Vehicle Description
Who didn't want one of these super-tough K-series trucks back when
they were new, lifted and sitting tall, flashy in all the right
places, and capable of driving over Mt. Everest? Well, it's time to
relive the past with this absolutely dialed-in 1974 Chevrolet K20
4X4 LWB pickup, which has obviously enjoyed a rather significant
makeover. With killer in-your-face looks, an insanely powerful big
block under the hood, and go-anywhere capabilities, it's big fun on
or off the pavement - armed and ready to shame all those glam-rigs
you see everywhere on the road these days.
The high-impact bright orange color isn't original, but they
probably would have loved it in 1974, as it harkens back to the
Hugger Orange shades that adorned only the coolest of Camaros from
the previous generation. It just looks right, regardless of age,
and this awesome Chevy wears it proudly across miles of
super-straight sheetmetal. The exterior was taken up several
notches with the addition of some killer-looking hardware,
including the '89-'91 Silverado grille complete with a blacked-out
grille, the rubber chin spoiler below and the tall cowl hood just
above. But the party didn't stop there, the builders also added
bright side-steps, a diamond-plate toolbox that matches the diamond
armor protecting the top bed rails, and a smoothed-out rear
roll-pan in the rear. It was repainted a few years ago but it was a
high-end job when it was finished, and it's been preserved
incredibly well ever since and shows almost no imperfections to
speak of. Sure, it's a driver, but it's a top-quality driver at
that and it's got the looks and credentials to be shown at just
about any venue. All that orange acreage is broken up by a
tomahawk-like black hood cowl and side-stripe, providing a perfect
contrast without being too overbearing. You can't argue with how
good it all looks on the clean, chiseled lines of the K20 and the
finish quality is on-par with the impressive build quality of the
rest of the truck. The finish is shiny, well-applied, and covers
straight sheetmetal, but at the same time, it's not so flawless
that you're afraid to use this truck to its full potential. There's
also a decent amount of shiny trim to accentuate that orange paint,
including the factory stainless on the top of the cab, the front
grille surround, and the big, shiny bumper up front. Even the long
bed is nicely finished, probably a tad too clean to do the kind of
heavy hauling this truck is capable of doing.
The handsome interior is largely stock and for 1974, although
you'll be impressed by some of the luxury accommodations. The wide
bench seat wears a two-tone, Saddle cloth-and-vinyl cover that's in
great shape, and the gorgeous Saddle vinyl materials used for the
dash pad and door panels look fantastic and were likely very
expensive. Options are limited (this was 1974 after all) but
include factory A/C (needs service), tilt wheel, seatbelts, a
working heater/defrost unit, and a retro-style AM/FM stereo, so
it's quite a comfortable place in which to spend some time. The
factory instruments are bright and crisp, and just beyond them a
wood-rimmed Grant GT steering wheel was installed and really kicks
things up a notch inside. Speakers in the kick panels and custom
headliner above really sound great, and the plush brown carpets
lining the floor are protected with thick, durable floor mats.
Comfortable yet low maintenance - exactly what you want in a pickup
truck.
The condition of the sparkling engine bay and custom undercarriage
suggests that while this truck looks off-road ready, it hasn't
spent much time there. The 454 V8 was swapped-in from a later-model
GM truck and punched up with aluminum heads, an Edelbrock 4-barrel
carburetor atop a matching Edelbrock intake, and block-hugging
long-tube headers. The beefy big block pulls the big rig around
without working too hard, with enough torque to pull half the
forest away with you, but it's also been beautifully dressed with
aluminum valve covers and a matching air cleaner. Backed by a
sturdy TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and 2-speed transfer
case, the driveline is tough enough to handle just about anything.
While you're under there, check out the custom lift kit with
heavy-duty shocks at each corner, beefy leaf springs, and
heavy-duty axles that don't mind a little hard work. And in case
you missed anything, all the expensive stuff was painted in bright
colors, and aluminum differential covers were added fore and aft
for further pop. Of course, a truck this big wouldn't be possible
without power steering and power 4-wheel disc brakes, so despite
its size it's relatively easy to maneuver in traffic, albeit a bit
stiff. Great-looking, 20-inch chrome wheels suite the truck's
personality and carry mammoth 33x15.5x20 all-terrain tires that
look like they'll climb a wall.
A very cool truck with slick modifications and a classic look.
Admit it, you thought these were cool when you were a kid, and
who's to say anything has changed. You want it, all you have to do
is call!
