Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod

[Curt's_72]

After 3 years in paint prison, our truck is finally home. The assembly process has offically began. I haven't been around a project of this size since the 1980's and I now remember why.
Our truck is an offical California 1972 K20 with just over 115,000 on the clock. A 700R4 and Vintage Air are items the previous owner(s) had installed. It was a solid daily driver for 3 years until 2007. About then, the previous bodywork was giving way from the typical Indiana winters, with standard rust spots in the rockers and roof area. It was still a great old truck from even from 5 feet, but was regulated to the garage and became our nice weather vehicle.
I've taken 3 years worth of in process pictures, all with the intent of sharing my journey with whomever might be interested in following. I'll not dwell much on the past, just touching on big changes that occured until we get to present day.
My wife didn't understand why I would tear apart a 'perfectly good truck' to redo it, but it happened nonetheless. Here is what we started with.

Soon after moving it to my friend's shop, the major destruction began. This uncovered the extent of rust damage along with a pretty major inpact on the cab, behind the door.



More to come as soon as I sort them out.
Curt

[freakshow108]

Nice start! Does it have the 8 lug axel and if so could i get a close up pic of the front ralleys. Good luck with this project.

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by freakshow108

Nice start! Does it have the 8 lug axel and if so could i get a close up pic of the front ralleys. Good luck with this project.

Well, Being a K20, it has 8 lug axles. Ralley wheels weren't ever offered for 8 luggers. It has the factory 16.5x8.25 steelies, which I'm a huge fan of. That is, until I really started wanting the 9.75 wide steelies. I've since squirreled away a few sets of them and even managed to find another set of the 8.25's at my local junk yard.
I'm in process of getting some of them blasted and powdercoated. I'm concerned, though about the amount of offset. None of the sets I have have the same. It will be a visual for me, as I don't want too much wheel hanging out of the fenders. More to come as that part of the process is worked on.

[Curt's_72]

New rockers went on smoothly. We discovered cab supports would be needed so those went on too.

A new header panel was put in. We did it by laminating rather than cutting out the entire panel.

The passenger door was excellent. It just needed touched up.

The driver's door need a new skin.

I considered a new door, but the rest of it was in great shape. The new skin fit well. Some minor massaging of the key hole was necessary later.
I've got many more indepth pictures if there is something you'd like to see in more detail. The frame and bed are next.
Curt

[mjensen]

Of course we're interested in more-in depth pictures! LOL

Very nice truck you got there.

[Curt's_72]

Body work is rockin' by now. Seeing huge changes at every visit. As you can tell, we're not doing the frame-off, but extensive, nonetheless. After taking the front end apart, we decided new fenders would be a good idea. Scored a couple of good ones from a board member. Huck is what he has been on here at. Got them from him at the swap meet in Indy. He's still around, into Honda mintrails and the such.
Fenders cleaned up nice. They also had the trim holes which was great because we're going back to that.


We had the bed sandblasted. It was super clean. It had a gas tank cover on the passenger side, which I wanted removed. I wasn't going to use it, so I wanted it gone. The old fender served as good patch. The inside of the bed didn't need anything. The bottom we just wire brushed and used POR-15 on it. Stuff works great.


We hit the frame next, since the bed was off. More on that.
Curt

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by Curt's_72

New rockers went on smoothly. We discovered cab supports would be needed so those went on too.
Attachment 832030
A new header panel was put in. We did it by laminating rather than cutting out the entire panel.
Attachment 832032
The passenger door was excellent. It just needed touched up.
Attachment 832034
The driver's door need a new skin.
Attachment 832037
I considered a new door, but the rest of it was in great shape. The new skin fit well. Some minor massaging of the key hole was necessary later.
I've got many more indepth pictures if there is something you'd like to see in more detail. The frame and bed are next.
Curt

Nice job Curt-I'm curious how difficult it was to remove the inner skin from the door. I'm considering having the inside of my doors "line X'd" and would need to open them up to do it right.

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Nice job Curt-I'm curious how difficult it was to remove the inner skin from the door. I'm considering having the inside of my doors "line X'd" and would need to open them up to do it right.

It really wasn't that hard. We used a grinder all around the perimeter to the window to separate the pinch. I don't exactly remember what holds the top, where the window rubber attaches. There's no other means of fastening the skin, other than that.
A chisel and hammer to remove the spot welds on the folded over edge that is still fastened to door will be needed.

What is "line X'd"?

[Maxxd07]

Sweet!

[Curt's_72]

I've been gathering lots of parts for the restoration. Most are the originals that have been blasted and powdercoated. The trim items are reproductions for the most part, or I've cleaned up the originals.
After this length of time, I hope I remember how this stuff goes back together!
I've not found any vendor that is one stop shopping. Each are good, and each have different prices depending on the part. I've done alot of research comparisons online. I very seldom actually bought the least expensive.
Alot of people don't care for Ebay, but I search it daily. I've landed many good scores on it and I've never been stiffed. Some items haven't been as good as I thought they might be, but I've never paid much for any one thing.
The best so far has been the NOS parchment door panels. I paid less than $75.00 for them because the listing was typo'ed. They still had the bin tag GM bin tag stuck to them.
I've just joined the the site as a paying member and I hope to utilize the classifieds soon. I'm having a hard time locating the upper radiator pipe.



We're completely changing the color sceme and the interior. It'll be parchment. The seat is done and I'm very happy with the quality of the cover and the installation.

[mjensen]

I'm thinking that the amount of beer you have left does not equate to the amount of parts you need to put back on

[onebadbowtie]

Originally Posted by mjensen

I'm thinking that the amount of beer you have left does not equate to the amount of parts you need to put back on

agreed...

[no moa]

Originally Posted by mjensen

I'm thinking that the amount of beer you have left does not equate to the amount of parts you need to put back on

i would also agree!

[Curt's_72]

Laughing....

It was on sale, Memorial Day weekend and two races for 1100 miles. I did the math.
Glad you guys are noticing this stuff! As long I get feedback, I'll continue to update.
Remember, this was a 3 year period and I haven't gotten to present day yet.
Thanks for the replies!

[yfs200p]

Keep the pics coming! That was an awesome looking truck to start with. These pictures are just a little ahead of where i'm at right now. The bodywork seems endless sometimes!

[Gene]

Very nice progress, you'll be happy when youre done!

[Curt's_72]

We're heading to the paint booth! I'm pretty stoked about it. Finally, light at the end of the tunnel.
I've been on the fence about color. I'm going two tone, with white as the center and cab roof. The primary will be....wait for it....yellow. Yeah. That's what wifey said. Yellow? Kinda like Jim Mora and his rant about the Colts a few years ago. Yellow? Are you kidding me? Yellow? Still cracks me up.
Anyway, the shade of yellow is the issue. Some yellows look orange to me. I want a more greenish yellow. Like a highlighter. Something with pop. My painter will use any color I want, but he says OEM colors are less expensive.
I'm leaning toward C5 or C6 Corvette yellow. Either Millenium or Velocity. I thought it would be Millenium, untill i saw it on a C5. Now I need to see the Velocity.

[mjensen]

Well, that is exciting! That color combination sounds awesome to me.

[Curt's_72]

We've got color!! Factory white basecoat. It looks gray in these pictures, but it's white, and it's color! White will be the center and cab, and serve as a base for the yellow. You paint guys knew that. I'm learning.
It won't be long now!






The frame detailing from before is really trashed. Got alot of rework there to do.

[patrickth]

Very good thread. I am subscribing now.

[Curt's_72]

I scored these 16.5x9.75 wheels recently. Finally found a set with the outer nubs.




Just took them to get blasted and powdercoated. Gloss white. I should have them back next week.
I think I need them rather than the 8.25's that are currently on the truck. We'll see once I get them.
The backspacing is different on all three sets that I have. Backspace is only .25" greater than the 8.25's. That concerns me, because I don't want them to stick out too far.

[blackhawkip]

Great job on the truck! It turned out great.

Are you planning to keep the 8.25 wheels on your truck? I'd be interested in your 9.75 wheels if you are willing to sell them.

Let me know. Thanks

Originally Posted by Curt's_72

I scored these 16.5x9.75 wheels recently. Finally found a set with the outer nubs.


Attachment 855158

Just took them to get blasted and powdercoated. Gloss white. I should have them back next week.
I think I need them rather than the 8.25's that are currently on the truck. We'll see once I get them.
The backspacing is different on all three sets that I have. Backspace is only .25" greater than the 8.25's. That concerns me, because I don't want them to stick out too far.

[Curt's_72]

Velocity Yellow got the nod. Comparing paint chips isn't a good way to make a long term choice, but it worked out.
Getting ready to layout the lines for the two tone. Rather than measure using the documents in the assembly manual, we used the trim instead. The fenders had mounting holes so we had that reference point to start.



The paint divider trim on the cab uses studs adn they were still in place, so we didn't have to lay anything out there.
We'er looking at days now, rather than months. What a great feeling!

[patrickth]

I know all areas are different, but do you mind telling me what the budget quote was for blast and powder coat? I have the same decision to make myself right now.

[jeremy zander]

Nice..good progress...I paid $300 for blast and powdercoat on my 16.5 wheels