Member From Utah

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Scottgenex

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2024
Posts
4
Reaction score
9
Location
Utah
First Name
Dakota
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
8.1
Hello all wise forum people. I'm usually a lurker on most forums and only ever post when I need assistance with an odd question. Which, I kinda do. But, that's a later thing.

I got my '76 K20 18 years ago as my first vehicle when I was 15. An unwise choice as the economy was close to tanking and fuel price was on the rise (~$4.00 back in 08-09 if my memory serves right). Minimum wage jobs doesn't fulfill the needs of a carbed 400.

So, I opted to ride a bike on days when I could. The square sat. Then I got a economy car, then sports cars, and motorcycles, and it sat most the time year after year. Eventually I discovered it had a cooling issue, but the gauges never worked and I never fixed them so the problem was not there in my eyes. It ran on low and/or no coolant most my owner ship. When I added some it ran worse. Til it consumed it all. Knowing that I parked it permanently.

I wanted to do a diesel swap to tow boats and impress girls, but couldn't afford the luxury of a Cummins swap. So as a naieve twenty-something old I got a full diesel engine (6.2) and drive train setup out of an Airforce donar truck for next to nothing. Well, that sat in the truck for years and I finally learned they were a dog of an engine. Sorry for those that love em.

Fast forward to now to make a story short. Three years ago I pulled it into the shop to "restore" it to some middle-of the-road standards. I'm no pro body guy. I'm a mechanical guy. A ten footer is good enough for me.

I opted for an 8.1 Vortec since I'd seen it done on Dirt Ever Day and thought it was somewhat unique. They've definitely jumped up in price since then. Using Larry's resource thread that many are probably aware of, and my own ingenuity, I put a '05 variant in attached to the TH400HD/NP208.

I then had to attack all the rust and rot. Basically a whole new bed, floor, rockers, cab corners, pillars and much more. I've never done that stuff before but know the concept. I did a OK job in my eyes and that's all that matters. I got myself some semi-pro paint supplies and painted it Toyota gloss metallic grey. First paint job I've ever tried to do right. Then slapped some Method 708 and KO2s on it.

There's a ton of other stuff I did, but this is long enough. Mechanically almost everything is updated, new or refreshed. Interior is the same. All new carpet, seat was restored and heated and so forth. You get the idea.

Anyway. Thanks for reading this far. Glad to have a group of others that love these trucks as much as I do.

- Dakota

2024
You must be registered for see images attach


2009
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JamesSam

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2023
Posts
1,587
Reaction score
4,344
Location
VA
First Name
Sam
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Silverado V10
Engine Size
5.7 L 350 v8
Hello all wise forum people. I'm usually a lurker on most forums and only ever post when I need assistance with an odd question. Which, I kinda do. But, that's a later thing.

I got my '76 K20 18 years ago as my first vehicle when I was 15. An unwise choice as the economy was close to tanking and fuel price was on the rise (~$4.00 back in 08-09 if my memory serves right). Minimum wage jobs doesn't fulfill the needs of a carbed 400.

So, I opted to ride a bike on days when I could. The square sat. Then I got a economy car, then sports cars, and motorcycles, and it sat most the time year after year. Eventually I discovered it had a cooling issue, but the gauges never worked and I never fixed them so the problem was not there in my eyes. It ran on low and/or no coolant most my owner ship. When I added some it ran worse. Til it consumed it all. Knowing that I parked it permanently.

I wanted to do a diesel swap to tow boats and impress girls, but couldn't afford the luxury of a Cummins swap. So as a naieve twenty-something old I got a full diesel engine (6.2) and drive train setup out of an Airforce donar truck for next to nothing. Well, that sat in the truck for years and I finally learned they were a dog of an engine. Sorry for those that love em.

Fast forward to now to make a story short. Three years ago I pulled it into the shop to "restore" it to some middle-of the-road standards. I'm no pro body guy. I'm a mechanical guy. A ten footer is good enough for me.

I opted for an 8.1 Vortec since I'd seen it done on Dirt Ever Day and thought it was somewhat unique. They've definitely jumped up in price since then. Using Larry's resource thread that many are probably aware of, and my own ingenuity, I put a '05 variant in attached to the TH400HD/NP208.

I then had to attack all the rust and rot. Basically a whole new bed, floor, rockers, cab corners, pillars and much more. I've never done that stuff before but know the concept. I did a OK job in my eyes and that's all that matters. I got myself some semi-pro paint supplies and painted it Toyota gloss metallic grey. First paint job I've ever tried to do right. Then slapped some Method 708 and KO2s on it.

There's a ton of other stuff I did, but this is long enough. Mechanically almost everything is updated, new or refreshed. Interior is the same. All new carpet, seat was restored and heated and so forth. You get the idea.

Anyway. Thanks for reading this far. Glad to have a group of others that love these trucks as much as I do.

- Dakota

2024
You must be registered for see images attach


2009
You must be registered for see images attach
Wow! Dakota from Utah...awesome transformation. Truck is beautiful. I see you now have your old man strength. Cool story. Welcome from VA.
 

animal

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
5,596
Reaction score
3,843
Location
Georgia
First Name
Lee
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
c10 silverado
Engine Size
350ish
:welcome:
 

Mr Clean

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 18, 2010
Posts
10,300
Reaction score
10,092
Location
North East Texas
First Name
Shawn
Truck Year
1982 & 1985
Truck Model
K10 Extra Cab w/ Proper SWB, & 85 K5 Blazer
Engine Size
454 BBC, & 383 Stroker
:welcome:
 

fofiddyfo

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2024
Posts
91
Reaction score
245
Location
wisco
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R3500
Engine Size
454
Welcome from Wisco, Dakota! That’s a really nice rig you got there, and good on ya for sticking with it over the years! These old squares are sure a lot of fun, and we’re in good company on this forum!
 

legopnuematic

Licensed Junk Dealer
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
2,452
Reaction score
6,227
Location
MO
First Name
Spencer
Truck Year
1971, 1̶9̶7̶4, 1976, 1979,1̶9̶8̶5, 2002
Truck Model
Dart Swinger, Sierra 10, C10 Cheyenne, C10 Big Ten, Silverado 10, Ram 2500
Engine Size
225/6, 350 c.i., 350 c.i., 5.9l Cummins
Welcome from Missouri.
 

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