Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod

[Curt's_72]

New rockers went on smoothly. We discovered cab supports would be needed so those went on too.

A new header panel was put in. We did it by laminating rather than cutting out the entire panel.

The passenger door was excellent. It just needed touched up.

The driver's door need a new skin.

I considered a new door, but the rest of it was in great shape. The new skin fit well. Some minor massaging of the key hole was necessary later.
I've got many more indepth pictures if there is something you'd like to see in more detail. The frame and bed are next.
Curt

[mjensen]

Of course we're interested in more-in depth pictures! LOL

Very nice truck you got there.

[Curt's_72]

Body work is rockin' by now. Seeing huge changes at every visit. As you can tell, we're not doing the frame-off, but extensive, nonetheless. After taking the front end apart, we decided new fenders would be a good idea. Scored a couple of good ones from a board member. Huck is what he has been on here at. Got them from him at the swap meet in Indy. He's still around, into Honda mintrails and the such.
Fenders cleaned up nice. They also had the trim holes which was great because we're going back to that.


We had the bed sandblasted. It was super clean. It had a gas tank cover on the passenger side, which I wanted removed. I wasn't going to use it, so I wanted it gone. The old fender served as good patch. The inside of the bed didn't need anything. The bottom we just wire brushed and used POR-15 on it. Stuff works great.


We hit the frame next, since the bed was off. More on that.
Curt

[Curt's_72]

Started thrashing on the frame since it's exposed. Lots of wire wheel work here. I hope everybody who does uses an angle grinder with any attachment wears PPE. A wire wheel cup worked best for us.


The chambered exhaust was kinda cool for awhile, but loud. Going much quieter this time around. My muffler guys assure me that we can sew any type muffler right in line with these. That'll happen once it's back on the road.
We then put the POR-15 on the frame, springs, rearend, everything from the underside of the cab back.


We learned later that being ambitious on the frame this early in the process isn't necessarily a good thing. Primer and sealer along with the normal bodyshop environment will cause you to re-do things. Fortunately, we needed to put POR Chassis Black over the paint, so it wasn't wasted time.

[Curt's_72]

Doors went back on fine. The hinge pins needed replaced and that was quite a job. First, hammer and a pinch. Then heat and a bigger hammer. Then a drill. A buddy dropped of a cool set of punches with a big honkin' handle on them that ultimately worked. We didn't want to remove the hinges because we'd hear too many stories about the nuts falling inside the vent area.
The door with the skin lined up great.



Got the bed all sealed and lined up with the cab. We had to loosen the cab mounts and move it forward on the drivers side to align everything. We figure the impact to the cab and the repair must have really messed with it.
No more add on gas door!


Things are really shaping up at this point. No real major issues.
Curt

[mjensen]

That's coming along real nice! Makes me want to get out and do something to mine....but not today

[Curt's_72]

well, it happened. The same story that alot of us get dealing with bodyshops and restorations. I got put on hold. For, well, about 11 months. I was bummed at first, but there wasn't anything I could do since the work all consisted of what I was paying someone for. I had removed everything I could blast, powdercoat or replace that needed it.
Then I moved on with remodels at home, kids in activities and the such. We have a 2+ car garage, and nothing has been sitting out, so I invested in a couple of small restorations to fill my time. A quickie 1983 ATC70 was probably the most fun. Also a one owner 1980 NC50 came along for another time.
By now, it became apparent that I needed to move in a different direction. The place where the truck was wasn't going to finish it. I contacted a couple of local shops but since I couldn't get the truck to them for a visual, they didn't even want to talk to me about it.
My bodyman was also working towards this same thing for me. The owner of another shop he had worked at before agreed to at least look at it. All things happen for a reason. The new shop gratiously accepted the job, the first shop agreed to pay a good portion of the bill to the new shop, and things worked out.
We're now up to getting the truck to them, after another 6 months. Hopfully we'll start seeing progress from them now.

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by Curt's_72

New rockers went on smoothly. We discovered cab supports would be needed so those went on too.
Attachment 832030
A new header panel was put in. We did it by laminating rather than cutting out the entire panel.
Attachment 832032
The passenger door was excellent. It just needed touched up.
Attachment 832034
The driver's door need a new skin.
Attachment 832037
I considered a new door, but the rest of it was in great shape. The new skin fit well. Some minor massaging of the key hole was necessary later.
I've got many more indepth pictures if there is something you'd like to see in more detail. The frame and bed are next.
Curt

Nice job Curt-I'm curious how difficult it was to remove the inner skin from the door. I'm considering having the inside of my doors "line X'd" and would need to open them up to do it right.

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Nice job Curt-I'm curious how difficult it was to remove the inner skin from the door. I'm considering having the inside of my doors "line X'd" and would need to open them up to do it right.

It really wasn't that hard. We used a grinder all around the perimeter to the window to separate the pinch. I don't exactly remember what holds the top, where the window rubber attaches. There's no other means of fastening the skin, other than that.
A chisel and hammer to remove the spot welds on the folded over edge that is still fastened to door will be needed.

What is "line X'd"?

[onebadbowtie]

line x is a brand of spray in truck bed liner

[Curt's_72]

Stereo is in. I used a piece of stainless steel to mount the amp on with some adjustable standoffs. I had to, because it wouldn't fit any other way. This way it's level.

the sub box was a great fit. I used a Pioneer shallow mount sub and found the box at Best Buy for cheap. It's not ported, but it works.

Tucked all my wires under the carpet and in looms for a cleaner look.

I bought an adapter for my ipod Nano. It works great! This'll give me my required dose of metal when I need it.









Man, it's loud if I want it to be!!

[SunSoaked]

Thats one awesome ride you have created!

[mjensen]

I love that! I may have to do the same in mine. Of course that will be in 30 years when I actually get it this close