Knuckle Buster

1973 Chevy 1/2 Ton, 2WD Pickup

The idea behind the Knucklebuster project was to illustrate how you can take a later-model vehicle from the 70’s or 80’s and turn it into a cool vehicle you can drive everyday without spending a fortune. Since these vehicles aren’t that old, they are relatively easy to find and usually really cheap. They also don’t usually require extensive rust replacement and expensive frame-off restorations that take months or years and a lot of money to do. Another plus is the fact they already have huge aftermarket support so replacement parts are easy to find and usually very affordable, making them a perfect first project to tackle.

History

An all-new clean sheet redesign of General Motors' Chevrolet and GMC brand C/K-Series pickups débuted in mid-1972 for the 1973 model year. Development of the new third-generation trucks began in 1968 with vehicle components undergoing simulated testing on computers before the first prototype pickups were even built for real world testing. The redesign was revolutionary in appearance at the time, particularly the cab, departing from typical American pickup truck designs of the era. Aside from being near twins, the Chevrolet and GMC pickups looked like nothing else on the road. The third-generation trucks are colloquially known as the "Square-body" or "Box-body" generation. GM's official "Rounded-Line" moniker highlighted the pickup's rounded styling cues that were incorporated into the design. This included rounded windshield corners, rounded corners of the cab roof, rounded-corner doors which cut high into the cab roof eliminating roof height, slanted front fenders, and rounded pickup box corners which allowed for rounded wraparound taillamps, a first for GM pickups. The design also featured strong distinctive curved shoulderlines which rounded out below the beltline. The curved shoulderline continued across the back tailgate on Chevrolet Fleetside and GMC Wideside models. However, the low slope of the hood and rectangular front end of the truck originated the "square/box-body" nickname, which was propagated through truck magazines and word of mouth.

A new Eaton Automatic Differential Lock (ADL) was introduced in 1973 as an optional extra on the Rounded-Line C/K-Series pickups, for the rear hypoid differential.

Knuckle Buster Partners & Products

Interior

Dagger Steering Wheel
Sound Deadener, Heat Shield, Carpet, Tilt Steering Column, Stereo, AC Vents, Gauges, Bezels, Seat Belts, Floor Panels, Speakers, Kick panels, Headliner, Padding & Upholstery, Hood

Tires, Wheels & Brakes

FRONT: 18x8 “Dagger” wheels

REAR: 20x9.5 “Dagger” wheels

FRONT: 255/50R18 tires

REAR: 285/50R20 tires

Front Brake System

Rear Brake Conversion

Body

Billet Aluminum Grille, Euro 7" Round Headlight, Clear Parklight Lens Set, Chrome Headlight Bezels, Lighted Chrome Front Bumper, Rear Bumper Brackets
Copper & Silver Hammer Tone Paint

Engine

Engine Dressup Kit
Throttle Cable
Stainless Steel Dual Exhaust System
Wiring Harness
350ci Engine, Engine Accessory System, Dynamax Ceramic Coated Headers, Master Cylinder & Power Booster, Aluminum Radiator, Fan
Finned Aluminum Valve Covers, Breathers, Air Cleaner & Oil Pan

Chassis

Steering Components (Box Hoses, Center Link, Tie Rod Ends, Idler & Pitman Arm Rear Sway Bar & Steering Stabilizer Core Support & Inner Fenders
3" & 4" Suspension Drop, Front Sway Bar

Transmission & Drivetrain

Transmission Cooler
Turbo 350 Transmission & 2400 HoleShot Torque Converter, No-Slip Traction System Differential

From the Store

Knuckle Buster Episodes