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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 9
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My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
Good morning All,
I've been lurking on this site for years and I thought it was time I shared my truck. It's a 1962 GMC K20...with a Chevy cab...and a Chevy bed. The story is that the guy I bought it from had two trucks, both 62's, both K20's. One was a GMC that was a good runner with a crappy body and the other was a Chevy with a good body but no running gear. He decided to swap the good body onto the good running frame. (Personally, I would have just swapped the running gear into the better truck) At any rate, it has a 327, SM420 and T-221 Transfer case. It also has a Dana rear axle. Here it is the day I picked it up. The Uhaul trailer and 1/2 ton rental truck were just about maxed out. ![]() ![]() ![]() The truck has no signs of anything more than light surface rust. The body is straight and solid. So, I screwed with it for a few days, bleeding and adjusting brakes and clutch, cleaning the tank and carb and got it running. Once it ran and (mostly) stopped (more on that later) I did the sensible thing and strarted using it as my daily driver. I have ZERO problems locating my vehicle in the grocerey store parking lot. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() This truck has been a hoot to drive but there are a few issues: 1. The drag link is junk and I can't find a replacement or rebuild kit (help!) 2. the previous owner did a brake job and apparently neglected to replace the tabbed washer in between the wheel bearing nuts on the left rear. Eventually, it tightened up and quite a bit of damage. Luckily, I found this out of a 62 on Craigslist. ![]() ![]() ![]() 4.10's should be good for my plans and I'll try to find a disk brake front end with the same ratio. So, here's the plan - I am not going to tear the truck down and do a full restoration or buildup. I've been down that road before and I don't want it out of service for a year or two while I do that. Instead, my plan is sort of a "rolling refresh", fixing and improving things while I continue to use and enjoy the truck while at the same time avoiding a flaming death wherever possible. Here are my priorities: 1. Fix the safety issues (dual res master cylinder, disks up front, new brake lines, bearings, etc. and a new drag link if I can ever locate one) 2. Swap my fleetside bed for a LWB stepside bed, if I can find one. (I just like them better) 3. Paint - 1974 Volkswagen Brilliant Orange. I will try to do this myself. 4. Add an older cabover Alaskan camper for trips. 5. Under Dash AC Let me know what you think. I appreciate any and all opinions and PLEASE let me know if you have any solutions to my worn out drag link. Thanks, Scott |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Manlius, NY
Posts: 1,698
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
Good looking truck...Love that you made it your daily driver so quickly. I drove mine for 2 years as a DD before I decided to "fix" everything and tore it apart. I am about to get it back on the road after 3 years...so I applaud your not tearing it apart to restore it and just fix safety issues! I might do things differently if I were to do mine over again!
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: new smyrna beach fl / 29 palms cal
Posts: 1,727
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
How is it titled
__________________
Hand made A/C vent manifolds for 64-66 trucks adapts any aftermarket A/C to OEM vent |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Los Osos Ca
Posts: 542
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
Nice truck.Good score on the 4:10 rear, Front R&P in that ratio for a D44 front will be easy to find. I found a great used one local and I think that's a perfect ratio for these trucks. It will still pull the weight of that camper when you get it, but will be good for DD duty. Plus you won't have to worry about speeding tickets. Going to be a great traveling truck when you get that camper.
Only thing I ask is that if that truck still has the original 12" drums up front you offer up the old parts (especially the drums) when you go disk, to someone on this forum, as they are extinct. And no, I have what I need, but know a lot of others out there could use them. Have fun with your new toy. Lots of great resources here to keep it going strong. Tom
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65 short stepside K10 292-SM420-T221 8 lug closed D44 front NoSpin HO72 4.10 rear |
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#5 |
Just here to tinker
![]() Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Holland, MI
Posts: 3,687
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
Awesome truck! I love the way it sits.
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78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(winter unit)https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...25#post8900725 |
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#6 |
60-66 Nut
![]() ![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,246
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
That's a decent looking truck.
When you do the PS upgrade you will have to change the draglink anyway. I would just do it all at once. I make the steering box adapter plate, and the tube and flange. Also a booster bracket when you get to that part.
__________________
Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Preston Idaho
Posts: 279
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
Welcome, cool truck and awesome philosophy, no fun if you cant drive them. Be sure to check your tcase oil. Also look out for a square body donor for axles, ps and brakes. My truck is a half breed k20 like yours, gmc frame,chevy cab and bed, gmc grille and tailgate, with a Cadillac 472 engine, have since swapped front and rear axles and ps with 79 k20 parts. Used capt fabs ps adapter .Keep us posted.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Preston Idaho
Posts: 279
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
Check this link for your steering http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=118
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Preston Idaho
Posts: 279
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
http://fcrcmachine.com/rare-parts-dr...ustable-27769/ very expensive, also check here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=699630
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 9
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
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#11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 9
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
Quote:
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 9
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
Quote:
1. Would you recommend waiting until I replace the front axle? 2. What's the cost for the brackets/plates? |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 9
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 9
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
Quote:
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#15 |
60-66 Nut
![]() ![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,246
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Re: My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread
I don't have a template yet for the K series frames but I can give you links to a couple build threads here with the info you will need for the installation. The steering box adapter plate is $57.50 plus $8.30 for shipping. If you need the tube and flange, that is $27.50 plus an additional $6.75 for shipping. If you also need a booster bracket or any of my many other products, I do combine shipping. You can make the upgrade at any time. Doing it now will be a little more work modifying the steering arm.
__________________
Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE |
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