesting, I got and installed my body mount kit and had to leave the bed pads out to get the body lines to match, so if i use them i'll need to use spacers on the cab...

[sboris]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

>>>
The asphalt/rubber spacers were not originally on this or the bed-donor truck (or my K10). I did add these however but kept OEM size cab/rad support cushions. All the body lines look good.<<<

Thats interesting, I got and installed my body mount kit and had to leave the bed pads out to get the body lines to match, so if i use them i'll need to use spacers on the cab...

Swamp rat.. Same here, all lines match without the pads. Maybe the body mount kits vary...
Deadhead.. Your truck is a piece of art! Killer! Hell of a job

[DeadheadNM]

Not sure this makes a difference or not but the bed was mounted on the pads for a while and maybe settled a bit. Those I used were maybe a 1/4" thick. I went back and traced my lower woodgrain trim lines on the pics and they all seem to square well. My body mounts came from Wes Hepp at Classic Heartbeat - board member/vendor.

Thanks sboris!!

[BB72CHEVKT]

It turned out great!

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

My body mounts came from Wes Hepp at Classic Heartbeat - board member/vendor.

LOL! So did mine, He's about 45-40 minutes away from me. Go figure.

[Steve Cole]

Hey Pete,

Truck looks truly amazing! Better than new. Great Job!

Can you post some info for converting your oil pressure gauge to electrical? Does it work well? What was the turn time to do this? Who did it?

Thanks,

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks Steve! My K20 and K5 were FINALLY delivered here last Sunday. I've attached a local pic I was able to take this morning.

There's a world renowned gauge restoration shop in Albuquerque (MoMa Gauges) that's been in business for decades and typically works on high end restoration for old Ferrari's, MG's etc. It's run by an 80 yo woman! They did the gauge conversion. It was a little pricey at ~$175. What they do is preserve the face and needle then replace the inner mechanical "guts" of the gauge with electronic parts. A sending unit and wiring was included IIRC. They don't have a website but here's their contact info:

MoMa Gauges
1321 2nd Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 766-6661

Don't waste an 80lb gauge like I did - they can use a 60 lb gauge and it will read like an 80. You absolutely cannot tell the oil gauge was converted when looking at it in the cab and its worked great for the 56 miles I have on the truck I had a ground come loose yesterday that I fixed last night but that was no big deal at all. It took them no more than 1.5 weeks and that was tearing into a restored speed warning cluster. No more oil line to deal with.

Hope this helps! Pete

[DeadheadNM]

Getting snow on the mountains that ring the valley:

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Getting snow on the mountains that ring the valley:

Its going well below freezing here at night too, snow in the mountains, been lucky for about a week with sunny weather in the 40's, but its not gonna last.

[ryanroo]

we've got snow on the mountains, and on my front yard! glad to hear the trucks made it Pete, how is life in the big sky country? hope all is well.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by ryanroo

we've got snow on the mountains, and on my front yard! glad to hear the trucks made it Pete, how is life in the big sky country? hope all is well.

Thanks Ryan! I'm having a great time up here! So far all well but I'll have to see what the winter has in store Will keep you posted. It's hard to start these old rides when it's 20 degrees - I've stocked up on starting fluid. Pete

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

It's hard to start these old rides when it's 20 degrees - I've stocked up on starting fluid. Pete

Did you ever do the smallbody HEI conversion and is your carb tuned for your elevation?

Diggin the scenery there for sure. One dream I have is to someday have a piece of land in MT.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Did you ever do the smallbody HEI conversion and is your carb tuned for your elevation?

Diggin the scenery there for sure. One dream I have is to someday have a piece of land in MT.

Come on over Jud - we've got room for you here in the valley! I'm looking out for 70 K20s here that you might like.

I did get my K20 carb rebuilt at SMI for ABQ's altitude, which is ~1500 ft higher than here in MT. I didn't go with the small body HEI but do have a regular GM HEI on board. My K5 is also a bear to start and since arriving will diesel a little bit when I turn it off - I'm thinking it may need the carb and timing tweaked.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Thanks Steve! My K20 and K5 were FINALLY delivered here last Sunday. I've attached a local pic I was able to take this morning.

There's a world renowned gauge restoration shop in Albuquerque (MoMa Gauges) that's been in business for decades and typically works on high end restoration for old Ferrari's, MG's etc. It's run by an 80 yo woman! They did the gauge conversion. It was a little pricey at ~$175. What they do is preserve the face and needle then replace the inner mechanical "guts" of the gauge with electronic parts. A sending unit and wiring was included IIRC. They don't have a website but here's their contact info:

MoMa Gauges
1321 2nd Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 766-6661

Don't waste an 80lb gauge like I did - they can use a 60 lb gauge and it will read like an 80. You absolutely cannot tell the oil gauge was converted when looking at it in the cab and its worked great for the 56 miles I have on the truck I had a ground come loose yesterday that I fixed last night but that was no big deal at all. It took them no more than 1.5 weeks and that was tearing into a restored speed warning cluster. No more oil line to deal with.

Hope this helps! Pete

Hey Pete, I'm glad they made it to their new home safe and sound. That sure looks like pretty country there...

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Hey Pete, I'm glad they made it to their new home safe and sound. That sure looks like pretty country there...

Thanks - it's great country up here. I haven't done anything with that blue 71 super GB door yet but have you in mind

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Thanks - it's great country up here. I haven't done anything with that blue 71 super GB door yet but have you in mind

Thanks......

[70LonghornCST]

Pete,
Beautiful truck and amazing work. I love it!
Richard

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks Richard!

[mx289]

Pete,your truck is incredible.I hope to have one someday,half as nice as yours.Really,you have a very nice truck.I actually just picked up a 71 c30 car hauler,same color as your to your k20.Something about that color ! Cant wait to see this blazer of yours.Take care.Tom