Henrietta....67 K20 rustification

[trapperjack]

Starting a thread here on my 67 3/4 ton 4x4. Has been a ranch truck since day 1 back in 67. The PO bought her and hauled it from Idaho to Texas, because of the minimal amount of rust. He used it on the ranch about 2 hrs away from me. He rebuilt a 75 4 bolt 350 from a suburban with way low miles. Had the tranny and transfer case (Rockwell 221) rebuilt, and axles gone through with new bearings and seals. New windshield, rear little window, and new rubber for both. New rims and tires. Had about 100 miles on it when he was t-boned on a county road going from one ranch gate to another. Saw the gas tank filler and swore to not get in it again. I got it for a song. I've removed the smashed bed and d-side door, pounded out the pillar, replaced gas tank, d-side door, rear leaf spring hangers and shackle, painted a few things, and have been driving it around the pasture. I got a brand new, in the box and plastic 8 track player, so I can hear some Lynyrd Skynrd while fixing fence, taking kids to school, or going hunting. Found a Chevrolet factory flatbed for it, and hope to have it tagged and inspected in a week or so. I'll post a few photos. The guy I got it from, bought it because it was just like his first truck, and I bought it from him because it's just like my first truck. An Ace Hardware red rattle-can primer job is coming soon, with gloss white grill trim and buckets. Rear bumper has a built in hitch, and doubles as an air tank.
Photos will start from when I brought it home.

[trapperjack]

Wondering if that's a factory wasp nest.

[trapperjack]

Replaced the door, will replace vent window later, and door felts and rubbers. Fixed rear leaf hanger and shackle, painted replacement door inside, and got 67 plates for it. I'm about a week or so from having her on the road and legal again.

[trapperjack]

Here's the tags, never issued 67 plates, and a little buddy. Too cute of a photo to pass up.

[trapperjack]

Was given a front bumper that was pretty mangled, dented, welded on and bent. I spent a while yesterday pounding on it with a sledge, unbending, and grinding. Painted it today, and mounted with what bolts I could round up. I need to find 4x4 outside brackets, but this is legal for now.
and the rear tube bumper. May sand and paint it today.

[trapperjack]

Got the flatbed set in place. I think this was a 60-66 flat bed. I'll make it work. I'm going to build a new headache rack for it, this one doesn't quite look right, and whoever built it, did it so that the sideboards won't come off unless the headboard is off. And i did get the rear tube bumper painted. Not sure I like it now. Do need the hitch. We'll see.

[propanemudtruck]

Cool story and cool truck! Good thing nobody was hurt in the wreck!

[trapperjack]

Yep, lucky no one was hurt. He had his arm hanging out the window, never saw the kid coming. Couldn't get out the door, had to crawl out the passenger side. Saw the gas tank filler, and never got in it again.

Found a decent longbed fleetbed for it last night, even is the right color, or close to it. The flat bed will be on craigslist soon. 8 bolts in the new bed, hook up tailights, and I'm off for inspection and registration. Yee-haw.

[trapperjack]

Got the bed on with the help of my 13 yr old boy and a chain hoist and some baleing wire. Not bolted down, that will have to wait for daylight. Came with lights and a working tailgate. Not bad for $150. Anyone need a good factory flatbed?

[propanemudtruck]

Nice Score!

[trapperjack]

Lots of surface rust in the bed floor. I think I'll fill it full of chains while I drive around, or see about having it sandblasted. Don't really want to spend the money on that, but I am going to roll on a bedliner, and want to kill any rust. Got the passenger side lights hooked up and working, except for retreat, not sure why it won't work. Had a snag on the driver side, but I believe I have it figured out.

[trapperjack]

Everything but retreat works like a champ. oh, and license light, but I have a spare somewhere. Think I read somewhere reverse lights were an option in 67, and I think this had a long stepside originally, so maybe that's why retreat doesn't work. My 9 yr old girl helped with the wiring.

[trapperjack]

Got the window, regulator, and door lock cylandar out of my sprare door. After installing the lock cylander, i'll be able to lock it on the rare occasion I take it to town. Still don't have the bed bolted down right. Metal floor beds from from later 2wd's don't like being on a 67 4x4. But it will be. I have a drill, and I'm not afraid to use it.

[madmopar]

cool truck... good luck. nice price on the bed! It looks a lot better than the flatbed.

[trapperjack]

I wanted the flatbed, would have worked like a champ, but I'm also in a hurry, and have limited funds. Here's the the $150 bed mounted, and getting rinsed out. Has alot of surface rust on the bed floor, and dirt and such in the corners. Rinsed it out, and going to ospho the whole inside of the bed.
And that front bumper was free....just took a littler sledging to get it to cooperate.

[trapperjack]

Worked over the original tailgate, works great now. Having a hard time finding a bumper for the back, so I went ahead and mounted that tube bumper back on. i need a tire, and I'm ready for inspection.

[trapperjack]

Forgot photo.

[trapperjack]

Dang it.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by trapperjack

Lots of surface rust in the bed floor. I think I'll fill it full of chains while I drive around, or see about having it sandblasted. Don't really want to spend the money on that, but I am going to roll on a bedliner, and want to kill any rust. Got the passenger side lights hooked up and working, except for retreat, not sure why it won't work. Had a snag on the driver side, but I believe I have it figured out.

Here's a link on rust removal that might help, find a 1/2 gallon if concrete cleaner at a hardware store or even a pool supply place that has muratic acid in it, from what i understand you can spray it at full strength or even dilute it with water, it turns the rust black and neutralizes it..

EDIT: Forgot to add just use a spray bottle and dampen the rust areas with it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...lize+rust+acid

[trapperjack]

Thanks for the link. That's what I did with the gas tank I put in, worked like a champ. I used ospho in the bed, and also brushed it on any other little surface rust areas around the truck. Turns the rust black, and I think can be painted over after it cures. I've used it on fenceposts for years, it's good stuff.

[oldsoul70]

Trapperjack,
Nice flat bed! I'm working on a '62 and have been hunting for a flatbed from the right era. To bad I'm in Idaho or I'd get you some cash money.... How did you know what year chev the flat bed was from? Do you have any more picks of it?
Great truck... that's gonna be a hard workin some*****!

[trapperjack]

I don't know what year it's from, am guessing the 60's from the script embossed on the back panel....I'll find a photo and post it up a little later.

[trapperjack]

this shows the Chevrolet script. I'm just guessing 60's era.

[oldsoul70]

Right on. That script is awesome! Thanks for the pic.

[trapperjack]

Ace Hardware rattle-can red primer. 1st coat.