Quote:
Originally Posted by heligypsy
I happen to have inherited by marriage a "Heavy" Half-Ton.
This beautiful 1972 Chevy Truck
(K20-Heavy Half, Short-box, Fleet side, with every bell and whistle you could order) will be in our will.
In the late 1990's my husband and I set out to restore this beautiful family heirloom. In trying to keep it as close to original we discovered several things. First off in the springs on the back of the seat was the original dealer speck sheet. Yes I have titled it correctly by calling it a "Heavy Half".
Here is a few more facts we we learned:
1. The 1972 is slightly different than all other years of the Chevy Truck. There are a few "flags" that can help you tell the difference. If anyone wants to know I'll be glad to share.
2. The "Heavy" half was a designation that was also a lot of times labeled as the Custom Camper. This let repair garages, auto-body shops, parts houses etc know that although the outer body, eng. etc was the K20 the frame rail, rear "pumpkin", driveline, and rear axel, springs, brakes etc. were beefier. They were what today would be called a 3/4 ton because in 1972 there was not a K30 available.
3. The K designates a 4x4 and the C disignates a 2x2.
4. The "Longhorn" or longbox was not available in the K20.
5. That bumpers on the Cheyene package with all the bells and whistles you could have, were more often than not added at the dealership. So when you ordered a custom truck you truly got a "Custom" one of a kind truck.
6. That according to the archive department at Chevy that I talked to - of the 6,000 frames made under this distinction of K20 "Heavy Half", They were allotted for the Truck both step & fleet side, Van and Blazer. If split even between the 4 that makes our beastie a very, very rare truck.
7. That if you want to get these beautiful trucks appraised or insured properly it is a tough job!
The heartbeat of America - yesterdays Chevy!
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Welcome heligypsy, nice truck you have there. Research aside, just to be clear, the Custom Camper is not a "Heavy Half". It's a Z81 option checked off by the original buyer that gave him or her a nameplate that said "Custom Camper" - the format took different forms in 65, 66-68, 69-71, and finally, 72. As Tim pointed out above, one could order heavier option rear axles, or leafs vs coils, (and even helper springs), Custom Camper or not. Note that coils or leafs could be had on 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck. Custom Camper could be had in 1/2 or 3/4 or 1 tons (C only for the 1 ton). Some heavy duty options needed to be selected before the Z81 option was, well, an "option" available to a buyer. A K20 is a 3/4 ton 4x4. There were no 3/4 ton 115" wb trucks, in C or K form. Titling isn't really relevant, the average DMV clerk doesn't know a Datsun from a Dachshund. Just trying to keep the gouge we spread here straight for those that read it in the future - owning a heavy duty C or K10 is not the same as owning a "Heavy Half" - a term that was not coined officially by GM until '76.
If you've got any current pics, especially of the SPID, we'd love to see em! Great looking truck in one of my favorite colors.