Finally drove my truck for the first time... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

unixadm · 07-03-2005, 06:41 PM

I picked up a 72 C20 4wd about a month ago. I've been working on it here and there, redoing the brakes. I also had to install a new cross member for the motor and new motor mounts. When I bought it, the brakes were wasted and a caliper was frozen, the engine was sitting on some home brewed mounts because it was converted to 4wd using a 2wd frame. But today, I got the brakes at least gravity bled, put the final touches on the rear disc brakes and put the wheels back on. I was going to wait for my E-brake cable stuff and the new proportioning valve along with all of the stainless hard lines and braided flex lines. I said the hell with it and wanted to see how the truck drove. All this with probably 12 year old Firestone tires on it that are a bit cracked.

All I have to say is this is going to take some getting used to! All I did was go around the block since I don't have it registered yet. The truck is a 350 4bbl mated to a SM465 and a NP205 transfer case. I'm not sure what gears. The 4wd components came from a 73-77 K20, so I have longer leafs in front with a D44 and a 14 Bolt FF in the rear. The SM465 is a bit notchy and it's sometimes hard to tell if I'm in gear! haha. I did a granny gear burnout for good measure too. But she drove okay - rough as hell and bouncy. I know the springs are HD (3 pack up front, 5 pack in the rear) and the shocks are shot. The SM465 is pretty loud (not sure if that's normal or not). I need to install a new heater core, along with heater hoses, radiator hoses and a new 4 row radiator. I'm also thinking about doing a 86-92 Camaro Serpentine setup. But overall, the truck stopped good (still needs to be bled with a buddies help). I still have some work to do before I can mount the 35x12.50x17 Pro Comp Xterrain's on H2 wheels. I'll be ordering a 6" Skyjacker full spring lift on Tuesday.

Pic's can be seen here: http://www.dmwtech.com/gallery/v/k20/

krue · 07-03-2005, 11:39 PM

Sounds like fun. It's always more fun to drive it than work on it.

70 shorty · 07-04-2005, 08:28 AM

Ok, I'll be the first to say, Where's the pics? You know the one with you driving it with that big grin on your face? Anyway, congrats, it's always a great feeling to put one back on the road. I think I had a grin on my face for a couple of days after I got mine out of the driveway for the first time.

**Yukon Jack** · 07-04-2005, 09:07 AM

Congrats. The transfer cases are sometimes a bit loud, are you sure it is the transmission rather than the transfer case you are hearing?

unixadm · 07-04-2005, 10:37 AM

I was grinning until I blocked traffic on the street because I couldn't get it into 2nd. lol

I'll get more pics over the next couple of weeks as I get the truck out more.

I'm not sure where the noise is coming from - it could be the transfer case. It's probably even more magnified as the shift boots are rotted away so I can look straight down and see the transmssion and t-case. I have new carpet to install and new shift boots/retainers - that may help a bit. But I think the SM465 has to go and a 700R4 will take it's place.

lloyd k · 07-04-2005, 11:23 AM

nice looking truck,if it were me id keep that heavt duty stuff for nastalga-hahaha

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 07-04-2005, 01:52 PM

Looks like a nice ride3 congrats on getting her mobile..

*Randy70C-10* · 07-04-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krue

It's always more fun to drive it than work on it.

Bite your tongue!!

07-03-2005, 06:41 PM	#1
unixadm Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 61	Finally drove my truck for the first time... I picked up a 72 C20 4wd about a month ago. I've been working on it here and there, redoing the brakes. I also had to install a new cross member for the motor and new motor mounts. When I bought it, the brakes were wasted and a caliper was frozen, the engine was sitting on some home brewed mounts because it was converted to 4wd using a 2wd frame. But today, I got the brakes at least gravity bled, put the final touches on the rear disc brakes and put the wheels back on. I was going to wait for my E-brake cable stuff and the new proportioning valve along with all of the stainless hard lines and braided flex lines. I said the hell with it and wanted to see how the truck drove. All this with probably 12 year old Firestone tires on it that are a bit cracked. All I have to say is this is going to take some getting used to! All I did was go around the block since I don't have it registered yet. The truck is a 350 4bbl mated to a SM465 and a NP205 transfer case. I'm not sure what gears. The 4wd components came from a 73-77 K20, so I have longer leafs in front with a D44 and a 14 Bolt FF in the rear. The SM465 is a bit notchy and it's sometimes hard to tell if I'm in gear! haha. I did a granny gear burnout for good measure too. But she drove okay - rough as hell and bouncy. I know the springs are HD (3 pack up front, 5 pack in the rear) and the shocks are shot. The SM465 is pretty loud (not sure if that's normal or not). I need to install a new heater core, along with heater hoses, radiator hoses and a new 4 row radiator. I'm also thinking about doing a 86-92 Camaro Serpentine setup. But overall, the truck stopped good (still needs to be bled with a buddies help). I still have some work to do before I can mount the 35x12.50x17 Pro Comp Xterrain's on H2 wheels. I'll be ordering a 6" Skyjacker full spring lift on Tuesday. Pic's can be seen here: http://www.dmwtech.com/gallery/v/k20/ __________________ - '72 Chevy C20 4x4 LWB Fleetside, 350/SM465, NP205, '73+ Axles (D44/14B FF 8-lug), 4 Wheel Discs - Updated Pics

07-03-2005, 11:39 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Sounds like fun. It's always more fun to drive it than work on it. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

07-04-2005, 08:28 AM	#3
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,768	Ok, I'll be the first to say, Where's the pics? You know the one with you driving it with that big grin on your face? Anyway, congrats, it's always a great feeling to put one back on the road. I think I had a grin on my face for a couple of days after I got mine out of the driveway for the first time. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

07-04-2005, 09:07 AM	#4
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Congrats. The transfer cases are sometimes a bit loud, are you sure it is the transmission rather than the transfer case you are hearing? __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

07-04-2005, 10:37 AM	#5
unixadm Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 61	I was grinning until I blocked traffic on the street because I couldn't get it into 2nd. lol I'll get more pics over the next couple of weeks as I get the truck out more. I'm not sure where the noise is coming from - it could be the transfer case. It's probably even more magnified as the shift boots are rotted away so I can look straight down and see the transmssion and t-case. I have new carpet to install and new shift boots/retainers - that may help a bit. But I think the SM465 has to go and a 700R4 will take it's place. __________________ - '72 Chevy C20 4x4 LWB Fleetside, 350/SM465, NP205, '73+ Axles (D44/14B FF 8-lug), 4 Wheel Discs - Updated Pics

07-04-2005, 11:23 AM	#6
lloyd k Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: columbus,ohio Posts: 201	nice looking truck,if it were me id keep that heavt duty stuff for nastalga-hahaha __________________ 67 swb gmc,big block cadillac powered,400 turbo,2.73 ratio and disc brakes-basically a frankenstein of many parts-

07-04-2005, 01:52 PM	#7
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,590	Looks like a nice ride3 congrats on getting her mobile.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..



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