Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

I've been working on this build for a year and just finished it up. I've had this truck for almost 20 years and have primarily used it for ranch work and hunting. I broke a valve spring on a hunting trip last year and one thing led to another. Here's some old pics I dug up:

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...ofDSC02202.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...e/File0098.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...bogging007.jpg

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

So here we go...I rebuilt the top end of the motor, started detailing things out in the engine compartment. Then I got a wild hair and said "I need a winter project." Figured it would be a great project to do with my 12 year old boy.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...pring10002.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...pring10004.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...pring10005.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...pring10008.jpg

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Well, all that engine compartment detailing was a waste of time. Time for frame off! The old gal was full of rust and bondo so the only original sheetmetal I kept was the raw cab. All other panels and bed came off donor rigs. Stripped the whole truck down to bare metal.

I probably should have gotten a different cab as well due to all the rust around the window channel. What a pain that was to fix.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...pring10019.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...pring10018.jpg

Epoxy primed everything, then filler primer, block sanded twice:

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...85K3500002.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...ocase/a002.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...e/DSC04778.jpg

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

looks good so far!

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Looks great....you have a really nice garage too with lots of space & light to work!

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

I spent weeks looking at metallic orange colors, finally decided on Nissan A17 Lemans Orange Metallic used on the 350Z. Went with Valspar 999 base and Valspar clear. I had huge problems with fisheyes in the clear so I hosed on 8 coats, cut and buffed whole rig.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...mer2010161.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...mer2010168.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...mer2010166.jpg

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Well, here she is all put back together. I always like the 73 egg crate grille so I modded the core support to accept it. I also changed out the round headlights it had for the rectangle style.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored001.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored031.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored030.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored009.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored010.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored003.jpg

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

I wanted to use some tasteful diamond plate inside so I did the rockers and dash insert. I always hated those door speakers so I went with the stock dash speaker and AM FM AC Delco radio.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored016.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored015.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored017.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored032.jpg

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Well, that's about it. It was a great project my son and I. He is all fired up now and wants to get started on one of his own!

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored025.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored018.jpg

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Truck turned out great. Definitely a different look with the 73-4 grille and square lamps, but I dig it. Good work.

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Thanks. Yep, the grill swap was a huge pain but I like it too. I had to swap out the upper radiator grille panel and changed the hood latch from cable type to outside latch. Also had to fab brackets to mount the grill to. The headlight swap was easy as all the mounting holes were there.

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

That is awesome. I've got the same truck...your's is just a lot nicer! HA. Great work!

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

That truck is gorgeous! Nice work.

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

wow! nice looking truck!

good work! must be nice to have the space to do a build like that!

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored009.jpg

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...estored010.jpg

how did you do the diamond plate on the tail gate?



nice truck

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

I just glued a piece of hardwood to the back of the aluminum plate with PL400 subfloor adhesive, and screwed it on from the backside with wood screws thru the stock holes. It sits in there perfect and is very secure. The tough part was modding the trim around the tailgate latch.

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

i was thinking on doing that one day.thanks for the info.

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Nice work love the Orange Metallic

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Very nice job! That truck looks really nice. That is a nice shop too! I also spy'd a nice K5. Is that a project of your too?

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

That colour is the exact same colour I painted my Vstar only I put Candy Apple Red in with the clear.

Truck looks great! What size tires are on it?

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Yep, I did the Blazer about 10 years ago. I sold it this summer. Pretty hard to part with, but got big bucks for it to help ease the pain!

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

My favorite size; 255/85r16

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Beautifull truck! Who made the front bumper? I know that warn use to make one like that but no longer does. I have been searching for one for a while

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Looks great

Re: Just completed; '80 K20 4x4 Orange Metallic
 

Very nice build! Truck looks great!