72 k20 project

[swamp rat]

As usual great work!

[Dieselwrencher]

That all looks awesome! I really like all your fittings and hoses. It'll look great for a long time.

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by COS399

Ryan,

Thanks for the updates. Very nice work as usual. Do you need an apprentice?

Thanks! i never turn down free help!

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

You were trying to make a event in Augst weren't you? Going to make it ? And yes as always , great work . But I bet you allready knew that . Lol

There is always some thing do go to as a goal. i've learned not to expect that though... there is a thing in iowa every year on labor day i would like to go to with the truck. whenever i get it there.

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Here you go again making us all look bad, haha nice job as always!

i try, i try. haha. Thanks Mister!

Originally Posted by burnitg

Beautiful work Ryan!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by swamp rat

As usual great work!

I apreciate it! thanks!

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

That all looks awesome! I really like all your fittings and hoses. It'll look great for a long time.

Thanks! my hope is that i dont have to worry about it for a long time. and it looks nice. that too. haha

[brimc]

Very nicely done
I likes it allot!

[70custom20]

Killer work from the fabrication to the electrical to how the project is thought out. I only wish I was at your level. Can't wait to see the finished product. How big of a gooseneck trailer are you gonna haul with it?

[70custom20]

I know I posted a couple of weeks ago, but I just found the diesel conversion section of this board recently. This section still doesn't seem like it's easy to get to for some reason though?? Again, great engineering, layout, fabrication, welding, the whole nine yards. I keep threatening to pull my '69 K20 apart and redo it, but I don't really have the time or the space to do it right now. I'll have to get active on my photobucket account and post some pics of the truck. I started on it in '95 when I was 22, and I got the truck on the road in '97. I was pretty new to doing any sort of frame off project, and I was just learning how to MIG weld, etc...... Now that I'm older (which has it's goods and bads, lol) I'm more picky with what I want, but I'm a little more talented in basic metal fab, but nowhere near your level. I wouldn't know where to begin with a Cummins swap into one of these trucks. I'm on page 33 of this thread, do you have any idea of what type of torque this engine will produce? Keep up the great work, you're an artist. Kurt

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by brimc

Very nicely done
I likes it allot!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by 70custom20

I know I posted a couple of weeks ago, but I just found the diesel conversion section of this board recently. This section still doesn't seem like it's easy to get to for some reason though?? Again, great engineering, layout, fabrication, welding, the whole nine yards. I keep threatening to pull my '69 K20 apart and redo it, but I don't really have the time or the space to do it right now. I'll have to get active on my photobucket account and post some pics of the truck. I started on it in '95 when I was 22, and I got the truck on the road in '97. I was pretty new to doing any sort of frame off project, and I was just learning how to MIG weld, etc...... Now that I'm older (which has it's goods and bads, lol) I'm more picky with what I want, but I'm a little more talented in basic metal fab, but nowhere near your level. I wouldn't know where to begin with a Cummins swap into one of these trucks. I'm on page 33 of this thread, do you have any idea of what type of torque this engine will produce? Keep up the great work, you're an artist. Kurt

Thanks for reading along! i have definitely learned along the way with this one. it my first project of this magnitude for sure. of course it changed paths along the way a few times... haha

we all love pics, so be sure to post up a thread with some! especially K20's

some front link fab work. the lowers and the tires were all in the same space at the edges of the steering, so some things had to be done.

it uses a fixed bushing end on the frame side. uses the same big poly bushing that is on the rear links and the front uppers. they are from ballistic fab. the axle sides are ruffstuff 1.25" rod ends. the lower link is made from 1.75"x.250" wall DOM for the bent tube and it copes into a stub of 2"x.250" wall DOM with the tube adaper welded in. clears the tires with just enough room i could probably run a little wider tire. but not much.

[ryanroo]

more of the same





the uppers are made with 1.75"x.120 wall DOM. they are really short and not bent, and only see torque load in tension for the most part. no need for super tube.



some in the weld zone pics





no reasonable truck can and have linked suspension and no taco gussets, right? i made a quick and dirty taco bender





i also put wrappers on the upper side of the bushing collar. the frame bracket confines space there so it needed to be a little more sleek. they are one piece formed to fit.





then the real tacos.

[ryanroo]

and more welding





some test fitting







and some paint and install

i capped the open end of the 2" and smoothed the welds.

[1985-GMC]

Man that looks sweet! So when are you opening your own custom fab and off-road shop?

[goldenburb]

What a great build for the last 4 years..

[burnitg]

Ryan:

As always, your work is fantastic, especially the welds. I love the bender.

Burnett

[Dieselwrencher]

an, those look awesome! Those welds look like money to me!

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Man that looks sweet! So when are you opening your own custom fab and off-road shop?

Thanks Tony! I'd love to do this professionally, but I'm not in the right area of the world for it. Hard place to make things like that work. I'm not sure we'll be here long term though. Maybe one day I'll get someone convinced to give me some money for a sweet ride...

Originally Posted by goldenburb

What a great build for the last 4 years..

Sadly this weekend marks five years since I started the resurrection. I do enjoy looking at the work on the truck and seeing how I've grown and improved as it went on, but I'd sure like to drive it... Haha. Thanks!

Originally Posted by burnitg

Ryan:

As always, your work is fantastic, especially the welds. I love the bender.

Burnett

Burnett, thanks! I was beating myself up on them a little. I've welded with a transformer machine professionally for years and I feel like this inverter makes me look bad. I still haven't had enough seat time to get used to it. But I have burned up nearly a whole t bottle of argon. I was laughing to myself about being a tig snob the other day. I haven't turned on the mm250 since sometime in 2015. I do have a job for it this weekend though so the streak dies.

Literally the day after I made my 'bender' someone on IG posted a pic of a super intricate cnc cut, extra nice taco gusset bender. Made me chuckle. Mine is back in the scraps pile where it came from.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

an, those look awesome! Those welds look like money to me!

Thanks dude. Stack of dimes, eh? Maybe pesos. I think I coulda done it more slick, but as I learned early on in weldering, paint fixes everything!

[70custom20]

Ryan, I have to agree with everyone else that those welds look absolutely great. Steady hand, right amount of filler wire on each dip, etc..... I do some Tig welding at work, I'm a Steamfitter (Pipefitter) most of the time I'm stick welding though. I have two welders at home, a Millermatic 175 MIG, and a Lincoln 175 square wave AC/DC that do a decent job for what I neex to do. I wish I was better at welding on aluminum, but I just don't do it often enough. I have been told that the newer machines like the Miller dynasty are a dream to weld with. Anyway, just when I think some of my freehand TIG welds look good, I look at guys like you and I'm reminded that I'm average at best. Kurt

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by 70custom20

Ryan, I have to agree with everyone else that those welds look absolutely great. Steady hand, right amount of filler wire on each dip, etc..... I do some Tig welding at work, I'm a Steamfitter (Pipefitter) most of the time I'm stick welding though. I have two welders at home, a Millermatic 175 MIG, and a Lincoln 175 square wave AC/DC that do a decent job for what I neex to do. I wish I was better at welding on aluminum, but I just don't do it often enough. I have been told that the newer machines like the Miller dynasty are a dream to weld with. Anyway, just when I think some of my freehand TIG welds look good, I look at guys like you and I'm reminded that I'm average at best. Kurt

Thanks! Fitting is an awesome craft. i enjoy doing fit up work as much as welding. it is nice to work something into just the right place. and its nice to weld it that way too. My stepdad is a union fitter. i dont think he does steam, but i really dont know.

i've heard the dynasty series is awesome too. i hope to test that myself one day, but for now my little everlast is doing its tricks. i decided to get the green one on the chance that i really didnt like the inverter. i do like them, but i am too new to them to feel as proficient as i'd like. i also shopped a little smaller than i will next time. this one is a 250A machine but pulse cuts the applied amperage down enough that i would like a bigger machine. other than that it does fine. i was burning 3/16 309l rods with it just to see how it stick welded and was pretty impressed.

my MIG is a MM250, i learned on that very machine in HS so i like it, but i really would like to get something a little different i think. the Lincoln 255s are nice, but the Miller 300xmt i mig with at work is by far my favorite mig power source that i could ever hope to afford as a hobbyist. i welded with an Axcess 450 for a while in my younger days and that is Mig welder. but also $8500 or something. and way to big for a garage. But fun to play with.

i got the rear limit straps installed.

the frame side



axle side.



the tabs are probably overkill at 3/16" thick. better safe than sorry, right?

welded the lower shock tabs at this time as well.



welded the uppers



the straps from Ruffstuff are burly and fairly priced, and they come with a comical tag



painted the upper shock mounts too.



a way long time ago i was going to try to incorporate the dodge shock mounts on the axle. that died a long time ago, but i just ignored them. i finally got my crap in a pile and ground the ugly SOB's off. looks better than i figured it would

[coggonobrien]

I can't recall, what are you using for a front axle?

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by coggonobrien

I can't recall, what are you using for a front axle?

78 or 79 Ford D60.

It looks great Ryan. Those limit straps are a nice addition. I can say, that I am going to be adding a rear sway bar this winter to mine. There's just not much in the rear suspension compared to the front.

[Seventy468]

Any updates? Enjoyed the build, great work!

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by coggonobrien

I can't recall, what are you using for a front axle?

Ryan nailed it. i think this one was '78 model year f350.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

78 or 79 Ford D60.

It looks great Ryan. Those limit straps are a nice addition. I can say, that I am going to be adding a rear sway bar this winter to mine. There's just not much in the rear suspension compared to the front.

im sure. I'm sure this big bar will help. hopefully it doesnt need tuned. itll be a pain to remove...

Originally Posted by Seventy468

Any updates? Enjoyed the build, great work!

Thanks!

i havent done much lately. i have a few things i will have to post up but i havent been real busy on the truck.

[kehstr]

This build is sweet!! Talking about going on wolf creek pass for its maiden voyage, makes me wonder if you have heard the song about it by C.W. McCall?

[Seventy468]

cant let this die. had any more time for the truck?

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by kehstr

This build is sweet!! Talking about going on wolf creek pass for its maiden voyage, makes me wonder if you have heard the song about it by C.W. McCall?

I certainly have! my dad was a trucker for years, so i knew of the song and of WCP before i ever thought of living here. i would think i should make a good test track!

Originally Posted by Seventy468

cant let this die. had any more time for the truck?

It isnt dead, but i might call it hibernation mode for a bit. We though we were going to move from the area, sometime earlier this year, so i had stopped doing much in prep for that. we've since decided to stay, but i have had another distraction from this truck lately trying to get my other K20 a new powertrain. so basically it sits awaiting my fickle focus to land on it once more... I promise one day it will see action again. i haven't even started piling things on it or anything!

[jbclassix]

I love driving WCP. Last time though, there was construction which added an hour to our trip. So you're staying? Glad to hear. I know it's hard to find work over there.

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by jbclassix

I love driving WCP. Last time though, there was construction which added an hour to our trip. So you're staying? Glad to hear. I know it's hard to find work over there.

seems like all they do is repair roads around here. mountain weather isnt much good at preserving the road surface, and the area has experienced some growth and the roads show the wear. its always a pain in the summer months.

fortunately we dont struggle for work and get by better than most. my wife was able to find a position at work that she feels settled with and that was the ultimate hinge point. hard to want to leave a place as beautiful as this!

let me know when you are rambling through again, we can have a beer and do some bench racing!