72 K20 been parked for 31 years!!

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Think you'll keep the Eaton?

I will keep the Eaton since that would be the only rear the 72 K20's had, right? I read from time to time that they are hard to find brake parts for but I think thats a myth. I just looked up parts available online from napa http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...RecType%3aA%29
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...RecType%3aA%29
Also blackbirds customs has a disc brake kit.

It will be nice to keep it original and have the strength of the HO52. I took the cover off today though and about a quart of water came out! Everything looked good except 3 teeth are pitted pretty bad. I have the same rearend from a 67 I parted so no worries. Both are 4.10 ratio.

Also cleaned up the 16.5 slots and will be slipping those on. I guess I should probably just scrap the split rims?

[DeadheadNM]

I'm glad I decided to stick with my Eaton and glad to know that brake parts aren't too hard to find. Recently I got a factory locker for the HO52 from another board member. I'll let you know how it drives when the build is done - in ~18 months

Have fun!

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

I guess I should probably just scrap the split rims?

Scrap of piece of Chevrolet history? I realize your not doing a concourse restoration, but someday I believe there may be a demand for original 16" lock ring wheels or 16.5" 1 piece rims for the concourse show people. Expense and inconvience is not an exuse in this class. Judges today probably don't know what is period factory correct and incorrect on these trucks, but in the future they will be more educated.

[teeitup]

Looks good Jud, have fun fixing it up, I'm sure it will turn out GREAT!!!

[Dieselwrencher]

Jud, that is a great truck to start out with! Most of them look more like a rusty wagon! That one just looks lightly weathered with a few dents here and there. Nice score!

[Vintage Windmills]

Thanks for the input all, I guess it won't hurt to keep the split rims out back.

Here are some more pics. Do you see anything that is not original? The 97,000 on the odometer, do you think these brake drums and shocks are factory? Drums mount behind the hub. Hope the engine block is usable. Some water ran out of it while on the trailer

[Vintage Windmills]

another engine shot. I see the hose clamps are not original.

Slipped slots on long enough to decide I prefer the stock wider 16" rims, like Joes Junk has. I want this thing to look stock. Now, what do you think of the slots on my '01? I think they'll fit.

[factorystock]

Thanks for posting the detailed shots! It seems original engines are painted more of a reddish orange than orange.

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Thanks for posting the detailed shots! It seems original engines are painted more of a reddish orange than orange.

I should take a pic in the daylight to confirm. These were with flash and LED maglite at night.

[Palf70Step]

Slots look good on both trucks. Once you get the wide stock rims on the other, you can swap back and forth as a mood suits you.

[Dieselwrencher]

Jud, I agree, the slots look great on both! On the split rims, I'd just scrap them. It won't be too long before they're outlawed from the roads due to safety issues affiliated with them.

[Bert W]

The slots look like crap on both trucks! To help you out with your project, you can sell them to me and I'll find a good home for them.

[Vintage Windmills]

Lol on the slots! They are 16.5 x9.75, I wonder if I should buy a set of those BFG's they recently ran in this size and hoard them?

Title finally showed up from PO and I stopped by the DMV yesterday. They accepted it but it takes 14-16 weeks to fully process and be mailed to me in 2012. The gal had to think though and look for the right sections since the title is so old (1975) the format has changed since then. Feels good to have that in process but man Minnesota is slow.

[too much stuff]

Jud, MN titles are still behind from the shutdown earlier this summer. If you ask for a fast track, it costs a little more but get the title in a week or so.

[Vintage Windmills]

Eric, Thats ok, if i get the engine out by 2012 I'll be doing good! Can't wait to magnaflux it and check for cracks.

Good news, this truck even has a dipstick

[too much stuff]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Eric, Thats ok, if i get the engine out by 2012 I'll be doing good! Can't wait to magnaflux it and check for cracks.

Good news, this truck even has a dipstick

Dipstick!!!! Thats funny! Most people won't get it...
And remember the dipstick tube is unique to 4x4 so don't lose it.

[RenoKeene]

Man thats a great save...if that engines junk I've got a good running correct 72 for ya. Put on yer mouse ears, grab a swim suit and a trailer and come get it.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Could that mirror be any uglier?

It looks like it belongs on a pickup truck or something That mirror was installed improperly. The upper brace is mounted too high. That does make it look worse. But,I actually like a real mirror on a real truck. They are a vital organ in the truck world and I see them as handsome,not pretty.
I always went for higher optioned trucks for the rarity and uniqueness that option combinations can create. But,with these trucks being as old and historic as they've become,I can appreciate the uniqueness of the simplicity of a plane Jane truck. Highly optioned was the exception back then,now it's the norm. They're about all fancy trucks now. It seems the fancier old trucks are being saved more,as well as base trucks getting restored as fancier trucks,which makes seeing a simple old truck in nice condition a refreshing new site. It takes restraint to keep it simple,keep it original,and just restore something. And you're right. It will actually be simpler in this truck's case. It's pretty much all there,too!

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by special-K

I always went for higher optioned trucks for the rarity and uniqueness that option combinations can create. But,with these trucks being as old and historic as they've become,I can appreciate the uniqueness of the simplicity of a plane Jane truck. Highly optioned was the exception back then,now it's the norm. They're about all fancy trucks now. It seems the fancier old trucks are being saved more,as well as base trucks getting restored as fancier trucks,which makes seeing a simple old truck in nice condition a refreshing new site. It takes restraint to keep it simple,keep it original,and just restore something. And you're right. It will actually be simpler in this truck's case. It's pretty much all there,too!

Well said. And with this truck, it doesn't feel stripped down when compared with a older more well optioned 4x4. It has nice things like 350/350th, PS, PB (standard in 72 3/4tons), disc brakes. Also the nice standard np205, big hub spicer lockouts, open knuckles, etc. It just doesn't have "fluff" and I like that. Don't get me wrong I'm still hoping to find the 70CST K20 in my sig someday but there is something really appealling about how clean this truck will be and that its all about doing work.

I consider CG's truck what I want it to look like in general but blue instead of green: I really like the mirrors he has and wheels. I have a identical set of mirrors and I probably won't be able to resist putting them on this truck.

Also I'm not sure if I'll go with a white or chrome grille. I suppose it would have been white originally, right? Anyways here is my inpiration (CG's)

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

...Also I'm not sure if I'll go with a white or chrome grille. I suppose it would have been white originally, right?...

All the later Chevy trucks (post'68) had the anodized aluminum grill shells. GMC's had a white grill/shell on the earlier base models though.
Here are a couple of Custom trucks from the '72 brochure for some inspiration. The med. blue step is really close to yours in appearance.

[special-K]

Yeah,as Tim said,all grilles were identical 69-72. Only bumpers,mirrors,and hubcaps got paint vs bright work...then there's the window trim. I actually like these bodies with no trim best. Only the 67/68 moldings accent the actually body lines. The 69-72 detracts from them,IMO. Mostly the top trim. It interferes with the curve of the body line. The lower trim draws your eye to the straight line which minimizes the wheel arch flare as incorporated with that body line. You really appreciate the actual body design best on a truck with no trim.

[Vintage Windmills]

Thanks for clearing that up guys. This grille is probably original to the truck then. I checked the inner and it is crack free so thats nice. I think it might look a little odd to have brightwork grille and white bumpers, and rims. I'm going to have to think on that one. If you guys have some pics of this scheme I'd like to see them.

[SS Tim]

There are two truck pictures in post #45 and here are some more.

[Vintage Windmills]

Thanks Tim.

Another question for you guys. I bought a set of nice seatbelts from a 72 that was parted but they say 71 on the tag. Would these be correct for my 72? Do I need to see if my Vin was a later or earlier build in 72?

[SS Tim]

Is the blue cert. label still there on the door? It will have the build month and year in the top right corner. Don't remember much about seatbelt date codes but they should likely preceed the build date by a month or more.