Swap Shop Chevy K20

[usernamessuck]

Since this is going to be my summer daily driver I wanted to concentrate on some of the important things first. I ordered a bunch of new brake parts; hoses, pads, shoes, wheel cylinders, calipers, brake fluid, master cylinder and hoped I could get away with the discs and drums on the truck. Everything came in and I got to work.

About this time the fellers in the shop talked me into rear discs. I did a little research and realized how cheap and easy (foreshadowing) it is to swap discs on a 14FF. I ordered the brackets, discs, calipers, seals, and bearings when I realized that this truck shouldn't have a 14 bolt in it.

By this time I had mistakenly concluded that the truck had been in an accident bad enough to bend the rear springs because they sat in the truck all crazy like. Taking a closer look made me realize the PO had just bolted up a 14 bolt from a newer truck without moving the perches. Wonky spring situation solved.

[CG]

I think it was four inch. A little too high for me. Getting in and out was a pain, I'm not short just old haha.

[landarts]

Nice truck project. I love it when someone brings one of these forgotten or battled trucks back to life. Again great work here!

What 8 lug rear disc swap kit is being used on the back?

[lunatic1968]

Cool build. I'm interested in knowing what the "magic wand" is ? I don't believe I know what that tool is. I like the fab work you've done so far, giving this truck a new life is an awesome feeling in the end.

[usernamessuck]

Originally Posted by lunatic1968

Cool build. I'm interested in knowing what the "magic wand" is ? I don't believe I know what that tool is. I like the fab work you've done so far, giving this truck a new life is an awesome feeling in the end.

We call it the magic wand at work because of it's magical properties of relentless destruction. It's a process called air arcing, and basically it uses electric current through a graphite rod along with compressed air blast to melt and remove the molten metal. You should be able to YouTube it if you want to see it in action. VERY LOUD!

[usernamessuck]

Sorry it has been so long, life has been super busy. So the studs that I bought and hammered into the hubs were about 1/4" too long. I may regret doing it but I made a set of spacers to fix the lug problem and fix another thing I don't like about these trucks. When you look at them from behind the axle seems a little too narrow. I'm sure Chevrolet did this for a reason but image is everything. Since I had a nice big piece of 7075 aluminum and a water jet at my disposal I drew them up and cut them out. They're cut to have the modern metric pattern and the older merican pattern. I'll offer again, if anyone wants cut files or drawings for any of this just let me know.

[usernamessuck]

The guys at work kept stealing the cart I had all my junk on so I built myself one. It's too wide but it works great! I can pile heaps of junk on it! Just a bunch of flat steal and a piece of pipe.

[usernamessuck]

Originally Posted by landarts

Nice truck project. I love it when someone brings one of these forgotten or battled trucks back to life. Again great work here!

What 8 lug rear disc swap kit is being used on the back?

I can't remember how I found it, but you should be able to find the brackets by searching for 14 bolt disc brake brackets. The calipers and rotors are the same as the front. I even used the same front brake lines as the front. The company I bought the brackets from had the worst customer service, but I can't remember where I got them to steer you away. It was a super simple conversion; just lost the e brakes.

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice work on the truck! I have a 72 K20 I'm gearing up to do the same on. It's rough but they are slim pickins around here. Awesome work on your cart and nice work on your spacers. I also agree these trucks look dumb from the rear with the narrow rear end and skinny tires. Keep up the great work!!

[usernamessuck]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Very nice work on the truck! I have a 72 K20 I'm gearing up to do the same on. It's rough but they are slim pickins around here. Awesome work on your cart and nice work on your spacers. I also agree these trucks look dumb from the rear with the narrow rear end and skinny tires. Keep up the great work!!

Thanks! I have about 6 months worth of pictures to add to catch up to where I am currently. Get ready for yellow.

[usernamessuck]

I found a feller on Craigslist that has an enviable amount of these trucks and parts for these trucks. I drove over the mountain to look at a bed to replace the total dumpster fire of the one that is currently on the truck. He had a pretty nice orange bed that had a metal floor and a couple of bullet holes. We struck a deal and he showed me around his collection. Buried deep in a sea of trucks he had a super nice survivor 72 C20 in ochre without an engine. It was an electricians truck from Cody and still had some of the sign paint on the door and bedsides. I dismissed the yellow truck and headed home to return with a trailer at a later date to grab the orange bed. I started doing the math in my head as to how much paint would cost me and how long it would take and the price of the yellow truck started looking better and better. I called the guy back and we made a deal on the yellow truck. I drove back a couple weeks later and bought this truck for myself for Christmas. He loaned me the chassis as all I wanted was the body, helped me load it up, and sent me on my way.

[usernamessuck]

I was really hoping the paint on the door would show up a little more after the polish. It's not bad but a little thin. These pictures don't really show it well, but I'm really happy with the results.

Also, I have another problem that maybe ya'll can help me with. The cab and fenders aligned very poorly and I didn't know how to remedy it other than to build some spacers for the body. I raised the back mounts of the cab 1/2" and it made everything line up just right. Maybe the mounts aren't right. Has anyone else had this problem?

[Low Elco]

Nice progress! Interested in the paint to come!

[usernamessuck]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Nice progress! Interested in the paint to come!

No paint, but wait until you see how this cleans up!

[Dieselwrencher]

Dude, sweet score and good decision! It even has the painted stripe on it. That's cheating. Does he have anymore?

[usernamessuck]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Dude, sweet score and good decision! It even has the painted stripe on it. That's cheating. Does he have anymore?

He has so much stuff! PM me and I can get you his contact info. He has a nice hustle selling all of the correct hardware / little misc. parts for these trucks. Super nice knowledgeable guy. I love the pinstripe also!

[usernamessuck]

Spent a few minutes and pulled the body from the yellow truck. Almost feels like cheating. I was going to push the truck up on the trailer with the forklift when I remembered I have a crane. If you have the ceiling height I highly recommend getting one!

[usernamessuck]

I set the yellow bed on the good chassis just for storage and got to work on some body work. About this time the new sneakers showed up!

[usernamessuck]

I'm a total amateur at bodywork but getting better. I figure I'd start with the inner fender. I made one from two and it turned out better than I thought it would. I hammered all of the dents I could out of the outer fender as well. The original paint can take a surprising amount of abuse!

[Captain X]

How are you doing the emergency brake(s)?

[usernamessuck]

Originally Posted by Captain X

How are you doing the emergency brake(s)?

My original plan was to not to I guess. I was maybe going to try make my own transfer case mounted disc or something to that effect. Once I get caught up to where I am currently you will see the plan. It involves another trip with a trailer over the mountains.

[landarts]

In for the ride, love where the truck is going. Keep up the great work!

[usernamessuck]

The only loose part I could find in the steering linkages was this drag link end. Quick replacement and the steering is super tight. I added some add a leaves to the front springs. This is probably the worst way to get a little extra lift but the price was right and I was curious how it would ride with them. Turns out I think one of the leaves is bad because the truck still sits slightly crooked. I'm going to buy a set of new leaf springs (2" lift). Do any of you have any recommendations? The front end in the truck must be out of the same truck as the rear and it had the sway bar attached. I still have to build some mounts for the frame but haven't gotten around to it yet. I also added a steering stabilizer while I was up there.

[usernamessuck]

Since I bought the yellow truck I have been messing around with the paint and body work. It looks pretty good as long as you don't get too close. It has some real trouble areas that are definitely out of my skillset without removing the paint. I'm doing the best I can without disturbing the paint but there's going to come a time that some of it will have to come off. I have a buddy that does Riddler level body work that is going to help me out, so we'll see how it goes at that point. I beat all of the dents out of the front fenders and polished them up a little. I was worried about burning the pinstripes off so I covered them up with some masking tape. Turns out the compound I'm using isn't coarse enough to really touch it much. I still have some work to do but the paint looks really nice with minimal work. I washed everything first with some CLR and white Scotchbrite and the results have been pretty good.

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice work on the truck! I have the same dillema as you with 16.5s. I'm not ready to give in yet and ditch my wheels. I should have purchased a 2nd set of tires and stored them in the basement when I bought my last set. I'm still hoping BFG will put more out but I hear the molds were destroyed. How dumb.

That body work you are doing is turning out great! It's really looking great. As far as the body alignment, I had similar issues on my orange truck. I found out later that my rear cab bushings weren't as tall as they were supposed to be and it was a supplier issue and it was over looked. The shims wouldn't bother me if your gaps are good. You might have to shim the bed to match though.