1960 Chevrolet K20 4x4 - Your thoughts please

[1950Rand]

I recently picked up this bone stock K20 factory 4x4 long bed. I love the old Chev 4x4's and wanted to attempt to save this one. It was a one owner (now two) pickup ordered new in 1960 without a box so that a flatbed could be installed and used on the ranch. The owner removed the flatbed for another truck before I picked it up. It has the straight 6 and four speed manual transmission and factory 15" split ring wheels. It only has 41,xxx miles and was last licensed in 1972. It was used on the farm since that time for hauling hay and never left the ranch. It runs, drives, hubs are free, shifts in and out of 4 wheel drive and stops but that is the end of the good news. The cab has rust in the floorboard and the front fenders and hood has some dents. The door limiter straps are gone and the doors are dented from over opening. It has several oil leaks I haven't tracked down yet. Motor is bone stock and hasn't been touched except oil changes. I found this forum and wanted to ask you all your opinions and merits of restoring this truck to a weekend driver. I'm trying to understand time and costs involved. I have a shop and most basic tools but am not a body or paint guy. I could manage the cleanup of frame, tranny, etc. One option I've considered is trying to find a solid 2wd doner body to swap over to the 4x4 chaises. I found a complete 1966 K10 longbed 2wd but wanted to stay with the '60 body. Appreciate your thoughts.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the Forum

From what I can see, the body doesn't look too bad. I would recommend keeping the original body and repairing it as needed. It is much better to keep the original body with the original frame when possible. That way the cab VIN and frame VIN match as they are supposed to.

[Palf70Step]

Welcome aboard. Truck looks good and I agree with what CaptainFab said above.

[Bomp]

Welcome to the forum.
From the pic your truck looks pretty solid.
Could you post more pics of the inside and areas that are of concern?

I say keep it.

[TJ's Chevy]

I'd keep that thing! I'd get that 235 running like a top to. 41,000....it ain't even broke in yet!

[aotte1]

Another welcome to the forum.
Agree with the Captaion too, and looks like a nice keeper.
Just a thought, maybe make it drivable first, drive it some To feel what it is, if you have not driven this type truck before. I would not take it apart right away, drive it and have fun planning.
You will find other members here with similar K trucks to help you.
Also, a good source of needed origional parts too. Their are others builds here as a resource to help in your decision on what you want to do. Just one reference of many is " 61k10" it is a build of a 1961 K10 in his shop, mainly by himself.
We all love photos too.

Les

[DPowers]

Agree with all of the above. My 2 cents suggestion would be to keep it together and not to tear it apart immediately. Formulate a plan and take care of the things that you can do with your shop and your tools first and then worry about body and paint. Many build threads on this forum that have great information that can save you alot of time, headache and $$.

[1950Rand]

Thanks for all the feedback. So far I have pressure washed it, pulled the carb to do a basic cleaning which freed up the accelarator pump, two new headlights and replaced a leaking radiator hose. I'll get more pis up of the areas of concern today to see what you think. Thanks for the warm welcome to the forum.

[1950Rand]

Here are some pics.

[1950Rand]

A couple more . . .

[RANDY COX]

Kool another K model love them fo-by-fo's.. I agree with everybody else drive it and work on it, That's what I'm doing...enjoy it some....

[dodgiesdad]

Looks like a nice solid starting point. As others have said drive it. I would suggest finding or building a bed for it. Doing alittle rust repair. Then in a few years once you know what you like and what you don't, make it what you want.

[j.kirn]

nice truck a full resto of truck would be nice to see

[notsolo]

Nice find. That cab looks solid down under, clean it up and drive it. Make a wood bed for it. Carry On.

[j.kirn]

Any updates on this truck?

[1950Rand]

Currently looking for a bed. Also researching other parts and trying to figure out my true cost to restore, especially since I'll have to hire out some of the work. Any thoughts on value "as is" if I wanted to sell?

[j.kirn]

What parts are you looking for?

[j.kirn]

Stepside bed or fleetside bed?

[1950Rand]

I'm thinking fleetside would look good.

[1950Rand]

Also need windshield and rear glass, passenger side wiper arm and new floor passenger side. That would be a great start.

[j.kirn]

do you have pics of the sides of rear frame rails?

[1950Rand]

Can you see them well enough in this picture?

[61K10]

Welcome--Nice tk. Restore it, as not many were built. It's not going to ride like a newer tk, more like a covered wagon with an engine in it. So you really need to ask yourself what you really want to do with it. A lot of great info on this forum and not just 60-66. engine and drive train/4x4/paint and bodywork---Have fun and keep us posted.

[j.kirn]

I cannot tell from your pic but was trying to c if your mounts for bed are still there on side of frame. There should be 4 for the bed cross sills

[61K10]

looks like some metal pieces have been added to the front of the frame on both sides.