72 K20 Cab Body & Paint Complete!

[72KAY20]

LOL Cheyenne Shop. Wish I could put my K20 restore project in fast forward in real life! As most on this website know, restore projects always take a lot longer than you think.

Here is a link to more detail on my project. It has 38 pages of pics from the start on March 20, 2010.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20956188/72%...y%20120311.pdf

At first my plan was just to strip it down, sandblast, reinstall, and then just paint the outside. Thought I'd be complete by spring and could take it to Ocean City car cruise in May........ but then discovered that it needed more work than I thought.......then decided, after seeing pics on this website and my buddy Bill (body and paint expert!!) suggesting, that I should strip and paint the cab.........then decided NOT to use some of the original parts after discovering more body work after sandblast...bought taiwan replacement parts....then decided to use GM NOS bedsides and fender....you can see where this is going .

[CheyenneShop]

Originally Posted by 72KAY20

LOL Cheyenne Shop. Wish I could put my K20 restore project in fast forward in real life! As most on this website know, restore projects always take a lot longer than you think.

Here is a link to more detail on my project. It has 38 pages of pics from the start on March 20, 2010.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20956188/72%...y%20120311.pdf

At first my plan was just to strip it down, sandblast, reinstall, and then just paint the outside. Thought I'd be complete by spring and could take it to Ocean City car cruise in May........ but then discovered that it needed more work than I thought.......then decided, after seeing pics on this website and my buddy Bill (body and paint expert!!) suggesting, that I should strip and paint the cab.........then decided NOT to use some of the original parts after discovering more body work after sandblast...bought taiwan replacement parts....then decided to use GM NOS bedsides and fender....you can see where this is going .

72KAY20 - oh i'm following you for sure. It's funny how one thing can lead to 3 more, and those three things lead to 9 things. Before you know if your 25-40K into a project that you just wanted to "fix up"!

[72KAY20]

Not sure how to post a video but figured I'd give it a try.

Here's links to some videos taken with my cell phone the 1st day during tear down. I used Quicktime Player to view them.

In 8 hours 4 of us dismantled a running truck and rolled the frame with engine up on the car trailer.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20956188/2%2...ear%20Down.3g2

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20956188/72%...e%20emblem.3g2

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20956188/Fal...72%20Chevy.3g2

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20956188/Tea...72%20Chevy.3g2

[RCbowtie69]

NICE!!!!! truck,keep on truckin'

[BuckLucky]

I'll be checking back on this thread, love the color!!

[72KAY20]

Thanks BuckLucky. Can't wait to get the bed back from my buddy's paint shop.

Worked on the rewiring the engine compartment today. Am replacing all of the original wiring with a kit from American Autowire. It is time consuming cutting all the wires to length, finding the right connector in the kit, and then crimping, but will be well worth it in the end.

[BuckLucky]

Take lots of pictures of the rewire !! Like to know how that kit works out. How much was the kit anyway??

[72KAY20]

I bought the kit at the Spring Carlisle Car Flea Market. I think I paid $450 for the kit which I though was a good price. The kit comes with everything you need to completely replace all of the old wiring harnesses. It also includes a new floor dimmer switch, headlight switch, ignition switch, and some other little things. It looks overwhelming at first because most of the connectors on the end of the wires are not attached. Luckily every wire is identified with what it is for every so many inches.

The new fuse block on the inside of the firewall fits in the stock location (pic below) and required 2 new holes to attach which was not a big deal. The fuses are the newer style push in colored plastic ones not the old glass round ones. I did not take any pictures today but will take some tomorrow.

[DeadheadNM]

Looks great! Keep us posted re: fuel tank relocation - I want to do the same. Pete

[72KAY20]

Relocating the fuel tank was pretty easy. Had to remove the crossmember in the very back of the frame where the spare tire attaches. The only other modification was cutting out one of the channels that goes across the bottom of the bed to give the top of the tank clearance. I bought both stainless fuel and brake line from Inline Tube because I don't want to worry about them rusting out in the future. Also used stainless bolts to attach.

When I bought the truck the previous owner had already bought the gas tank from LMC. It was new in the box and came with the straps and sending unit. There were no instructions other than "this tank will require custom modifications to install". I believe the tank is the same tank that is installed between the frame rails on a Chevy Blazer.

Here are some pictures. Let me know if you have any questions when you start.

[72KAY20]

Wrapping more than Christmas presents on Christmas Eve. Spent a few hours in the garage this morning wrapping the new wiring harness with black rubber splicing tape. It is thicker than electric tape and does not seem to stick to itself. It looks very similar to the original harness wrap. It apparently is used for wrapping high voltage wire. It was only $4.50 a roll at a local electric supply house.

Held the original harness next to the new one so I locate the original white plastic snap in clips in the proper locations and also determine the correct wire lengths.

[67cheby]

Super clean
Posted via Mobile Device

[DeadheadNM]

Lookin' good! Is that a new power brake booster or was that recoated?

Have a Merry Christmas!

[72KAY20]

The brake booster is the original. It seemed to be working ok so I just sanded it, primed it, and then top coated with gold paint.

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you also!

[72KAY20]

Any suggestions on where to find some headliner trim? I have an original black headliner to install but need to locate some stainless trim. Would prefer to find original trim rather than aftermarket. Maybe someone has some sitting around they would sell???

Would the headliner look better black or should I spray it/dye it white to match the door panels? Appreciate any opinions. I guess either color would match since I also have a black dash pad, arm rests, rubber mat, etc. Would take more time to paint it white and would have to use special paint.

[landsurvey1]

Sweet truck, subscribed.

[fakerwade]

I'm in! ,,,,,nothing say's "rugged individualism" quite like the letter "k" !!!

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by 72KAY20

Any suggestions on where to find some headliner trim? I have an original black headliner to install but need to locate some stainless trim. Would prefer to find original trim rather than aftermarket. Maybe someone has some sitting around they would sell???

Would the headliner look better black or should I spray it/dye it white to match the door panels? Appreciate any opinions. I guess either color would match since I also have a black dash pad, arm rests, rubber mat, etc. Would take more time to paint it white and would have to use special paint.

It's real tough to locate original headliner trim that is in good shape. The clip parts seem to bust off with removal and a lot of times the chrome coating is worn. I expect to go with aftermarket for my build.

The headliner in my parchment truck was also parchment, not black. IMO the parchment headliner looks awesome and better than black. My armrests, visors, door panels, and seat are also factory parchment. The seat belts, carpet, and dash are factory black. Also, my dash is factory painted matte black between the pad and the windshield pinch weld, I guess to reduce glare.

[72KAY20]

Appreciate your opinion DeadheadNM. I will follow your advice and buy some new aftermarket headliner trim.

This morning I have been trying to install aftermarket deluxe trim around the front windshield before I attempt to install the windshield on the cab. Was able to get the trim to snap in around the bottom and sides but having a lot of difficulty trying to install the last piece which goes across the top. I had to buy another window gasket because the one I had bought at the fall Carlisle turned out to be for a 67-70 and I could not even get any of the trim to snap in. I then bought a 71-72 deluxe gasket and have been able to get everything but this top piece installed. Any suggestions?

[DeadheadNM]

I know exactly what you are dealing with. I'm going to throw out my aftermarket trim polish up some OEM trim and have another go in the couple of months. I've detailed my troubles in this post:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=484773

[72KAY20]

Here's how you do it.

[72KAY20]

Was a good day for my K20 restoration. Got to drive the K20 in 2011, at least for about 5 minutes. Started it up and backed it out of the garage and drove around my brother's driveway. Definitely a milestone in the restoration. Was very happy to hear and see it run. Hope to have it all back together in a couple months.

[ryanmctee]

Wow, great job. I'm in about the same time frame as you (almost). I just finished painting the lower half of the inside cab with rubberized undercoat. I figured it is all going to get covered up anyways, just nice to see some progress. My truck is medium red and white; is yours hugger orange, or med red?

[DeadheadNM]

Congrats! Keep the pics coming. How did the windshield shake out?

[72KAY20]

Thanks Ryanmctee! It is hugger orange.

Got the windshield in during halftime Ravens vs. Bengals. It looks good except for the missing piece of trim across the top. I got frustrated and gave up on trying to install that top piece first. The trim along the bottom and sides looks great. I may try to modify the top piece so it can fit into the groove in the rubber. Thanks for your link DeadheadNM on your windshield issues. I was disappointed that I could not get the top piece of trim in but was glad I did not break anything.