My 1962 GMC/Chevy K20 daily driver refresh thread

[msapers]

Good morning All,

I've been lurking on this site for years and I thought it was time I shared my truck. It's a 1962 GMC K20...with a Chevy cab...and a Chevy bed. The story is that the guy I bought it from had two trucks, both 62's, both K20's. One was a GMC that was a good runner with a crappy body and the other was a Chevy with a good body but no running gear. He decided to swap the good body onto the good running frame. (Personally, I would have just swapped the running gear into the better truck)

At any rate, it has a 327, SM420 and T-221 Transfer case. It also has a Dana rear axle.

Here it is the day I picked it up. The Uhaul trailer and 1/2 ton rental truck were just about maxed out.

20638941_10213333229942429_3418094352212647928_n by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

20621788_10213330067623373_6334469273316912767_n by Scott Sapers, on Flickr
20604366_10213333229382415_1020158273553500073_n by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

The truck has no signs of anything more than light surface rust. The body is straight and solid.

So, I screwed with it for a few days, bleeding and adjusting brakes and clutch, cleaning the tank and carb and got it running. Once it ran and (mostly) stopped (more on that later) I did the sensible thing and strarted using it as my daily driver.

I have ZERO problems locating my vehicle in the grocerey store parking lot.

24255100_10214347363175126_7698721991088187654_o by Scott Sapers, on Flickr
20689977_10213375654323012_6291341581658251302_o by Scott Sapers, on Flickr
22426518_10213964492163590_4821437947327206533_o by Scott Sapers, on Flickr
26993795_10214842866682404_2169936634964194966_n by Scott Sapers, on Flickr
28947574_10215370174584772_1674241373718855912_o by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

This truck has been a hoot to drive but there are a few issues:
1. The drag link is junk and I can't find a replacement or rebuild kit (help!)
2. the previous owner did a brake job and apparently neglected to replace the tabbed washer in between the wheel bearing nuts on the left rear. Eventually, it tightened up and quite a bit of damage. Luckily, I found this out of a 62 on Craigslist.

119151082_10223560500377798_3902255527496165970_n by Scott Sapers, on Flickr
119141802_10223560500777808_8745501475065423350_n by Scott Sapers, on Flickr
118993395_10223560501057815_450807139032172632_n by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

4.10's should be good for my plans and I'll try to find a disk brake front end with the same ratio.

So, here's the plan - I am not going to tear the truck down and do a full restoration or buildup. I've been down that road before and I don't want it out of service for a year or two while I do that. Instead, my plan is sort of a "rolling refresh", fixing and improving things while I continue to use and enjoy the truck while at the same time avoiding a flaming death wherever possible.

Here are my priorities:
1. Fix the safety issues (dual res master cylinder, disks up front, new brake lines, bearings, etc. and a new drag link if I can ever locate one)
2. Swap my fleetside bed for a LWB stepside bed, if I can find one. (I just like them better)
3. Paint - 1974 Volkswagen Brilliant Orange. I will try to do this myself.
4. Add an older cabover Alaskan camper for trips.
5. Under Dash AC

Let me know what you think. I appreciate any and all opinions and PLEASE let me know if you have any solutions to my worn out drag link.

Thanks,

Scott

[roll_the_dice]

Good looking truck...Love that you made it your daily driver so quickly. I drove mine for 2 years as a DD before I decided to "fix" everything and tore it apart. I am about to get it back on the road after 3 years...so I applaud your not tearing it apart to restore it and just fix safety issues! I might do things differently if I were to do mine over again!

[nsb29]

How is it titled

[Short 3/4]

Nice truck.Good score on the 4:10 rear, Front R&P in that ratio for a D44 front will be easy to find. I found a great used one local and I think that's a perfect ratio for these trucks. It will still pull the weight of that camper when you get it, but will be good for DD duty. Plus you won't have to worry about speeding tickets. Going to be a great traveling truck when you get that camper.

Only thing I ask is that if that truck still has the original 12" drums up front you offer up the old parts (especially the drums) when you go disk, to someone on this forum, as they are extinct. And no, I have what I need, but know a lot of others out there could use them.

Have fun with your new toy. Lots of great resources here to keep it going strong.
Tom

[Corts60]

Awesome truck! I love the way it sits.

[Captainfab]

That's a decent looking truck.

When you do the PS upgrade you will have to change the draglink anyway. I would just do it all at once. I make the steering box adapter plate, and the tube and flange. Also a booster bracket when you get to that part.

[raylube]

Welcome, cool truck and awesome philosophy, no fun if you cant drive them. Be sure to check your tcase oil. Also look out for a square body donor for axles, ps and brakes. My truck is a half breed k20 like yours, gmc frame,chevy cab and bed, gmc grille and tailgate, with a Cadillac 472 engine, have since swapped front and rear axles and ps with 79 k20 parts. Used capt fabs ps adapter .Keep us posted.

[raylube]

Check this link for your steering http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=118

[raylube]

http://fcrcmachine.com/rare-parts-dr...ustable-27769/ very expensive, also check here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=699630

[msapers]

Originally Posted by nsb29

how is it titled

62 gmc

[msapers]

Originally Posted by Short 3/4

Nice truck.Good score on the 4:10 rear, Front R&P in that ratio for a D44 front will be easy to find. I found a great used one local and I think that's a perfect ratio for these trucks. It will still pull the weight of that camper when you get it, but will be good for DD duty. Plus you won't have to worry about speeding tickets. Going to be a great traveling truck when you get that camper.

Only thing I ask is that if that truck still has the original 12" drums up front you offer up the old parts (especially the drums) when you go disk, to someone on this forum, as they are extinct. And no, I have what I need, but know a lot of others out there could use them.

Have fun with your new toy. Lots of great resources here to keep it going strong.
Tom

Absolutely. Anything I take off, I'll pass on to another truck owner!

[msapers]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That's a decent looking truck.

When you do the PS upgrade you will have to change the draglink anyway. I would just do it all at once. I make the steering box adapter plate, and the tube and flange. Also a booster bracket when you get to that part.

Captain Fab, This is great news! I was under the impression that you didn't have a kit for the earlier 3/4 ton 4x4's. Two questions:

1. Would you recommend waiting until I replace the front axle?
2. What's the cost for the brackets/plates?

[msapers]

Originally Posted by raylube

Welcome, cool truck and awesome philosophy, no fun if you cant drive them. Be sure to check your tcase oil. Also look out for a square body donor for axles, ps and brakes. My truck is a half breed k20 like yours, gmc frame,chevy cab and bed, gmc grille and tailgate, with a Cadillac 472 engine, have since swapped front and rear axles and ps with 79 k20 parts. Used capt fabs ps adapter .Keep us posted.

Great truck! The 472 must pull great!

[msapers]

Originally Posted by raylube

http://fcrcmachine.com/rare-parts-dr...ustable-27769/ very expensive, also check here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=699630

THANK YOU!!!! I'll be ordering that very soon.

[Captainfab]

I don't have a template yet for the K series frames but I can give you links to a couple build threads here with the info you will need for the installation. The steering box adapter plate is $57.50 plus $8.30 for shipping. If you need the tube and flange, that is $27.50 plus an additional $6.75 for shipping. If you also need a booster bracket or any of my many other products, I do combine shipping. You can make the upgrade at any time. Doing it now will be a little more work modifying the steering arm.

Originally Posted by msapers

Captain Fab, This is great news! I was under the impression that you didn't have a kit for the earlier 3/4 ton 4x4's. Two questions:

1. Would you recommend waiting until I replace the front axle?
2. What's the cost for the brackets/plates?