Project daily drivable 62 C20

[72cs20]

Well I think an update is in order. In the last update I was going to get the AC charged up, fix the intake manifold leak and deal with the steering play. I dropped the truck at a friends shop for the work.

The AC system was charged up and then let sit overnight. The next morning the system was empty. Charged it up again but with some dye this time. Discovered major leak from the compressor. New compressor and now AC system working great.


Intake manifold re-sealed and cleared out the completely clogged up EGR passage. Cross this one off the list.

While at the shop one of the rear wheel cylinders decided to start leaking. Replaced both and turned the drums. This truck is very light on the rear axle and it was easy to lock up the rear wheels. Backed the shoes off a little bit and along with the trued up drums and big disc's up front, the braking performance is impressive. Smooth, straight and predictable.



We replaced the steering box with a normal replacement box for a 72 C20 and I like it a lot better than the CPP box. It has better power assist and a better ratio for this truck. However, the truck still has too much wander for my taste.

Also, instead of putting it on the trailer, I decided to drive it home. It is about 20 miles from the shop to my house with about half of that is a curvy mountain highway. This is the longest trip so far and it was a white knuckle journey up the mountain. In the turns it felt like the truck wanted to swap ends. This truck has some handling issues to be worked out.

A lot of the handling problems can certainly be linked to the rear suspension. All of these parts are probably original. I'm sure 40+ years of carrying a cab-over camper has taken a toll on these parts. I know the trailing arm and trackbar bushings are shot after all these years. I've received new trailing arms, coil springs and an adjustable trackbar and will be this weeks project.

[72cs20]

Last update I was fighting steering and handling issues. Well, that has been solved and it was all my fault! Yep. I installed the steering center link backwards. This creates weird handling problems and steering play. So FYI, the inner tie rod ends should come in from the back of the center link, not go in thru the front. After rolling it 180 degrees and having the truck re-aligned, it handles great now. Just like I thought it should. I found the answer over in the 67-72 section. There are several posts about this installation mistake.

The windshield is now installed correctly. I brought the truck to Tri-Valley Auto Glass in Pleasanton, Ca. One guy re-installed it by himself. With all the vintage vehicles in their shop I knew I was in the right place for this job. Highly recommended if you live in the Bay Area.

Got the rear suspension finished up. New trailing arms, springs, shocks and adjustable panhard bar. Truck is nice and tight front to back.



Also picked up this little gem. An Alaskan 8 foot cab-over, 1976 vintage. Nice original condition and needs a little TLC, but excellent bones. Having a camper for this truck is really the main reason for this build. I'm planning a road trip through Oregon next year, early summer or fall.