Newbie here. Saved a 1970 K20 from death

[deadtrep]

Hello all, I was referred to this forum by a member of FSC. Well here it is, I've been looking at this truck sitting in the woods for years now. A year ago i asked if it was for sale, I got a no. Yesterday I asked again, and now it's mine, for the grand total of $250. Pricey I know, but honestly, it killed me to see it siting out there in the woods. It's a 1970 GMC 2500. It's got what is probably the original 307 mated up to a four speed manual and one heavy looking transfer case. I think it's steel not aluminum? As of now I have no idea if it runs or not, the owner told me it was running when he stopped driving it. if it runs I'll probably try to get it moving and stoping under it's own power, and then sell it. If the motor is junk then I will probably try to part it out, But i have no idea if the driveline is worth anything. Does anyone know? The body as you can see is pretty much destroyed, however the frame is in better shape then on my 2000 Silverado. Honestly it's quite solid. Any input would be appreciated.

[monte0185]

Congrats. Good luck with it.

[sanford66]

You got a good deal there, i've seen a lot worse. I would get it running. Joseph

[CPNE]

By looking at the engine, it looks to have been swapped out with a later model small block, or someone put a long water pump and brackets on the original engine to gain power steering maybe? The original engine would have had the alternator on the LH side of engine and the PS pump is definately not vintage 1970.

Your transfer case is an NP205, a very strong and duable unit (and heavy).

A 307 4 speed would have 4:56 differential gears from the factory unless an option on the spid shows different. The front is a dana44, the rear is either a dana60 or Eaton HO52. GMC's used dana60's in the 4x4 3/4 tons, Chevy used the HO52's more often.

Someone swapped the guage cluster and steering wheel too. On a GMC with blue vinyl trim, the cluster would have been blue not black. Not surprised on the wheel either as the blue plastic tended to crack and break over time. Black wheels faired better for some reason.

The front drums are a one year only item. 1970 was the only year of open knuckle drum brakes. In 69 the dana44 was closed knuckle, in 71 it was a disk brake setup. If you have disks, someone swapped them in.

Those red plastic dials in the lockouts are OE unless they say "FORD". I've seen them used only in 70. In 71 they were blue and in 73 they went to yellow.

Can't answer your whats it worth as you have to be a subscibing member to ask this. But as you may suspect it is more than $250.

FYI, I like GMC's especially 3/4 ton 4x4's

[deadtrep]

Originally Posted by CPNE

By looking at the engine, it looks to have been swapped out with a later model small block, or someone put a long water pump and brackets on the original engine to gain power steering maybe? The original engine would have had the alternator on the LH side of engine and the PS pump is definately not vintage 1970.

Your transfer case is an NP205, a very strong and duable unit (and heavy).

A 307 4 speed would have 4:56 differential gears from the factory unless an option on the spid shows different. The front is a dana44, the rear is either a dana60 or Eaton HO52. GMC's used dana60's in the 4x4 3/4 tons, Chevy used the HO52's more often.

Someone swapped the guage cluster and steering wheel too. On a GMC with blue vinyl trim, the cluster would have been blue not black. Not surprised on the wheel either as the blue plastic tended to crack and break over time. Black wheels faired better for some reason.

The front drums are a one year only item. 1970 was the only year of open knuckle drum brakes. In 69 the dana44 was closed knuckle, in 71 it was a disk brake setup. If you have disks, someone swapped them in.

Those red plastic dials in the lockouts are OE unless they say "FORD". I've seen them used only in 70. In 71 they were blue and in 73 they went to yellow.

Can't answer your whats it worth as you have to be a subscibing member to ask this. But as you may suspect it is more than $250.

FYI, I like GMC's especially 3/4 ton 4x4's

WOW! That was by far the most useful post I've ever read. Thank you very much for all the info. The truck definately has potential I'm just not in the right spot right now to spend time on it. I'm just glad that it's out of the woods and dry now. I think I'm gonna try to find a good home for it now. On friday I'm gonna get the numbers off of the block and get some pictures of the rear differential. Also I'll read the RPO codes in the glove box and see if powersteering was factory. Also, did you notice that it only has two cab lights?

[CPNE]

Originally Posted by deadtrep

WOW! That was by far the most useful post I've ever read. Thank you very much for all the info. The truck definately has potential I'm just not in the right spot right now to spend time on it. I'm just glad that it's out of the woods and dry now. I think I'm gonna try to find a good home for it now. On friday I'm gonna get the numbers off of the block and get some pictures of the rear differential. Also I'll read the RPO codes in the glove box and see if powersteering was factory. Also, did you notice that it only has two cab lights?

Kind of odd that it has door edge guards on the SPID and a chrome bumper but is not a "Custom" or Super Custom model (meaning it would chrome surrounds around the glass, chromed wing vents, and chrome centered dash knobs). It also had the optional wood floor bed, something I have not seen on many (or any) fleetside 4x4's. I'd like a pic of the other side of the glovebox spid.


Those 2 clearance lights someone stuck on there. If factory there would be 5 (2 outboard and 3 center) and on raised roof "pods". See my pic, the blue one on the left has the factory lights and you can just make out the raised pods they sit on from the angle the pic was taken at. The one on the right has 5 aftermarket ones like your two.

You have to subscribe ($25 bucks) to post for sale ads here.

If you want to bring it north I could appraise it for you. LOL

[JimmyFloyd]

looks awesome to me. Nice save.

[reds_racing]

great score.

[nickp51chevy]

That is a nice find. I personally would get it running, keep it, and drive it like I stole it; but that's just me.

[JimmyFloyd]

Let me know what you are thinking of for price. I might be interested in re-homing it for you since you are decently close.

[68 Stepside]

Good eye on the engine Jeff. I noticed it had HEI, but didn't pay attention to the long water pump setup.

On those clearance lights....maybe they were dealer added? There used to be a sweet 68 3/4 ton running around here that had the same style lights mounted in the same position...the old man (original owner) had the dealer put them on.

[Newtz67]

I'll just say thanks for saving it! Seems like a hell of a deal to me!

[CPNE]

Originally Posted by 68 Stepside

Good eye on the engine Jeff. I noticed it had HEI, but didn't pay attention to the long water pump setup.

On those clearance lights....maybe they were dealer added? There used to be a sweet 68 3/4 ton running around here that had the same style lights mounted in the same position...the old man (original owner) had the dealer put them on.

Thanks. In 70, you could get the lights from the factory with the roof pods I described. But I suppose any dealer could outfit any truck based upon customer requirements. Just odd it's only 2, I think the standard is 5, perhaps mandated by DOT? I've never seen only 2.

I can't tell if its a 2bbl or 4bbl carb/intake. 307's from the factory were 2bbl engines.

[deadtrep]

That distributor is just placed in there. The previous owner used the original for something else. It's also got a two barrel carb. I actually haven't gotten much time to look at the truck. I'm pretty sure the truck is smiling now that its got a roof over its head.

[lt704]

Nice save in your part of the state. i am in bristol County. Good luck whatever you decide to do.