72 K20 build thread, Major Update
 

Hi everyone. I've been a member on this site for a couple of years now but recently changed my username (used to be Madbomber88). I have a 72 K20 and a 71 K5.

I'm finally biting the bullet and jumping in with both feet on a frame off restoration/modification of the K20. It began tonight!

This will be a long and most likely slow process, but here's my original intent (subject to change due to budget constraints of course).

Goal is a stockish looking 72 on the outside with the technology on the inside to be a 100% reliable daily driver.
- New GM PP 383 mated to some TBD Fuel Injection
- NV4500 conversion
- Trying to keep the same basic color scheme but am open to all ideas (please!)
- Relocate fuel tank to under bed
- Update interior for comfort and convenience
- The rest is up in the air, but basically take everything apart, clean, paint, protect and put back together
- Keeping the new 14B FF with limited slip in the rear and the newly rebuilt D44 in front (both are 3.42s)

Wish me luck, and I'll do my best to post everything I do, and I welcome any and all comments, both the good, bad and the ugly.
-Tim

Before pics...

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Ok, now the first actual build post (although not much)
Shut off the engine for the last time, and put her up on those wheel dollies.
The garage is relatively small, and this will allow me to push it agains the wall when I need the room. So far so good, but it takes alot of force to push her around, alot more so than advertised.
Anyone have a good name for this build?

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Looks like a nice project! I have 3 questions though, what size tires are those, and what kind of rims are those/ what did they come off of or where did you get them? they look cool, almost like a Chrysler rallye-style wheel.

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

The tires are 285/75/16s on the original rims that came with the truck. I've never thought about them before, I always thought they were just the originals. You think they may not be? Haven't decided if I will keep them or not...

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Jake,
whereabouts in Maine are you? I have family in both Portland (he owns a chevy dealership), and Kennebunk

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Well,they arent the stock rims for the era,thats for sure.Nice Project.I remember when mine went on the dollies so it could be moved around,now the tires are too wide for them...:lol:

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Ahhhh yup,got people in Bideford Pool,right between them the two,I do.Those are Dodge wheels,like-em.
Cheyenne K.How`s that?

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

No, those aren't original 1972 rims, they look damned cool IMO though. I'm about 3 hours up from Sanford, on the coast. (don't want to give out my town name, people will start stalking me. :lol: j/k)

Those are Dodge rims, Tim?

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Jake: Here is a pic of the Chrysler Rallye. I have them on my '39 Ford.

LockDoc

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

this is the only type of wheel I have ever known to be called a Chrysler Rallye. Those on the 39 ford look like a Chevy rally to me:confused: The truck wheels do look like the Chry wheels...I love em.

I love the truck by the way!
Totally awesome

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

nice truck... I like the original looking paint, what size tires are those?

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

They look a little like what Bus Ted Knuckle posted. They have a similar resemblence anyway. :D

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Mike, they're 285/75/16s. I like the height of them but I wish they were a bit wider to get the stance right.

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

285/75/16 (32.9x10.3)

Those are the same size as mine, backspacing helps a little but my truck is a SWB so they fit a little better... Yours don't look bad ...

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

You could mount the 285s on 8" rims to get your results.

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

mine are one 15x8's they are 33" x 10.5"

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Is that supposed to be an 8 lug truck? "Project long wait 4x4"

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Yes, it's an 8 lug from the factory. I bought it from a farmer in TN and it had been mainly used on the farm its whole life. It had the Eaton HO52 when I got it and gears that were way too tall. I couldn't even drive the thing on the highway, so I got a new 14bolt FF with an eaton limited slip and 3.42s. I love it. Still have the eaton and it is in great shape with a locker if anytone is interested

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

You mean the gears were too low,right.Tall gears are high gears as in a lower ratio/lower numbers.
I`m interested in the rear.I`m having problems with a locker and parts are...tough.Do you know the ratio?Let me know about it.thanks.

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Pretty sure the gears were 4:10s

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Nope, they are off of a 1976 Chrysler Cordoba and are a 5" x 4 1/2" bolt pattern (Ford 9" rear)

LockDoc

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Mopar had an almost identical rim to the truck rallyes and they had chrome centers.Truck 8-lugs are in another class and those are Dodge.
4.10 would suit me fine.That`s what my rear is,so no set-up would be required.Send me a message if you`d like to get rid of that.

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

Hugger Orange and White is the best color combo GM used, imo. That's going to be a great build, cannot wait to see more.

Those dollies are great, but not nearly as simple to move around as they make you think. It takes two of us to move my Dad's '69 AMC AMX around on them.

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

since this will be your last project as a single man how about project "The Last Bachelor" or maybe "Project Ball & Chain" :lol:

or using a theme relating to the truck how about project... "Citrus Resurrection", "Orange & White Dine-O-Mite", or "K20 Too Tho'ed" lol. just a little brain storming :crazy:

Re: 72 K20 build thread, need good name
 

do you know the width of the rim that's on there now? I like the look. Nice truck by the way. Great ideas on the new parts too.