New (to me) 69 Chevy C20 pickup

[graywolf]

From what I see, looks super nice. Definitely a good find.

[TF1]

Had one with 4wd. Lived in the snow/salt belt and I could go where ever I wanted in Winter, never stuck. Unfortunately I could sit on the porch and watch it rust away. Lasted 4 years and very little of lower fenders or doors left, but mechanically perfect. Consistent 7 mpg, even added headers and straight thru exhaust, but still got 7. Back then we really didn’t care about mileage that much, but it had a small tank. Often filled up every other day. Never have owned a better truck. Live in Florida now, drove the last one 17 years and my current ride will be 15 in August. No rust, but neither is a better truck. Protect and enjoy what you’ve found.

[Ernie]

Got the truck a New Hampshire Oil Undercoat last week. Guy did a great job of getting everywhere and got to walk under the truck while on the lift. I really is very clean. Next I contacted a retired mechanic who had a speed shop garage. He sold it and works in a shop at home. I want to change the gear ratio in the rear end so the engine is not screaming when I drive over 50. Bud I going to get back to me Monday after doing some research to let me know "how much". It will be worth it whatever it is. I am not going to pull heavy trailers and would like to drive on the bypass without getting run down.
Pulled the dash panel today and changed out the old circuit panel that was delaminating, changed the bulbs to LEDs, and lubed the speedometer/odometer which was skipping (fixed). Those LED bulbs are much brighter. May have to consider changing the rest of the bulbs as well. Anybody use LED for turnlights? I understand they may require a resister.

[Ernie]

Someone replaced the bench seat with buckets that I just don't like. I found an original 69 bench seat at a salvage yard 260 miles away and picked it up pretty cheap. It is in good shape for its age but I replaced the sliders and I am getting new fitted foam and upholstery online. Going to wet sandblast and paint the frame this weekend. Should look like new for a very reasonable amount.

[BrokenolMarine]

Can't wait to see the finished project...

[GeoBoy]

Ernie, my first vehicle was a brand new 1972 GMC C10, 6 cylinder 250 cu.in., 3 on the tree. It had the optional full foam seat and gauge package and cost $2,500.00.

[Ernie]

Found out the rear end is a 4.40 and a 1 ton, original gears look good. New gear lube, installed a tach and it is turning 2700 rpms at 65 mph. New heater core and blower, new heater controls, neutral safety/back up light switch, wiper washer pump replaced, new back up light assemblies, dash gauges all work with new LED lights, and getting the replacement bench seat rebuilt. That should do it for a while. I do enjoy driving it and it does get some attention.

[PatientWolf]

You can probably climb into the engine compartment with space for some of your friends to work on it. Very nice!

[Ernie]

Hate the bucket seats installed in the truck so I have been looking for an original replacement. Found one in Cincinnati that was better than most and brought it home.

IMG_0233.jpeg (3.43 MiB) Viewed 1222 times

. It had some rust on the drivers side, a couple of broken springs as well as bad sliders, foam and upholstery.

IMG_0231.jpeg (3.47 MiB) Viewed 1222 times

So I stripped it down and sandblasted the frame using a nifty devise from Amazon that attaches to a power washer. Then dried it off and primed it. I was able to get replacement springs for the side and had a friend repair the seat springs with a TIG welder since replacements are not available. Forced JB Weld into the rust holes on the drivers side

IMG_0251.jpeg (2.78 MiB) Viewed 1222 times

. The frame is solid so sprayed another coat of primer and two coats of black sealer paint. The back of the seat is stellar so it got blasted primed and paint. I got replacement sliders, new foam that is formed as the original and upholstery that mirrors the original vinyl. Now ready to tackle the new covering in the morning.

[Ernie]

Got the back of the seat done and think it looks great.

IMG_0263.jpeg (3.25 MiB) Viewed 1205 times

Set the bottom on the bench and set the foam for that on top and had to admit that it was the wrong foam. It was about 6" too thick for the upholstery to fit and I was not sure how I could even climb up on it let alone keep from hitting my head or getting my feet on the pedals.

IMG_0264.jpeg (3.36 MiB) Viewed 1205 times

Since I used one piece of the set I could not return it and I could not find the correct replacement without buying both parts. So I did what I probably should have done initially, I took it to an upholsterer and he will have it finished early next week. Then I will reassemble the seat to mount in the truck. I have this great piece of foam so I was thinking about making a love seat Sometimes I learn the hard way.

[Ernie]

Got the seat assembled and sliders installed. Now have to get the truck inside to take out the bucket seats and find out what I have to do to mount the bench seat. Yes I sat on it and it was very comfortable.

IMG_0271.jpeg (3.66 MiB) Viewed 878 times

[markiver54]

The seat looks great!

[Hatchdog]

Really like the pattern on the seat.

[BrokenolMarine]

That seat turned out really nice. Everyone today puts buckets in the trucks but I like bench seats. More room, not as confining, and I liked the old seat covers with the pockets across the front with the lateral pocket to hold the shotgun. I had an old beater Ford Ranger, with the Navajo Blanket Style seat covers, and my Mossberg 500 rode in the slot, my wallet and checkbook in the pocket of the seatcover, always handy.

Hit a deer once with the Ranger and the Geico Agent had me remove the corner of the cover to check and insure the seat underneath wasn't trashed before he appraised the truck / Damage and was surprised the seat was perfect. I told him that I just liked the look/feel/utility of the cover vs that plain seat in the Ranger.

YOUR seat is beautiful.

[Ernie]

Thanks, it is the original pattern for 67-72 and I am very happy with the results. Now to pull out the buckets and see if I can get this installed without tearing something.

[Stray Cat]

Your bench seat is reminiscent of the one I had in my '71 Cheyenne. Just looking at your seat brought back a smirk from my teenage years.

[Sir Henry]

Very nice job on the seat. I just read all the posts. I was surprised to hear it only turning 2700 at 65. It’s high but not over the top high.

[Ernie]

Got the seat installed today along with the new seat belts and I am happy with the results. The upholstery pattern matches the door panels and it is much more comfortable. Looks like the trucks I remember. Received a new instrument panel that is exactly like the original and that is next on the list as soon as I get the new speedometer cable.

IMG_0285.jpeg (2.85 MiB) Viewed 744 times

[markiver54]

Lookn' great Ernie!!

[Stray Cat]

Yes, it looks great. Does your dash have the tach? I thought that was the coolest factory feature of that era, that and air conditioning.