Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod

[yfs200p]

I'd also like to know the brand of the items that ended up working best for you. I also replaced my header panel inside and will be getting a new windshield and gasket too. I'm leaning towards eliminating the chrome trim to minimize the hassle, even though my truck is supposed to have it. Your truck really came out awesome, great work!

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by ryanmctee

I like the grinder approach. Why screw around when you can take care of it immediately? So, you say you went with the 5/8" trim? Which year trim is that and what brand? I'm still waiting on my glass guy to try the precision gasket, but I have the shallow trim. Thanks in advance - Ryan

Ryan,
The 5/8" trim is 67-70. The brand I bought was Counterpart. That small insert on the 71-72 trim is a PITA.
After a week, it still fits just ok. The gasket at the base is still pulled away from the windshield some, and the trim isn't quite flat. I'm not going to seal anything until it's flat against the windshield.

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by yfs200p

I'd also like to know the brand of the items that ended up working best for you. I also replaced my header panel inside and will be getting a new windshield and gasket too. I'm leaning towards eliminating the chrome trim to minimize the hassle, even though my truck is supposed to have it. Your truck really came out awesome, great work!

Precision gasket, Counterpart trim, 67-70.
If I hadn't invested in a set of each with trim, I'd go without the trim.
The trim does enhance the look, but to anybody else, you'd never notice. Hardcore's (like us) would notice the lack of trim, but in the long run, as far as fitment and hassle goes, I'd go without.
If the gasket and trim doesn't seat soon, I'm pulling it all back apart and going without. Getting fed up with this. All the issues with bodywork, mechanical & electrical so far pale in comparison.

[Curt's_72]

Now for something positive.
I had it on the lift for final detailing underneath.
Props to my Cousin Todd, for letting me use his toybox. It's pretty cool. No, really. He just had air conditioning installed!







These pictures don't show it, but I cleaned up the muffler clamps and painted them with the Eastwood metal coating. They won't rust so fast now.

Now I'm just showing off. I thought these were cool pictures.

[ryanmctee]

I'd show off too. Beautiful truck. Can't wait till mine is at that stage.

[72 tigger]

Looks great- really like the wheels & hubcaps. It has to feel great finally seeing it all come together. I'd like to see that big dog in person some day. Hope you get the windshield sorted out.

[mjensen]

That really turned out great! Great looking truck!

[4x4Jake]

After reading through this whole thread I have subscribed to it and will be referring to it as a guideline for the re-building of my K20. The Resto-mod is the perfect way to describe this build and my own. I'm not much interested in all the custom trucks everyone is building. I envision my '69 to be a truck Chevy SHOULD have built in 1969. It's very similiar to yours with the exception of it having a 396 big block and 4-speed.

Sorry for the thread hi-jack, I should really do a proper intro thread of my own on here....

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Looks great- really like the wheels & hubcaps. It has to feel great finally seeing it all come together. I'd like to see that big dog in person some day. Hope you get the windshield sorted out.

Thanks, man.
Nice town, Berne is. We travel through there alot. Any car shows there? I'd make that trip for a good show in your area.

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by 4x4Jake

After reading through this whole thread I have subscribed to it and will be referring to it as a guideline for the re-building of my K20. The Resto-mod is the perfect way to describe this build and my own. I'm not much interested in all the custom trucks everyone is building. I envision my '69 to be a truck Chevy SHOULD have built in 1969. It's very similiar to yours with the exception of it having a 396 big block and 4-speed.

Sorry for the thread hi-jack, I should really do a proper intro thread of my own on here....

Good luck with your build. A big block would be pretty cool. Had several of those in Super Sports back in the 70's & 80's.
Get your thread started and let us know about your progress.
Curt

[Curt's_72]

I've been driving the truck some around town. Getting lot's of props from people. What a great feeling.

Windshield still isn't quite right. No sealer has been put on yet.

It goes back to the body shop next week to get some touch up work. Little things I've noticed over the winter and others we knew about. We'll discuss the windshield with them too. They do alot of custom work, so maybe their resourse can look at it.

After that, 'cept for possible breakage, it'll be done!

[Curt's_72]

Made it back to the body shop last evening. Had the punch list ready, and we walked around it. New hood anti-rattle pads are going on this time also.

We should have it back at the end of the week.

Pictures will follow.

[72 tigger]

Originally Posted by Curt's_72

Thanks, man.
Nice town, Berne is. We travel through there alot. Any car shows there? I'd make that trip for a good show in your area.

No shows that are worth the trip. Will you go to any shows in Ft. Wayne? Hope the glass issue works out. Thanks, Kirk

[Curt's_72]

I haven't been around, been busy with summer and our circus festival.

Truck is done!
No improvements on the windshield from June. It hasn't 'settled' in yet, and I haven't had it sealed, either.
Trim still fits kinda bad at the top corners, but I'm used to how it looks now.

Had issues with the aftermarket proportioning valve. The brakes would lock up before the front discs would engage.

Thought I could give the old valve one more chance after my last attempt to seal it from leaking under pressure, but it was no use.

Put the new valve back on. Non-adjustable, by the way, bled the brakes again, they work much better.
Hope that issue is behind us.

[Curt's_72]

Thought I'd put up some pictures of the Counterpart pre '71 trim and Precision gasket after 2 months of around town driving and sitting in the sun.

As you can see, not much has 'settled'. I've gotten used to the way the trim fits, because you've got to be pretty close to see it, but the gasket I'm still not pleased with.









Biggest issue right now is the possiblity of water laying between the gasket and the windshield.

I haven't washed it yet.

It hasn't been sealed yet, cause I was hoping the windshield fairy would pay me a visit soon and pop thing into place...

[Curt's_72]

All done at the body shop. A couple of small things, and a complete re-do of the underside of the hood.
My buddy Alan who helped me over the winter, never liked the overspray on the pads between the hood braces and the hood. So, he bought me a new set.

We got those installed AFTER the paint work. Thanks bud!










I didn't have a big problem with the originals and the overspray, but this looks good, too.

[72 tigger]

Looks great- sorry to hear the windshield isn't working out.

[Curt's_72]

Except for sealing the windshield, we're all done.

Took it to a couple of shows last weekend, and it drove great! The FatMat was a huge plus. Steering was tight, the brakes smooth. Even the headlights and wipers worked fine.

Brought home a couple of awards!
Lot's of positive responses from people that checked it out.

Sweat the details. I had to be happy with the result first. If my effort wasn't all in, then chances are it will reflect in the outcome.

It's probably not a magazine truck. But, it's not a 10 footer, either. You can get close to it, and I want you to!

[ryanmctee]

Curt, the truck turned out beautiful. Congratulations on a job well done. I was really hoping your windsheild issue would have turned out better. My truck as well is finished, EXCEPT for the trim. My glass guy said the same thing as yours "Just drive the truck for a month or so and see if it settles". I'm a firm believer that it will never "settle". I have the 5/8" deep trim, and the Precision gasket. I think I'll try another glass guy and see if he can make the magic happen with the trim. I really want the trim in there like it should be. Anyways, just wanted to say beautiful truck and rant a little about my windsheild. One question I do have for you is what brand of windsheild do you have. My first replacement was a Pilkington, and it fit so tight that it broke. The second is a PPG. I'm wondering if some other brand is slightly smaller to allow for the trim in the molding???

[blackhawkip]

Beautiful truck! What wheels did you end up leaving on the truck? I am looking for 16.5x10 factory steel wheels and caps to go on my K20.

I really like the look! You just can't beat original.

[blackhawkip]

Great job on the truck! It turned out great.

Are you planning to keep the 8.25 wheels on your truck? I'd be interested in your 9.75 wheels if you are willing to sell them.

Let me know. Thanks

Originally Posted by Curt's_72

I scored these 16.5x9.75 wheels recently. Finally found a set with the outer nubs.


Attachment 855158

Just took them to get blasted and powdercoated. Gloss white. I should have them back next week.
I think I need them rather than the 8.25's that are currently on the truck. We'll see once I get them.
The backspacing is different on all three sets that I have. Backspace is only .25" greater than the 8.25's. That concerns me, because I don't want them to stick out too far.

[1985-GMC]

Awesome truck! I love everything you've done to it, that that color is sweet!

[Gene]

Great work! How did you remove and reinstall your trim with windows in? My paint guy installed my glass but didnt want to mess with the trim, so ive been running around with trim weatherstrip but no trim? If you have any helpful hints let me know!

[Curt's_72]

Sorry I've been away for awhile. I'll respond to the questions that you've asked me. I appologize for not getting to them sooner.

Got alot to soak up as I get back into the site. Always a wealth of information from everyone.

I do have a thirteen year old that thinks that she's gonna cabage onto Pop's truck pretty soon, though.

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by Gene

Great work! How did you remove and reinstall your trim with windows in? My paint guy installed my glass but didnt want to mess with the trim, so ive been running around with trim weatherstrip but no trim? If you have any helpful hints let me know!

Gene,

The both sets of trim was were always in place when we intalled and removed the windshield. We attempted once to install the trim after the windshield and gasket were installed. It just wouldn't work when we got to the bottom corners.

Nothing new has changed on the windshield, either. I've not washed it yet, because it's not dirty. Being a garage queen, and all. It does see the pavement, just not rain or muddy roads.
I've spent too much time detailing the underside to wanna trash it.