New Member with new to me '71 K20

[Prematuregrey]

Quick introduction since I'm new to the forum.

Just got this nice '71 K20 and figured I'd join up since I've had good luck with help from other forums on model specific questions that I know will arise. Got the truck up In Washington near where I'm working for a pretty good price for the condition. I've been looking for a truck to use as a tow rig for my toys and such and actually was leaning towards another >06 Tundra but this thing grabbed me and so the story begins.

Naming it Clifford (after the big red dog), so far I've enjoyed it just putting around up here in Wa. Getting it shipped home to Austin next week then the fun will begin. As for the truck, its got the 402 in it with a TH-350, Eldelbrock Performer intake, Holly 4 barrel and a massive cam. She runs great but drinks gas around town, I wasn't expecting a Prius though. Its got a 4-6" Superlift all spring kit with dual shocks all the way around, I've been in tanks that ride smoother. Other than that, real good truck and I'm happy with it.

On to the pics:






My toy that it will be hauling




My other WIP in the stable:


Thanks in advance for all the help I'm sure y'all will provide in the future.

Ethan

[john]

She's a beaut. Welcome to the board.

[1972SUPERSB]

Nice looking truck! Welcome from Texas!
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[Ol Blue K20]

Nice truck, welcome from Nor Cal! Let me know if you want to throw those old hub caps away

[MidLifer]

Heck, if you stumble across another truck just like that one, let me know! Looks pretty rust-free and with the stock steelies, just like I like 'em!

[Stocker]

Welcome from N. Calif! That's a beautiful truck.... I wonder if it may have belonged to a board member. Nice that it has extra tanks, too. As for the ride, check those shocks.... with duals all around, it needs to have shocks designed for dual applications. Doubling up on single shocks will make the ride stiffer.

[Prematuregrey]

Thanks all,

The shocks and steering stabilizer are trash. Suspension is kinda my thing so it will be one of the first things I tackle when I get it back home. Prolly going to go back to singles for the time being with some Bilstein 5100/25's and a new stabilizer. The truck has just a little bit of rust under the fenders but nothing I can't treat and touch up myself. Not sure if it was anyone's on here or not. The back story I got was that the guy I got it from got it on trade about 4-5 month's ago from someone that had moved up to Washington from Portland. That guy had it something like 8 years and best guess is he did a mild resto on it between 5-8 years ago with a pretty good repaint and I think the suspension was put on then as well, new seat and some other touch-up work. May have even put the 402 in it as I'm not sure it came factory with it. I'm guessing he started running into issues with the intake last year as that's when it got the new intake, carb, cam and main seals then he traded it off.

I'm working on a list of to-do's on it right now, its a pretty short list but does have some major items to address like the shocks.

The Aux tank cover locks are froze or the I don't have a key for it. PO said he never opened them as the other PO never used them. So I'm gonna drop the tanks and get them vatted and lined and get the locks repaired so they will be useable as this is meant to be a tow rig and I'd like to pass up at least one gas station.

The wiring has seen its better days. I've been eyeing a complete harness from LMC truck but not sure weather I want to drop that much or not. I'm pretty good at wiring myself as it is part of my job so I could possibly tackle it with a little research. It all depends on cost verses effort/time. If anyone has some advice on this, I'm open to suggestions. I know to search the forum, just haven't dug that far yet.

I'd like to get a tach on it, want to stay original, any suggestions on that?

Gotta get a radio in him, the dash hasn't been cut so I want to stay with a retro dual shaft. Recommendations? I've seen the Retro Sound ones and the ones offered on Classic Industries

Some of the exhaust needs touch up welds but nothing too bad.

Like I said, pretty short list. Y'all should see the list that was and still is on the Benz to get where she is at.

[Sicklajoie]

Congrats! Great looking ride!

[PanelDeland]

Welcome!! You're right about the engine.Factory never put BB in a K model.A factory tach dash should work with it.There'll be a thread on it if you search.

[matt_field]

Welcome!! i love that truck, Just how i want mine to sit also. Been restored or is it original?

matt

[Prematuregrey]

Wanted to update the pics from the ones I took when I bought it. Its been running great, I think it had a mild resto done awhile back. At least it was changed from solid red to the two tone it has now. Noticed on the SPID that the BB was put in in 86. Waiting to get her shipped to Texas now, should be there next week and I'm stoked about it.

Some interior shots.
Rolled 140K on the odo but I don't think it is original to the chassis. I actually think they replaced the odo when they did the engine.




The interior is fairly unmolested and I hope to keep it that way. The seat is going to have to change to something a little more comfortable though. Any suggestions on an easy and tasteful swap, looking to keep a bench type set-up?



Some better exterior shots. Definitely going to have to polish it up some when I get it home, but overall in great shape.





The bed liner was sprayed in pretty light so may have to do a kit on it or something. Hopefully I won't have to strip it, if I do it may just get a bed mat.



See y'all in Texas.

[DeadheadNM]

Looks great. Who's handling your shipping? Curious in case I ever need to ship a truck. Good luck. Pete

[Prematuregrey]

I got a quote through transportreviews.com which was recommended to me along with uship.com by some friends and other forums I'm on. I wound up accepting a quote from Montway Auto Transport but won't say I'm a satisfied customer. They've missed the shipping date when the request was made 3 weeks in advance which means I've had to leave it with a friend to get it loaded. Plus they have increased the price on me twice from the initial quote. Only a $50 increase total but still. I'm waiting to see how the transport goes, they don't pick it up till Monday. I used to build car hauler trailers for Take 3 and have worked with several auto transporters then so I understand the difficulties in scheduling this so I'm not angry with them. I just think they could have handled this a little better. Its all a gamble now that Gore invented the enterweb. :-)

[50bomb]

4x4

[SCHRUMGMC]

Awesome looking truck man

[RCbowtie69]

Nice truck you got there,keep on truckin''

[Prematuregrey]

Finally got it home and cleaned up from all the soot from the road. The shipper had a lot of excuses about being 3 days late but it showed up safe and unharmed so I won't *****. Got the trailer hitch and wiring done today and washed him up and was able to stack the driveway so everything fits. Already took a load to the dump with it. Ain't no easy days around here.

[Lemield]

Nice truck!

For your seat question: I had a local upholstery shop rebuild the seat for me. He added some padding and it is REALLY comfortable. Might be an option if you want to keep the bench seat, plus it helps a local business.

[BB72CHEVKT]

Nice find!

[leftybass209]

Beautiful truck! Any plans for it now that it sits in your driveway?
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[Prematuregrey]

Its a work truck. No more heavy hauls for the Benz or the time we hauled 6 12' 4x10"s home in a Saab. I bought it to tow the Runner. Just pulled the Aux tanks and was happy that they are in great shape so cleaning them and replacing the fuel lines then back on they go. No sending units in them so that kinda sucks but I shouldn't have any problem with running out of fuel. Broke one of the long carriage bolts that hold the tanks up, anyone know where I could find a replacement? Fastenal says they would have to custom make it so I'll be using all-thread till I find one.