1972 K20 "Diamond in the Rough"

[nitrosport_5]

So, the frame started going back together with some of the detail stuff. I ended up going with new 4" rear springs vs the 4" lift blocks/traction bars as i didnt want to pay for them to be re-chromed.

Re-chromed the front brake backing plates as i thought that was a cool touch, found my steering arm from the nuckle was cracked, so bought a new one of those. Steering stabilizers were still in good shape just needed a fresh coat of paint and new decals. I ended up sending Rancho a message on their Facebook page asking if i could buy some decals from them and they ended up sending me 6 of them for free

I will leave off here for today. Thanks for putting up with my large delay in updates

[mx289]

Really starting to take shape.Looks great.

[DeadheadNM]

Nice progress!!!

[DEISS]

Subscribed, you are doing a hell of a job!

[nitrosport_5]

well not a whole lot of pictures, but definately progress has been made. As i may or may not have said before, i have changed directions on this truck. i decided to have it painted orange/white, got rid of the traction bars as it was going to cost me way too much to have them re-chromed, and decided to swap back to the factory bumper. this bumper reminded me too much of a ford.. and we cant have that now can we!

The cab and bed are stripped down and ready for paint. My painter says after the first of the year he will take the cab, doors, and fenders and paint them. once i get those back and start putting the cab together, he will take the bed tailgate and the rest of the parts.

the last pictures i have are of the frame once i got the engine in. In the process of rebuilding my 396, haad it all ready to go back together and find out that the skirt of 3 of the pistons was cracked and just barely holding on there. i am lucky that they didnt completely brreak off and hurt the motor bad. So, after taking the engine all the way down, having the block checked and hot tanked, heads gone through, new forged pistons, comp cams xtreme energy 268 cam, high volume oil pump ect the engine is sitting in the frame with its nice new shiney Hooker headers. these headers clear beautifully, and no more carved up frame for cheap headers!

you will notice i went with the GM serpentine belt kit, a nice R & D fabrication aluminum radiator and shroud, and a RedHead steering gears rebuild steering box!

so look for more pictures and updates after the first of the year. I cant wait to have color on this thing.

[71cheynne402]

Looks fantastic!!

[ryanroo]

love a BBC 4x4. that is looking great. i love that you used a 396 too. there are always 454s. i really like the smaller rat motors! i am cooking up a 427 build for my jeep to replace the 454 it has.

orange and white is always a killer look, but i do love the white and blue too.

happy holidays!

[86454k30]

Looks like its coming along well! Any updates? Still have those traction bars??

[nitrosport_5]

Woah, been a while! Sorry for the lack of updates. I suck at that!

86454k30 I ended up finally selling them to a guy who claimed to know the builder of them. Was pretty stoked to get them, so I think they went to a good home. Had them on craigslist forever.

I have made some progress since my last update. Got the cab back from paint and all wired up. Mounted it to the frame. Gotnmy interior installed and all that fun stuff.

Bed is going to be dropped off for paint hopefully tomorrow weather permitting. She is bare metal so dont want it to get rained on!

I'll try and be more regular with the updates. Here is some pictures for now!

[DeadheadNM]

Looks great!!

[Greenlee]

Wow! Nice build.

[Ol Blue K20]

Subscribed, trucks looking great

[El Dorado Jim]

Nice job on your truck so far!

[nitrosport_5]

Thanks guys. Was able to drop my bed off for paint Sunday between the spells of rain and snow! Can't wait to have the bed back from paint!

[swamp rat]

Welcome back and yea its looking great!

[nitrosport_5]

Only 5 months later and the bed is finally done. Got it bolted on and working on installing the trim. Not much else to report, as you can tell my painter is painfully slow!

Looking to find a rubber bed mat to put down. I don't like the spray in bed liner, but I want to have a little protection on top of my nice bed floor. Would like to get my doors hung and the rear window put in so I can take it up to my exhaust guy

Enjoy a couple quick pictures!

[DeadheadNM]

Great to see an update. Solid progress the truck is looking great!!

[nitrosport_5]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Great to see an update. Solid progress the truck is looking great!!

Means a lot hearing others apreciate the truck as much as I do.

Your truck was a huge inspiration, still have a few photos of your truck saved to keep myself motivated!

[El Dorado Jim]

looking great!

[Ol Blue K20]

I'm loving it

[72 Super]

Just read through your build. The Orange and White is one of my favorite combinations along with the slots will look amazing. Keep up the great work!

Ray

[nitrosport_5]

Thanks for the compliments guys, really starting to get excited, can finallly picture the finished product. Trying to get as much done before the 23rd as i can. Have a surgery scheduled so i will try and refrain from working on the truck for at least a couple weeks after...but i have a hard time leaving it alone for that long.

Doors hung, all the door guts installed. Vent window install wasnt half as bad as everybody makes it out to be. They seemed to slide right down into their home! Still nees to wire in the power windows and locks before i put my door panels on.

Now i just wish i had my fenders painted. If only the painter would prioritize my stuff. I hope i can drive it this year......

[nitrosport_5]

it has been a long road, but i finally have all the sheetmetal back on my truck. started teardown around 12-17-2013, so it will have been about a 3 year restoration. i didnt intend to ever take this long or go this deep, but i think in the end it was well worth the effort and i will be happy with my choices. i will have a truck that i will cherrish and be proud of for the rest of my life.

hopefully these last few steps will come together quick, after he finishes the paint, i will need to finish up the wiring for the lights and everything up front. i dont have a stereo for it yet, but have a radio delete plate i will use for now. need to save up a bit before i can afford anything else. hopefully i have a finished exterior photo for you guys by the end of the month!!

[nitrosport_5]

Here is a refresher picture to show truely how far it has come. i think the orange is a much better color than the blue.

[ryanroo]

looks nice. cant go wrong with either color combo.