Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod

[lolo33]

what a restoration job !
very interesting.
What interested me first is the audio system with 6 speakers and bass system under the seats.
I've installed an audio vintage, and re-used 2 speakers Jensen under seats. But it's very noisy in the cab' because I've just glasspacks as muflers, and they are under the cab' ==> so the sound is not really good. Now I would like to put 2 speakers in cabin, but I don't know what is the best place for : buy kick panels ? other place ?
thanks for helping me on this point.
Laurent

[Curt's_72]

We're back!
The truck has been done for awhile. It's about the trip, not the destination. I truly enjoyed the restoration process. After a short time, I got kinda bored, as the truck was 'done' for the most part.
Enter 2016 and after an uneventful 2015, I decided to pull the transmission and transfer case. When the truck was in California, the previous owner stepped up and had a 700R4 and 208 transfer case installed.
I never liked the way it shifted and I was constantly draining fluid from the transfer case which seeped from the transmission.
New converter, internals and gaskets were next up.
Back to wrenching!

[Curt's_72]

Transfer case re-sealed and detailed.
Eastwood products are good quality.

[Curt's_72]

I know most have had to move on from 16.5 wheels. I had managed to collect a couple of sets of both 8.25" and 9.75" wide.
I've always liked the white steelie look. Ran the 8.25's with 31x10.50's for several years, never thinking much about it. When all the 33x12.50's dried up, I was considering the move to 16" wheels. Also, the fact that if anything happened to what I was running, I had no replacement.
Late last year, I located a set of gently used BFG's in 33x12.50-16.50. Well, they're home and mounted.

[yj4000]

I've always liked the white steel look also. Very nice job.

Ryan.

[Curt's_72]

Here it is with the new wheels and tires installed.

[yj4000]

WOW! I really like your truck. Those wheels look great with the yellow and white.

Ryan.

[Curt's_72]

I wanted to show the installation of the 3 point shoulder belts I purchased from Tom on for sale postings. The safety upgrade was well worth it. The installation was easy.

After much deliberation, I went with white over ivory. I felt originally that ivory would be a tick too dark. After seeing them, I feel ivory would have worked as well.

I painted the buckles and retractor housings and B pillar covers using SEM super white 10503. I would suggest using the sand free primer first, as the rough finish won't allow any sanding. Time will tell if they need redone.

You can't use the oem style bolts on the belts. The holes in the mounting brackets are too small for the shoulder of the existing bolts. New hardware is included. I opted for a 1/4" longer bolt for the belts than what was provided.

The B pillar bolts were provided as well. I highly recommend running a tap through the holes before attempting the installation. 7/16-20 is the size. I found that the cover wouldn't fit well when I tightened the pillar bolts firmly. I backed them off just a bit.

It's obvious you're wearing a restraint now, rather than just a lap belt. I'm also hoping a couple of dollars in insurance savings because of this safety upgrade.

As you can see, they're tasteful and functional. I had considered this for some time, but hadn't found a set that looked stock enough and didn't require potential fabrication for installation.

[Getter-Done]

Nice job Curt
I like the look of the whole truck.
Those seatbelts look fantastic.

[underliner6]

Just read through your whole thread, just awesome. The 33’s and 2.5” lift looks great. I really think that is the best look for these trucks.

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Nice job Curt
I like the look of the whole truck.
Those seatbelts look fantastic.

Originally Posted by underliner6

Just read through your whole thread, just awesome. The 33’s and 2.5” lift looks great. I really think that is the best look for these trucks.

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

I was going for a look that a project manager would drive to job sites with a 'day two' twist from the dealership. I just wanted a stock heavy duty look.

[Curt's_72]

Spent last Saturday evening working on leaking valve covers.
Since the truck isn't a daily driver, the valve cover gaskets have decided to weep slightly causing minor smoking from the manifolds. Easy fix.

The covers are factory LT1 pieces which are aluminum. This would also allow time to use a little polish on them as well.

I leaned toward the Fel-Pro 1628 steel core set. A little pricy, but reviews were very good. They are thicker than the ones I had originally installed a few years back.

[Curt's_72]

Re-assembly when smooth. But hey, a basic small block in a cavernous engine bay. Valve covers cleaned up nice.
If you use these gaskets, keep in mind they are thicker. I recommend slightly longer bolts for the valve covers. I chose stainless steel at 1.25" long with a stainless washer.
A short drive and no leaks. We'll keep an eye on things.
And, we got our number for the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville. Looking forward to the drive.

[Curt's_72]

Been quite a while.
I still follow this site, but not as I should. Regardless, I still have the truck, and it still gets love.
Right now, preparing to install a new laminate to the glove box door.
As you purists know, the aluminum applique was painted. Well, find a new one.
Starting the process.
Cleaned the aluminum and sprayed with WD-40 to remove anything left.
Razor blade to remove everything else.
More to come as I work with the stuff.

[Curt's_72]

Aluminum applique has been cleaned of solvents and taped up with frog tape. I like the blue 3M just as well, though.
I'm going to paint the area with brown Rust-Oleum to help fill any scratches in the aluminum. And, to help hide any edge issues when installing the laminate.
I did this same process when restoring the wood bezels on my door panels.
I'll do this later this week, as it's below freezing outside today.

[Curt's_72]

Before I painted, I realized I needed to measure where the Cheyenne Super emblem has to be located.
Approximately 1 inch from the center of the emblem to the lower right side of the appilque.
7/8" from the bottom.
Each measurement from the inside edge of the bead of the applique.
I nipped the posts off the back of the emblem. I'll be using adhesive to mount it.

[Curt's_72]

Paint is done.
This was only to fill scratches, and to cover to the edge the bead of the applique.
I'll spray the back of the laminate with adhesive and apply it next.

[Curt's_72]

I used Elmer's Spray adhesive on the painted applique.
I pre trimmed it large. I used a flexible bondo scraper to work out bubbles and bring it to the edge.
The tough part was around the lock. There's a pretty significant dish there.
I pierced from the backside of the door, and cut an 'x' the slowly worked the laminate into the dish.
I installed the lock and then trimmed around it removing any extra material.
I then used a large socket to press it in place and a clamp to hold it overnight.

[Curt's_72]

Almost done.
A little more adhesive to the top of the area where the lock is and tape to hold it.
Not getting any feedback. I know that others have done this. Perhaps this should have been in a different area of the website to assist others.

[Getter-Done]

Good idea with the socket and clamp.

I am following along with your progress.

It can probably be found in a search.

Great job looking good.

[Orange71shorty]

Super nice truck

[Curt's_72]

Thanks for the responses!
Wrapping this project up.
I used 3M weatherstrip adhesive to the back of the Super emblem. I used black. Although I do use the snot color adhesive for certain repairs.
Placed in the original location based on the dimensions I took earlier.
A 2 pound block to hold it in place.

[Curt's_72]

Woo Hoo! done.

Installed. The aluminum applique is key. Don't put wood laminate on a glovebox and think you're gonna pull it off.
There's a Super glovebox cover for sale in the classified section now for cheap! Find another one.

[GSP7]

My '69 CST truck had a factory chrome glove box, with the wood grain insert

Ash tray was chrome too

.

[Orange71shorty]

Originally Posted by GSP7

My '69 CST truck had a factory chrome glove box, with the wood grain insert

Ash tray was chrome too

.

If they were chrome then someone other than the factory did it