1964 K20 Assembly

Back in 2013 or 14, I bought a very rough 1964 Chevy K20. The frame was rotted in half, very rough cab, no engine, but it had an SM420 and divorced Rockwell T221 transfer case. I used the transmission and transfer case in my 55 Chevy Napco conversion. I picked up that blue hood at a swap meet a few years ago.



My friend sent me a craigslist ad for a 60-66 K20 chassis on craigslist for $600. I picked that up since it ran and drove. I think I got this in 2016. It has a 292 I6. The half a truck had a 283 in it, which I plan on putting back.



And then on my way back from a swap meet I found a craigslist ad for a 60-66 fleet side bed with extra side panels for $600. I think I got this in 2016 as well. The yellow bed is the complete one and the white side panels are the spares.



And yesterday I picked up a really clean 1964 cab for $1000. It needs floor and rocker work. The visor usually rots out on these trucks, so to not have to do any roof repair work is a win! This cab came from Texas. The guy I bought the cab from had a truck shipped up and it came with the spare cab. He also has a good running 283 for me that I'll get after the new year.



The guy also has a dinged up chrome bumper and body trim that I'll also get for my C30. I originally got the C30 to use for parts for the K20, but its too nice to take apart. I'd rather fix it up. The dinged up chrome will look great on it. I already robbed the SM420 out of this truck because it had the parking on the back, which I needed for my 55. I'll swap a normal SM420 in. I have like 6 of them now.

 

One day I'm hoping this truck will look like this. Not sure if I will go with chrome bumpers and grill or leave them painted like it was originally.



So these trucks are interesting. In 1960 they had the nostril hood, which had issues, so GM recalled those hoods and replaced them with the later hoods. Also in 1962, the cab design changed. Pre 63, they had a curved windshield and vent windows that resembled the 55-59 trucks. 64-66 trucks had a flatter windshield and doors that more resemble the 67-72 body style. I think this generation (60-66) is known as the dentside, but not sure. I think the body lines are pretty neat on them. A good read about the body changes here. https://www.streetmusclemag.com/new...-to-1960-1966-chevrolet-c10-20-pickup-trucks/

 

Upon further research, the 4x4 option added as much as 47% to the base MSRP of the truck.

 

Nate you always get the good stuff and it’s nice to see a younger person that doesn’t want a tuner or Carolina squat can’t wait to see the finished product

 

I'll follow this thread with interest. I drove a '63 C10 shortbed in high school and early college. My Dad was an original owner of a 66 C10 longbed. Among many derelicts on our country property was a 60 C10 longbed. So I am very familiar with all those body changes you mentioned.

 

Did some more research on this truck, for 1965, the year after my truck, Chevy built 502 units that were 3/4 ton fleet side bed 4wd trucks. My guess is the 1964 was about the same.

 

My first vehicle was a '65 C10 long bed; 230 in line 6 with SM420 4 speed.
Its body was straight but had been hand painted with a brush...or maybe a broom!
I quickly learned that I needed a 4WD. I found a '65 W100 PW and ran that for about 10 years before getting bitten by the Jeep bug.

I sure like that turquoise one in your above photo...especially with the eyebrow or nostril hood although I know the dogleg windshield is a knee banger for tall occupants!

 

Brought the frame down today so I can pull the 292 out and start swapping engine mounts.

 

2x6 column support and uni-strut fuel tank mount.
Sure there are any good parts left on there?

 

the frame is super clean and it has a good running 292 in it.

 

Mr Gnome, you might enjoy this listing.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1964-chevrolet-c20-custom-camper/

 

Or this one: https://lewiston.craigslist.org/cto/d/stites-1962-gmc-jimmy/7576440719.html

It's a bit of a road trip though.

 

That camper special is sharp.

Too bad the 62 is only a half ton. Those seem to be more common than the 3/4 4x4s.

 

Agreed.

 

Brought the chassis down so I could pull the engine out.



Which came out rather easily. Now I have to fire up the torches and remove the plow frame and the front engine mount cross member.



I thought you guys might find this interesting, this is what the stock hubs are for these trucks.



And this front axle has one dualmatic hub. I would love to find another.



And when I was looking over the frame, I noticed the right rear shackle and mount were odd.



And this is what it is supposed to look like. I am on the hunt for one of these now. Luckily C30s used the same mounts and shackles. I could take one off my C30 which is just lawn art, but I really don't want to.

 

Busy day today, stripped down the half a 64 today. I took the engine mounts, clutch pivot mount and front cab mounts.



And the real tricky part was getting everything mocked up on the other frame. This frame is an odd one, it had a hydraulic clutch with the fork on the passenger side. I have never seen an old style bell housing like that. Anyways, it is coming along. If it isn't snowing too hard tomorrow, I'll rivet everything in place.

 

Good luck on getting started. My '69 K5 sits in the garage collecting parts and dust. It has not moved in 12 years, bought it 18 years ago but one day...

 

I tried my hand at hot riveting today. Not too bad. Bought a bit for my air hammer to peen them over. Not quite factory, but they work.



And this one is the best one I did out of 12 rivets.



I noticed the old frame had the last 7 of the VIN stamped in it on the driver's side, so I transferred that over. Now I have to set the engine and transmission in and put the cab on! Then it will move under its own power!

 

Got the engine and transmission in! I'm glad I took my time to get the engine mounts in the perfect spot. Everything lined right up!

 

Got the cab on today! Now I can wire the engine to run and put whats left of the nose on and bed!