Newbie, Buying my first. 72 GMC K20

[Joseph2001]

Unfortunately the SPID label is worn so I can't read it, That was one of the first things I checked. All original parts are staying. The thought of cutting the Dash up is disturbing, They make a Bluetooth radio that will slide right in place of the old one. I believe it is a 350 now that I've done more Research. Also, is there another location I could find the Model number? Since the SPID is worn I have no way of telling what factory trim it came with or anything else.
Posted via Mobile Device

[DarkFlounder]

Before you buy the truck, verify that the VIN plaque is in place (driver side door frame below the striker plate). Without the original VIN plate, registering this truck can be a real pain in the ass.

The VIN number will give you some basic info about the truck when it was built (4x2 or 4x4, I6 or V8, GVW, wheelbase, fleetside or stepside, assembly plant).

And I agree on the fleetside. Yours looks to be a longbed, and usable longbed fleetsides can be found for not too much money (I paid $100 for mine).

[Joseph2001]

Going to pay off the truck and get the title today. Maybe tow it home if my Father has time, if not the truck is right down the road. I've heard it calling all week "Rescue me"

[Moose Monkey]

Call her LUCKY .She is cause already she has YOU

[Joseph2001]

So Sadly, Couldnt go get Her, The Man who owns it has an Elderly mother who cant be left alone, So he had to stay with her, ontop of dealing with a broken legged calf, and an accident leaving his fences needed to be repaired, So he did not have time today, he is a farmer and needs the truck out of this barn so it can be rebuilt, when I talked to him today he was excited to think it will be out of the way soon. Maybe Monday I can have it home and working on it. And a thanks again to Terry for the steering wheel, Its so Awesome to see so much support for a project like this.

[Moose Monkey]

Any good news?

[webfoot]

Originally Posted by Joseph2001

They make a Bluetooth radio that will slide right in place of the old one.

Got a link??

[57taskforce]

That's a find from your neck of the woods. I'm from a few hours north of you in the north west corner of Virginia. My dad still live up there and has a 72 K/20. I can't wait to see you get started on it. I was 15 when I started building my '57.

[Joseph2001]

I've been working so I haven't been able to give an update. Unfortunately she's not home yet, had to put 170$ into a Ford Explorer instead. But I do have good news, The odometer reads 64066, and I've found both an 06 registration and Inspection paper, what's left of the SPID says the engine code is ls9, which I've researched to be a 350, but I still could be wrong.

[Chevyland]

So, is the farmer just waiting for you to come up with the rest of the money?
Or is there anything else holding up the deal?
When is the barn getting rebuilt?

[driller35]

Congrats and enjoy, u may get lucky and find the build sheet in the seat of the truck when u get her home
Cheers

[Moose Monkey]

Keep the faith. This just gives you time to make wise choices

[outfield]

Hi Joseph,

Here is a picture of the Ford 16 x 7 wheels with 255x85x16 tires. I found them on Craigslist, had them powder coated and they look great.

With the 7 inch wide wheels you have a little wider range of tire choice.

Can't wait to see your truck get home and cleaned up!

[Joseph2001]

The only hold up at this time is time, this is a small town, business is slow,no matter what your doing. And it's an old farm town, the old farmers do things on their time or not at all. The hold up before was losing my job and helping my Dad fix his Ford Explorer, well 2 of them, both his daily driver and his backup decided they both needed to have problems at the same time, some fun that was. And I was on a Broken Ankle. Bad things happen all at once around here. But I've kept faith, It will all work out, sadly just not fast enough.

[Joseph2001]

Outfield, That looks awesome, thank you

[atog]

Awesome find there young man! That's looks to be a true untouched original diamond in the rough. With the looks of the engine compartment with original shroud, upper radiator tube, air cleaner and ect I would say it's original. You do as you see fit, as it is your truck and I'm sure you worked hard and are excited to get your new treasure home. Try to get as much documentation as possible from previous owner especially if he bought it new. If he is the original owner ask him if he has old sales receipts or any parts he has purchased for or taken off the vehicle. You make be surprised at what he will give you or tell you about his soon to be departed love. Also if the title is original take pictures of it in case the title office issues you a new one this way you at least have pics for your photo album of your build. Verify the title to vin plate on cab and also the numbers stamped on top of frame by power steering pump. Just a little food for thought kept all parts you take off and DO NOT GET RID OFF ANYTHING ORIGINAL OFF THE VEHICE. You will regret it later and a lot off these parts are hard to find and extremely valuable. Take a lot of pics if vehicle when picking up of its original environment to save. I have always gotten excited about bringing these gems back to life Good luck in your new build and if you have any questions you are in the perfect place here on the forum to ask them. There are slot of knowledgeable people on here that are always willing to help

[atog]

Here's one of my first builds with before and after photos of a completely disassembled project. I bought that truck for $800 over the phone from a buddy without ever driving it. A little time and work and it became a nice driver. I sold that truck to Jerry Brown who owned The Truck Shop in Tennessee, who hands down him and his crew did the finest restorations around. I regret selling that one

[atog]

More

[atog]

Last one

[kx57]

Originally Posted by webfoot

Got a link??

http://www.classiccarstereos.com/

Click on the chevy section then "truck radios"

There are other sites too.

[Zone47]

Cool truck for the money. Cleaning it up to see exactly what you have will be a fun time! Yeah, you can find a southern fleetside bed for cheap.

As far as the engine, take a look behind the drivers side valve cover and down on the block, there will be a row of numbers (that you'll probably have to wipe off with a rag) that will tell you more about the engine size and year. You'll probably have to use a flashlight and mirror to see them, it's a tight spot. Next up front under the alternator on the cylinder head pad, there will be some more numbers that will help you zero in on where the engine was made, dates and cool stuff like that. Chances are if it's a 350 truck motor, it may have a steel crank and 4 bolt mains.

I'm not sure I would fire that truck up without first putting some fresh oil in and then cranking enough to see some oil pressure on a gauge ... which means you should disconnect the spark at first, hook a gauge up crank it and when you see life on the gauge, hook the coil back up and go!

Anyway, that's my 2 cents, it must be exciting for you and I hope you have fun with it!

[Joseph2001]

Gunna try to get her home this morning, The vin on the title does match the vin on the cab, it was the first thing I checked. Thanks everyone for the information, unfortunately the man I got it from is not the original owner, he bought it in 05, to haul hay with. The title is not original either, it was issued in 93. I plan to keep every part I pull off, and every bit of paperwork I can find.

[Joseph2001]

atog, That's a gorgeous truck. I would have regretted selling it too. Zone47, From what my Dad said it's a 2 bolt main, when I brought him to show him the truck he had his hand in the engine compartment 5 minutes and already had 4 times the info I did

[special-K]

Your tale reminds me of when I was 15. I dragged a '56 VW out of the woods of our family friends' farm and had it ready for the road by the time I got my driver's license. Welcome to the GMC K2500 club. Chevys are K/20s. You want to call it the right thing since you now own it. Can't wait till you get your paws on it, but am a patient man of course... heh heh. Is that Burkeville in Nottoway County? Looks to be about the same population as Friendsville, MD where my mom is from.

You aren't too far from Lynchburg, are you? Maybe an hour? There is a source for a lot of the parts for these trucks located there.

[rockyrivermark]

My pictures do the same thing when I upload them off my iPhone. It's an Apple issue
Mark



[QUOTE=Joseph2001;7914091]I have no clue why they posted upside down. When I took them they were right side up. Lmao
Posted via Mobile Device[/QUOT
Posted via Mobile Device