1970 K20 Restoration

[K20rookie]

First post, first build. Let me just say, this site is outstanding! So far it has been extremely helpful getting me started on this project. Lot of knowledgeable guys on here.

Here's the story behind this truck...My grandpa bought it brand new in 1970. He used it for 40 years, hauling firewood, camping, towing, hunting. It took a beating and never stopped. After my grandpa passed, I was fortunate enough to inherit it. I have tons of great memories in this truck with him as a kid. To say this truck has sentimental value to me is an understatement.

For years I dreamed about one day restoring his truck and passing it down to my son. I finally made the trip up to Burns, Oregon back in April of this year. Dad and I picked up the truck and drove it down here to Arizona. 1200 miles straight and it didn't skip a beat. Hell of a truck.

My goals:
-Frame off restoration
-Keep it as original as possible
-Not a show truck - going to use it to hunt occasionally, Friday driver, etc.
-Maybe add front disc brakes and A/C (gets kinda warm down here in AZ)
-Original, rebuilt drivetrain to keep matching numbers
-Re-use as many original parts as possible

Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated. This is a first for me.

I started disassembly back in May. Before I did anything, I took a ton of pictures. For each step along the way, I took detailed notes and more pics. Here's what I've done so far:

5/1/15
• TOOK PICTURES OF ENTIRE TRUCK
• REMOVED CARGO HOOKS FROM SIDE OF BED
• REMOVED DOOR BRACKETS (AFTERMARKET-POSSIBLY FOR PILLAR MOUNTED ANTENNAS)
• REMOVED SIDE MIRRORS
5/2
• REMOVED CB RADIO AND ANTENNA (AFTERMARKET)
• REMOVED BRAKE CONTROLLER (AFTERMARKET)
• REMOVED STORAGE BOX FROM UNDER HOOD
• REMOVED MUD FLAPS
• REMOVED ANTENNA BULKHEAD AND MOUNT
• REMOVED LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND BRACKET
5/5
• CLEANED OUT GLOVE BOX – PUT ALL ITEMS IN LABELED BOX
o BOTTLE OPENERS
o OWNER’S MANUAL, MISC. ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS
o OLD TOOLS, FUNNEL, OLD BUSS FUSE BOX
o DEFROSTER KNOBS, DOOR HANDLE KNOB, RUBBER BLOCK (?)
o HARDWARE, BULLETS, CHAINSAW CHAIN, FILE, TAPE MEASURES
5/8
• REMOVED TAILGATE, TAILGATE HINGES, TAILGATE TRUNIONS
• REMOVED CHROME TRIM FROM TAIL LIGHTS
5/9
• REMOVED TAIL LIGHTS AND WIRING
• REMOVED BED
• REMOVED HOOD LATCH SPRINGS (SPRING HOOKS FACE UP)
5/11
• REMOVED DOORS, HOOD LATCH, FRONT HEADLIGHT SURROUNDS
5/12
• REMOVED HEAD LIGHTS, WIPER BLADE ARMS, HOOD COWL, WIPER FLUID RESERVOIR
5/13
• REMOVED DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER, SKIRT, AND FRONT GRILLE
5/14
• REMOVED PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FENDER, SKIRT, BATTERY, GARDEN HOSE WIRE TO TRAILER RECEPTACLE
5/18
• REMOVED FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS, TOW HITCH, FRONT BUMPER SUPPORT ARMS
• CUT TOW PLUG WIRES
5/19
• REMOVED RADIATOR
5/20
• REMOVED RADIATOR SUPPORT, FRONT WIRE HARNESS (PARTIALLY), STARTER CONNECTIONS, AIR INTAKE, BENCH SEAT
5/21
• REMOVED HEADLIGHT KNOB, GAUGE CLUSTER, STEERING COLUMN PLATES AND HARDWARE
5/22
• REMOVED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, GLOVEBOX, DASH PAD, ASH TRAY
6/2
• REMOVED FRONT WIRE HARNESS, WIPER FLUID NOZZLES, REAR REMAINING WIRES FROM FUSE BLOCK, DISTRIBUTOR CAP
6/3
• REMOVED SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES, POWER STEERING PUMP, ALTERNATOR, PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE BLOCK GROUND, DRIVE BELTS, FUEL PUMP CONNECTIONS @ FUEL PUMP
• DRAINED ENGINE OIL
• REMOVED HEATER CORE HOSES
6/4
• REMOVED OIL FILTER, STARTER, FLYWHEEL INSPECTION COVER
6/5
• REMOVED EXHAUST PIPES FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLDS
• REMOVED CLUTCH TO ENGINE LINKAGE, COTTER PIN, NUT, AND SPRING TO TRANSMISSION
6/9
• REMOVED BELLHOUSING TO TRANSMISSION BOLTS (X4), ENGINE BLOCK MOUNTS, AND PULLED ENGINE
6/10
• REMOVED SHIFTER KNOBS, SHIFTER BOOT COVERS
6/11
• REMOVED BELLHOUSING FROM ENGINE BLOCK, REMOVED CLUTCH FORK BALL STUD
6/24
• LOADED ENGINE INTO TRUCK, DELIVERED TO STAN
9/26
• DISCONNECTED AND REMOVED SHORT FUEL LINE FROM FUEL TANK TO UNDER FRAME
• REMOVED GAS TANK MOUNTS
• REMOVED GAS TANK
9/29
• REMOVED OUTER SEAT BELTS (X2) FROM CAB FLOOR
• REMOVED PASSENGER SIDE VISOR AND REAR VIEW MIRROR MOUNTING BRACKET FROM TOP OF CAB
• REMOVED WIRE HARNESS AND FUSE BLOCK FROM UNDER DASH
9/30
• REMOVED PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR SEALS
• REMOVED COTTER PIN AND DISCONNECTED EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE FROM BRAKE ASSEMBLY
• REMOVED EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSEMBLY FROM FIREWALL
• PULLED EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE THROUGH FIREWALL
• REMOVED DEFROST VENTS FROM TOP OF DASH
• REMOVED AIR DUCT TUBES
• REMOVED PUSH NUTS AND CABLES (X3) FROM AIR/DEFROST CONTROL PANEL LEVERS
• REMOVED HOSES (X3) FROM WINSHIELD WIPER FLUID PUMP AND PULLED CABLES THROUGH FIREWALL
• REMOVED DOME LIGHT, DOME LIGHT SWITCH, REAR CARGO LAMP, AND ALL ASSOCIATED WIRING
• PULLED WIRING FROM DOME LIGHT AREA THROUGH TOP OF CAB, DOWN DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR PILLAR (NEXT TO FUEL FILL HOLE)
• REMOVED HEATER CORE

[K20rookie]

Progress...

Found the original build sheet behind the gas tank cover. Sweet find!

[K20rookie]

Found another build sheet under the bench seat...

[K20rookie]

Engine headed out for rebuild...

[msgross]

Nice starting point... You Arizona guys make me jealous.

BTW, there is a specific 4x4 build area if intersted, a mod can move your build there.

[K20rookie]

Originally Posted by msgross

Nice starting point... You Arizona guys make me jealous.

BTW, there is a specific 4x4 build area if intersted, a mod can move your build there.

Good idea, how would I go about moving it? Not sure what a mod is

[69Tom]

Cool truck. Good luck with the resto!

Mod=moderator. They patrol the boards, put things where they need to be, help out with issues, etc.

[70LonghornCST]

Great looking build you have there! I moved this for you to the 4X4 Builds. Keep up with the progress

[K20rookie]

Thanks for moving it!

Made some more progress yesterday afternoon. Gutted underneath the dash and removed all the firewall insulation. Getting ready to pull the cab, hopefully this weekend. Then I can get started on the frame/suspension.

The local powder coat place here in town said they can media blast and powder coat my frame for right around $500. Seems hard to beat.

[cmabolt]

Welcome to the forum(s)!! It's awesome that this truck has history in your family. That is an added bonus. Looks like a great truck to start with and reasonable goals for your project. Have fun and If I can help in any way, please don't hesitate to ask. Looks like your off to a good start and taking pictures is key to saving headaches later down the road. Wish I would have done that.


Chris

[rgunlock]

Agree - looks like you are off to a good start. Another thing that is helpful is if you have 1 spot where you can store everything you take off the truck, separate from parts from any other vehicle. Mine got scattered around a bit and I'm a little worried about remembering which parts came off the truck I'm currently building when time comes to put it all back together

[DeadheadNM]

Nice truck! I'm on board. Just a heads-up - if the machine shop decks the block you lose the application code. I skipped the decking on the motor in my K20.

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Nice truck! I'm on board. Just a heads-up - if the machine shop decks the block you lose the application code. I skipped the decking on the motor in my K20.

Very good tip...I always forget that's there.

Oh, and it looks like you've got a couple helpers there -- but only one's awake!

Cool project. Subscribed.



.

[K20rookie]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Nice truck! I'm on board. Just a heads-up - if the machine shop decks the block you lose the application code. I skipped the decking on the motor in my K20.

I had no idea about this! Block has already been machined but I haven't picked it up yet. Shame I didn't know about that application code earlier. Thanks for the tip though, won't be making that mistake again.

[DWilbur]

That's awesome all the family history on the truck. I will be watching your build.

[ryanroo]

I love the k20 build, especially ones that came from grandpa! My 72 has a similar history

[Nitis]

Subscribed

[swamp rat]

Welcome to the 4X4 section! Nice truck and a great start.

[71blksuper4x4]

Looks good so far!

[19silverado77]

Hey k20rookie once it's done if you ever come up to tucson is like to see it lol

[K20rookie]

Thanks for the replies guys. More progress this weekend...



Got the cab completely gutted and ready to pull off frame.



Don't have much room in my garage, so I had to roll it out into the driveway to take the cab off.



A 2x6 and some 2x4 blocks worked well to pull the cab.



I put the cab on jack stands, but it was getting in the way and wasn't in a very good spot. I had to do a little improvising to get her moved again, but it got the job done. There's no moving an engine hoist on gravel, that's for sure.


That's better...


45 years of Harney County grit and grime. Took a few minutes to scrape enough off to find the bolts.




Out comes the 465. In good company of course.



It looks like these leaf springs are still in good condition.


Transfer case coming out. I believe it's a 205.


Removed all brake lines, fuel line, shocks, bump stops, cab bushings, driveshafts, e-brake cables, and exhaust. Frame is pretty much bare. Just need to figure out the best way to remove the steering box now.

[K20rookie]

Didn't get too much done yesterday. Got the steering box off the frame and took all the wire harness clips off. Also sprayed all the leaf spring bolts with PB Blaster. Now I just need to remove the leaf springs to separate the frame from the axles. It seems pretty straight forward, but I'm wondering if there's a specific way I should take the springs out. Support frame, remove rear shackle bolt, then front bolt, then axle u-bolts? I was thinking about leaving the tires on the axles so I can just roll them out from under the frame and easily be able to move them around until I have time to work on them. Any tips you guys have on this is appreciated. Those springs just make me nervous, and I want to make sure I'm doing this right.

[rgunlock]

I don't know that there is any specific "right" order. I personally loosened the u-bolts, propped up the frame and got the axle out. Then removed the leaf springs. Seemed easier to deal with the stubborn u-bolts while they couldn't move around on me.

[K20rookie]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

I don't know that there is any specific "right" order. I personally loosened the u-bolts, propped up the frame and got the axle out. Then removed the leaf springs. Seemed easier to deal with the stubborn u-bolts while they couldn't move around on me.

Good point, didn't think about that. Appreciate the advice. Gonna get em off tonight.

[D.PASSMORE]

Like that K20! you might want to consider replacing T- case with a NP 205 (71-72), Also, look at a 71-72 Dana 44. Disk brakes! Small upgrades that pay big dividends.
Sierra Vista, AZ! Wow, right on the border, cool place! I get to Ft Hauchua once or twice a year.