Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

Hi guys, I am a 29 year old new mommy and I have my dad's 72 C20 that has been sitting for about 14 years. I can't remember why my dad parked it. He got really sick and passed away in '04 when I was 18, and it was parked a few years before that. I went through a lot to get my dad's truck to my house, and now I am finally in a position to be able to get it running and driving again, so I am very excited to start working on this truck. I have a 1 year old son that I cannot wait to drive around with. Driving this truck will bring back so many great memories I cannot wait! There are a few things I need to find and get, a long bed (it has a square body bed on it, which had a camper shell on it) and a few other minor things. But 1st things 1st... The keys are non existant! I would like the ignition, doors, and glove box to be keyed the same, so I have to order the set 1st, but my question is... What else do I need to install the new ignition cylinder? any advise, suggestions, would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

:chevy:

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

first off, welcome to the board! (balloons and confetti everywhere!!)
now... if you do not have the keys to your dads truck, what youll want to do is take off the door lock from the passenger side door. just take off the inside panal (held with phillips screws, make sure the window is all the way up and look inside, youll see a spring type clip holding the door lock in place, just play with that with a long flat blade screwdriver, to pry off the clip, unhook the linkage and there you go... the lock cylinder should have the key code on it. just take it to a locksmith shop and theyll make you a set of keys for the truck

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

Awesome! Thank you!!!

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

Welcome to the board! Member LockDoc is really helpful with this stuff if you have any questions or concerns, im sure he is willing to help you. there are a lot of other board members on here that are very knowledgeable as well!

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

thank you!!! :)

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

oh yeah... loc doc. hes definatly the guy to ask if the trick i told you doesnt work. then the next step is the motor..... let us know when youre ready for that and of course. WE NEED PICS

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

Hmmm, keys for doors are different than the ignition switch. Is the code the same, just a different keyway?

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

LockDoc made mine. All 3 the same..

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

These trucks came new with only one key. Well, actually 2, but both the same.

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

On my truck both of my keys were different , one did ignition and one did the door till i got a new set which was a one key deal.

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

Well, my 1971 truck has one oval head key for doors and storage compartment, and one square head for ignition. I assumed that was factory as my 1971 Camaro was the same...one key for doors and glove box, one for ignition.

My 1952 truck has one key for all.

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

Originally these trucks used the same key for the doors and ignition.

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

I have the same key for ignition, glove box and doors. I'm pretty sure you can get matching key sets after-market.

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

ok to clarify :) :) if the original ignition is still in the dash, the keys to the doors are going to be the same as the ignition.
remember guys these pickups are 40some years old and PO`s could have changed ignitions. i was assuming her dads truck has the original ignition, in it. either way she does need the keys to the doors as well.

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

It used to be your "Daddy's Truck". Now it's yours and your families. Welcome to the club.
You could order a complete set of lock cylinders from any of the parts folks found here or other places. The ignition may be different from the door locks like mine were on my 68 as it had been swapped out sometime during it's lifetime. You could get the key for the door by pulling off the little horseshoe shaped retainer clip and slipping it out. LockDoc is the man of these questions.
Just take one bite at a time and keep asking them questions (1 at a time seems to work best).
Maybe start a "build thread" in the projects and builds sub-forum? Post them pics up soon as you can. we really appreciate them, makes it easier to respond to specific questions, and a build thread is good for you to be able to go back and see "where you started and how you got to where you are".
Anyhow, glad to have you here and hopefully starting that son of yours down this same path we all share.

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

Thats a nice looking truck...any how thats good u have starting point. but after u have the ignition installed try to fire it up with a good battery. c if it cranks smoothly and if your luck it mite start. a truck that sat that long mosty likiy going to need the hole fuel system redone.. your in CA so that miye help some. if it cranks smoothly and dus not fire up put a Tiny bit of gas in the carb and try agine to c if its a fuel problem. the fuel today eats rubber. I not going to get technical here. but old trucks stock have everthing made of rubber fuel line. fuel pump. carb... if the gas smells like eggs drain it /.if not u can add seaform to it with a mix of clean good gas. but advise it will smoke like a mother..for a little bit. that is norm.../ but. its better to drain your tank and fill with clean good gas. but I have done both.... good luvk and best wish... CLAVo....

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

Awesome! thank you guys very much!

Re: Help me get my daddy's truck running!
 

Basicly if its been sitting that long its going to have to have a lot of stuff gone thru to be safe and functional.

Gonna need a new battery. All the fuel lines should be replaced, all vaccumm lines and the rubber hose to the brake booster should be replaces, a carb rebuild will be nessasary, Before starting an oil change would be a good idea as well as checking the coolant level. Any idea why it was sitting so long? was there any mechanicle issues back then?

At a minimum the brakes will need to be bled before driving any distance but most likely the rubber brake hoses should be replaced, and a full brake rebuild should be done.