1976 Chevy K20 - Retro Adventure Build

[AdventureSilvy]

Picked this 1976 K20 up from an older gentleman in NorCal, he predominantly used the truck as farm, fishing, and hunting rig. My thoughts behind picking this up were to stop putting miles on my daily driver and to work on the K20 rather than butchering my daily more so. I have got plans that should lead this truck into being a reliable working/playing weekend rig. I also want to mention that square bodies are extremely cheap and easy to work on. I can’t believe all the parts that you can get for them for under $100.

Powertrain:

350 SBC
sm465
14 bolt rear axle
Dana 44 front axle
4.56 gearing

 

[Kingsize24]

WIN!!! Looks like a great candidate to play with.

 

[AdventureSilvy]

Yeah, I’m very excited to have found this one!

 

[Kingsize24]

I would be too! I had a 77', and it was probably one of the best trucks I ever owned. It had it's qwerks here and there like any vehicle, but it was a beast of a truck. I never did have any major issues with it, and probably put over 200k on it before I sold it. I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

 

[AdventureSilvy]

That’s awesome to hear! Yeah it can only be assumed that qwerks are in my future.

I’d love to see pictures if you have any of the 77! ??

 

[Kingsize24]

That’s awesome to hear! Yeah it can only be assumed that qwerks are in my future.

I’d love to see pictures if you have any of the 77! ??

********, this was WAY pre-any online picture stuff. LOL

I'll look through my old photo albums and see if I can dig anything up.

 

[AdventureSilvy]

For sure, don’t work too hard on it I didnt mean for the inconvenience!


Pre-interwebs photos are also fun to go through though!

 

[VroomSIX]

Awesome find! The lines on those trucks are pure Americana. Beautiful

 

[Yroundrdn]

thats a great find

 

[AdventureSilvy]

Yeah, the lines of a square body get me going! I knew I had to eventually get my hands on one.

 

[AdventureSilvy]

I knew that there was some life to be had in this paint, so I spent some time last weekend bringing her back to her former glory. Also I repainted the bumper. So far this truck has created many aliases; miner 49er, the nugget, and ole’ yeller.

Here are some photos.

 

[locrwln]

Now that is a nice stable you have there.

I used to own a '72 (2wd) Cheyenne Super, 1978 4wd SWB Stepside with the 4spd, and a 1981 2wd SWB with a built 383 in it. All were great trucks and I miss them all.

Jack

 

[zoomad75]

Looks like a solid base for a good build. Squarebodies are pretty darn capable in stock form so it should handle your tasks well. Looking forward to the build and it getting used.

 

[AdventureSilvy]

Now that is a nice stable you have there.

I used to own a '72 (2wd) Cheyenne Super, 1978 4wd SWB Stepside with the 4spd, and a 1981 2wd SWB with a built 383 in it. All were great trucks and I miss them all.

Jack

Hey thank you! My dad and I built that 71 when I was in high school! It was a great project and fantastic experience I got to share. 6 years later and he’s still driving it every weekend.

I would love a Cheyenne super, it’s on my bucket list for sure. Both trucks are just customs.

That’s exactly how I felt Jack! I needed to fill the void the k10 left. There’s something about driving an older truck that just makes you want to smile.

-Luke

 

[AdventureSilvy]

Looks like a solid base for a good build. Squarebodies are pretty darn capable in stock form so it should handle your tasks well. Looking forward to the build and it getting used.

They really are! I’m suprised that more people haven’t jumped on them. Parts at any auto parts store in the nation, tried and true powertrain, great design, and simple enough for anyone to work on!

I’ll do my best to keep the thread interesting, right now it needs a lot of preventative maintenance but the first mod will probably be from off road designs!