1971 K20 Build Thread (Not a Build Thread)

[IronCanine]

Here's a short thread, that's more of a thank you than a documentation of a project (at least in the sense of our other build threads). But it was/is a ton of fun and it had some steps...so here are few.

I had let it be know to a few that my brother was on the lookout for a decent K truck that was farm truck material. It wasn't long before Chevyland alerted me to a truck that Undertaker72 had that might fit the bill. It was a 71 K20 Z84 4sp wht/dk blue with black interior built in Sept 70 at St. Louis. He recognized it for what it was and rescued it from a nearby farm several years ago. Thank goodness he banked that truck. Kevin (Undertaker72) and others on here are really caretakers/stewards and have been saving trucks since long before they became super popular.

Chevyland had spied it on one of his wonderful roadtrips where he connects with members and makes virtual friends real ones. He too saw the potential and teed me up.

Kevin was so kind and accommodating. He recommended a great shipper...and she was off from Utah to Georgia.

[IronCanine]

A lot of cool things about this truck. It's an early 71 and retains the original red Spicer hub dials. Also an original paint truck with all the St. Louis factory mark ups. But some rust of course, and she hadn't run in a really long time. Original motor had been swapped out with a later model 350, but tranny back was original.

We shipped it to here to Athens to sort it out before sending it further south to it's new life with my brother. OLDYELLOW jumped on the rust and paint repair. Rockers and cab corners...buffed out what could be salvaged...treated and blew in the rest.

[IronCanine]

Just so happens I had a lot of '71 pieces from a donor truck (which fortuitously had a very nice black interior. I cleaned those up and salvaged what I could from the truck itself. Since this will be a working truck, a mat replaced the carpet.

Lest anyone think we aren't serious...the donor dash pad is date code correct for this truck

[IronCanine]

She got new brakes (booster/lines/calipers/etc) and new fuel tank and lines. I took off an Edlebrock carb and put on a 71 QJ. Unfortunately the existing intake didn't have provisions for a divorced choke. So I ordered a manual choke cluster bezel and ran a cable. Put together a decent set of DG4s and (along with a lot of
help from OLDYELLOW and his sons), cleaned/repaired/replaced all the critical elements.

And finally threw on a Tuff Country 2" lift and loaded her up Friday night for an early morning trip to south GA.

My brother was waiting with a circa 1986 Jansen radio that he picked up off eBay for $10. If anyone has a nice Whitesnake tape, please PM him.

[IronCanine]

So we got to spend the weekend piddling and chasing punch list items. Still a lot to do (like AC). But she's moving again for the first time in forever, and that's a big deal for any machine. I don't know if she'll ever be a full nut/bolt resto for us. But, IMO, she's definitely a truck worthy of it. I mean gosh, don't you love those chrome sticks.

But this is it for now. She's a farm truck carting tools and probably a diesel tank from pasture to pasture. Not a bad gig for truck or driver.

Finally...a big thank you to Kevin, Eric, Eric, Will, Mason, Tim (Uncle), Brian (Hay Man 17), and anyone who otherwise helped/contributed. I might like these trucks that can take a scratch better.

[Getter-Done]

Nice job on everyone's part of bring one back to Life.

[JT_Trucks87]

Looks like a great truck. Blue is my favorite! Great job all that are involved.

[LT7A]

I'm a big fan of fix them, clean them, and get them back on the road type projects. This was fun to watch and would have been even better if it was 10 pages longer, haha. Thanks for showing us. Would love to have that truck in my driveway.

[Louisvillekytruck]

Great looking truck

[chewychevy67]

You and your brother and oldyellow do some beautiful work. Wish I was closer to see some of these beautiful rigs you guys build.

[DeadheadNM]

Great job guys! Looks ready for another 50 y of service. Thanks for posting the pics. I bet it gets a lot of attention.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Nice job on everyone's part of bring one back to Life.

Thanks. Always a group effort.

Originally Posted by JT_Trucks87

Looks like a great truck. Blue is my favorite! Great job all that are involved.

Thanks. You know I love blue. My next one (which is all mine) is a 70 dk blue...so it'll be three different blues in a row.

Originally Posted by LT7A

I'm a big fan of fix them, clean them, and get them back on the road type projects. This was fun to watch and would have been even better if it was 10 pages longer, haha. Thanks for showing us. Would love to have that truck in my driveway.

I gotta say it was a ton of fun. Fresh paint and finishes is so stressful. You can lay a wrench down on this truck. It's opened my eyes a little bit about the best way to enjoy these trucks.

Originally Posted by Louisvillekytruck

Great looking truck

Thanks Kenny.

Originally Posted by chewychevy67

You and your brother and oldyellow do some beautiful work. Wish I was closer to see some of these beautiful rigs you guys build.

You're very kind Rod. I like your style. It would be fun to get your input on stuff.

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Great job guys! Looks ready for another 50 y of service. Thanks for posting the pics. I bet it gets a lot of attention.

Thanks Pete. I think she's got a lot left in her. She just needed a chance. Also, it was kind of fun to live in the big tire crowd for little while. Now back to the 750-16s!!!

[uncle]

Looking good.

[68bowtie]

Well done! Looks amazing.

[OLDYELLOW]

You forgot to thank Molly. I think she really liked this one.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by uncle

Looking good.

Thanks Tim.

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

Well done! Looks amazing.

Thanks. I sure do like it.

Originally Posted by OLDYELLOW

You forgot to thank Molly. I think she really liked this one.

OMG. Molly is my fav. What an oversight. Hopefully she will forgive me.

[IronCanine]

A little update on this 'not a build' thread. Even though we got her running, it was pretty obvious that the motor in it was more than a little tired. I happened to have a truck 350 lying around that (like some of the other parts that made their way onto this project) was date code correct for this truck. So we broke it down and sent it off to the machine shop.

[IronCanine]

Cleaned up easily at .030 over on the block and .010 under on the crank. Real simple stock build.

[IronCanine]

Dropped the new motor in this week. She fired off and ran pretty uneventfully. The usual install dramas. Some self inflicted. (There is a 4WD specific spark plug wire bracket for a reason.)

My brother drove up today and loaded her back up for the trip to south GA. Now she can get broken in right. He was kind enough to bring our next project while he was coming.

PS The A/C is his problem to solve

[chewychevy67]

Your favorite colors must be blue , blue and blue lol. Looks amazing.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by chewychevy67

Your favorite colors must be blue , blue and blue lol. Looks amazing.

Seems like it. Funny thing is we've done a 1969 in 508 dk blue (though candidly a doctored version), this one is a 1971 in 523 dk blue and about to do 1970 which is also a 508 dk blue. But dk blue in 69 was different from 70 and changed again in 71. But I like em all.

PS I know the actual SPID code is not 508 or 523 for either of those trucks because they are two tone...just talking specifically about the blue.

[IronCanine]

RIP Kevin. So grateful that you saved this truck (like you did so many others). And then passing the baton to us to get it back on the road. We affectionately call this truck Utah. Here's to a real truck dude. You'll be missed buddy.

[Getter-Done]

Sad to hear this.

RIP Kevin.

[JT_Trucks87]

I was very sad to hear this news myself. REST IN PEACE BUDDY! Your knowledge will be missed.