Author Topic: 73 C20 Progress  (Read 12618 times)

Offline carmen77

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73 C20 Progress
« on: November 10, 2020, 02:05:04 PM »
I braved the cold rainy desert weather this past weekend and started the tackling of the interior.

When I removed the dash there was much rust and corrosion next to the windshield...thanks to some great tips from JohnnyPopper I was able to combat it and prevent future rust....Thanks again JP!

Pictures in mixed order but you get the idea.










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Offline Shifty

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2020, 03:40:45 PM »
Nice to make progress... 8)


Hey, I had a cold, rainy desert last weekend too...
87 V20 Standard Cab Longbed (current)

87 R30 3+3 Longbed (days of yore)

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Offline carmen77

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2020, 03:45:59 PM »
Where was your desert weekend Shifty?


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Offline Shifty

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2020, 03:57:17 PM »
Tucson AZ
87 V20 Standard Cab Longbed (current)

87 R30 3+3 Longbed (days of yore)

98 C2500 ext cab longbed

Offline carmen77

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2020, 04:03:05 PM »
Mojave desert was in the 30’s this past weekend! Even saw some snow flakes Brrrr!


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Offline Shifty

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2020, 04:05:14 PM »
High 30's for a little while for us...
87 V20 Standard Cab Longbed (current)

87 R30 3+3 Longbed (days of yore)

98 C2500 ext cab longbed

Offline carmen77

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2020, 04:09:55 PM »
That’s just too cold for me, hopefully it doesn’t last.


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Offline BADGE73

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2020, 04:43:55 PM »
Be careful if you have to take off the plastic gauge cluster cover. The screw holes are notorious for breaking and then you have to replace the whole cover. Just go slow taking out the screws and even slower when putting them back in.
"Firemen never die, they just burn forever in the hearts of the people whose lives they saved."

Offline carmen77

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #8 on: November 11, 2020, 04:56:45 PM »
Thank you for that great advice. I actually haven’t taken it off yet because I was a little nervous about breaking it.


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Offline bluevan

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2020, 06:39:44 PM »
You would might want to wait until it warms up a bit to pull the cluster if you are worried about breakage.  Plastic becomes more brittle as the temp goes down.  We are about to go into deep freeze til march here in the northeast, but its been unseasonably warm here for the past week.  Unbelievable we were 40 degrees higher than the southwest yesterday.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline carmen77

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #10 on: November 11, 2020, 06:54:23 PM »
Good advice about the weather.

I just checked the forecast and mid 70s next week so hopefully I can get it out and back in while it’s somewhat warm.


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Offline FlatBlack77

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2020, 07:28:08 AM »
When you take the clear plastic off of the gauge cluster wash it in some warm soapy water with a very soft brush or rag. Then dry it carefully. You can polish them easily with some autobody wax. I used some basic Turtle Wax for a few wax on/off cycles and mine came out looking brand new.
"When you are a hammer, everything looks like a nail"
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Offline carmen77

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2020, 08:31:24 AM »
Great tip! Thank you!!


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Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #13 on: November 15, 2020, 02:07:00 PM »
Look at you! Nice work. So the truck began as blue?

If the cover is not great, they are real inexpensive.

Speaking of cold, I was working in WA last week, 25 degrees in the morning. Then rain...
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline carmen77

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Re: 73 C20 Progress
« Reply #14 on: November 15, 2020, 02:22:00 PM »
Thank you!

Yes, I’m guessing it was once a teal kinda blue at one point...I find evidence of that everywhere.

Today I have pulled out the gauge lens, gauges, cluster insert, radio, door panels, shift indicator, light bulbs, weather stripping, scuff plates, head liner etc....etc....etc!

Lots of work to be done!

Wow! 25 is cold especially in WA...what part of Washington?


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