Budget Build 1985 K20

[JJH Jimmy]

I got the rear cab trim on. I decided to use 3M 1/4” wide double sided tape on the back panel because I didn’t want to drill a bunch of screw holes in the back of the cab.

[LT7A]

Is the early 50s something truck your next one? Looks cool as it sits now. This one is very close to being done. Glad you're going to put in the old the door panels, etc. while you wait for the replacements so that you can get out and drive it. Perfect time to enjoy that truck. Thanks for the tip on soapy water vs. foaming glass cleaner. I will be taking my time on the installation of the windshield and so having something that doesn't evaporate away quickly will help.

[JJH Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Willowrun

So now that you are getting close to the finish line on your budget build what are your plans for it? Is is a keeper? Street cruiser? Dune cruiser?

I ask, because your workmanship, attention to detail, and the quality of this build far exceeds most high dollar, frame off, nut and bolt, etc. restorations. So while I think you went into this with a "budget" mentality, your need to have things done the right way won over and now you have a very nice, desirable, and valuable truck.

So once you're done, what is your plan for it?

Wow! Thanks for the compliments! The name of this build is kind of a joke at this point. It may be a budget build for some but not for me. Like any of my projects they snow ball into doing way more than originally anticipated. I have also learned that when you have sunk this much time and money into something i don't want to have any regrets when it is done. As the old saying goes "buy once cry once". I think it is a keeper unless somebody offers me something insane for it. I plan on driving the wheels off it and using it as a truck to get lumber at the yard to hauling my tractor to my hunting property.

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Looks great Josh. Good call on the 3M tape. Same stuff that holds the door trim on my Denali pick up. If the car manufactures use it you know it will hold up.

Your getting close. I need to shoot over there soon to check it out.

BTW my friend enjoyed the spot you left him at the Vicksburg car show.

Marc

Thanks Marc! I wish i could have stayed longer at Vicksburg but am glad i got at least a couple hours at the show. Stop by any time.

Originally Posted by LT7A

Is the early 50s something truck your next one? Looks cool as it sits now. This one is very close to being done. Glad you're going to put in the old the door panels, etc. while you wait for the replacements so that you can get out and drive it. Perfect time to enjoy that truck. Thanks for the tip on soapy water vs. foaming glass cleaner. I will be taking my time on the installation of the windshield and so having something that doesn't evaporate away quickly will help.

Yea, the 51 is my next project. I have owned it since i was 15. The plan is a patina build with bags and LS engine. But it is going to have to wait a little while. My wife has a list of home improvement projects that's piling up.

[JJH Jimmy]

Getting closer. Chasing some small gremlins at the moment. The biggest one is the retro sound radio will get real bad RFI at times on FM but Bluetooth works fine? Shut it off and then turn it back on and it is good for a while. I swapped out the alternator with a junk yard one I had laying around and no change. I am thinking that there is something wrong with the radio.

I am trying to get this thing done by the end of the month and drive it to the squarebody farm show in Indiana. Not sure I am going to make it!

[SBTork]

Originally Posted by JJH Jimmy

Getting closer. Chasing some small gremlins at the moment. The biggest one is the retro sound radio will get real bad RFI at times on FM but Bluetooth works fine? Shut it off and then turn it back on and it is good for a while. I swapped out the alternator with a junk yard one I had laying around and no change. I am thinking that there is something wrong with the radio.

I am trying to get this thing done by the end of the month and drive it to the squarebody farm show in Indiana. Not sure I am going to make it!

Did you get the radio issue figured out? The reason I ask is that the last 3 squares I've owned, my '85 C-10 Suburban, '83 K5 Blazer, and '90 GMC Suburban have all shared the same issue. The only thing that fixed it finally was on my '85 Suburban, I rewired where the radio gets it's power from on the fuse block. It had an aftermarket head unit, the other 2 had stock radios. I've never heard of others having similar issues but that may be the source of yours unless you've already figured it out and it's something else.

Either which way, your "budget build" is way awesome, great work man!

[JJH Jimmy]

Originally Posted by SBTork

Did you get the radio issue figured out? The reason I ask is that the last 3 squares I've owned, my '85 C-10 Suburban, '83 K5 Blazer, and '90 GMC Suburban have all shared the same issue. The only thing that fixed it finally was on my '85 Suburban, I rewired where the radio gets it's power from on the fuse block. It had an aftermarket head unit, the other 2 had stock radios. I've never heard of others having similar issues but that may be the source of yours unless you've already figured it out and it's something else.

Either which way, your "budget build" is way awesome, great work man!

I have not. i have been using the bluetooth and it works fine so i was starting to think that there was something wrong with the radio. I used the original power wire (yellow i think) for the radio and ran a separate wire from the fuse block for the constant power. I will try to run a wire directly from the battery and see if it makes a difference. I appreciate the tip!

[OutlawDrifter]

Definitely looking good!

[rodstored-72]

JJH JIMMY,
very nice & clean! I like it alot... nice job!!

[youngrodder]

It looks great Josh. if you need a hand to get you over the hump to make that show in Indiana, just give me a shout. It will provide me a break from bathing in transmission fluid.

Marc

[JJH Jimmy]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

Definitely looking good!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

JJH JIMMY,
very nice & clean! I like it alot... nice job!!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by youngrodder

It looks great Josh. if you need a hand to get you over the hump to make that show in Indiana, just give me a shout. It will provide me a break from bathing in transmission fluid.

Marc

Thanks! I plan on working on it all day on Saturday. Stop by if you are looking for something to do!

[youngrodder]

Thanks! I plan on working on it all day on Saturday. Stop by if you are looking for something to do![/QUOTE]

I just might. I need a change from messing with the trans.

Marc

[JJH Jimmy]

Been a busy few days. Got the side molding on and my doors back together. I did a quick clean up and dye on the door panels because I probably won’t see the ones from USA1 for a while.

Also the got the vinyl on the grille center molding. First pic is the first attempt and it didn’t match very well. The second pic is the next attempt. Better but not perfect so it will have to do for now!

[OutlawDrifter]

Clean execution!

[youngrodder]

Man Josh, this look sooo good. Man your fast.
I love the look of the cab lights. Bravo

Marc

[JJH Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Willowrun

Very impressed with your workmanship and how fast you got everything done. Beautiful truck!

Originally Posted by TKCR

Absolutely Beautiful!

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

Clean execution!

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Man Josh, this look sooo good. Man your fast.
I love the look of the cab lights. Bravo

Marc

Thank you!

[LT7A]

Wow the truck looks good! At first it looks like it's right off the showroom floor and then you realize that it sits a little higher and has got more rubber underneath it. I would expect you will have many offers to buy it when you are out and about.

[JJH Jimmy]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Wow the truck looks good! At first it looks like it's right off the showroom floor and then you realize that it sits a little higher and has got more rubber underneath it. I would expect you will have many offers to buy it when you are out and about.

Thanks! I already have had a few offers but I have trouble selling stuff!

[JJH Jimmy]

I drove 200 miles each way to the midwest truck nationals in Richmond Indiana this past Saturday. Awesome show with a ton of square body’s. There was anything from rusted out mudders sitting on 44’s to trailer queens and everything in between. The truck ran great and got about 13mpg!

[JJH Jimmy]

A few more from the show.

[youngrodder]

Looked like a nice show. Glad you had 0 issues.

Marc

[OutlawDrifter]

Look at all that free stuff that came in the bed!

Nice find!

[JJH Jimmy]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

Look at all that free stuff that came in the bed!

Nice find!

Haha! I know! The guy i bought it from said i had to take all the junk with it. I cleaned it out yesterday and found about $8.00 in beer cans, $3.35 in loose change, 2 fence posts, a 18" pipe wrench, a spare drivers side fuel tank, box of Remington 12 GA sabot slugs, a bunch of empty Skoal tins and a few dead mice and a bunch of other crap the went in the trash.

Surprisingly there was a rubber bed mat under all that stuff and the bed floor is in really good shape!

[aotte1]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing your build, lots of great information.

Les

[cdub2010]

Great looking truck you built. Hows the ride with the Bilstein shocks? Ive had them on 2wd pickups and sports cars but never 4x4's. I have some OE spectrum shocks on my k20 and its so bloody awful to drive im thinking of selling.

[JJH Jimmy]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Very nice! Thanks for sharing your build, lots of great information.

Les

Thank you!

Originally Posted by cdub2010

Great looking truck you built. Hows the ride with the Bilstein shocks? Ive had them on 2wd pickups and sports cars but never 4x4's. I have some OE spectrum shocks on my k20 and its so bloody awful to drive im thinking of selling.

Thank you! I think it rides really well. I have Tough Country EZ ride springs on the front and the stock springs with blocks on the back so i think that helps. If you are using Rough Country springs or stiff springs i dont think any shock will make it ride good. In the past i have used the shocks that come with the lift kits and have also used Rancho R5000's and have not been impressed with either.