1980 K20 4x4

[1980K20]

Hi, this is my build thread for my 4x4. I originally bought this as a donor drive train for my 52 international, but ended up stumbling into full restoration. I'm in over two years on this, probably another six months to done. Final look will be blue with silver two tone.

This is the truck after I bought it. I'll post a few pictures now and then as I have time.

Mark

[Mike81K10]

Welcome from AL and nice truck!

[1980K20]

Thanks for the welcome! Up here near Seattle, about as far from AL as one can get...

This is the recipe for stumbling into a restoration.

1) take truck to differential shop to have seals checked or replaced. Discover the right side had been submerged in water and decide to fix it faster than scrap it (truck didn't cost much at all). Now the investment is substantial.

2) decide to overhaul the very tired engine. Discover it's not original, a 305. Stock was 350. Find awesome engine builder in the state who will build just what I want : great 400 ft-lbs torque, 359 HP, with regular gas, EFI and roller cam.

3) pull the engine. Start with taking the front clip off.  Then the fenders. Oh yeah I've got a barn why not pull the cab since it's easier to replace rusty gas tank and get the transmission out.

4) after it's all off tell yourself that it's a shame to put a new shiny engine back into a dirty frame and body. Off comes the bed.

5) completely dismantle the truck. Frame blasted and powder coated. Tranny rebuilt..

And so it goes...

[Mike81K10]

I kind of started off the same way. Was going to do a little repair work and ended up doing a complete restoration. Best wishes and post pics as you move along.

[JohnnyPopper]

Welcome from SoCal San Diego!

Doing a C10 same year, yours is looking really good!

Whats under the bag behind the motor???

[1980K20]

Ahhhh, fond memories of San Diego...

Getting the cab ready to haul up to the body shop, removed the windshield and rear window and nearly cried. Lots of rust and holes under the seals. But the guy was able to easily fix it with metalized epoxy. He ringed the entire window section with this epoxy so if water gets under the seal again, it won't rust.

I ended up replacing everything on the front end except the cab (long story, it wasn't supposed to be so). After market part quality is awful, lots of repair to get the lines right. You can see the repairs on the dry fit. It's all ready now, waiting for more primer and later paint. Working on the bed now.

That car is my '67 Camaro with the six cylinder I mentioned in another thread. I seriously thought about putting this new truck engine in it...

Mark

[carmen77]

Welcome from SoCal.
Nice looking truck


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[Chevygold]

Wish I had a barn! Haven't tried yet but I don't think my C10 will fit through the door of my garage so panels will have to come off to be taken care of inside the garage prior to refitting. I'm nearly finished a Land Rover restoration done the same way, aluminium a bit lighter than steel though!
Graham

[Mike81K10]

At least you have a garage. I have been doing my restoration in my driveway, have no garage.

[Chevygold]

The garage is good when it rains, which it does here a lot, but I still had to rebuild my Rover V8 on the drive in between the rain storms!
Graham

[Chevygold]

Here's a pic of my truck in the rain, just for a change!

[1980K20]

Thanks everyone!

I decided my next thing is to put a collage of the different colors I've been thinking about. They'll be ready to paint soon, but are taking the bed apart now. That's a mess.

The wrx blue was one of them from the book of earmarked. The other day I saw one on the road too. Man, it's an omen.

Mark

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[frotosride]

Looking good!
I was wondering if there's new metal under the epoxy for the windshield? 

[1980K20]

Looking good!
I was wondering if there's new metal under the epoxy for the windshield?

Thanks! I think some new metal on the rear window, but no new metal on front. You can't get to the backside and the holes weren't as bad as if thought. But I'm not a body work guy. It was metalized epoxy. I assume that's lots of metal mixed in for a little more stability.

[1980K20]

Hey folks, my wife and I combed through several years of color books in search of the perfect blue.  I'll do two-tone with silver.  We're down to three colors out of eight that we were looking at.  She says, "They're so close, you make the decision".  Man, almost as much pressure as a Superbowl quarterback!

2006 Subaru WRX - What VileZambonie's got on his truck
2005 Mini Cooper Hyper Blue
2007 Chevy Arrival

I've probably got a few more months before I make the final decision.  For now I just need to paint my new steering shaft, it's bare metal.

Please do write your opinions, always happy to hear perspectives!  I'm including the collage of all eight and the three candidates.

Thanks,
Mark