63 K20 introduction, and request for suggestions

[guy0783]

I just picked up a 63 K20 and have been lurking on the site. I'd been looking for an old truck to work on and have fun with my sons, Carter 9, and Hudson 5. I'm no mechanic, but I can do general repairs, changing fluids, rebuilding carbs, replacing brakes, etc. Seems like a great, helpful forum.

Seems like a lot of really nice stock trucks on here so I don't know how mine will go over. It's got a pretty good lift, cowl hood, and the frame was cut. It's got some rust, but the cab Vin and frame #s match. Seems like original Eaton HO52 and Dana 44 axels, and it's got a 283 with a 4 speed. I haven't been able to get to the cast# on the block to check if it could be original.

I'm gonna start with some general maintenance and go from there. What do you all think?

[guy0783]

Oh, and my name is Curtis. I'm from Oklahoma.

[61K10]

Welcome and nice k20. Frame was cut? for a short bed? A lot of great info on this forum.

[guy0783]

Thanks, yeah it was originally a long bed, but was cut down and now has a short step side. I've got wiring gremlins, oil change, and diff fluid checks on the list for today.

[el minero]

Nice truck!! Love the hood!!

[Mathew21]

Nice truck, Welcome!

[guy0783]

I've ordered the 63 truck shop manual and have it in the mail. What I'm finding looks like 80w-90 gear oil goes in front and rear diffs, and transfer case. Does the 4spd take the same? Is GL-5 OK? I know on my old 47 dodge I couldn't do gl5 due to it attacking yellow metals.

[guy0783]

Couple better pics in the light....

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Curtis

That's a nice looking truck. Hopefully the frame shortening was done correctly. I've seen some scary stuff and seen some break too.

['63GENIII]

I like! Welcome Curtis!

I too had the wiring gremlins from the PO. Finally got tired of the electrical fires and took a few days just in pulling out what wasnt original. From there I tried to get it to run and replacing wiring that was needed to make it function right. Fuses are your friend. Great project for you and the kids.

My kids wouldn't let me get rid of our '63 now.

[Brad54]

Yup--wiring gremlins here, too.
I bought an American AutoWire kit, installed it in a day, and never had another problem.
Sooooooo worth the money.
Driving home with no tail lights and your right turn signal on because it's night time and the cop just screamed at you to turn your lights on because you didn't know the rear light harness burned up and the turn signal acted as a hazard light... just not fun.
Then follow that up with the dimmer switch harness burning out, and having intermittent headlights...

yay wiring...

-Brad

[allytle]

Beautiful truck!

[guy0783]

Thanks all! The frame was straight cut and re-welded together with a side plate welded at the top and bottom.

Yesterday I changed oil, topped off diff fluid, replaced distributor cap, rotor, coil, plugs, and wires, and greased the steering linkage.

Thankfully I've had no fires from my wiring mess, but I got the fuel gauge working, found the burned up temp wire and fixed it to get the temp Gauge working, and got the drivers side headlight/running light working after fixing the ground.

[RANDY COX]

Welcome Curtis I don't know how I missed this..KOOL truck I like it lifted and the Cowl Hood...I just recently swapped my fleetside bed for a KOOL stepside with the spare tire carrier...

I've recently painted the bed to match the rest of truck, I have to get some new pixs....

[Brad54]

Yeah, Randy, you DEFINITELY need to take some more pics!

What size wheels, and what size tires are on your truck?

-Brad

[guy0783]

Thanks Randy, nice truck! I'm trying to think about what to do with my spare mount. A spare that will work for me with the other tires won't fit there. Maybe a dummy spare?

[RANDY COX]

Yea I'm not sure what you could do unless you modify it bigger to fit your size tires...If you want to see some more pixs of my truck go to my build page...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...9&d=1504543701

[RANDY COX]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559169

[DPowers]

Good looking truck.

[Short 3/4]

Love the truck! I've always had a thing for shortbed 3/4 tons and am building a 65 4x4.I started to cut down a K20 like yours, but wound up bolting the stock 3/4 ton stuff to a short K10. Really like that you still have the stock running gear, its all very bullet proof, and parts are out there, both new and used.Forum members can tell you where to find them. Have fun driving the truck that Chevy should have built back then. Tom

[guy0783]

Thanks, it's taking some work, but I'm enjoying it. New radiator hoses and pcv/carb hoses in yesterday with a new pcv valve. Pinion seals in the next couple days.

What is the filter called where the passenger side breather tube connects to the air filter housing? Pretty sure mine is plugged up. I thought about a gas rinse, or spraying it out with carb cleaner too.....

[cooperhw]

Welcome to the club. Nice truck. Them kids of yours are gonna be building their own memories of "Dad's Old Truck". Good times.
Me and my brother learned to drive in a 59 Apache out in the desert. Dad would get her going slow then slide out on the running board and let us boys drive while he got in the back and shot doves.
Your truck reminds me of the old "Ramjet" drag racers. Similar color theme.

[Palf70Step]

Sharp looking truck!

90% or more electrical gremlins on these trucks are due to band grounds between cab/Body/bed & frame