71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chrome8 · 12-09-2015, 07:02 PM

I bought this old girl this summer on the spur of the moment. I have some chassis work to have done to it in our shop, then I'd like to replace the grill shell and the inner grille as it is busted. Is the grille shell supposed to be painted white, bare steel or painted argent silver? Any help appreciated. I'd like to stay as much to "the way it was" as possible. I also like white painted wheels, any recommendations on those would be appreciated too. I want to run factory caps and white painted steel wheels.

Chrome8 · 12-09-2015, 07:04 PM

Sorry about that

**Stocker** · 12-09-2015, 07:29 PM

Very nice! The grille surround should be unpainted bright aluminum. Repops don't seem to be of great quality....

GTSideSwipe · 12-09-2015, 07:51 PM

Nice grab! I do agree it should be unpainted. I really like that stance. Are those 8 lug? I'm currently looking for replacement wheels and tires for my C20. Could you possibly post the specs for those wheels? Wheel size, Width, backspacing, and tire specs?

68 CRACKERBOX · 12-09-2015, 08:00 PM

nice truck like the color,It's ashane the cab marker lights are not still there ,

Chrome8 · 12-09-2015, 08:53 PM

Thanks for the compliments fellas, the wheels are 16.5's 8 lug, I'd have to investigate for more info than that. Truck is in the shop at the moment. I'm sick about the cab lights too, I have an old parts truck with them and just love those cab lights. The guy that built it told me that the original cab was not salvageable so he had to do a cab swap. The truck was a Co-OP truck with a sprayer on the bed. He used the rusted Luverne bed as a template and built a new one during the resto. Apparently the truck was ordered commercial with no box and there was no holes or anything in the frame to even mount a conventional bed on it. Flat bed since 71. My thoughts on the grille are maybe it should be painted white to match the Bumper and my eventual white wheels?

57taskforce · 12-09-2015, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 CRACKERBOX

nice truck like the color,It's ashane the cab marker lights are not still there ,

That leads me to think the cab has been swapped...

Chrome8 · 12-09-2015, 09:10 PM

Yes as I mentioned earlier the cab was swapped out and the flatbed was built new to copy what was on the truck originally. By no means is this truck an original piece of history or a time capsule. I just thought it was really cool and the bodywork and paint are strait so I bought it up.

57taskforce · 12-09-2015, 10:02 PM

that's what I get for skimming thru. It's a nice looking truck either way!

Lmac · 12-09-2015, 10:05 PM

I like it! Looks cool. Would love to see more pics.

**special-K** · 12-09-2015, 10:31 PM

I like that truck. You can paint the grille if you want to, but '68 was the last year for painted grilles. Starting in 69 till 72, all trucks got the same grille.

Classic Bowties · 12-09-2015, 10:52 PM

Nice rig! Thats a great looking/functional work truck and option #V76 to boot, I have been trying to get my hands on a set of them for about ten years now. Enjoy your new K/20! Mel

Chrome8 · 12-10-2015, 01:30 PM

Thanks for the compliments and the info on the grille, I'm going to start looking for a clean used bare metal grille shell for it. I'd really like to get my hands on a set of steelies for it 1 piece 16.5's. The 33x12.50x16.5 rubber is brand new so I'd like to use those if possible. I know there has been some wheel discussions on here and I have been slightly confused. Was it Ford Econoline wheels that fit these and accept GM stock hubcaps?

**Ol Blue K20** · 12-10-2015, 01:45 PM

Yes the fords fit but they are 16" not 16.5"

cooperhw · 12-10-2015, 01:46 PM

Nice truck. Welcome to the club.

**too much stuff** · 12-10-2015, 03:02 PM

Nice looking truck! Too bad you don't need a set of wide 16.5 wheels with the spring clips for caps...

**Stocker** · 12-10-2015, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrome8

I'd really like to get my hands on a set of steelies for it 1 piece 16.5's. The 33x12.50x16.5 rubber is brand new so I'd like to use those if possible.

If I may make a suggestion.... with that size tire being phased out and hard to find, why not leave those tires & wheels in place until the tires are shot. Then consider replacing them with 16" steel wheels & new tires.

swamp rat · 12-10-2015, 09:42 PM

On the grill shell, its suppose to be painted black on the outer part of the grill that wraps around the headlight bezel, heres a link of my truck beside another truck with a better look of the paint. The inner is silver but i don't know if its painted or the color is in the plastic itself.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=527
.
.
.

swamp rat · 12-10-2015, 10:01 PM

Oh, I agree with the other poster, run the tires intill they need to be replaced, i was lucky enough to get a new set of 4 right befor they ended production.

Chrome8 · 12-10-2015, 10:13 PM

Too Much Stuff, are you being sarcastic? Is that what I really need? Stocker, that's a great suggestion but this truck won't get too many miles on it and would take a long time to wear out those tires. They will probably crack and check long before the tread is gone. I drive a newer truck as a Demo. (in car dealer speak I get a demonstrator to drive, I work for my Father he is a Chevy Buick Dealer coming up on 40 yrs I have 19yrs in so far) This truck will be used as a shop truck and I will use it to pull trailers on the weekends and for work around the house.

**Dieselwrencher** · 12-10-2015, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Yes the fords fit but they are 16" not 16.5"

That is incorrect. On the 70's Ford Camper specials they did have 16.5x9.75 steel wheels on the rear. They also had 16.5x8.25 steels on the front. They had nubs for a hub cap too. I have 1 Ford 16.5x9.75 wheel but it is a 3 nub. There is a junk yard down here that has some 16.5x8.25 and 9.75 wheels with cap nubs down here. That is where I had to get my last 2.

**too much stuff** · 12-10-2015, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrome8

Too Much Stuff, are you being sarcastic? Is that what I really need? Stocker, that's a great suggestion but this truck won't get too many miles on it and would take a long time to wear out those tires. They will probably crack and check long before the tread is gone. I drive a newer truck as a Demo. (in car dealer speak I get a demonstrator to drive, I work for my Father he is a Chevy Buick Dealer coming up on 40 yrs I have 19yrs in so far) This truck will be used as a shop truck and I will use it to pull trailers on the weekends and for work around the house.

Not sarcastic, just saying i have a set of wide wheels here i don't see a use for right now, but they have the spring clips for caps instead of the nubs.

**Ol Blue K20** · 12-10-2015, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

That is incorrect. On the 70's Ford Camper specials they did have 16.5x9.75 steel wheels on the rear. They also had 16.5x8.25 steels on the front. They had nubs for a hub cap too. I have 1 Ford 16.5x9.75 wheel but it is a 3 nub. There is a junk yard down here that has some 16.5x8.25 and 9.75 wheels with cap nubs down here. That is where I had to get my last 2.

I stand corrected, I wasn't going back that far

**Dieselwrencher** · 12-11-2015, 02:31 AM

Just in case anyone is looking for these illusive 16.5x9.75 wheels............ There are Ford ones that have 4 nubs that hold on hub caps and our GM ones will fit. I sold a set this past summer and at least 2 were Ford wheels. I didn't think the 9.75 ones would be that hard to find until I actually started the search.

El Dorado Jim · 12-20-2015, 10:32 PM

If you want stock wheels in 16", wheels from a 1998 and earlier ford or chevy 3/4 ton will work, they are the 8 on 6.5" lug pattern and will accept hub caps , the older ones in the 70's and 80's came in 16.5" later 80's and 90's til '98 use 16",after that they went to a metric spacing on the lug holes, they all have the hubcap lugs....I have been picking up the 16" ford wheels from trucks and vans to replace my old 16.5's on my old trucks

12-09-2015, 07:02 PM	#1
Chrome8 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Park Rapids, MN Posts: 288	71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions I bought this old girl this summer on the spur of the moment. I have some chassis work to have done to it in our shop, then I'd like to replace the grill shell and the inner grille as it is busted. Is the grille shell supposed to be painted white, bare steel or painted argent silver? Any help appreciated. I'd like to stay as much to "the way it was" as possible. I also like white painted wheels, any recommendations on those would be appreciated too. I want to run factory caps and white painted steel wheels. Attached Images __________________ 1969 K20 not running, complete but rusty with wrecker boom and push bumper 1969 GMC C20 un-molested rust free original paint "a 4 eyed girl named 'Tina" 1971 Chev K20 4X4 Box Delete Commercial Truck Flatbed "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius

12-09-2015, 07:04 PM	#2
Chrome8 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Park Rapids, MN Posts: 288	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Sorry about that Attached Images __________________ 1969 K20 not running, complete but rusty with wrecker boom and push bumper 1969 GMC C20 un-molested rust free original paint "a 4 eyed girl named 'Tina" 1971 Chev K20 4X4 Box Delete Commercial Truck Flatbed "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius

12-09-2015, 07:29 PM	#3
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,525	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Very nice! The grille surround should be unpainted bright aluminum. Repops don't seem to be of great quality.... __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

12-09-2015, 07:51 PM	#4
GTSideSwipe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Puyallup WA Posts: 127	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Nice grab! I do agree it should be unpainted. I really like that stance. Are those 8 lug? I'm currently looking for replacement wheels and tires for my C20. Could you possibly post the specs for those wheels? Wheel size, Width, backspacing, and tire specs?

12-09-2015, 08:00 PM	#5
68 CRACKERBOX Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: MYAKKA CITY fla. Posts: 408	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions nice truck like the color,It's ashane the cab marker lights are not still there ,

12-09-2015, 08:53 PM	#6
Chrome8 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Park Rapids, MN Posts: 288	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Thanks for the compliments fellas, the wheels are 16.5's 8 lug, I'd have to investigate for more info than that. Truck is in the shop at the moment. I'm sick about the cab lights too, I have an old parts truck with them and just love those cab lights. The guy that built it told me that the original cab was not salvageable so he had to do a cab swap. The truck was a Co-OP truck with a sprayer on the bed. He used the rusted Luverne bed as a template and built a new one during the resto. Apparently the truck was ordered commercial with no box and there was no holes or anything in the frame to even mount a conventional bed on it. Flat bed since 71. My thoughts on the grille are maybe it should be painted white to match the Bumper and my eventual white wheels? __________________ 1969 K20 not running, complete but rusty with wrecker boom and push bumper 1969 GMC C20 un-molested rust free original paint "a 4 eyed girl named 'Tina" 1971 Chev K20 4X4 Box Delete Commercial Truck Flatbed "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius Last edited by Chrome8; 12-09-2015 at 09:01 PM.

12-09-2015, 09:10 PM	#8
Chrome8 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Park Rapids, MN Posts: 288	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Yes as I mentioned earlier the cab was swapped out and the flatbed was built new to copy what was on the truck originally. By no means is this truck an original piece of history or a time capsule. I just thought it was really cool and the bodywork and paint are strait so I bought it up. __________________ 1969 K20 not running, complete but rusty with wrecker boom and push bumper 1969 GMC C20 un-molested rust free original paint "a 4 eyed girl named 'Tina" 1971 Chev K20 4X4 Box Delete Commercial Truck Flatbed "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius

12-09-2015, 10:02 PM	#9
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Farmington, New Mexico Posts: 6,261	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions that's what I get for skimming thru. It's a nice looking truck either way! __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's ‘87 IROC-Z all original 50K mile survivor TPI 305 IROC Blue ‘10 Camaro 2SS/RS Aqua Blue Metallic #93 -version 2.0

12-09-2015, 10:05 PM	#10
Lmac Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 58	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions I like it! Looks cool. Would love to see more pics. Last edited by Lmac; 12-09-2015 at 10:34 PM.

12-09-2015, 10:31 PM	#11
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions I like that truck. You can paint the grille if you want to, but '68 was the last year for painted grilles. Starting in 69 till 72, all trucks got the same grille. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-09-2015, 10:52 PM	#12
Classic Bowties Always on the hunt... Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portland, OR. Posts: 5,537	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Nice rig! Thats a great looking/functional work truck and option #V76 to boot, I have been trying to get my hands on a set of them for about ten years now. Enjoy your new K/20! Mel

12-10-2015, 01:30 PM	#13
Chrome8 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Park Rapids, MN Posts: 288	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Thanks for the compliments and the info on the grille, I'm going to start looking for a clean used bare metal grille shell for it. I'd really like to get my hands on a set of steelies for it 1 piece 16.5's. The 33x12.50x16.5 rubber is brand new so I'd like to use those if possible. I know there has been some wheel discussions on here and I have been slightly confused. Was it Ford Econoline wheels that fit these and accept GM stock hubcaps? Attached Images __________________ 1969 K20 not running, complete but rusty with wrecker boom and push bumper 1969 GMC C20 un-molested rust free original paint "a 4 eyed girl named 'Tina" 1971 Chev K20 4X4 Box Delete Commercial Truck Flatbed "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius

12-10-2015, 01:45 PM	#14
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,871	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Yes the fords fit but they are 16" not 16.5" __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man

12-10-2015, 01:46 PM	#15
cooperhw Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Mesa AZ (Near Phoenix) Posts: 2,302	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Nice truck. Welcome to the club. __________________ "Life is too short to drive a boring vehicle". Later, Wayne

12-10-2015, 03:02 PM	#16
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,715	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Nice looking truck! Too bad you don't need a set of wide 16.5 wheels with the spring clips for caps... __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto



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12-10-2015, 09:42 PM	#18
swamp rat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spanaway Posts: 8,451	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions On the grill shell, its suppose to be painted black on the outer part of the grill that wraps around the headlight bezel, heres a link of my truck beside another truck with a better look of the paint. The inner is silver but i don't know if its painted or the color is in the plastic itself. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=527 . . . __________________ Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's

12-10-2015, 10:01 PM	#19
swamp rat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spanaway Posts: 8,451	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Oh, I agree with the other poster, run the tires intill they need to be replaced, i was lucky enough to get a new set of 4 right befor they ended production. __________________ Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's

12-10-2015, 10:13 PM	#20
Chrome8 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Park Rapids, MN Posts: 288	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Too Much Stuff, are you being sarcastic? Is that what I really need? Stocker, that's a great suggestion but this truck won't get too many miles on it and would take a long time to wear out those tires. They will probably crack and check long before the tread is gone. I drive a newer truck as a Demo. (in car dealer speak I get a demonstrator to drive, I work for my Father he is a Chevy Buick Dealer coming up on 40 yrs I have 19yrs in so far) This truck will be used as a shop truck and I will use it to pull trailers on the weekends and for work around the house. __________________ 1969 K20 not running, complete but rusty with wrecker boom and push bumper 1969 GMC C20 un-molested rust free original paint "a 4 eyed girl named 'Tina" 1971 Chev K20 4X4 Box Delete Commercial Truck Flatbed "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius

12-11-2015, 02:31 AM	#24
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,141	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions Just in case anyone is looking for these illusive 16.5x9.75 wheels............ There are Ford ones that have 4 nubs that hold on hub caps and our GM ones will fit. I sold a set this past summer and at least 2 were Ford wheels. I didn't think the 9.75 ones would be that hard to find until I actually started the search. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

12-20-2015, 10:32 PM	#25
El Dorado Jim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: El Dorado Ca Posts: 3,374	Re: 71 4x4 k20 Commercial truck Questions If you want stock wheels in 16", wheels from a 1998 and earlier ford or chevy 3/4 ton will work, they are the 8 on 6.5" lug pattern and will accept hub caps , the older ones in the 70's and 80's came in 16.5" later 80's and 90's til '98 use 16",after that they went to a metric spacing on the lug holes, they all have the hubcap lugs....I have been picking up the 16" ford wheels from trucks and vans to replace my old 16.5's on my old trucks

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