Newbie, Buying my first. 72 GMC K20

[Joseph2001]

Hello, I'm 15 buying my first 67-72 GMC/Chevy. I found the truck for 500$, last inspection was 2006. It was parked in a Cow barn. I'm picking it up this weekend hopefully. Already paid the man the first 200 to make sure it wouldn't go anywhere, Made sure to get reciepts with his Signature. It's a v8 automatic. Not sure which v8 yet, If it's the 307 I'll probably pull it and find a 350. I've been working on these trucks since I was 11 and fell in love. Any info or tips for a first time restore, I don't necessarily care about keeping it original, It's my truck and its not going anywhere, also not sure if I wanna keep the flatbed or go the stepside
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[demian5]

At 15 I'd figure you'd be a bit more savvy with getting the pictures oriented correctly! LOL

[Joseph2001]

I have no clue why they posted upside down. When I took them they were right side up. Lmao
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[Moose Monkey]

Welcome. After you hose her off she will look like a new truck. Keep the photos coming , can't wait.good luck

[Ol Blue K20]

I'm getting dizzy and may throw up....

[bigdog55]

Gad to see a person from the younger generation interested in their hands dirty.

[jeffahart]

Get it running, fix all the safety stuff like brakes, seat bolted down ect. Then check all the wiring and fuel lines, you don't want it burning to the ground. I would fix it as you go, you will love driving it. That's what I like. I do one major thing every year.

Have fun, nice truck. I love the K20s. Get a fleetside/styleside bed, it keeps the lines clean from the nose to the tail.

[Joseph2001]

Thanks everyone. I'll keep pictures coming as I do more. It will be a restore as I go, I plan on having it road worthy as I get my license, which won't be for another year. My father is actually very jealous but excited to help me with the build. Does anyone have a recommendation for what I can find for 8 lug 16 inch rims? It has the factory 16.5 inch and tires for them seem to be hard to find
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[bigdog55]

I found a nice set of 22s at a salvage yard. Take a look and you may get lucky. Just make sure of the bolt pattern matches your truck

[El Dorado Jim]

awesome truck for $500.00 the big blue spicer hubs are worth atleast $250.00 looks like a 350 to me...why would you think it is a 307? put a fleetside bed on it and get it painted...and never sell it..you got a real find for the price.....Happy to see another teen getting in to these old trucks....you can buy almost anything aftermarket for these old trucks and welcome to the site,feel free to ask as many questions about your truck, I have built a couple of these old K20's ,my 72 chevy and my son's 70 GMC...still working on mine. try and uprite your pics...

[Joseph2001]

I don't want anything bigger than 17inch, I hate those stupidly large rims. Does anyone know the lug pattern?
El Dorado Jim, I'm still learning the engines on these trucks, but I do know that in 72 you had 3 choices of v8 the 307, 350 or the 402. I have a copy of the old registration and it says it's a v8 truck.
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[72 tigger]

Look for a set of Ford 8 lug wheels off a E250 or E350. I have a set on mine

[Classic v6 GMC's]

Looks like a good truck to start with.
If you decide you want to put an aftermarket radio in it I will take the old one off your hands!

[jimer1964]

A True barn find! With what looks like a am/fm radio! Between the radio and hubs well worth the money!

[Joseph2001]

72 tigger, do you have a picture?
I am pulling the factory radio, But I'm gunna keep it. I plan on keeping anything original I pull of the truck. Thankfully my Father is a machinist and we have access to anything I might need, We've already discussed boring blocks right there for free.
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[El Dorado Jim]

the wheels you want are 8 on 6.5 " any wheels from dodge and chevy will work, ford before 1998 will work ford changed patterns to a metric measurement...., they are cheap on craigslist, I have gotten a couple sets of aluminum 8" x 16" for less than $200.00 for the set.....if you want steel rims, like 72 tigger said wheels from a Ford E250 or E350 are 7" wide and will fit your truck , make sure they are pre 98.I have a set on my 74K20..measure the lug holes center to center across from each other and you will see what I'm talking about with the 6 1/2 " spacing.....all of the wheels with that spacing will fit your truck, the center holes may be bigger than what you have but that won't matter, the lugs will center your wheels

[Joseph2001]

72 tigger, do you have a picture?
I am pulling the factory radio, But I'm gunna keep it. I plan on keeping anything original I pull of the truck. Thankfully my Father is a machinist and we have access to anything I might need, We've already discussed boring blocks right there for free.
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[chevy72blu]

in. I was your age when I started wrenching on mine

[Tom Vogel]

KEEP that radio! They are quite hard to find.

[terry b]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

KEEP that radio! They are quite hard to find.

Please don't let go of any parts until you know what you have. I have a stock steering wheel black with two small cracks in it that is a lot better than yours that you can have for free if you get the truck and want it.

[weq92f]

here ya go...

[DarkFlounder]

Welcome to weekends of knuckle busting and grease everywhere. You'll love it.

Agreed, keep the stock radio. Do NOT cut the dash for a new style radio, it's a real bear to reverse that decision. Either get one of the RetroSound head units, or put a modern head unit in the glove box.

Regarding the engine, I believe the base engine for 3/4t 4x4 trucks was the 350.

[cypressbog]

Welcome!! Pop open that glove box door and take a good picture of the SPID label inside the door. Looks like a heck of a truck for $500!!

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by cypressbog

welcome!! Pop open that glove box door and take a good picture of the spid label inside the door. Looks like a heck of a truck for $500!!

x2!!!!!

[FleetsidePaul]

Fleetside bed would do wonders for that truck, but I'm a little biased. Looks like a heck of a deal.