1972 K20 Steerring & Wiring Woes.
 

New Guy here,

Have a '72 K20 that is in pretty decent shape considering the environment I live in (MT), and I have two major issues.

1. There is like, 8-10 inches of play in the steering. I have other old rigs and understand that some slop is just going to be there, however, this is a little past acceptable IMO - I have read around and seen that steeringboxes are a common item in this generation of truck - I've also seen some take a box out of a '73+ and put it in. Is this a direct fit? Because I have a 2wd '80 carcass that I would not mind robbing.

2. Wiring. Oh man, wiring. I mean, I shouldnt be surprised, right? This was/is a farm truck, but goodness there is some half-assery going on in this truck for wiring. Mainly, someone put in a trailer plug (the old six pin type - correct for the age of the truck) and completely butchered all the wiring under the bed of the truck going to the tails. Where is a good vendor to go to for a replacement wiring harness? Anyone know rough cost?

Thanks guys,
-TF

Re: 1972 K20 Steerring & Wiring Woes.
 

No on the steering box. The sector shafts are different between 2WD and 4WD.

It is not rocket science to rebuild one. How's your mechanical ability?

I think that harness is available at all the 67-72 Truck parts places and probably cheap too.

Re: 1972 K20 Steerring & Wiring Woes.
 

Is it pretty easy? If so, I might just do that. I've heard the common issue is worn teeth, so do you buy new teeth?

I can't find a cheap wiring harness anywhere :( everything I find is $400 +, and that's not cheap in my book.

-TF

Re: 1972 K20 Steerring & Wiring Woes.
 

I made sure to leave behind some nice parts when I moved from MT - I'll bet you could scrounge up a usable wiring harness and other goodies in a salvage yard no sweat.

Re: 1972 K20 Steerring & Wiring Woes.
 

Show us some pics of your truck.....and could be the frame is broken around the box..