Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

1972 Chevrolet K20, 4x4, Big Block, 4-speed, Excellent Condition! No Reserve! on 2040-cars

Year:1972 Mileage:91782
Location:

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Up for auction is my 1972 Chevrolet K20, 3/4 ton pickup.  This truck is in amazing shape for its age.  It is not a show truck, but it could be with very little effort.  This would be the perfect truck for a weekend hobbyist.  Pretty much all the work still left is cosmetic at this point.  All the hard work has been done.  I used this truck for almost two years as my daily driver.  It is really dependable.  It starts right up every time, even after sitting for several days in the wonderful Wisconsin below zero weather.  I would not hesitate to drive this truck anywhere.  I am only selling it because I need the cash for a more "family friendly" vehicle, if you know what I mean.  I love this truck and really want it to go to a home that will love it as I do.  Now, as dependable as it is, it is still a work in progress and there are quirks which I've come to live with and accept, but then again I am an old car junkie and I am used to quirks.  Below is an accurate description of what I know and what I've found.  I will be happy to photograph any specific areas you would like to see in more detail.  I will not hide anything.

 

Background: I acquired this truck in 2012.  The body was already complete and painted.  I found documentation that indicated the extent of work completed.  The cab and front clip appear to be from a 1971 truck due to factory sticker information and how the rear view mirror is mounted.  It has a VIN tag from the state of Washington, but the VIN and title are clear.  There was a spray in bedliner in the truck when I got it, but it's an average job at best.  It's done me well and it's appearing to hold up, but there are light spots.  There are three gas tanks in this truck.  The main tank behind the seat, and two saddle tanks with individual fuel fillers.  Total capacity I believe is 56 gallons.  I've only used the main tank and driver side tanks because they're on the same side.  There is a 3-way valve to switch between tanks, but the fuel gauge only registers the main tank.  Oh, and the fuel gauge works!  All gauges work!

 

Body:  Overall this truck is in excellent condition.  The only rust bubbles are in the saddle tank doors.  Rockers are solid.  Doors are solid.  There are some chips from normal wear and tear.  See pictures.  There is a scratch in the tailgate that I did by accident loading a saw into the bed by myself, but it's not terrible.  A scratch in the hood.  All lights work.  Mirrors need some attention.  I replaced the necks with new stainless steel pieces, but the rest should be replaced.

 

Engine/drivetrain:  When I got this truck, someone had put in a 454.  I had no information on the engine and it appeared to be "worked hard".  I swapped the engine with a period-correct 402, 4-bolt, Sean Murphy carburetor (quadrajet), probably around 12k miles on the engine.  It is STRONG, sounds amazing, lots of torque and lots of power.  Frame and floor pans are in incredible shape.  Solid, not beat up.  It is evident of a truck which was used in warmer climates or out of the salt.  I have no documentation on where it came from, but the condition speaks for itself.  Drivetrain is complete and original.  SM465, 4-speed, granny low, creeper first gear.  Transmission was checked out by a local specialty shop and some seals were recommended to be replaced so I had it done.  Transfer case is a NP205 which was also examined and resealed at the same time.  Everything is in perfect working condition.  Hubs turn freely, shifts beautifully, drives very very nice, and stops on a dime.  I had the entire brake system replaced except for the metal lines because they were in great shape.  Calipers, cylinders, pads, shoes, hoses, master cylinder...  all new.  The truck was aligned recently.  Exhaust is a true dual system with some sort of glass pack.  It was there when I bought the truck, for financial reasons I kept it.  It sounds really good and I'm glad I did.

 

Interior: Seat has one small tear in the lower side on the driver's side, otherwise in great shape.  The door panels are kind of beat up.  All locking mechanisms and door hardware work great.  This truck has a tach. which works.  The speedo works, but is a little off due to the bigger tires.  The gas gauge works, but only for the main cab tank.  Does not have a headliner.  There was a beat up headliner in it when I got the truck and I took it out.  I also have the visors, but they are not in it right now.  Great shape!  Floor is rubber and in amazing shape.  No radio.  Heater works, but the fan switch handle is broken.  I just use a screwdriver.  Seat belts work, but are not the most attractive pair.  There is a trailer brake controller, but I've never towed with it so I do not know the functionality.  Both sets of windows and wing windows work perfectly.  The original jack is in its place behind the seat.

 

Bed:  Again, there is an amateur bedliner in the truck.  I put a Pace Edwards Jack Rabbit locking tonneau cover on the truck (google it for more info).  It was custom made and looks amazing on the truck.  I put sliding locks inside the tailgate so I could completely secure the bed.  The rear bumper has a class III or IV hitch mounted on it and I'm pretty sure it will survive the apocalypse.  There is a 6-pin wire harness, but I've never towed with it.  I also installed four tie down hooks.

 

Wheels:  The truck originally came with the original Kelsey Hayes wheels, which I still have.  They have about 50 coats of pain on them and looked unattractive (white).  I put the new Wheel Vintiques on the truck when the tires were replaced.  The successful bidder is welcome to request swapping the tires over to the original set if they want, but there will be a $30/wheel fee.  You could also purchase them separately if you want for a price we can work out later.  There is a full size spare, but no place to mount it so it will be placed in the bed.

 

Quirks:  There is an aftermarket A/C unit in the truck.  I disconnected the compressor when I had the engine changed.  The unit is still there and I am unsure if it functions.  There are two batteries under the hood and they are wired in parallel off of one alternator.  It works fine, but I'm sure there is a better way to run it.  All electrical runs off of one battery, I think the other one is just there for backup.  Weird, yes I know.  The windshield wiper switch works for both low and high, but the washer is aftermarket and is wired to a switch under the dashboard.  Horn doesn't work.

 

Anyway, I tried to describe it the best I could.  It's a great truck, an absolute blast to drive, incredibly strong, and a very easy restoration project.  Most parts are readily available through LMC and other sources.  Please see the pictures to fully appreciate it.  If you don't like attention, don't drive this truck.  It gets looks, and thumbs up like crazy anywhere you take it.  People always stop and talk to me about it.  It's a very stunning and strong looking truck.

 

Please ask all questions prior to bidding.  I am doing my very best to be honest and will not hide anything.  Truck is sold AS IS.  No warranties are offered or implied.  This truck will be listed locally if it is not sold on eBay.  Feel free to make me an offer, but I'm pretty much as low as I'd want to go without being offended.

 

Buyer to pick up or arrange transportation.  Truck can be driven.

Auto Services in Wisconsin

Twenty Third Street Auto ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service
Address: 2316 W Fond Du Lac Ave, Muskego
Phone: (866) 595-6470

Truck & Machine Service LLC. ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Trailers-Repair & Service, Truck Service & Repair
Address: 4625 Femrite Dr, Cottage-Grove
Phone: (608) 575-3652

Tenhagen Auto Service ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Automobile Diagnostic Service Equipment-Service & Repair
Address: 21445 Durand Ave, Union-Grove
Phone: (262) 878-3945

Superior Automotive ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service
Address: Mercer
Phone: (715) 682-4000

Speed On 51 Auto Repair ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Body Shop Equipment & Supplies, Towing
Address: 2528 Center Ave, Beloit
Phone: (608) 754-1045

Sound World ★★★★★

Automobile Parts & Supplies, Home Theater Systems, Automobile Alarms & Security Systems
Address: 1850 W Mason St, Shiocton
Phone: (920) 499-4519

Auto blog

GM recalls 3,300 pickups and SUVs for new ignition-switch issue [UPDATE]

Mon, Oct 19 2015

UPDATE: A statement from GM about the recall has been added below. The exact total of vehicles affected is 3,296, including 3,073 of them in the US. General Motors isn't letting an ignition-switch problem grow into a massive scandal again. The automaker is recalling about 3,300 North American trucks and SUVs. They are: the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra and the 2015 Chevy Suburban and Chevy Tahoe, as well as 2015 model heavy-duty pickups, the Detroit News reports, citing an Associated Press story. The issue appears to have been caught fairly quickly. In this case, the keys can get stuck in the "start" position and then slip to "accessory" if bumped. This is because the ignition lock gears have an outer diameter that's larger than the specifications allow. When that happens the engine shuts off, and the driver loses assistance to the steering and brakes. The airbags might also be affected. The vehicles get a new ignition-lock housing to fix the problem. According to the Detroit News, an employee who experienced the problem with the switch discovered the issue, and this person then let officials at the automaker know as part of the Speak Up for Safety program. A total of five reports of the fault were discovered. However, there are no cases of injuries or crashes. The claims to the automaker's resolution program eventually tallied that GM's previous ignition switch problem included 124 deaths and 275 injuries. The company also had to recall millions of vehicles and pay significant fines to the US government. GM Statement General Motors is recalling 3,073 full-size trucks from the 2014 and 2015 model years in the U.S. Some of these vehicles may have an ignition lock actuator gear with an outer diameter that exceeds specifications, which may make turning the ignition key difficult. The ignition key could get stuck in the "start" position. This may be more likely at higher interior ambient temperatures. If the vehicle is driven with the key stuck in the "start" position, and the vehicle experiences a significant jarring event or the vehicle's interior temperature cools, the ignition lock cylinder could move out of the "start" position, rotate past the "run" position, and move into the "accessory" position, leading to loss of power steering assist, power brakes and potentially air bag deployment in certain crashes. Dealers will replace the ignition lock housing.

Europeans ask Chevy to bring Volt back to Europe

Fri, Aug 14 2015

A group of French fans is asking for a jolt of support from General Motors to get the 2016 Chevrolet Volt across the pond. The Association Amperistes et Amis des Vehicules Rechargeables is running a Change.org petition that currently has 383 signatures out of a goal of 500. While the attempt is admirable, it's probably going to take a lot more than several hundred people for the model to make a return to the continent after the poor showing of the Opel Ampera – first-gen Volt's European cousin. The group's major argument for bringing a version of the second-gen Volt to Europe is that consumers need "an intermediate choice between expensive or range-limited pure electric cars and plug-in hybrids with a miserable electric range." Furthermore, such a vehicle would prod the competition to produce similarly efficient electrified models. They also lavish praise on the abilities of the Ampera for its long EV driving range. The supporters aren't entirely kind to GM in the petition, though, and claim the company excluded the original car from marketing efforts there. The Ampera actually enjoyed a strong European launch with more orders than initially expected and briefly topped the best-sellers list among EVs there. It was even named 2012 European Car of the Year. Those halcyon days didn't last long, and by 2014 sales fell off to a trickle. The waning reception caused GM's decision not to introduce a version of the new 2016 Volt there or in Australia. Related Video:

PickupTrucks.com's latest test results in a familiar winner [w/video]

Wed, 19 Jun 2013

PickupTrucks.com has gone and thrown the latest batch of half-ton pickups into a cage match to see who would come out on top. The site put the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2013 Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan through a battery of tests. Those included 0-60 miles per hour acceleration, 60-0 mph deceleration, fuel economy, a hill climb, and payload and towing. They even threw the rigs on an autocross course to evaluate overall handling. Each truck was given points based on how it scored in each evaluation.
Who came out on top? Somewhat surprisingly, the 2013 Ford F-150 walked away with the gold, though fewer than 50 points separated first and fourth place. Head over to PickupTrucks.com to read the full evaluation and the final results. You may be shocked to see exactly where some of the segment's newest additions placed. You can also watch a video on the test below.