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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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69' CST K20 Build
I figure it's time to commit to a build thread for my long project.
I bought my running 1969 original complete CST K20 on a whim with the intention of making it reliable and using it. At the time I was in college and needed a truck for my side business of tree trimming and firewood. I didnt realize what a special thing I had found at the time, but I began to fix the body quickly within the first year. It was white/turquoise, and had a good amount of water damage. The inner/outer roof, rockers, drip rails, floors, corners, kick panels and bed needed metal work. It lived most of its life in California so everything else is very nice. Lots of dents too though, it was a Fire Dept utility truck. It was mechanically serviced with regularity it seems. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Posts: 233
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
Nice! I love the dump bed.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
Thanks, thats what really caught my eye too.
So I began to fix the metal, just sort of dove into it. I had a good amount of experience welding, but had never replaced entire panels. The rockers I had ordered from a catalog didn't fit well so I sent them back and bought a quality set from Summitt racing just down the road. Same with the inner roof, the rest was all from scratch. |
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#4 |
All about them K’s
![]() Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Entrapment
Posts: 6,393
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
Looks Great! It’s good to see another K20 saved.
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Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2017
Location: Dowagiac Michigan
Posts: 202
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
Ok so I never really thought about a dump bed till now
That is wicked Would really like to see some detailed pic's of how that was framed and hinged Good luck and have fun with the build |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
I'll grab some detail shots of the bed. Both roof outer sides, drip rails, and inner roof were replaced.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
This was the least fun, if I had to do it over I may consider just cutting out all the original material and fit the whole panel, but it worked. I also didnt want to compromise the 4x4 sticker on the roof.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mid NE USA
Posts: 2,212
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
That is some nice work.
Ron
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Member #111 68 C-10 ![]() 70 ![]() 76 Jeep CJ-5 Help Support the Board: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. Thomas Jefferson |
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#9 |
All about them K’s
![]() Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Entrapment
Posts: 6,393
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
Heck yea that is nice work!
__________________
Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
Thanks guys, better pics of the dump bed mechanism.
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2017
Location: Dowagiac Michigan
Posts: 202
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
Thanks for the pics
That going on my todo list for next year |
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,964
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
Wow, I never would have guessed that the saddle tanks in a dumper would stay attached to the bed as it moves. Requires routing the fuel lines all the way aft of the hinge. Interesting.
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
You are right, I'm guessing the tanks were installed before the dump was.
Also though on the saddle tanks, the filler neck and cap are so tight between the inner and outer bedsides, that they would eventually end up crushed when the bed returns down if mounted otherwise. |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,964
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
Yeah, duh, now that I think about it - they would HAVE to be attached to the bedfloor with the side fillers or an NL2. That tells me the dump was probably installed later than the tanks (which were probably dealer installed) - if the tanks were added later, you could just have top fill on them, and "pop" the bed at the gas station and puump gas straight into the tanks. Kinda like the fenderwell fill tanks, which don't require any cutting on the bedsides. Full tank weight is probably also a factor - would be a little challenging mounting them to the frame or something like that. So the way it is now is making a lot more sense...
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
This was an interresting fix at the front of the rocker joint. It's sealed off after the outer rocker is welded up.
After quite a bit of block sanding and skim coats I sprayed it in a high build urathane sealer, then blocked that out one more time. |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
So I did all this work when I was about 23, and my taste has changed a bit, but I still like the color I chose for the truck. If I had to paint it now maybe I would consider the original turquoise.
I had a buddy who owns a shop have his temporary painter spray it on a weekend. He laid the color down nice, but ended up terribly running the clear...more sanding. You can see some runs in thr bed rail radius if you look close. He also missed the color split on the cab by a mile. Just aggrivating, also if I redid it I would have pulled all the panels and painted the bare cab so I wouldn't be going through it with satin black now. |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
After I brought it home.
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 3,694
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
You have done a great job! That truck looks good. Keep those pics coming.
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#19 |
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 16,123
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
Love the blue, very nice.
__________________
"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Azle,Texas
Posts: 2,248
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
Thanks for showing us! I would love to have a dump bed too. Do you notice any problems in normal use because of the dump, or is it just all bonus?
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Brian 1972 C10, "Loyd", LWB to SWB, 5.3, L83/6L80e, 4:11 Tru Trac, Air Ride, VA, DD, 20" Coys, 4 wheel disc, A quick LS swap turned into a 6 year frame off resto-mod. |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
I haven't noticed any negatives yet from the dump bed. The only thing that concerns me is towing, being that the hitch is connected to the frame by the dump pivot pins with the rest of the bed. I think it's fine though.
After the truck was painted I lost my space to work on it, and my garage at home wasn't long enough to fit it. I had to store it in a temporary tarp building outdoors for 6 years. It was virtually impossible to motivate myself to work on mud and leaves, 100 yards away from my garage and tools. It made it through many windstorms, snow and ice and water piling on top, and branches falling. Not without constant attention and guy wires and a re roof job though. It's a miracle it made it without a scratch. That brings us to 2 years ago, where I finally bought a nice farm with buildings and space to work. Only problem was that there was lumber everywhere piled to the roof. It took another year and a half to move my truck into my new shop. Then I started getting excited about it again. |
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#22 |
Vintage 4x4s
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Prior Lake, MN
Posts: 4,305
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
I really like your truck. These CST K/20's are rare. Even cooler is the fact its blue. Your bodywork skills are impressive and so is the dump bed. Hope to see more updates.
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67 GMC K1500 Custom- 305V6 SM420, PTO, Ram Assist, yellow (the outcast) (project period correct upgrades) 67 GMC C2500 351V6 TH400, AC, PS, PB (can't decide what to do with. Update, decided to keep and will restore ![]() 86 CHV K30 502 th400, apple red NEW 71 CHV K20 350 SM465, ochre (saved work truck) 71 CHV K20 292 SM465, white, tach, PTO, (future project) 72 CHV K20 350 350th, medium blue (project stocker) 01 CHV K2500hd crew, indigo blue ^3 dont run and the others don't see winter either '86 K30 Cummins "Fireside" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=649649 '71 K20 "get driveable" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590642 '72 K20 Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=493477&page=6 |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Bismarck, ND
Posts: 4,285
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
That thing is a monster! Love it. I will be watching this build.
__________________
Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club. |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
I've been slowly chipping away at the mechanicals the last few months, and painting as I go along. I've replaced the body bushings, rebuilt the front brakes, installed new front bearings, and a few more little things. I'll have the front axle together and back on the ground within a week I hope. I had taken a few extra days off work around memorial day to finish the axle, but life is much more complicated now with a new little one.
Of course I had to reset the fenders and doors also after I did the body bushings so get it just right. |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mantua Ohio
Posts: 190
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Re: 69' CST K20 Build
My sandblaster is really nice for all this prep work.
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