Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod

[Curt's_72]

After painting the column, I knew the factory wheel just wasn't going to pop. I set out to find an alternate for the oem I had, but the prices and styles weren't what I was looking for.
My body guy is more custom, and recommended painting the wheel parchment. I was leery at first, but went with it.

It turned out great, and he assures me it'll be very durable.



I had purchased a black horn button with a correct blue bowtie. Getting the bowtie out of it ruined the cap.



It went in well. A little glue and we're good to go.
He striped the base to add a little character.



Looking forward to getting it installed...

[Curt's_72]

Got the other kickpanel installed with the Alpine speaker. I thought I'd put them in last after the carpet, but it didn't make a difference.

A sea of black carpet. We're almost done! Routed the wiring and things are really shaping up.

[Gene]

Nothing to say here but simply beautiful!

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by Gene

Nothing to say here but simply beautiful!

Thanks, Gene! It's always great getting props from a peer.

[Curt's_72]

Got my new SPID label from Jeff Lampe. Nothing less than perfect! I can't say enough about his correspondence, knowledge and quality of product. Here is a link to his site.

http://www.outintheshop.com/

I highly recommend him for your restoration!!

[Curt's_72]

Got the 4x4 shifter installed. I put a light kit in the housing that it didn't have before. I just kinda thought it should have been installed the first time.

[Chevy1TonFun]

What do you have left to do?

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by Chevy1TonFun

What do you have left to do?

Great question!
1. Get front and rear windows installed.
2. Get new adjustable drag link and dropped pitman arm installed.
3. Swap out front wheels with fresh powdercoated ones. Body shop overspray wasn't kind.
4. Schedule trip back to the body shop to get minor touch-ups. When I can finally bust out, I want the little things taken care of as well. I don't want to get that 'well, it done, but....'
4. Get collector car insurance policy. I've only had storage on it for about 4 years now.

That's about it! I'm glad you asked that.
Curt

[Curt's_72]

I played nursemaid to the leaking proportioning valve long enough. I had cranked and cranked on the rear connection. I had removed it twice in an attempt to reseal the fittings. Bled the brakes three times.
Still leaked after having pressure on it.

I got tired of it and bought a new one. All the connections were identical, except the original had a bleeder on it.
I put a plug in the top port, because it wouldn't accept a bleeder.
Bled the brakes and all is well! Now that it's installed, it looks ok.

[Nothinghead]

Very nice. I love that color.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mjensen]

Damn fine job! It will be nice to see some pics of it in the sunshine!!

[86454k30]

Very Cool! Question though...how come it has a NP208 transfercase instead of the NP205?

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by 86454k30

Very Cool! Question though...how come it has a NP208 transfercase instead of the NP205?

The truck had a 700R4 and the newer transfer case installed when I bought it. The receipt for that was $1500.00
I would not have done it, personally. The gas mileage isn't better at all. It's been kind of a pain getting the column, reverse lock out and gear slector coordinated.
I do like the shifter of the 205, though.

[Curt's_72]

It's alive!!

Just like A Christmas Story..."A few sparks, a quick wiff of ozone and the lamp blazed forth in unparalled glory'...

Well, once it got fuel to the carb, it fired right up!

Here we are in the sunshine!!








It really shushed into reverse. I had to add about 2 quarts of tranny fluid.

[Curt's_72]

the transmission lines needed tightening. No big deal.

Then I saw radiator fluid. Shut it off to find it. As you guessed, the weep hole was leaking.
Drove it back in and let it cool down. New Water pump.





Minor setback. Woulda been easier when I had the front end exposed.

It's back together, now.

[Chevy1TonFun]

Absolutely, Jaw Dropping! It looks like she just rolled off the chevrolet assembly line back in 1972.

[SunSoaked]

Beautiful !

Now that I see the final product I have a few questions if you dont mind. I went back thru the build, post by post but still couldn't find the info.

1) Are you using original a/c? Have you modified anything? The eng compartment side of the dash looks a lot cleaner than mine.

2) What compressor are you using?

3) Did you do a shackle flip on the rear? 2 inch?

4) What springs are you using on the front? 2.5 inch I read- how do they ride? How many leaves?

Thanks for your time and sharing this awesome build.

[ryanmctee]

Very nice. I'm restoring my 72 k-10, and it will be very similar to yours. Nice job on the thread.

[mjensen]

Absolutely beautiful!!

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by Chevy1TonFun

Absolutely, Jaw Dropping! It looks like she just rolled off the chevrolet assembly line back in 1972.

Originally Posted by Fattback

Looks amazing

Originally Posted by ryanmctee

Very nice. I'm restoring my 72 k-10, and it will be very similar to yours. Nice job on the thread.

Originally Posted by mjensen

Absolutely beautiful!!

Thanks to you all very much! All the kind words make this worthwhile. It's been a journey that has had great results.
I hope that anything you've all read has helped.

More to come!

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Beautiful !

Now that I see the final product I have a few questions if you dont mind. I went back thru the build, post by post but still couldn't find the info.

1) Are you using original a/c? Have you modified anything? The eng compartment side of the dash looks a lot cleaner than mine.

2) What compressor are you using?

3) Did you do a shackle flip on the rear? 2 inch?

4) What springs are you using on the front? 2.5 inch I read- how do they ride? How many leaves?

Thanks for your time and sharing this awesome build.

Thanks for the props! I'll address your questions in red

1) Are you using original a/c? Have you modified anything? The eng compartment side of the dash looks a lot cleaner than mine.
The truck had Vintage Air installed when I bought it. The firewall is non-air, modified with the standard kit. I've just detailed it with..gulp..brush on Rustoleum, gloss black.

2) What compressor are you using?
Whatever came with the Vintage Air kit. A new one might have a different manufacture.

3) Did you do a shackle flip on the rear? 2 inch?
No flip kit. Just blocks. New rear springs were alot more than I wanted to spend. The truck is gonna be a garage queen, fair weather driver.

4) What springs are you using on the front? 2.5 inch I read- how do they ride? How many leaves?
It's a standard SkyJacker 2.5" lift. The front springs are 5 leaves. It rides very well! I don't see a big difference from the stock ride vs. the lifted. So far, I'm very satisfied with their product. Shop around.

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by Curt's_72

Thanks for the props! I'll address your questions in red

1) Are you using original a/c? Have you modified anything? The eng compartment side of the dash looks a lot cleaner than mine.
The truck had Vintage Air installed when I bought it. The firewall is non-air, modified with the standard kit. I've just detailed it with..gulp..brush on Rustoleum, gloss black.

2) What compressor are you using?
Whatever came with the Vintage Air kit. A new one might have a different manufacture.

3) Did you do a shackle flip on the rear? 2 inch?
No flip kit. Just blocks. New rear springs were alot more than I wanted to spend. The truck is gonna be a garage queen, fair weather driver.

4) What springs are you using on the front? 2.5 inch I read- how do they ride? How many leaves?
It's a standard SkyJacker 2.5" lift. The front springs are 5 leaves. It rides very well! I don't see a big difference from the stock ride vs. the lifted. So far, I'm very satisfied with their product. Shop around.

Curt-

The cab I am using was non a/c but that was ok because I have a vintage air system NIB. I actually prefer a "blank canvas" rather than retrofit aftermarket pieces to factory locations. I haven't got the compressor yet. I expect mine will look just like yours when finished.

I was going to buy a 2 inch lift kit, but then discovered I can use "add a leafs" for about $160 front and rear and use my stock springs. Since I only want a mild (2 -3 lift) that works much better for me money/time wise.

Thanks for sharing your info.

[Curt's_72]

Made it to town to the glass shop. Bugs in my teeth. It was great! No problems....yet. Fingers are crossed so far.
I'll put up new pictures of it with the windshield and back window, later.

[Fattback]

Looks amazing

[Mr-Jack]

i wish my antenna looked as nice as yours does...nice pickup man