The Tree Row 72 K10s

[Pair_of_72_K10s]

Last summer I made the decision to commit to finding and building a 1972 k10 to enjoy. Little did I know, finding one within reasonable distance to me would be quite the challenge. I had given up hope on finding a true SWB k10 and decided a long bed would suit me just fine. After scouring the internet, I decided to make the drive into Missouri for a LWB 72 k10 chassis with engine, transmission, and transfer case. The seller pulled the chassis out of the trees from behind his workshop, got the powertrain out of his shop and helped me get loaded. I was thrilled but still lacked a body and a title. I reached out to a friend in North central Nebraska who collects old vehicles and sure enough he had a pretty clean 1970 c10 body with title that he said he'd sell me. Although it wasn't a 72, I felt I was making progress.

[D.B]

Welcome and it's a start. Keep us posted on your build and include as many pics as you can. We look forward to seeing what you do.

[Pair_of_72_K10s]

As seen in my previous post, the driver's door and the hood on the 70 had some damage. The hood had been kinked and creased from the wind getting ahold of it, so I began searching locally for some good used parts. One evening I was having a cold one with a friend discussing my endeavor when he mentioned that one of his friends had an old chevy truck the same body style that had been parked for years. He had minimal details but was willing to call the guy and ask if he'd entertain selling the truck or parts. After a quick phone call, he told us to go out to his brother's farm back in the trees and look it over among the other vehicles he had stored there and let him know what we'd like to buy. That next day I picked up my buddy and we made the 15 minute drive to this farm where these vehicles resided. When I drove to the back of the farmyard, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a 71-72 shortbox k10! Hidden from the world in the back of this farm since 1996. It was in rough shape, but the frame looked good, and it appeared to be all there. At one point in its life, it had fallen victim to a cheap restoration that included spray foam in rusted out body panels and more bondo than one man should be able to legally obtain. The only thing that didn't check out was the rear-view mirror location for a 1972. I found an old insurance card and the vin tag which stated it was in fact a 72 k10. I can only assume that the cab had been patched up when it got its low budget restoration in a previous life. I made a phone call and ended up making a fair deal with the owner for the truck as well as a c30 longhorn he had tucked away out there. The title matched up with the VIN tag and VIN on the frame rail, so I was convinced it was for sure a 1972. Now it was time to get them cut out of the trees and back home.

[Pair_of_72_K10s]

not sure why my pictures are turning sideways after I post. Any help with that would be appreciated

*EDIT* I got my image issue resolved

[Pair_of_72_K10s]

After getting the trucks back home, I pulled the k10 in my shop to see what I was truly up against. It seemed I had bought a good swb chassis with a title and a lot of the rest wasn't salvageable. I was still ok with that and kept trying to move forward. When the truck was lifted, someone had made the decision to flip the rear most leaf spring bracket and customize it the best that their cutting torch and stick welder would allow. I was now determined to find a set of original rear leaf spring hangers. That proved to be far more difficult than I anticipated. Until one Sunday afternoon while I was harvesting beans for my father in-law, facebook marketplace came through for me. Someone had listed a non-running 72 GMC 4x4 half ton for a more than reasonable price. I sent a couple messages, and the deal was done. That next evening, I was on the road to Kansas with the trailer. When I arrived, this truck was also sitting in the trees. He informed me that he had another cab with title and a bunch of parts that was included on the deal. I loaded up and started the trek back to Nebraska feeling good about my purchase knowing I'd have all the parts I need to keep moving forward. Attached are pictures of the altered leaf spring bracket and the goods I brought back from Kansas.

[Pair_of_72_K10s]

Starting the tear down on the SWB K10. Got the box, front clip, and engine removed. Getting ready to test fit the new powertrain.

[Ol Blue K20]

Subbed to watch. Nice finds

[MellowYellow70]

Definitely alot of scrounging and sourcing parts for sure

[tutone]

Pretty much anything k10 is hard to come by.
Good finds. And It looks like you have some metal to work with.

[CUSTOM/10]

Congrats on your awesome find !!!
72 swb 4x4s are my favorite of the 67-72 chevy trucks. I've had a few of them over the years and love seeing another one being saved. A true factory swb truck is next to impossible to find.
I'll be watching....
Gary

[Pair_of_72_K10s]

Originally Posted by CUSTOM/10

Congrats on your awesome find !!!
72 swb 4x4s are my favorite of the 67-72 chevy trucks. I've had a few of them over the years and love seeing another one being saved. A true factory swb truck is next to impossible to find.
I'll be watching....
Gary

Thanks, I was beside myself when I found one out in the wild. It was definitely hidden well. Once I had it loaded on my trailer and parked on my property, I was approached 3 times in the first week I owned it about selling it. I got inside my shop soon after haha. Definitely committed to a full nut and bolt restoration job now.

[Pair_of_72_K10s]

After some serious thinking and consideration, I made a decision on a powertrain for the SWB. My goal is to restore this truck to the best of my abilities yet also get it out and enjoy it. I'd love to drive it to shows and meets a few states away. With that being said, I decided to go with an LS and overdrive transmission. I know that old school small blocks are more than capable of achieving the same, but I had been bit by the LS bug and was intrigued to try the swap myself. I was able to find a 2000 Chevy 2500 4x4 just into Iowa for a very reasonable price to be the donor for my powerplant foundation.

[Pair_of_72_K10s]

After doing some research online, I elected to buy my front cross member for the LS swap from EC Auto and Iron Fabrication INC. I believe it's the same cross member kit that Pacfab used to sell. I was very pleased with the cross member and that it came with all the needed hardware and engine mounts as well. Then I ordered my transfer case adapter from Advance Adapters. Seemed like a nice way to utilize the NP205 T-case behind the 4L80E transmission. After a few email exchanges with Advance Adapters, I realized I may have made more work / expense for myself than needed. It was 100% on me and it was solely due to not doing enough research on the 4L80E transmission variations. I knew that the 4L80E needed 2 reluctor wheels (tone rings) and sensors to make the transmission shift properly but what I didn't realize was that the rear wheel and sensor on the 4x4 transmissions were located on the transfer case unlike the 2wd transmissions having both sensors within the transmission. However, my transmission case did have the provision for the rear sensor so that was a nice consolation. I can easily take the transmission apart and install the rear reluctor ring and sensor but i feel bad about having to disassemble a transmission that only has 1,800 miles on it. Oh well, you live and you learn. My project had gotten the attention of my father who is also an old gear head so he offers to come to my shop and help as much as possible. I'm always grateful for the help and really enjoy our time together. A couple hours on a Saturday afternoon and we had the engine and transmission test fitted.

[Pair_of_72_K10s]

Noticed a little oil pan clearance issue when I was under the truck. I probably have only 1/8th inch clearance between the stock LQ4 6 liter pan and the cross member. I plan to get the NP205 temporarily bolted in to see if that effects anything either positively or negatively. I have also been looking at aftermarket low clearance oil pans. I plan on buying an aftermarket pan regardless to improve aesthetics as I won't be using the oil level sensor that the LS had originally. It could also be the old transmission cross member mount rubber is 53 years old and not in the best shape, letting the tail shaft sit lower than it's supposed to. Lots of remedies for the issue, just part of an LS swap I suppose

[70cst10_05]

Looking good. I seem to recall more new parts that I don't see on here!