72 K30 Build

[mjensen]

Well that does suck that you had to scrap it! Looking forward to seeing this next project move forward

[7dee2]

Thanks Mike me too. Did you get your FI sorted out?

[7dee2]

Got the K3500 home yesterday after my friends at The Garage Inc. (shameless plug) lifted off the bed for me thanks Cody & Mark. http://thegaragecenterville.com/index.html

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Thanks Mike me too. Did you get your FI sorted out?

Yeah, I found fuel line replacements that should screw right in. I will bend them around the manifold and bell housing then do some fuel hose between the steel lines on the frame and these new ones. I think it's going to work out, but we'll see

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by mjensen

Yeah, I found fuel line replacements that should screw right in. I will bend them around the manifold and bell housing then do some fuel hose between the steel lines on the frame and these new ones. I think it's going to work out, but we'll see

Cool, you are so close to having a runner!!

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Cool, you are so close to having a runner!!

If you consider 10 years close...then I guess you're right

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by mjensen

If you consider 10 years close...then I guess you're right

You are close, I've heard of people taking a lot longer to complete a project. We bought the 67 Camaro project and put it away to be our last project?? That one might take longer than yours we will see.

[7dee2]

So we brought the K3500 home and put it right in what will be the front yard! I had to give it a chop top to clear the house roof and eventually the lift. My neighbors love me and were very curious as to wtf!

[7dee2]

And squeezed into the garage...

[mjensen]

Ok, now I'm curious about WTF too LOL.

[swamp rat]

I'm pretty interested in your RV cab and how you fix it, hoping to see you use the patch panels you bought, I have a 67 project waiting in the wings that has a pretty rusted out cab, all that is left that's good is the back wall and glass. I found a 67 RV cab for it with the same walk thru cutout, when the time comes i'm planning on doing the same type of repair. Of course i'd like to see somebody do this before i ever attempt it myself.

Welcome to the board too.

[7dee2]

Hey Swamp rat thanks, I'm pretty sure this can be done successfully. I will document the good, bad & ugly as we go.

[7dee2]

A little more progress on the demo of the K3500. Saved the windshield (it was perfect) and the clearance lights. Pulled the grill and started getting the front clip ready to pull.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice project you have going on here! I had a hodge podge truck about 10yrs ago that was a 69 body on a 78 K10 chassis. If I remember correctly, the 73 up frame is 2" wider or so than the 67-72's under the cab. I'm sure you can rework the cab mounts to get the 72 cab on there and be nicer than the truck I had. I'd think fixing that cab with the patches you have will be easier than swapping cabs IMO. Heck, I'd give it a shot. It's great practice if nothing else.

[swamp rat]

I believe Dieselwrencher is correct on the frame widths. That said there are 2 different rear spring width dimentions on the 67-72 trucks. I know my K20 rear is wider than a 2wd rear with springs. My frame widens behind the cab. If i recall corectly mine is 42.5, the other is 40 i think. So obviously different spring pirch widths on the axles too. If that helps ya any...

[7dee2]

Thanks Dieselwrencher! Pretty impressed with all you have done in your builds. Getting close to the measuring things up stage but so far looks like it's a go. Goal is to repair the old RV cab regardless and of course I luv body work practice!

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

I believe Dieselwrencher is correct on the frame widths. That said there are 2 different rear spring width dimentions on the 67-72 trucks. I know my K20 rear is wider than a 2wd rear with springs. My frame widens behind the cab. If i recall corectly mine is 42.5, the other is 40 i think. So obviously different spring pirch widths on the axles too. If that helps ya any...

Swamprat I did a quick frame width measurement at the back of both cabs and they are both 34". Both trucks are cab & chassis style trucks so maybe that's why they are same width even though they are different generations? Going to look at it much harder once I get the rest of the K3500 cab removed.

[7dee2]

Time for a thread update. Got the front clip removed and the motor, trans & transfer case pulled out.

[Dieselwrencher]

Brett, I can measure some trucks as I have a 2wd 69 and a 2wd 76 frame, and a 84 K20 frame if you'd like it for future endeavors. Also, that yellow 54 on the begining of this page looks pretty sweet. Nice work on the tear down.

[7dee2]

Thank you Dieselwrencher and I’ll keep that in mind. The yellow 54 belongs to one of the guys at The Garage Inc. pretty sweet project that looks cool with those fancy wheels!!

Once the rest of the K3500 cab is removed we can use the spare 69 cab and the 72 front clip to start mock up. This and starting repairs on the 72 cab pass thru should keep me plenty busy this winter.

Below are some GM frame dimensions to digest. First drawing is from the 67-72 AIM, a 2wd cab & chassis 133" frame. Next two are the newer 4wd cab & chassis crew cab 164.5" frame & cab. Last is a newer regular cab to get the front cab mount measurement.

Frame widths are almost identical (.06 difference) nice…

71blksuper4x4, Trevor nailed this earlier in this thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...23&postcount=6

[7dee2]

Some more progress, we sold the 350 complete engine and a couple of runs to the scrapper to help recoup some of the $1400 we gave for the K3500. When all is done I think we'll only be in around $700 for the complete rolling chassis w/steering, hydro-boost, trans, transfer case & drive lines. SWEET!

Found a B&M Holeshot 20416 Converter. http://www.jegs.com/i/B-M/130/20416/...oductId=748034 What is the general consensus on a 2000 stall converter for a towing beast? I would think a small amount of stall is OK as it would help it get into the lower part of power band.

[mjensen]

Look at you go! $700 is a great deal for what you're going to be left with! I'm still trying to decide if I want to do a Hydroboost on mine.

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by mjensen

Look at you go! $700 is a great deal for what you're going to be left with! I'm still trying to decide if I want to do a Hydroboost on mine.

Thanks Mike not really 100% sure I'm going to use the hydro-boost either but I'm keeping it just in case. I think they work really well as long as it doesn't leak.

[7dee2]

I’m thinking this truck really earned its keep! All the time spent going off road & down dirt roads took its toll. Core support was welded back together and braced all over the place. Battery tray pulled away from the fender. Big custom front bumper/grill guard was trying to tear its self-off the front frame horns. Both doors had been welded up several times from where the mirrors fell off or were torn off. Sure we’ll find a lot more war wounds as we go this is just the front!!

[7dee2]

Well the cab demo is finally done, even had some smoke & fire when we broke out the plasma cutter!