1969 C20 Daily Driver

[69C20396]

I bought my truck about 2 weeks ago, found it through CL in emporia Kansas. I have no idea how many PO's is has had, but i'm learning daily that they did all of the easy stuff, and when it came to fundamental repairs they skimped or ignored them.

I'm sure many of you have been in the same position when you pick up a truck to start on. Enough complaining.

I am going to drive this truck everyday, i love driving it, and i'm the type of guy who can do without most creature comforts. My wife drive's an 08 honda pilot, and while i do like the options, i fit much better into one of these old trucks. On top of that, i think the 69 may be the most beautiful vehicle ever conceived, and i know i am in good company here. Here are some photo's of the exterior to get you going. I am going to post more detailed photo's with some questions right after, but this is the introduction. As my username suggests, it has a 396 BB, and since it has some junkyard numbers on it, i assume it's been replaced from original. I don't know the transmission, It's automatic with three speed.

BTW, My little guy thinks the truck is the best thing since since sliced bread.

[69C20396]

Here is the SPID, anything interesting or unique, please let me know!

[69C20396]

The olds points went south about 1 week into ownership, i upgraded to HEI from Skipwhite, based on the good things many of you have to say about them. It was cheap and the truck is running much smoother. I have tuned up the carb and adjusted the choke as well (so far, i hate the manual choke with a passion the cable is constantly binding no mater how i run it). I should note that all of these things are new to me, and this forum has been invaluable!

I've also cleaned up a lot of wiring, first the rear lights and brake lights, and then i put connectors on all the wires that had literally been twisted together and then taped. It was awful guys, just awful.

When i got the truck the dome was out, turned out to be the bulb, the dash lights didn't work, but now they do. The dash lights came on magically and i have no idea what specific action led to their working, but i am happy they work now! I also hooked up the cigarette lighter for posterity (from switch power). The old lighter part isn't working correctly, its heating up the entire lighter instead of just the element at the end. If you know where a good aftermarket can be found i'd love to know about it. I want to keep as much of the original interior as possible.

I also lost headlights last night and when i looked at the floor switch the connector has melted is some earlier short circuit, no idea when?, so i cut it and made my own connections for low beams, but using a jumper wire i can't get the high beams to come up, i will have to research that a bit. I've include a picture for you to critic if necessary.

[Lee H]

Welcome the the forum. Nice looking truck and great plan. Ours has been driven daily sense we got it in 98 except for about 5 months last year while spiffying it up a little.

[Mister-B]

Cool truck. I also have a '69 C20. They are beautiful and durable trucks. My favorite years are the 68 and 69.

My son loves this truck too. I'm giving him my old take off parts, and we will be buying him his own in a couple years.
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[69C20396]

Mister-B

I have actually read several of your posts because we have the same truck and i think are going at this the same way. Thanks for your help so far.

[69C20396]

I've got to chase down an oil leak in the engine, and also replace the gasket at the differential. bonus i found today was the the drivers side aux gas tank is full, i had no idea, and the gas is fresh! I just made 40 bucks!

Issues in order of importance:

Fuel Gauge giving me an empty reading all the time
High beams
Gear selector is way loose (did these originally lock into park? right now it can slip easy)
shoulder belts
new locks and ignition ( i think i am using the original key and the door locks are sticky)

Upgrades:

Exchange flowmaster's for some quieter turbo's (BB with flowmaster's is way to loud for my urban environment, plus its not my style)
I Hate the current steering wheel, needs to back to the way it was
Bed liner and tool box (i manage facilities during the day, and i carry some thing with me all the time)
bucket seats!
I'd like to level the truck, raise the front end about 2 inches, still working on how best to do this
I want to put the steel rims back on with orginal caps, switch to 16 inch rims
Body work and paint
Disc Brakes
Tach

This is what i have come up with so far. let me know if you have suggestions and feedback. I should also make you all aware that i will be doing this very slowly in the normal rhythms of life with a limited amount of time and money. Don't expect too much from me. more pictures.

[Sideways]

Nicely optioned truck,looks like a great start.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by 69C20396

Mister-B

I have actually read several of your posts because we have the same truck and i think are going at this the same way. Thanks for your help so far.

Hey, no problem. If you need anything just pm me. It's nice to have a truck that runs, and then we can just add to it and do little things here and there.
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[69GWC]

Do you drive down Harrison street in the mornings in it..?
I seen a truck just like that about a week and half ago while I was working on a house on Harrison down by the plaza.
Its a nice truck you have there. Iam in the same boat the POs on my truck did nothing that cost money to mine they did cheap and easy stuff to it to get it sold.
I tell people I rescued my truck from its abusive PO....lol
69/70 do have a real nice look to them.
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[69GWC]

I have a stock repop steering wheel that Iam not using I would swap you for yours.
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[69C20396]

69GWC

Yes i'm sure i was down harrison street. There is also a great short bed that is green and white cab on harrison. know anything about that? Also, at Gillham and 44th there is a k10 or k20 about the same year in black, its amazing.

PM me a picture of the steering wheel, not picky just want to see it. I would gladly do the trade. Thanks!

Also, if anyone knows how i can convert this to a build thread, that would be nice, i meant to do that originally

[bollybib]

Nice truck. I have a 69 C20 also. Mine had been neglected so long before I got it, it took me almost a year before it was a reliable driver again. Keep at it, it's worth it.

[69GWC]

Yes right after you went by he went by, his linkage locked up at the stop light and he had to get out and fix it, it sounded pretty good, But I was like dang never hardly see these trucks on the road and then bam 2 back to back..lol I did see that black one as well looks pretty nice.

I was working on the house just up from the corner that burnt last spring, I rebuilt that house after the fire.

I will get a pix, its a brand new black repop wheel, Iam just not into it its way to big I think. I went to a 3 spoke wood rimmed wheel thats 2" smaller in diameter 15" instead of 17".
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[69C20396]

69GWC

Lets trade, i'll PM you my phone number, thanks!

[jocko]

hey, congrats! and welcome to the forum. Love your truck - C20 Custom Campers are addictive and, despite all the "new" truck bugs (i.e. previous owner bugs), I think you have an exceptional starting point. Very cool combo. I think the saddle interior in a white truck will look incredible if you choose to restore it that way. In fact, although not "numbers correct" for your truck - Truckseats (member) makes a gorgeous saddle houndstooth seat cover that would look incredible in your truck if you happen to restore the rest of your interior to saddle.

Just noticed yours is a CST also - BONUS!! That's cool. I run into the same thing - my 71 Custom Camper nameplate supersedes the Cheyenne Super badging, so it's a stealth luxury truck....

[69C20396]

Jocko,

What exactly is CST specific? and Custom Camper specific? I would love to restore it to saddle. Ill keep Truckseats in mind. Thanks for the heads up. If i decide to rebuild the bench seat i will definitely look him up.

[69C20396]

after a bit of research, that i should have done before i asked Jocko. Custom Campers had an extra battery and harnesses to support the use of an back in style of camper. It also included a trailer brake i believe, which i still have. The Sport Truck option was mostly trim on the interior and some chrome on the exterior.

I dont know whether either of these determined that it would be equipped with a 396. The next search i do will be for some pictures of a saddle interior, mind is spinning now.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by 69C20396

after a bit of research, that i should have done before i asked Jocko. Custom Campers had an extra battery and harnesses to support the use of an back in style of camper. It also included a trailer brake i believe, which i still have. The Sport Truck option was mostly trim on the interior and some chrome on the exterior.

I dont know whether either of these determined that it would be equipped with a 396. The next search i do will be for some pictures of a saddle interior, mind is spinning now.

396 is merely a stand-alone option, custom camper could be had with 350 or 396. the wiring you mention is not part of the Z81 Custom Camper option, it is separate. It coudl be ordered without the Custom Camper option - or - the Custom Camper option could have been ordered without the camper wiring option. Same same for the aux battery - totally separate option and not required for Custom Camper baseline. Trailer brake is an accessory not included either.

Standby, I'll see if I can find the ref info.

[69C20396]

Bollybib,
Thanks for the encouragement. i read a bit of your build thread, you are doing good work man.

[jocko]

Here are the contents (truck stuff only) of the 69 Camper and Recreational Vehicle sales brochure, might be of interest to you (sorry if some is hard to read) (the last 2 pics are from the 1969 Truck brochure) Will take a few posts to get them all in here:

[jocko]

quick answer is CST=Custom Sport Truck - it was the highest trim level RPO in 69 (kinda like a Cheyenne Super was the highest trim level in mid-71 and all of 72).

CustomCamper is RPO Z81 and is simply the nameplate "CustomCamper20" (or 10 or 30, etc). But, in order to get the nameplate, you had to have a few other heavy duty options ordered first (not camper wiring, that is a separate option).

[jocko]

Here are some great references on -
Custom Campers:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=476940

Camper Wiring RPO vs Custom Camper RPO
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=529966

Camper Wiring/Batt Wiring, Misc Custom Camper stuff:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=539770

CST trim level:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562593

[Sicklajoie]

Welcome to the 69 C-20 Custom Camper CST club! Great looking ride! Congrats!
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[69C20396]

quick question for you guys. Are the bowties in the center of the original steering wheel always blue? 69GWC is swapping me tomorrow with a reproduction that i am excited about, and i think it is missing that small piece of plastic on the horn button, just wondering. Thanks