Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

After 3 years in paint prison, our truck is finally home. The assembly process has offically began. I haven't been around a project of this size since the 1980's and I now remember why.
Our truck is an offical California 1972 K20 with just over 115,000 on the clock. A 700R4 and Vintage Air are items the previous owner(s) had installed. It was a solid daily driver for 3 years until 2007. About then, the previous bodywork was giving way from the typical Indiana winters, with standard rust spots in the rockers and roof area. It was still a great old truck from even from 5 feet, but was regulated to the garage and became our nice weather vehicle.
I've taken 3 years worth of in process pictures, all with the intent of sharing my journey with whomever might be interested in following. I'll not dwell much on the past, just touching on big changes that occured until we get to present day.
My wife didn't understand why I would tear apart a 'perfectly good truck' to redo it, but it happened nonetheless. Here is what we started with.
Attachment 830125
Soon after moving it to my friend's shop, the major destruction began. This uncovered the extent of rust damage along with a pretty major inpact on the cab, behind the door.
Attachment 830130
Attachment 830131
Attachment 830132
More to come as soon as I sort them out.
Curt

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Nice start! Does it have the 8 lug axel and if so could i get a close up pic of the front ralleys. Good luck with this project.:metal:

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Well, Being a K20, it has 8 lug axles. Ralley wheels weren't ever offered for 8 luggers. It has the factory 16.5x8.25 steelies, which I'm a huge fan of. That is, until I really started wanting the 9.75 wide steelies. I've since squirreled away a few sets of them and even managed to find another set of the 8.25's at my local junk yard.
I'm in process of getting some of them blasted and powdercoated. I'm concerned, though about the amount of offset. None of the sets I have have the same. It will be a visual for me, as I don't want too much wheel hanging out of the fenders. More to come as that part of the process is worked on.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

New rockers went on smoothly. We discovered cab supports would be needed so those went on too.
Attachment 832030
A new header panel was put in. We did it by laminating rather than cutting out the entire panel.
Attachment 832032
The passenger door was excellent. It just needed touched up.
Attachment 832034
The driver's door need a new skin.
Attachment 832037
I considered a new door, but the rest of it was in great shape. The new skin fit well. Some minor massaging of the key hole was necessary later.
I've got many more indepth pictures if there is something you'd like to see in more detail. The frame and bed are next.
Curt

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Of course we're interested in more-in depth pictures! LOL

Very nice truck you got there.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Body work is rockin' by now. Seeing huge changes at every visit. As you can tell, we're not doing the frame-off, but extensive, nonetheless. After taking the front end apart, we decided new fenders would be a good idea. Scored a couple of good ones from a board member. Huck is what he has been on here at. Got them from him at the swap meet in Indy. He's still around, into Honda mintrails and the such.
Fenders cleaned up nice. They also had the trim holes which was great because we're going back to that.
Attachment 834552
Attachment 834553
We had the bed sandblasted. It was super clean. It had a gas tank cover on the passenger side, which I wanted removed. I wasn't going to use it, so I wanted it gone. The old fender served as good patch. The inside of the bed didn't need anything. The bottom we just wire brushed and used POR-15 on it. Stuff works great.
Attachment 834554
Attachment 834555
We hit the frame next, since the bed was off. More on that.
Curt

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Started thrashing on the frame since it's exposed. Lots of wire wheel work here. I hope everybody who does uses an angle grinder with any attachment wears PPE. A wire wheel cup worked best for us.
Attachment 835077
Attachment 835078
The chambered exhaust was kinda cool for awhile, but loud. Going much quieter this time around. My muffler guys assure me that we can sew any type muffler right in line with these. That'll happen once it's back on the road.
We then put the POR-15 on the frame, springs, rearend, everything from the underside of the cab back.
Attachment 835081
Attachment 835082
We learned later that being ambitious on the frame this early in the process isn't necessarily a good thing. Primer and sealer along with the normal bodyshop environment will cause you to re-do things. Fortunately, we needed to put POR Chassis Black over the paint, so it wasn't wasted time.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Doors went back on fine. The hinge pins needed replaced and that was quite a job. First, hammer and a pinch. Then heat and a bigger hammer. Then a drill. A buddy dropped of a cool set of punches with a big honkin' handle on them that ultimately worked. We didn't want to remove the hinges because we'd hear too many stories about the nuts falling inside the vent area.
The door with the skin lined up great.
Attachment 835566
Attachment 835567
Attachment 835568
Got the bed all sealed and lined up with the cab. We had to loosen the cab mounts and move it forward on the drivers side to align everything. We figure the impact to the cab and the repair must have really messed with it.
No more add on gas door!
Attachment 835569
Attachment 835570
Things are really shaping up at this point. No real major issues.
Curt

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

That's coming along real nice! Makes me want to get out and do something to mine....but not today :lol:

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

well, it happened. The same story that alot of us get dealing with bodyshops and restorations. I got put on hold. For, well, about 11 months. I was bummed at first, but there wasn't anything I could do since the work all consisted of what I was paying someone for. I had removed everything I could blast, powdercoat or replace that needed it.
Then I moved on with remodels at home, kids in activities and the such. We have a 2+ car garage, and nothing has been sitting out, so I invested in a couple of small restorations to fill my time. A quickie 1983 ATC70 was probably the most fun. Also a one owner 1980 NC50 came along for another time.
By now, it became apparent that I needed to move in a different direction. The place where the truck was wasn't going to finish it. I contacted a couple of local shops but since I couldn't get the truck to them for a visual, they didn't even want to talk to me about it.
My bodyman was also working towards this same thing for me. The owner of another shop he had worked at before agreed to at least look at it. All things happen for a reason. The new shop gratiously accepted the job, the first shop agreed to pay a good portion of the bill to the new shop, and things worked out.
We're now up to getting the truck to them, after another 6 months. Hopfully we'll start seeing progress from them now.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Starting again to see progress. As I check on it every week, they assure me that even though big physical changes aren't visible, there is still progress.
They wanted my new door gaskets to fit the doors better. I guess another new set of gaskets will be needed now, but to assure a better fit, that will be a small price.
Attachment 838745

Attachment 838746

Attachment 838747
They also finished up the new header panel inside the cab and got primer on it. Things are moving along at this point.
Attachment 838748
Attachment 838749

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Learned that the hood is bad. You can press down on it and it stays. You've got to actually press up from the bottom to pop it back into place. It must have gotten pretty hot at some time or the sandblaster was way too high.
We got lucky and a friend of the bodyshop owner had a good one he would part with. It was much more sturdy. Glad we went this route.
Attachment 841254
Looks like we're getting that much closer to paint. I'm really seeing things shape up right now.
Attachment 841255

If the pictures aren't coming through or I'm presenting this wrong, let me know.
Thanks!

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Looks good to me!

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Sweet!

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

I've been gathering lots of parts for the restoration. Most are the originals that have been blasted and powdercoated. The trim items are reproductions for the most part, or I've cleaned up the originals.
After this length of time, I hope I remember how this stuff goes back together!
I've not found any vendor that is one stop shopping. Each are good, and each have different prices depending on the part. I've done alot of research comparisons online. I very seldom actually bought the least expensive.
Alot of people don't care for Ebay, but I search it daily. I've landed many good scores on it and I've never been stiffed. Some items haven't been as good as I thought they might be, but I've never paid much for any one thing.
The best so far has been the NOS parchment door panels. I paid less than $75.00 for them because the listing was typo'ed. They still had the bin tag GM bin tag stuck to them.
I've just joined the the site as a paying member and I hope to utilize the classifieds soon. I'm having a hard time locating the upper radiator pipe.
Attachment 841712
Attachment 841703

We're completely changing the color sceme and the interior. It'll be parchment. The seat is done and I'm very happy with the quality of the cover and the installation.
Attachment 841711

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

I'm thinking that the amount of beer you have left does not equate to the amount of parts you need to put back on :lol:

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

agreed...:lol:

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

i would also agree! :thumbs:

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Laughing....

It was on sale, Memorial Day weekend and two races for 1100 miles. I did the math.
Glad you guys are noticing this stuff! As long I get feedback, I'll continue to update.
Remember, this was a 3 year period and I haven't gotten to present day yet.
Thanks for the replies!

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Keep the pics coming! That was an awesome looking truck to start with. These pictures are just a little ahead of where i'm at right now. The bodywork seems endless sometimes!

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Very nice progress, you'll be happy when youre done!

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

We're heading to the paint booth! I'm pretty stoked about it. Finally, light at the end of the tunnel.
I've been on the fence about color. I'm going two tone, with white as the center and cab roof. The primary will be....wait for it....yellow. Yeah. That's what wifey said. Yellow? Kinda like Jim Mora and his rant about the Colts a few years ago. Yellow? Are you kidding me? Yellow? Still cracks me up.
Anyway, the shade of yellow is the issue. Some yellows look orange to me. I want a more greenish yellow. Like a highlighter. Something with pop. My painter will use any color I want, but he says OEM colors are less expensive.
I'm leaning toward C5 or C6 Corvette yellow. Either Millenium or Velocity. I thought it would be Millenium, untill i saw it on a C5. Now I need to see the Velocity.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Well, that is exciting! That color combination sounds awesome to me.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

We've got color!! Factory white basecoat. It looks gray in these pictures, but it's white, and it's color! White will be the center and cab, and serve as a base for the yellow. You paint guys knew that. I'm learning.
It won't be long now!


Attachment 854560
Attachment 854561
Attachment 854562

The frame detailing from before is really trashed. Got alot of rework there to do.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Very good thread. I am subscribing now.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

I scored these 16.5x9.75 wheels recently. Finally found a set with the outer nubs.


Attachment 855158

Just took them to get blasted and powdercoated. Gloss white. I should have them back next week.
I think I need them rather than the 8.25's that are currently on the truck. We'll see once I get them.
The backspacing is different on all three sets that I have. Backspace is only .25" greater than the 8.25's. That concerns me, because I don't want them to stick out too far.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

I know all areas are different, but do you mind telling me what the budget quote was for blast and powder coat? I have the same decision to make myself right now.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Nice..good progress...I paid $300 for blast and powdercoat on my 16.5 wheels

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Good looking truck. Gonna be sweet with the yellow/white two tone. I know a guy in town that has one. Its different stands out. Keep at it!

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Wow, expensive. I only paid $200 more for my whole truck. Guess I will have to do it myself. Hoping to make things simple. They do look good though.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

The quote was $30 to $32 dollars a wheel. This was a shop here in my hometown. The ones currently on the truck were the same cost from another outfit.
I'll post pics when I get them back.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Jeremy,
If that was for all the wheels in both pictures, then that's about how much it appears to be everywhere. About $33, right?

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Sorry, thought you meant per wheel earlier. $30-$32 is very reasonable.

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Velocity Yellow got the nod. Comparing paint chips isn't a good way to make a long term choice, but it worked out.
Getting ready to layout the lines for the two tone. Rather than measure using the documents in the assembly manual, we used the trim instead. The fenders had mounting holes so we had that reference point to start.
Attachment 857052
Attachment 857053

The paint divider trim on the cab uses studs adn they were still in place, so we didn't have to lay anything out there.
We'er looking at days now, rather than months. What a great feeling!

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

That's looking great! Can't wait to see the yellow!

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Got the wheels back from the powdercoater. $128 total. I think they came out great! I read all the threads on these 16.5x9.75 wheels whenever they come up. I've not seen anything about the little hole in the second picture. Anybody know?
Attachment 860586
Attachment 860587


It appears to be a locating hole...

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Did you get the truck painted?? Looks like a Yellow 2-tone behind those rims...

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Nick,
Yeah, it's painted. It's home and the assembly is well underway. At the beginning of the thread I talked about it finally being done.
I was showing over time the process that it had gone through before I actually revealed the body complete.
Here it is just after the yellow was applied.

The frame has been redone using POR-15 chassis black over the regular POR paint. This stuff is good!

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Coming OutcSweet:metal::metal:
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod
 

Very cool. I've looked at so many builds, i forget who is doing a re-cap and who is posting as they go. I like the yellow and white, its a little different than what you see every day. You were lucky to have the stud holes drilled for the trim already. My truck had zero trim on it, and im sure it will take some head scratching to get the 2-tone spacing laid out correctly. (once i get to that point obviously) Keep on truckin!