Got my '72 K-20 home.....

[TP from Cntl PA]

I bought a '72 K-20 on ebay in Utah awhile back and had it trucked here to PA. Of-course it was sight unseen other than pictures I recieved. I have bought tractors in the past sight unseen and they turned out to be as good, if not better than expected when I got them. This truck however turned out to be in a bit worse of shape than shown in the pictures.....

The Good.
-Knaphide look alike stake body was infact almost new(New IMO)
-4x4 chassis was in awesome shape(Never seen any that nice here in PA that haven't been restored)
-Two Aluminum underbed tool boxes near new
-gooseneck ball installed right
-Axles appear to have been swapped, ran 65 mph home at 3000 rpm which isn't bad IMO.
-has 7 blade RV female plug for trailers which I use on my other trucks(Don't have to change it

The Bad
-Engine runs a bit rough and will need some attention
-Advertised as a 454, but I am not 100% sure as it came from GM with a 350 will have to investigate as it could be a 396/402
-Clutch is stiff, I suspect the linkage needs attention
-SM465 instead of 420 tranny as listed(Can live with it), and it shifts rough
-T-case shifts darn hard, have to investigate here too.
-Someone went at one of the hubs with a pair of pliers
-Cab a bit more rusted than shown in the pictures when you start poking around with a screw driver

The Ugly
-Patched area above the windsheild is totally rotted which was covered up and never disclosed to me

I have $3600 total in it so far, which is ok as I am looking at what the new stake body would cost(It will probably end up on my C-20 Cummins truck). But had I known about the rusted area I probably would have paid less for it. I don't know anyone with a Big Block Chevy around here and was anxious to try it out. Honestly, so far I am not impressed with it. I ran some of the same hills with my trusty '69 GMC with the V-6 and ran just as fast partially loaded(Could be gearing too) but it didn't seem to have the low end I expected. Does anyone tow a gooseneck with a BBC truck and how does it run?

I'll see if I can get some pictures up tomorrow............I like to hear whether I got taken to the cleaners or not. I hid the truck in the shed once I got it home, but plan to clean it up with the steam Jenny tomorrow so I am sure alot of my neighbors who farm/collect tractors/trucks will be by to put their two cents in.

[72armyswbtruck]

Pictures Pictures Pictures Please

[chevy_fatman]

[JAKES 68GMC]

Originally Posted by TP from Cntl PA

The Bad
-Engine runs a bit rough and will need some attention
-Advertised as a 454, but I am not 100% sure as it came from GM with a 350 will have to investigate as it could be a 396/402
-SM465 instead of 420 tranny as listed(Can live with it), and it shifts rough
-T-case shifts darn hard, have to investigate here too.

Ya know, GM makes a NICE big block crate engine, maybe with 572 CUBIC INCHES!!!!!!!!! You can buy one of those, put it in your 72, and ship your old big-block up here to you BEST FRIEND with no money spared, and then we would all be happy.

Glad you got your truck. Too bad it wasn't as good as you thought it was. How come the 465 shifts rough? I can speed shift mine (sort of). Good luck with it.

[nu2-72]

Same here. I bought a truck off of this board a few years back and recieved 40 pics of the frame and selected body parts. Many descriptions given as well. 72 K-20 also.
Not original engine, 72 tow hooks turned out to be 68, aux. fuel tanks were junk, tailgate that would require 30 minutes to fix (according to seller)was junk, tilt was a van unit, house carpeting, automatic was originally a four speed with a the hole in the hump. But otherwise the guy was real honest.
Barf!
Good luck with yours.

[TP from Cntl PA]

ROTFLMAO, I'll get some pictures up tonight!

Jake, I don't know what is the story with the tranny.............The SM465 in my 1-ton works really slick. I think this one may be worn from being used for hauling a gooseneck most of its life.

[72gord]

You guys are more trusting than I....Pictures are sometimes deceiving, with what the photographer shows....I send no $$$ until I see it in person, unless I feel it is cheap enough I can't lose on the deal. Hey I to each and everyone his own...I'm sure it will be cool for you if you feel it was a deal!! BTW TP, how is that Cummins powered rig holding up? I noticed a Dodge in the paper the other day and was tempted to buy it and do a swap, but those motors are pretty heavy aren't they?

[special-K]

There`s a GMC StepVan on Ebay under GMC/Other,5spd. too.

[TP from Cntl PA]

The '71 C-20 Cummins truck is setting in the shed My brother pulled a big hill near us one night in OD, and made a pretzel out of the OEM driveshaft.............I was pretty supprised considering this is only the small version(210 cubes).........So I have a guy in N.C making me a new one with heavier joints and tube.

Can't beat a Cummins. I am already thinking about putting a little 4-53Detroit to replace the POS 454 in this one. With 92 Series injectors they will flat out run. The main problem with weight is making the front end handle it for awhile. A bit of an easier task on a 4x4, than a 4x2 like my first one.

[JAKES 68GMC]

I can't even imagine a 72 Chevy with a 4-53 in it. Will be watching for pics.

[1969 GMC]

Originally Posted by TP from Cntl PA

The '71 C-20 Cummins truck is setting in the shed My brother pulled a big hill near us one night in OD, and made a pretzel out of the OEM driveshaft.............I was pretty supprised considering this is only the small version(210 cubes).........So I have a guy in N.C making me a new one with heavier joints and tube.

Can't beat a Cummins. I am already thinking about putting a little 4-53Detroit to replace the POS 454 in this one. With 92 Series injectors they will flat out run. The main problem with weight is making the front end handle it for awhile. A bit of an easier task on a 4x4, than a 4x2 like my first one.

Have you considered using a Perkins Six-354? I've been doing a little bit of reading up on them and they seem to be very reliable, efficient engines. They were put in some IH Loadstars, a ton of Massey Ferguson combines and tractors, boats, and some construction equip. too. They weigh about as much as a Cummins 6bt, and I think they're a little smaller. Turbo and N/A versions.

[TP from Cntl PA]

Originally Posted by 1969 GMC

Have you considered using a Perkins Six-354? I've been doing a little bit of reading up on them and they seem to be very reliable, efficient engines. They were put in some IH Loadstars, a ton of Massey Ferguson combines and tractors, boats, and some construction equip. too. They weigh about as much as a Cummins 6bt, and I think they're a little smaller. Turbo and N/A versions.

I actually have a 354-6 Perk in a 1850 Oliver tractor and I love the engine........I tweaked the CAV pump some and it runs pretty good With that said, it would make an awesome pickup engine but getting a trans to mate up would be a bit of a problem. Alot of guys tell me they were in Loadstars, but we ran Loadstars on the farm, and I know alot of guys who have them but have yet to actually see one in person. Most were IH V-8 gas powered(345, 392, 445, 549, or 404) and the rest had IH Diesels(466) and I've seen one with a triple trouble Cummins, but never a Perkins.

[JAKES 68GMC]

I know what you can do to solve all your problems, TP. Put a GMC 478 V6 in it, along with a 68 GMC nose, and leave it be.

[TP from Cntl PA]

Originally Posted by JAKES 68GMC

I know what you can do to solve all your problems, TP. Put a GMC 478 V6 in it, along with a 68 GMC nose, and leave it be.

A 351 Magnum would make me happy

A side note............I am amazed at how most of the cab other than the area above the windshield is rust free. My brother helped me put a new door latch in the driverside, and the bottom of the doors had zero rust........Never seen that on a PA truck

[JAKES 68GMC]

TTT, where are the pics?

[TP from Cntl PA]

I keep forgeting to get pictures............I actually took some, but it was sorta dark outside and they didn't turn out.

Was going to take some tonight, but I didn't get started working on it until 5:30, and by the time I remembered to take pictures, it was 7 and dark out.

I'll get them

[TP from Cntl PA]

Forgot to mention I have to work on it outside next to the shop because my brothers slick '70, now '72 C-10 is too nice to drive out the door