69 K20 Fire Truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**landarts** · 08-19-2021, 06:40 PM

Picked up the 1969 K20 long bed step side truck with service bed out of Washington. The truck was retired from the Quincy Washington Fire Department in 1998 so the story goes. Everything on this truck is original except for the altered factory bumper on the front and added diamond plate bumper in the rear. The truck at some point was painted white over the fire department red color shows underneath.

The truck is very straight as the body and grill goes. No rust to repair and only a few very small dings here and there on the body. Has a 350 V8 with 4 speed transmission with Dualmatic locking hubs on front. Mileage on truck says 11744 not sure or saying that is original or not. Will need to do the forensics on this to determine. One thing that points toward that direction is the wear and tear on the pedal pads. Another in the other direction is that the seat cover is not original. One way or the other it does not matter to me.

Cant wait to get started this truck needs to be driven and not sitting in a field for another twenty years. Might need to sell a few of the other K20's and K10's I have in storage to get this one to the front of the line. Lots of research to be done on this one. Love to know the backstory.

yuccales · 08-19-2021, 07:44 PM

Awesome! Gun rack in a fire rig, love it!

**landarts** · 08-19-2021, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuccales

Awesome! Gun rack in a fire rig, love it!

Yes I thought the same thing. I would imagine who ever bought it in 98 at auction and painted it white, probably installed the gun rack.

palallin · 08-19-2021, 10:31 PM

Oh, my! Outstanding truck! Pics under the hood when you get a chance?

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 08-20-2021, 01:55 AM

It just needs a Unity Cop Spot in the driver's side A Pillar.

**special-K** · 08-20-2021, 05:59 AM

It's great for an ex-fire rig as far as not a lot of equipment mounted creating a zillion holes. I love the side bins on the Stepside. Even cooler than a utility bed.

**landarts** · 08-20-2021, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palallin

Oh, my! Outstanding truck! Pics under the hood when you get a chance?

Here are a few pictures of under the hood. When I bought it the air cleaner assembly was on the passenger floor board. The engine bay and engine is covered in dirt, dust, chicken feathers and bird droppings.

I went over to storage about a week after I purchased it to see if I could get the old girl started. Checked all fluids, hooked up a battery, added a new coil since it was missing. Disconnected the fuel lines since not sure if the lines are clogged or full of bad gas. put a little marvel Mystery oil in a squirt bottle and filled the bottle with gasoline. Squirted some down the carburetor and when I turned the key it fired right up and held an idle. Very surprised, however there is a valve or lifter sticking. I went back a few days later with a blower, Brake Kleen, a few brushes and items to clean up the motor around the valve covers so I could pull them off and see if there was anything visual I could see that might be causing the noise. I was surprised how clean it was under the valve covers compared to the gunk on the outside.

If you guys have any ideas a good way to fix or diagnose the issue I would love to hear about it.

Here is a link to the video of the truck running. https://youtu.be/Ffxs7gAwTeU

Caddylackn · 08-20-2021, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuccales

Awesome! Gun rack in a fire rig, love it!

Probably for the Polanski axes. Fireman's best friend.

57taskforce · 08-20-2021, 01:58 PM

Pull the valve covers off and push down on all the rockers one at a time when the rockers are relaxed(tdc on each cylinder). If it’s a collapsed or not primed lifter you should be able to tell which one it is. Might be as simple as a rocker or two that are backed off. You can take a dead blow hammer or rubber mallet and smack the valves one at time when the rockers are relaxed and check to see how free the valves move. I would bet it’s a lifter not priming up or a rocker nut that is backed off/rocker stud that is loose or pulled.

**Ol Blue K20** · 08-20-2021, 05:05 PM

I like it, nice find!

**Dieselwrencher** · 08-21-2021, 07:05 AM

Very nice find! What a cool truck. Factory K steppers are pretty scarce!

**Joesjunk** · 08-21-2021, 09:38 AM

I just had a 1960 Impala I bought that had been sitting for 35 years. Fired right up and ran just fine. It had a pretty good lifter tick in it. I just let it run with fresh oil ( and also some zinc additives) in it and after about 15-20 minutes of running it slowly went away. That car ran like a champ and hasn’t ever made a lifter noise again.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 08-21-2021, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

It just needs a Unity Cop Spot in the driver's side A Pillar.

Looks like it had one once. I see a 1/2'' hole in the Driver's A Pillar.
Unity is still in business in Chicago, and P/N 202 is the number of the [LH] front mount accessory for 67-72 GM trucks.

**landarts** · 08-23-2021, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joesjunk

I just had a 1960 Impala I bought that had been sitting for 35 years. Fired right up and ran just fine. It had a pretty good lifter tick in it. I just let it run with fresh oil ( and also some zinc additives) in it and after about 15-20 minutes of running it slowly went away. That car ran like a champ and hasn’t ever made a lifter noise again.

That is great to hear and I think I will give it a try. Just ordered up some Risoline with zinc. Thanks for the suggestion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Looks like it had one once. I see a 1/2'' hole in the Driver's A Pillar.
Unity is still in business in Chicago, and P/N 202 is the number of the [LH] front mount accessory for 67-72 GM trucks.

Have not noticed that but if there is a hole already then it will be getting a spotlight. Thanks for the mentioning of that.

**Dieselwrencher** · 08-23-2021, 12:53 PM

I also like that 1 year only maroon interior. It would be cool to paint it back red but I know it would be a ton of work.

**landarts** · 08-23-2021, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

I also like that 1 year only maroon interior. It would be cool to paint it back red but I know it would be a ton of work.

If I decide that I am going to keep this truck I might just go that direction.
If not I would probably go Maroon outside with Maroon and white interior like the picture below.

I have a crew cab build coming up next for myself.
So really not sure if I will be keeping any of the six K20's that I have or sell a few so I can concentrate on K20 Crew Cab build.

**Dieselwrencher** · 08-23-2021, 04:05 PM

A crew cab is on my list as well. 6 K20s, you're the man!

**special-K** · 08-23-2021, 06:45 PM

Reading over again I see you said "altered factory bumper". I can see what they did but could you get some pictures next chance you get?

**landarts** · 09-01-2021, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Reading over again I see you said "altered factory bumper". I can see what they did but could you get some pictures next chance you get?

Here is the best picture I have for now until I drive back over to storage lot. Looks to me that they cut of the ends and boxed it in to make a area for tools. The positive is that I will be easy to reverse with a new bumper and the bigger bonus is that it protected the grill from getting destroyed or dinged up over time. If you need any other pictures let me know.

palallin · 09-01-2021, 05:31 PM

That puppy would be the bees' knees (with appropriate padding) for working under the hood.

**landarts** · 09-01-2021, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palallin

That puppy would be the bees' knees (with appropriate padding) for working under the hood.

Actually already did that when I was trying to get it running. I threw a big folded up quilt on it and it was actually really nice when I was working on the motor.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 09-01-2021, 06:33 PM

With a front bumper like that, you could use it for effective power-shove parking in bigger cities. If the Prius parked in front of you too close, you just get in Granny Gear and relocate him forward a couple feet. Then you've got room to swing out.

**landarts** · 09-18-2021, 09:27 AM

Trying to get back on this to find a solution to the sound that is coming from the motor. Sounds like a stuck lifter or possibly a knocking rod.
Here is a video of the truck running and the sound is easy to hear.

https://youtu.be/Ffxs7gAwTeU

If any one knows how to embed video so it shows in the post please let me know.

1969 K20 350 V8 engine noise - YouTube

**special-K** · 09-18-2021, 09:40 AM

The link is working for me. Have you tried adding some Marvel Mystery Oil in it yet?

Thanks for the other picture of the bumper. I could see this done to a less drastic degree just out enough for a winch. A stock bumper mounted away from the fenders the least bit is asking to be snagged. It would be a neat mod on a truck wanting the winch to show but keep a generally stock/only modified for function vibe... as might have been done back in the day (like this one was)

**landarts** · 09-18-2021, 03:29 PM

Saved for follow up video once I figure how to embed the video instead of the link

Here is the embed code from Youtube and that does nothing on this forum.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ffxs7gAwTeU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Tried just the link and nothing either.

https://youtu.be/Ffxs7gAwTeU

Dropped the s https ?

http://youtu.be/Ffxs7gAwTeU

08-19-2021, 06:40 PM	#1
landarts landarts Join Date: May 2005 Location: Star, Idaho Posts: 1,327	69 K20 Fire Truck Picked up the 1969 K20 long bed step side truck with service bed out of Washington. The truck was retired from the Quincy Washington Fire Department in 1998 so the story goes. Everything on this truck is original except for the altered factory bumper on the front and added diamond plate bumper in the rear. The truck at some point was painted white over the fire department red color shows underneath. The truck is very straight as the body and grill goes. No rust to repair and only a few very small dings here and there on the body. Has a 350 V8 with 4 speed transmission with Dualmatic locking hubs on front. Mileage on truck says 11744 not sure or saying that is original or not. Will need to do the forensics on this to determine. One thing that points toward that direction is the wear and tear on the pedal pads. Another in the other direction is that the seat cover is not original. One way or the other it does not matter to me. Cant wait to get started this truck needs to be driven and not sitting in a field for another twenty years. Might need to sell a few of the other K20's and K10's I have in storage to get this one to the front of the line. Lots of research to be done on this one. Love to know the backstory. Attached Images __________________ 71 K20 Idaho Edition 69 K10 from the Field 68 Second Chance Fix and Sale 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 K2500 The "Fixrupr" build thread 72 Cheyenne 1/2 ton " FIXRUPR " - daily driver 67 C20 all original paint 71 K20 Custom 4x4 (Idaho Edition) 72 K20 GMC Super Custom 4x4 72 K20 Custom Deluxe 4x4 69 K10 Custom package 4x4 (69 K10 from the field) 69 K10 Custom 72 K20 Custom Deluxe 4x4 72 K20 Crew Cab Project 71 GMC Jimmy CST 72 Blazer 70 Blazer

08-19-2021, 07:44 PM	#2
yuccales Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern Calif. Posts: 3,588	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck Awesome! Gun rack in a fire rig, love it!

08-19-2021, 10:31 PM	#4
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck Oh, my! Outstanding truck! Pics under the hood when you get a chance? __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

08-20-2021, 01:55 AM	#5
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,042	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck It just needs a Unity Cop Spot in the driver's side A Pillar. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

08-20-2021, 05:59 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck It's great for an ex-fire rig as far as not a lot of equipment mounted creating a zillion holes. I love the side bins on the Stepside. Even cooler than a utility bed. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

08-20-2021, 01:58 PM	#9
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Farmington, New Mexico Posts: 6,230	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck Pull the valve covers off and push down on all the rockers one at a time when the rockers are relaxed(tdc on each cylinder). If it’s a collapsed or not primed lifter you should be able to tell which one it is. Might be as simple as a rocker or two that are backed off. You can take a dead blow hammer or rubber mallet and smack the valves one at time when the rockers are relaxed and check to see how free the valves move. I would bet it’s a lifter not priming up or a rocker nut that is backed off/rocker stud that is loose or pulled. __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's ‘87 IROC-Z all original 50K mile survivor TPI 305 IROC Blue ‘10 Camaro 2SS/RS Aqua Blue Metallic #93 -version 2.0

08-20-2021, 05:05 PM	#10
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,834	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck I like it, nice find! __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man

08-21-2021, 07:05 AM	#11
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,135	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck Very nice find! What a cool truck. Factory K steppers are pretty scarce! __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

08-21-2021, 09:38 AM	#12
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,689	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck I just had a 1960 Impala I bought that had been sitting for 35 years. Fired right up and ran just fine. It had a pretty good lifter tick in it. I just let it run with fresh oil ( and also some zinc additives) in it and after about 15-20 minutes of running it slowly went away. That car ran like a champ and hasn’t ever made a lifter noise again. __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

08-23-2021, 12:53 PM	#15
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,135	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck I also like that 1 year only maroon interior. It would be cool to paint it back red but I know it would be a ton of work. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

08-23-2021, 04:05 PM	#17
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,135	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck A crew cab is on my list as well. 6 K20s, you're the man! __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

08-23-2021, 06:45 PM	#18
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck Reading over again I see you said "altered factory bumper". I can see what they did but could you get some pictures next chance you get? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

09-01-2021, 05:31 PM	#20
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck That puppy would be the bees' knees (with appropriate padding) for working under the hood. __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

09-01-2021, 06:33 PM	#22
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,042	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck With a front bumper like that, you could use it for effective power-shove parking in bigger cities. If the Prius parked in front of you too close, you just get in Granny Gear and relocate him forward a couple feet. Then you've got room to swing out. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

09-18-2021, 09:40 AM	#24
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck The link is working for me. Have you tried adding some Marvel Mystery Oil in it yet? Thanks for the other picture of the bumper. I could see this done to a less drastic degree just out enough for a winch. A stock bumper mounted away from the fenders the least bit is asking to be snagged. It would be a neat mod on a truck wanting the winch to show but keep a generally stock/only modified for function vibe... as might have been done back in the day (like this one was) __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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09-18-2021, 03:29 PM	#25
landarts landarts Join Date: May 2005 Location: Star, Idaho Posts: 1,327	Re: 69 K20 Fire Truck Saved for follow up video once I figure how to embed the video instead of the link Here is the embed code from Youtube and that does nothing on this forum. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ffxs7gAwTeU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> Tried just the link and nothing either. https://youtu.be/Ffxs7gAwTeU Dropped the s https ? http://youtu.be/Ffxs7gAwTeU __________________ 71 K20 Idaho Edition 69 K10 from the Field 68 Second Chance Fix and Sale 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 K2500 The "Fixrupr" build thread 72 Cheyenne 1/2 ton " FIXRUPR " - daily driver 67 C20 all original paint 71 K20 Custom 4x4 (Idaho Edition) 72 K20 GMC Super Custom 4x4 72 K20 Custom Deluxe 4x4 69 K10 Custom package 4x4 (69 K10 from the field) 69 K10 Custom 72 K20 Custom Deluxe 4x4 72 K20 Crew Cab Project 71 GMC Jimmy CST 72 Blazer 70 Blazer Last edited by landarts; 09-18-2021 at 04:09 PM.

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