Finally drove my truck for the first time...

[unixadm]

I picked up a 72 C20 4wd about a month ago. I've been working on it here and there, redoing the brakes. I also had to install a new cross member for the motor and new motor mounts. When I bought it, the brakes were wasted and a caliper was frozen, the engine was sitting on some home brewed mounts because it was converted to 4wd using a 2wd frame. But today, I got the brakes at least gravity bled, put the final touches on the rear disc brakes and put the wheels back on. I was going to wait for my E-brake cable stuff and the new proportioning valve along with all of the stainless hard lines and braided flex lines. I said the hell with it and wanted to see how the truck drove. All this with probably 12 year old Firestone tires on it that are a bit cracked.

All I have to say is this is going to take some getting used to! All I did was go around the block since I don't have it registered yet. The truck is a 350 4bbl mated to a SM465 and a NP205 transfer case. I'm not sure what gears. The 4wd components came from a 73-77 K20, so I have longer leafs in front with a D44 and a 14 Bolt FF in the rear. The SM465 is a bit notchy and it's sometimes hard to tell if I'm in gear! haha. I did a granny gear burnout for good measure too. But she drove okay - rough as hell and bouncy. I know the springs are HD (3 pack up front, 5 pack in the rear) and the shocks are shot. The SM465 is pretty loud (not sure if that's normal or not). I need to install a new heater core, along with heater hoses, radiator hoses and a new 4 row radiator. I'm also thinking about doing a 86-92 Camaro Serpentine setup. But overall, the truck stopped good (still needs to be bled with a buddies help). I still have some work to do before I can mount the 35x12.50x17 Pro Comp Xterrain's on H2 wheels. I'll be ordering a 6" Skyjacker full spring lift on Tuesday.

Pic's can be seen here: http://www.dmwtech.com/gallery/v/k20/

[krue]

Sounds like fun. It's always more fun to drive it than work on it.

[70 shorty]

Ok, I'll be the first to say, Where's the pics? You know the one with you driving it with that big grin on your face? Anyway, congrats, it's always a great feeling to put one back on the road. I think I had a grin on my face for a couple of days after I got mine out of the driveway for the first time.

[Yukon Jack]

Congrats. The transfer cases are sometimes a bit loud, are you sure it is the transmission rather than the transfer case you are hearing?

[unixadm]

I was grinning until I blocked traffic on the street because I couldn't get it into 2nd. lol

I'll get more pics over the next couple of weeks as I get the truck out more.

I'm not sure where the noise is coming from - it could be the transfer case. It's probably even more magnified as the shift boots are rotted away so I can look straight down and see the transmssion and t-case. I have new carpet to install and new shift boots/retainers - that may help a bit. But I think the SM465 has to go and a 700R4 will take it's place.

[lloyd k]

nice looking truck,if it were me id keep that heavt duty stuff for nastalga-hahaha

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looks like a nice ride3 congrats on getting her mobile..

[Randy70C-10]

Originally Posted by krue

It's always more fun to drive it than work on it.

Bite your tongue!!