Random pictures you took of your K

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Southcity

originally a Bell Systems Co. truck

I like it!

[Willowrun]

Dunes in August 2021 with three of the boys.

[best view]

Wow what a great picture

[JPBrecheisen]

Couple of my '60

[Short 3/4]

Wow
Love everything about that truck, especially that it still appears to work for a living.

[best view]

That would be a tough choice between the two

[Southcity]

Originally Posted by Short 3/4

Wow
Love everything about that truck, especially that it still appears to work for a living.

^agreed^ trying to locate more pics of it on this forum. Let's get you some 1960 caps too oh, and the two cab lights are a nice look!

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by Southcity

^agreed^ trying to locate more pics of it on this forum. Let's get you some 1960 caps too oh, and the two cab lights are a nice look!

Thanks ��

I added the cab lights about 2 years ago. I like the look that the old big trucks had. They are Grote #45333.

Jonathon.

[JPBrecheisen]

Here is another one that still works

1962 GMC

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by JPBrecheisen

Couple of my '60

Such an awesome truck!!!

[special-K]

Nothing to hate about that '60!! Saying "Get some '60 hubcaps for that" is easier said than done, and doesn't say it all. More like find some '60 clip style split rims and extremely rare chrome 2wd hub caps. And if you don't want split rims, send them out to have non-splits custom made. We are talking a lot of money and maybe even more "if you can find them"s. Traditionally, it was nothing uncommon to find hubcaps swapped between years on trucks and cars. The '60 K/20 never had hubcaps, so even assembling a high dollar custom combo would not be correct. It all looks fantastic to me, including the "incorrect" mirrors. I have always been a customized to have an original look with GM parts guy. Only the knowledgeable will know and if that bothers them, well.... they can get over it or get their own truck

I'm digging the combination look of chrome bumper and hubcaps with painted grille and mirrors

[Southcity]

You are 100% correct Special-K. I've been down that road many times with caps for the 60-66 rigs. Currently running 64 Oldsmobile caps on my 66 for that very reason.

[Southcity]

Originally Posted by JPBrecheisen

Thanks ��

I added the cab lights about 2 years ago. I like the look that the old big trucks had. They are Grote #45333.

Jonathon.

Thank you kindly for providing more info on the cab lights, really looks great on your truck. I might have to copy you

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by special-K

Nothing to hate about that '60!! Saying "Get some '60 hubcaps for that" is easier said than done, and doesn't say it all. More like find some '60 clip style split rims and extremely rare chrome 2wd hub caps. And if you don't want split rims, send them out to have non-splits custom made. We are talking a lot of money and maybe even more "if you can find them"s. Traditionally, it was nothing uncommon to find hubcaps swapped between years on trucks and cars. The '60 K/20 never had hubcaps, so even assembling a high dollar custom combo would not be correct. It all looks fantastic to me, including the "incorrect" mirrors. I have always been a customized to have an original look with GM parts guy. Only the knowledgeable will know and if that bothers them, well.... they can get over it or get their own truck

I'm digging the combination look of chrome bumper and hubcaps with painted grille and mirrors

Really appreciate this feedback and that was how I approached this build. I looked for those mirrors on purpose. They were made by signal stat and were the popular replacement option during the square body years.

The wheels were already on it and they are the 67-72 16"x6.5" variety so I figured the caps should match. The bed is off another truck as well as a lot of the front sheet metal.

If you examine closely you'll notice it's a GMC in Chevrolet clothing (V6 emblem on front fender).

While I admire the "purist" in the hobby for the knowledge and dedication, I wanted this one to be like how a lot "ended up". It's been a fun project for sure and I love that it's a patchwork quilt of randomness.

Really appreciate the comments. I guess I should have done a build thread.

Jonathon

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by Southcity

Thank you kindly for providing more info on the cab lights, really looks great on your truck. I might have to copy you

Most welcome. They are a nice quality light and are almost identical to the originals. Close enough for me anyway.

The originals had a metal base plate that was prone to rusting once a leak developed.

I still have my C60 and always liked the 2 light clearance light look.

If you take this on, you'll want to run the wires down each a-pillar. I tried to run the passenger side across the inside but was unsuccessful. Wire fishing lines from harbor freight helped move them through the tight spaces. It's like a stiff but flexible cable used to run wire through tight spaces.

Jonathon

[JPBrecheisen]

Here is a picture in better light and was after I put tool boxes in it.

I bought scratch and dent tool boxes to save some money and have it compliment the truck.

I did paint it but left a lot of the "character marks" alone.

Tires are 255/85/16

Tool boxes are Weather Guard 164-0-03 87" long.

[special-K]

I've been building custom 4wd GM work trucks (for my business) a long time, like back when I didn't see any others. I love your truck

Here are some

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by special-K

I've been building custom 4wd GM work trucks (for my business) a long time, like back when I didn't see any others. I love your truck

Here are some

Attachment 2265357
Attachment 2265358
Attachment 2265363
Attachment 2265361
Attachment 2265362

Those are awesome. I grew up around trucks like that. I remember my dad having a 1973 with a utility box on it and grandfather had a 1978 with a flatbed and lift gate.

The permanent plow fixture on the gold truck at the beach is awesome.

I especially like the white one too. That set up is what made me want 255s.

Love all those pictures. Do you still have any of them?

Jonathon

[special-K]

Thanks, Jonathan. I only still have the white GMC



Here's a picture and a short video of it I made when I first did the suspension. The 35/12.50s were shot from age. Lasted about 500 miles before left front went KABLOOWY!

72 GMC K2500 - Going To Work - YouTube

I'll be restoring it one day. Have plenty of parts gathered. Just enjoying as is for now... and since '01 when I bought it.

I had another '72 K/20 for about 5 years I slapped the racks on and used for work a good bit

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by special-K

Thanks, Jonathan. I only still have the white GMC
Attachment 2265396
Attachment 2265397

Here's a picture and a short video of it I made when I first did the suspension. The 35/12.50s were shot from age. Lasted about 500 miles before left front went KABLOOWY!
Attachment 2265399
72 GMC K2500 - Going To Work - YouTube
I'll be restoring it one day. Have plenty of parts gathered. Just enjoying as is for now... and since '01 when I bought it.

I had another '72 K/20 for about 5 years I slapped the racks on and used for work a good bit

You've had an impressive fleet. My first "old" truck was a 1972 K25 I still have. I need to get more pictures of it. There should be one or two sprinkled around in the forum.

You must be particular. Those things are in amazing shape for working trucks.

Love the lift and the 255s on that white one. Looks just right and I like how it is now.

I love the restorations and people can do such beautiful work but there is just something about a bruised up old work truck I admire just a little more.

Jonathon

[special-K]

I'd like to see your '72 GMC.

I lifted the truck 4", which was minimal for the aluminum slots (9.75s) and 35/12.50s I bought from a tire shop guy for crazy cheap... $50, and I got 5 tires! They came off the customer's truck because he had multiple issues in steering and suspension they were trying to solve. But they were also old.

Then I put the 255/85s on that came off my '92 when I sold it off. I really liked those on there as well. The truck sat like the early 4wds with divorced transfer cases. When those wore out that size was nowhere to be found, at that time. So I bought 16 x 8 wheels and got 285/75s knowing the size it very available. I'm back to that size on my '95 Suburban, too, on the 7" Accurides. That's my daily work vehicle these days, unless I need the '72 for the racks.


I have been enjoying using the '72 as it is. Once I restore it I still intend to use it. It used to get overlooked because it didn't look like all the money. It even seemed to bother some, like I didn't deserve to have it. I had a paving guy come look at a driveway job and he wanted to buy it. I said "This one's my keeper", my standard response. He said, "It would never see a day of work if I had it". My response was, "Been there done that" . I had it at Fall Carlisle, sleeping in it with the cap on. I was set up right by the food places under the grandstand against the smaller building next to it. It got tons of attention. The comments were sowing appreciation for it just as you said, still being used. Before I restore then, yet fix them up, I go for the "Was a great truck back in the day still surviving look"

[JPBrecheisen]

It's a great truck. Its got awesome character and looks just like it should. I can relate on the trouble finding 255s. They are definitely hard to find.

I get similar comments with my 72. I did a amateur paint job on it in 2005 and I think people like it more now that it's all faded and stained.

I do have this picture of it from last summer. Of the ones I have, this is the wife's favorite and has a special place for me since it was my first experience fixing on an old truck.

350/SM465/NP205

Stock suspension 265 tires on 16x7 Mickey Thompson Challenger wheels.

We use it to go up into the Adirondack Park area for day canoe trips..we love it because it doesn't bother us if it gets scratched.

Had it since 2003.

[Orefactory4x4 swb]

My 72k10 swb Cheyenne

[special-K]

Originally Posted by JPBrecheisen

It's a great truck. Its got awesome character and looks just like it should. I can relate on the trouble finding 255s. They are definitely hard to find.

I get similar comments with my 72. I did a amateur paint job on it in 2005 and I think people like it more now that it's all faded and stained.

I do have this picture of it from last summer. Of the ones I have, this is the wife's favorite and has a special place for me since it was my first experience fixing on an old truck.

350/SM465/NP205

Stock suspension 265 tires on 16x7 Mickey Thompson Challenger wheels.

We use it to go up into the Adirondack Park area for day canoe trips..we love it because it doesn't bother us if it gets scratched.

Had it since 2003.

Sorry I'm late getting back. I dig that thing! It really is a great picture. I love faded paint, real actual faded paint. When I saw the "patina" fad coming on, a thing I've been about long before, guys were asking how to imitate it. I said use cheap paint, leave it in the sun and wait a little while. I've always been a faded cotton and worn boots kind of guy. We all like shiny new paint, and that comes with a restoration. But take that blue & white '72 K/20 I had. It had it's dings, faded paint, and dull trim. I completely rebuilt the chassis down and left the body be. It was a pleasure to drive. I had a 9.75 x 16.5 set of aluminum slots, 9.75 poweder coated white steelies, and 8.25 Hurricanes but was tight on money for tires. So I went with a buy 3 get 4th free set of 35/12.50-16s from 4WPW (Xtremes) mounted on 10" white spokes. The idea was to have multiple sets for multiple uses. Those were my sand tires. The wagon wheels were cheap yet era correct. I wanted the look of a proud truck done up nice in the '70s still hanging in there. I also like to not follow the crowd and show people what they don't like can look good. Take a vote of white spokes and they are about the most disliked. Well, back when everybody everywhere were running them on everything is when I decided I didn't like them. I was running wide Kelsey Hayes wheels. Now that you don't see the white spokes, I felt they were perfect for the desired affect... and cheap!

[JPBrecheisen]

That's a great looking truck, Tim.

I'm with you on the wagon wheels. My K25 sported those at first until I found those challenger wheels. I've heard the hate on wagon wheels, but I think they have their place.

I had painted my K25 using pretty cheap paint in 2005 and the sun did it's thing. It's so thin I'm almost afraid to wash it. What's left would probably rub right off.

Love the trucks you've had. They all have a great look to them.

I'll add this photo as well of the trio of 60-66 trucks. Snow is gone so I got them out and stretched their legs a little. Hopefully this summer I'll be able to tend to the loose ends a bit.