Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Hello all. I've been a forum observer for quite some time, building ideas for my own project. Like most everyone, it is going to be a slow process that really only moves forward when I can get the old lady to turn loose of a little cash ;).

Anyway, a little background on the truck. I bought it in 2009 to be a daily driver. I got a pretty good deal on it because both axles and the transfer case were shot. The engine was also needed a water pump and a general tune-up. As far as the body goes it was in pretty good shape. It is the kind of truck that looks really good going down the road, but you're disappointed when you get close. The PO gave it a quickie paint job and it showed. It was originally a longbed that was shortened.

I had a heavy half 80 farm truck that I robbed the axles and transfer case off of before I sent it to the crusher. At that point I was driving it to work every day. Not long after that I ended up with a company car and the 72 became garage art, then yard art when the wife made me move it out of the garage.

The plan is to swap in a 5.3/4l60e. I've kicked the idea of changing from the stepside to a SWB. Then, a friend of mine that is building a 72 C10 with his son told me he wants the stepside bed, so I let that make my decision for me. Surprisingly I've already got a bead on a local SWB, but I'm not sure what kind of shape it's in.

Here are some photos of the truck when I bought it.
http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/...psb2663fe4.jpg
http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/...psabd48f34.jpg
http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9e4fa9ce.jpg
And the truck after about 8 hours (with help from the wife's brother) over the weekend.
http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8becaec5.jpg
http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/...ps66031170.jpg
http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7525d78c.jpg
http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/...psad703b16.jpg

Wish me luck. ;)

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

BTW this is the end goal. I found this on the web.

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/...ps578c92fd.jpg

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Keep up the work. Looks good
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Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Done yet? :lol:

I does look like a great start!

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

:lol:

Thanks. I hope I can keep a little momentum going. My wife is already starting to throw out comments like, "you think you'll ever drive it again?"

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Thanks!

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Ha ha! My wife just laughs at me when I tell her my goals on the truck :lol:
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Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Looks great!

Most wives don't understand.

My wife tells me when I die...Funeral at 12 auction at 2.

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Ha that's funny!

Any new updates?

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Update time.

Well, after removing some brake lines, fuel lines, and the like I rolled the frame outside for some cleaning. Oh boy!

On one side we have Dad's 56 3100 watching... My brother claimed it long ago, but it ended up getting stored at my place. I ask him to sell it to me so often he's either going to give in or come get it. I'll call it a win either way ;)
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080454.jpg

And on the other side... "The Turd"
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080455.jpg

The rattle can rubberized frame coating (or that's what I think it is) is coming off in chunks.
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080456.jpg

I have a little frame repair work to do hear... nothing major though.
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080457.jpg

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Now that's what I call progress! Great job, also I like the other rigs as well :-)

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

While the frame was drying in nice warm Good Friday sun (hard to believe there was 8 inches of snow on the ground just over a week ago) I went back inside the shop to do a little inspection on the cab.

The rockers and a couple floor/inner rocker patches were installed with pop-rivets.
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080458.jpg

Here's an overall view of the floor. Notice the old license plate used to patch the trans tunnel. :D
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080460.jpg

So, I drilled out the rivets on the driver side to get to the floor patches
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080464.jpg

Then removed the floor patches to find out what I was really dealing with... There's some work to be done, but nothing too bad.
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080465.jpg

Then I moved to the passenger side... Not as bad, but still some work to do.
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080468.jpg

Cab corners don't look too bad on the outside...
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080473.jpg
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080474.jpg

And the inside cab corners...
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080476.jpg
http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080477.jpg

We'll see what the sandblaster reveals, but it will be a while before we get there.


Then I pushed the frame back inside after doing some much needed cleaning. It probably would have saved a lot of time if I'd found a home for parts as they were coming off, but what can I say...

http://betterlifedaily.com/wp-conten...3/P1080478.jpg

I also did some cleaning on the NP 205 on Saturday, but forgot to take the camera. It was pretty dirty... and still has a little way to go to be clean. I'll post some after photos later.

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Thanks. The "free" part of the project is quickly running out. Time to start working on my sales skills with the wife. ;)

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Hey your truck looks like mine, good from the outside until you take a look
under neath and than its a little scary.

I have a 69 stepside swb 4x4 and the patch works needs attention, but mine is just alittle worse so i"am looking for another cab.

I like the your truck in white, stands out nicely.

What size of lift and tires came with the truck?

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Looks like a fun build. I like the end goal.. Where in Missouri are you from?

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Yeah, when I saw it listed for sale online I was pretty excited. Of course, I knew there were some mechanical issues. When I got close to it I was disappointed. It did get plenty of looks when I was driving it though.

I like the white also, but since it is a local truck, I decided I want to go another direction (two tone fleet side).

It has a 6" lift. The tires are Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ 35x13.50 R20.

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Well, it is fun when I have time to work on it. I've been covered up at work lately and unable to do much. I am from the West Plains area of the Show Me State.

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Quick update...

I haven't been able to do too much work on the truck lately. Most free time has been devoted to the yard and garden. I was able to acquire a set of Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ's (the same as what is on it in the original photos) for about half the price of a new set. The have less than 1000 miles on them, the person I got them off of just wanted something different. I've also been kicking around the idea of farming out the sand blasting. I've done some in the past but nothing on this scale. I really don't care for the job, but it's cheaper to do it at home.

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Ok, got the photos back on this post.

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Photos, part 1 of this post.

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

And now, part 2.

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Sorry no updates yet, but I should have some updates soon, now that I've got the photos lined back out. I've been spending a lot of time outside lately, neglecting the truck. :(

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Oh, wives understand, all too well. They want husbands to spend time with THEM, not with trucks. It's kind of funny, because I can tell when my wife is getting jealous when i spend time or energy on my daughters, and not her (she is their step-mom). And when i work on my truck, she throws out subtle and not-so subtle comments. So I do the same when she's spending energy on her iPad (and not me :rolleyes:), if it's good for the gander, it's good for the goose as well :)

Funeral at 12, auction at 2 is hilarious!

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

Rusty, talk to me about having the frame sandblasted? Are you sending the rolling chassis to the blaster? Or tearing it down to just frame? I'm about to start my K-20 project and contemplating if i even want to touch the frame at this point(?)

Re: Drew's 72 K10 Shortbed
 

"LOL" On the Ipad comment.... I recently bought my girlfriend one, and just last night I told her I was going to throw that thing out because she paid more attention to it than me..... :lol:

She is good about me working on the truck, but then she's my girlfriend, Not my wife !!!