Author Topic: Original 1974 K20 project  (Read 16965 times)

Offline LTZ C20

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #15 on: December 21, 2015, 10:07:48 pm »
Looks good. I see your having fun. Soon as tax season rolls around I'll be rebuilding the suspension front and back on mine.
LTZ Cheyenne C20

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #16 on: December 22, 2015, 05:04:09 pm »
I'll recommend Rampage Halogen H4 Conversion headlights-I used the rectangle lens on my Cherokee-literally night and day difference over the sealed beams-even with the 55/60W bulbs

nice thing is they are DOT approved and have the appropriate stamp on the glass(one reason I eventually went with them too)
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline TheChev

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #17 on: December 22, 2015, 10:20:59 pm »
Thanks guys! I love sharing pictures the most, threads are always much better with pictures!

Once I get the new engine squared away, I want to start to collect bushings, shocks, bearings, etc for the front and rear suspension while also improving the interior. Bedliner and canopy is also on the list, rear bumper, headache rack for summer, winch setup, stereo, oh gosh the dream list goes on ;D

I'd like to stay away from those type of headlights, I'd rather keep the classic halogen look instead of the clear restomod kinda look like those Rampage lights

Offline LTZ C20

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #18 on: December 22, 2015, 11:19:49 pm »
I'll recommend Rampage Halogen H4 Conversion headlights-I used the rectangle lens on my Cherokee-literally night and day difference over the sealed beams-even with the 55/60W bulbs

nice thing is they are DOT approved and have the appropriate stamp on the glass(one reason I eventually went with them too)
Side topic I know but I just have a few questions.

I googled these lights you mentioned. From what I found on their catalog, I'm lead to believe:

-DOT approved with the proper marking.
-glass lense just like factory sealed beams
-replaceable bulb so I can put high output bulbs in later if I want.
-should fit properly into factory sealed beam buckets for these truck.
-should work with headlight relay kits that I planned on getting anyway.
-I found them on amazon for under 100 bucks with free shipping.

I would like your opinion on these points? How are they for you? Do you have before and after pics or a pic with 1 H4 conversion light and 1 stock sealed beam. I've been wanting to do something about my headlights but I just haven't found anything that satisfies me. I had another post about getting HID's but I decided I don't want to cut up my core support and bezels to make them fit. I'm curious about how satisfied you are with them?

These look pretty promising at first glance.
LTZ Cheyenne C20

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #19 on: December 23, 2015, 05:12:16 am »
I'll just say this, the only downside to these is the rubber grommet that is on the back- I had to bend the rear of the headlight bucket on my jeep Cherokee. I believe the grommet was removable, but I'll check. And sorry no pics of light differences, all I can say was I was impressed, the price was the thing that kept me from getting Hella H4 lenses


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Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline LTZ C20

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #20 on: December 23, 2015, 09:58:45 am »
If that's all, then on these trucks there might not even be an issue. Do you have a pic of the lights as they are now, just to see how bright they are? Those Hella H4 are hella expensive haha.
LTZ Cheyenne C20

Offline werewolfx13

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #21 on: December 24, 2015, 12:25:24 am »
Truck looks great! Heaving an np203 into place is quite a chore, and one I hope to say I wont have to do again any time soon.

If you're looking for a headlight upgrade, I would strongly suggest you look for e-code or ECE lamps, NOT  "dot approved" lamps, even if the DOT stamp is on the glass. The DOT doesn't approve anything, manufacturers self-certify, and face very little enforcement, and regardless of the "approval", its illegal to change the factory lighting system (sealed beam) to anything else anyway. For bulbs, I would look at Flosser, Narva, Osram Rallye (not Sylvania), or Philips Rallye..All are respectable brands, and for the most part, have not started churning out the blue painted garbage that Sylvania has been pushing the market towards (IE, silverstar)
Chris
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'76 Chevy k20 LWB 6.5'x8' Flatbed
“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

Offline enaberif

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #22 on: December 24, 2015, 11:23:23 am »
Good story and nice project. Regarding the headlights definitely upgrade to some good H4 bulbs but also take into consideration if you choose to upgrade your headlights upgrade the light harness to get the full benefit. You can purchase these harnesses all over the place or create your own with a couple of relays and few feet of wire.

Regarding the NP203 and part time since you have the early model as someone stated you need a spacer which is next to impossible to find but they are on ebay as I have purchased one myself. But to be honest my transmission is failing and will be going to a SM465/205 combo in the future.

Offline TheChev

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #23 on: December 27, 2015, 08:31:16 pm »
Welp had some fun in the snow this past week. Started burning alot more oil and running worse. Then last night I took it out to go up to a fire and went up the road my friend and I thought it was at. Tree had partially fallen from the snow so I moved to the right a little bit but was enough to catch the edge of the ditch and suck me in against a fallen madrone branch. Couldnt get out so I aired down the tires and was able to go backwards down the hill. Ripped the passenger side mirror and antenna off, got a couple more dents but not serious. Was able to back down along the bank and pitch the front of the truck out of the ditch but the bumper ran up the side of the bank and lifted the back wheel off the ground. Tried for a couple hours to get out but no avail. Figured out we were on the completely wrong road and had another friend drive up and pull my front end around. Open diffs stink!









New favorite picture





Filthy!


Then started working on the new engine


Offline enaberif

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #24 on: December 27, 2015, 09:27:35 pm »
Can't really blame the open diff for  your mistakes lol. Poor choice of tires for snow and not waiting for help is what did it.

These trucks are tanks and you just gave it some lovin and won't take much to fix.

Offline TheChev

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #25 on: January 02, 2016, 08:08:28 pm »
Can't really blame the open diff for  your mistakes lol. Poor choice of tires for snow and not waiting for help is what did it.

These trucks are tanks and you just gave it some lovin and won't take much to fix.

lol the incline of the road and amount of snow on the road would have made it impossible for someone to pull me forward, they would have slid into the ditch too. If I had limited slip in the rear I would have had traction to get off the bank after I had backed down. The tires I have had done pretty good in the snow and ice that I had driven on before.
When you're stuck and alone, you have to work with what you have to get out on your own. This has been the only time I've gotten stuck anywhere so far lol

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #26 on: January 03, 2016, 06:59:04 am »
in my mud truck ive gotten into some bad places just with some snow on the ground and it has a posi in it. the tires even on freshly cleaned roads unless i had it in 4wd it would just spin. after that i would just drive my wifes 94 2wd with a open dif and better tires for the snow and i could drive it with no problems on the same roads
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Offline Captkaos

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Re: Original 1974 K20 project
« Reply #27 on: January 05, 2016, 10:46:17 pm »
Any High resolution 3000x2500 pics of the truck in the snow?