CK5
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HELP! Deciding on my '74 ground up RESTO

A good step in the rust battle would be to not store it under a tarp and to get the truck onto some pavement.

I like the first pic you showed for your goal. I prefer full restorations to be done to original factory specs. Love the front spare tire mount too.
 
A good step in the rust battle would be to not store it under a tarp and to get the truck onto some pavement.

I like the first pic you showed for your goal. I prefer full restorations to be done to original factory specs. Love the front spare tire mount too.

tnx...tarp is off now, and having a body guy coming to look at it on Sunday.

Hopefully i will have all of the interior out of it for him

Update to follow!
 
While I don't disagree about the hubs not being original. It is a 4 speed truck. Full time 4x4 4 speed trucks are quite rare. I doubt it was full time from the factory.

Martin

Very true Martin,I`m sure you are right.

How about the wheels...I don`t think GM made those untill 77 or so.
 
first things first, gut the interior :)
then you'll see more of the floor

First, get a sharpie and some plastic bags....log each screw, bolt, nut or fastener that can be reused...
I did this when I started taking mine apart, and I am still having trouble finding things....
and keep everything that is reusable because there isn't anything that will cost less than $25 to replace through mail...even a handful of dash screws
 

First, get a sharpie and some plastic bags....log each screw, bolt, nut or fastener that can be reused...
I did this when I started taking mine apart, and I am still having trouble finding things....
and keep everything that is reusable because there isn't anything that will cost less than $25 to replace through mail...even a handful of dash screws

tnx will do!
 
Update...Had body guy over yesterday and gave me the lowdown. He says he has 2 really good connections in the US for any parts i will need.

Im also going to save $$ by stripping everything off that i can before taking it to him. He has been doing this since 12yrs old and does anything from scratch repair to ground up $80,000 restos on classic cars and i have seen his work.:waytogo::waytogo:

Dismantling pics coming SOON!

Dean
 
The only rivets I would mess with are the ones on the front crossmember that holds the sway bar and engine mounts ---those often shear off when larger tires,lift kits or a lot of off road use......................................................................................................I've not seen many of the rivets in other locations ever loosen up or shear off,and there were a lot of GM trucks at the junkyard we parted that the rivets were still firmly attached,and a real mother to get off,without ruining the bracket or spring hangers we were selling off them....I would think bolts will be more likely to stretch and loosen than a rivet will eventually...but to each his own--if I put bolts in place of rivets I'd use an impact gun to tighten them,use lock nuts and or loctite,and check them frequently for loosening...my 74 GMC had sheared rivets at that front crossmenber,I used grade 8 bolts,plus I ran a bead of weld to the frame on it,to ensure it never came loose again...

I have two K30's that had the front spring-perch rivets get loose, and also the ones you mentioned. It seems to be the rivets at the front of the frame, are more prone to getting loose.
 
While I don't disagree about the hubs not being original. It is a 4 speed truck. Full time 4x4 4 speed trucks are quite rare. I doubt it was full time from the factory.

Martin

Does it have a np203t case? They are rare behind the sm465, but i've seen a couple of em. Both in pickups, both with full time hubs - a 74 and a 77
 
The only years the SM465/NP203 combo was offered was (optionally) in 1974 and 1975, so the 1977 you saw was not original. I don't know what this one has, because he hasn't posted a picture of it.

Martin
 
Actually, that does look light it might be an NP203 shifter.

dsc00039rvz.jpg


Martin
 
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