83 K20 - Big Brown - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hawleykt · 03-06-2010, 11:08 AM

Brand new here. A lilttle back story on my truck. Picked it up from a farmer in Mid-Michigan for $1,700 at auction after he died. It was used as a maintenance truck for the combines and tractors in the fields. Everyone in my family makes fun of me since its as old as I am, they thinkits just a waste of money and time. For me, I have wanted a 83-87 for as long as I can remember, so this is my Ferrari. Its not in the best of shape, the floor boards are pretty bad and its a little tough to start some times and I have to play with the manual choke and pump the gas, but it does start everytime...maybe just not the first turn. SO, since it runs pretty well and it doesnt have much rust (has some, but for a michigan truck it doesnt...since winters destroy our autos up here) I feel like I gota heck of a deal at 1700, since I was gonna pay around 1000 for one that was all rusted out and no tranny.

I bought this truck because I have always thought they were awesome. I love the look. Nowadays, trucks dont look like "trucks"...the are too fancy and nice...to me, these are real trucks and scream american pride.

The spring is right around the corner and I look forward to tinkering with "Big Brown"

The utility boxes are off and the light as well.

hawleykt · 03-06-2010, 11:15 AM

Oh yea, and I dont know much about fixing autos..I can do brakes and change oil, thats about the extent of my knowledge...but hey, if you need someone to add windshield wiper fluid...IM YOUR GUY!!

....never had a shop class or anything at my school growin up, so im a newb...but i want to learn. so lets see. Hopefully dont aggrevate too many people on here with my complete lack of knowledge.

bm* · 03-06-2010, 08:14 PM

haha 2 big browns!!

**nlped** · 03-06-2010, 08:25 PM

Good starting point!!! Keep it up!

hawleykt · 03-09-2010, 08:41 PM

i would like to take the bed off and sand blast and clean up the frame....

question, is it worth it to just do from the bed to the cab....or stupid?

i dont feel as tho right now I have the capacity or know-how to do the front end and id hate to take it all apart to clean up the entire frame...and then have a gorgeous frame but not have a runnin truck because i dont have the know-how or money to put it all back together.

any advice would be appreciated.

thanks

74 C-30 · 03-09-2010, 09:17 PM

the frame is probably fine, if it ain't broke why fix it?? I'd be more worried about making it more reliable or enjoyable. whats your plans for it?

hawleykt · 03-09-2010, 09:38 PM

well its integrity is fine...but it was a service truck out in the fields so its got 20 years of caked on mud and such that has been hiding under there...i dont know, i just saw how some other people cleaned up their frames and it made me want to make mine look that good.

I agree, I would like to make it more reliable, but am not really sure what all to do to achieve that.

As of right now all I have done is cleaned the heck out of it, taken off the utility boxes, and replaced one muffler that was rotten.

Plans for this spring/summer

-I need to replace the cab corners and rockers
-The bed floor and cab floor need to be patched (hopefully) and not completely replaced.
-Clean up a few rust spots
-remove running boards
-perhaps some carb work so I can get it to start easier and not have to play with the manual choke and gas

eventually i would like to lift it a bit so i can get some 33s on it

74 C-30 · 03-09-2010, 10:05 PM

meh i wouldn't bother with the carb work, the auto choke on my truck doesn't work so i feather the pedal until it will idle well, it gets better in warmer weather

SevenSeries · 03-09-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74 C-30

meh i wouldn't bother with the carb work, the auto choke on my truck doesn't work so i feather the pedal until it will idle well, it gets better in warmer weather

I do the same "4 barrel Holley carb 650 cfm" Lol

hawleykt · 03-09-2010, 10:43 PM

yea, thats what I have to do now, is feather the pedal and then once I get it going, I need to accelerate awhile and warm up the engine or sometimes it will sputter out. Does this mean there is a bad seal somewhere and it needs to warm up and expand?

hawleykt · 04-05-2010, 06:41 PM

finally got it out of storage...

well, like i said it was off a farm so i suspected some things to be jerry rigged....just found out its a 2 barrel carb instead of the standard quadrajet...they musta just replaced it with whatever they had layin around....its all jazzed up....so ill be searchin for one on the cheap....radiator also looks like a screen door...and somehow now the headlights are not workin...yet they were prior to storage...hopin a critter didnt get up in there and nibble on some stuff.

this is one expensive HOBBY!! lol

hawleykt · 04-06-2010, 04:42 PM

question.....

doin a new carb with electric choke and intake setup

have the option of goin with the quadrajet or edelbrock...which do u prefer/recommend?

i can get the quad intake for 30 bucks with the EGR....or a nearly brand new Edelbrock intake w/o it for free....thing is like 130 new. so im kinda on the fence.

i value your opinions.

hawleykt · 06-26-2010, 12:15 PM

I moved to wyoming, here are some new pictures. I still need do a new carb and intake manifold...and figure out why my headlights dont work anymore....

bucannon · 06-30-2010, 10:28 PM

nice truck, its got some potential

RandyP · 07-01-2010, 07:34 AM

If you're still on the fence about the carb, I'd suggest edelbrock all the way. My personal experience with the quadrajunks is less than positive.

Nice looking ride there, hope she likes Wyoming.

hawleykt · 07-05-2010, 10:17 PM

hawleykt · 07-05-2010, 10:21 PM

i couldnt get the steel lines off for the life of me...i tried wd 40...heatin em up...nuthin...finally said the heck with it and just cut em....

DBLSPRT68 · 07-07-2010, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucannon

nice truck, its got some potential

I agree!!!! Just keep doing things a little at a time. Looks great!

*Stitch* · 07-07-2010, 06:49 AM

If you're gonna be doing the cab corners the bed needs to come off. If you're gonna take the bed off you might as well as least clean up the frame the best you can. You could ziptie your taillights to your back bumper and take a trip to the local car wash and use their high peressure sprayer to get the mud and gunk outta the frame. Then if you want you can put some kind of paint on there to protect the frame some. That's something easy and if you're already there you might as well clean it. That mud will hold moisture and eventually start to rot your frame

03-06-2010, 11:08 AM	#1
hawleykt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 38	83 K20 - Big Brown Brand new here. A lilttle back story on my truck. Picked it up from a farmer in Mid-Michigan for $1,700 at auction after he died. It was used as a maintenance truck for the combines and tractors in the fields. Everyone in my family makes fun of me since its as old as I am, they thinkits just a waste of money and time. For me, I have wanted a 83-87 for as long as I can remember, so this is my Ferrari. Its not in the best of shape, the floor boards are pretty bad and its a little tough to start some times and I have to play with the manual choke and pump the gas, but it does start everytime...maybe just not the first turn. SO, since it runs pretty well and it doesnt have much rust (has some, but for a michigan truck it doesnt...since winters destroy our autos up here) I feel like I gota heck of a deal at 1700, since I was gonna pay around 1000 for one that was all rusted out and no tranny. I bought this truck because I have always thought they were awesome. I love the look. Nowadays, trucks dont look like "trucks"...the are too fancy and nice...to me, these are real trucks and scream american pride. The spring is right around the corner and I look forward to tinkering with "Big Brown" The utility boxes are off and the light as well. Attached Images

03-06-2010, 11:15 AM	#2
hawleykt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 38	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown Oh yea, and I dont know much about fixing autos..I can do brakes and change oil, thats about the extent of my knowledge...but hey, if you need someone to add windshield wiper fluid...IM YOUR GUY!! ....never had a shop class or anything at my school growin up, so im a newb...but i want to learn. so lets see. Hopefully dont aggrevate too many people on here with my complete lack of knowledge.

03-06-2010, 08:14 PM	#3
bm* Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: haslet, tx Posts: 24	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown haha 2 big browns!!

03-06-2010, 08:25 PM	#4
nlped Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hayden, Al. Posts: 4,148	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown Good starting point!!! Keep it up! __________________ Carter 1968 Chevy SWB Fleet... Walt 1963-1/2 Ford Falcon Futura...Martha

03-09-2010, 08:41 PM	#5
hawleykt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 38	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown i would like to take the bed off and sand blast and clean up the frame.... question, is it worth it to just do from the bed to the cab....or stupid? i dont feel as tho right now I have the capacity or know-how to do the front end and id hate to take it all apart to clean up the entire frame...and then have a gorgeous frame but not have a runnin truck because i dont have the know-how or money to put it all back together. any advice would be appreciated. thanks

03-09-2010, 09:17 PM	#6
74 C-30 Dually Pride Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NH Posts: 540	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown the frame is probably fine, if it ain't broke why fix it?? I'd be more worried about making it more reliable or enjoyable. whats your plans for it? __________________ If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand. '74 Chevy C-30 350/4 speed/dually '94 Ford Ranger

03-09-2010, 09:38 PM	#7
hawleykt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 38	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown well its integrity is fine...but it was a service truck out in the fields so its got 20 years of caked on mud and such that has been hiding under there...i dont know, i just saw how some other people cleaned up their frames and it made me want to make mine look that good. I agree, I would like to make it more reliable, but am not really sure what all to do to achieve that. As of right now all I have done is cleaned the heck out of it, taken off the utility boxes, and replaced one muffler that was rotten. Plans for this spring/summer -I need to replace the cab corners and rockers -The bed floor and cab floor need to be patched (hopefully) and not completely replaced. -Clean up a few rust spots -remove running boards -perhaps some carb work so I can get it to start easier and not have to play with the manual choke and gas eventually i would like to lift it a bit so i can get some 33s on it Last edited by hawleykt; 03-09-2010 at 10:40 PM.

03-09-2010, 10:05 PM	#8
74 C-30 Dually Pride Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NH Posts: 540	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown meh i wouldn't bother with the carb work, the auto choke on my truck doesn't work so i feather the pedal until it will idle well, it gets better in warmer weather __________________ If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand. '74 Chevy C-30 350/4 speed/dually '94 Ford Ranger

03-09-2010, 10:43 PM	#10
hawleykt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 38	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown yea, thats what I have to do now, is feather the pedal and then once I get it going, I need to accelerate awhile and warm up the engine or sometimes it will sputter out. Does this mean there is a bad seal somewhere and it needs to warm up and expand?

04-05-2010, 06:41 PM	#11
hawleykt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 38	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown finally got it out of storage... well, like i said it was off a farm so i suspected some things to be jerry rigged....just found out its a 2 barrel carb instead of the standard quadrajet...they musta just replaced it with whatever they had layin around....its all jazzed up....so ill be searchin for one on the cheap....radiator also looks like a screen door...and somehow now the headlights are not workin...yet they were prior to storage...hopin a critter didnt get up in there and nibble on some stuff. this is one expensive HOBBY!! lol

04-06-2010, 04:42 PM	#12
hawleykt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 38	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown question..... doin a new carb with electric choke and intake setup have the option of goin with the quadrajet or edelbrock...which do u prefer/recommend? i can get the quad intake for 30 bucks with the EGR....or a nearly brand new Edelbrock intake w/o it for free....thing is like 130 new. so im kinda on the fence. i value your opinions.

06-26-2010, 12:15 PM	#13
hawleykt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 38	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown I moved to wyoming, here are some new pictures. I still need do a new carb and intake manifold...and figure out why my headlights dont work anymore.... Last edited by hawleykt; 06-26-2010 at 12:16 PM.

06-30-2010, 10:28 PM	#14
bucannon Salty Sailor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Savannah, Ga Posts: 603	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown nice truck, its got some potential __________________ 86 c-10 Custom Deluxe Savannah, Georgia

07-01-2010, 07:34 AM	#15
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown If you're still on the fence about the carb, I'd suggest edelbrock all the way. My personal experience with the quadrajunks is less than positive. Nice looking ride there, hope she likes Wyoming.

07-05-2010, 10:17 PM	#16
hawleykt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 38	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown Last edited by hawleykt; 07-05-2010 at 10:19 PM.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

07-05-2010, 10:21 PM	#17
hawleykt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 38	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown i couldnt get the steel lines off for the life of me...i tried wd 40...heatin em up...nuthin...finally said the heck with it and just cut em....

07-07-2010, 06:49 AM	#19
Stitch Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Where I come from, it's cornbread and chicken... Posts: 3,122	Re: 83 K20 - Big Brown If you're gonna be doing the cab corners the bed needs to come off. If you're gonna take the bed off you might as well as least clean up the frame the best you can. You could ziptie your taillights to your back bumper and take a trip to the local car wash and use their high peressure sprayer to get the mud and gunk outta the frame. Then if you want you can put some kind of paint on there to protect the frame some. That's something easy and if you're already there you might as well clean it. That mud will hold moisture and eventually start to rot your frame

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.