Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

I wish I had the money to do that to my grandma's truck!

Either way, I know she'd be damn proud, both of our grandma's, with what we're doing to our trucks.


Shoot, I'm even goin with a Small Journal 327 (65 Vette bottom end) like she had in the truck!

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Dont sell it i would give anything to have something like that. My grandfather was an Indian motorcycle dealer and he never left me his only grandson anything I always think about that!

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

I sold my great Grandmas Monte Carlo.. I regret it every time I see one on the road. :(

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Nice job!!!!!!!

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Thought I'd show some of the progress made on the truck restoration. Terry Kuchler's Restorations is doing the body work.

The door had a rust spot and Terry cut it out and welded a new piece in. Also, the interior of the doors were treated with POR Rust Inhibitor.
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...riversdoor.jpg
Here's the finished door welded:
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...sdoorfixed.jpg

We changed the bottom cowl, which, by the way they have in stock now at Southern Kentucky Classics and LMC:
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...cowlbefore.jpg
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...ybodycowl1.jpghttp://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...ybodycowl2.jpg

There were a lot of holes that needed to be welded up and are being treated on both the exterior and interior. I believe that if I would have left this truck sit out a few more years, even in Louisiana, it would have been a nightmare trying to fix and cut out the rust. The rust was hidden in spots that I never dreamed of.

I'll keep you updated as the work progresses. Casey

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Mannnn, I'm jealous.

That door looks good.

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Dont sell it, get it on the road (essentials) and see what happens next

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Looking good it will al be worth it I just got my wifes grandfathers truck redone and my wife is even happier than me. Funny watching your wife lay rubber down the road

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Keep it already!! It's a great truck with a lot of history.

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Sell it!! make some money and invest in what you really want. Transfer your memories to what it helped you have now. This 57 was given to me 1n 1972
By my step dad, I drove it for many years, restored it, and sold it 3 yrs ago,
regrets--none Material things, such as nuts bolts sheetmetal, can always be replaced
memories-still thereAttachment 691304

Attachment 691305

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Casey, I know from talking to you that you are doing it right. You will either say I'm glad I did or I wish I had. I am proud of you and for you.
Paul

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

All work is being done by Terry Kuchler of Kuchler's Collision & Restoration in Kenner, Louisiana.

Here's part one of the lower fender extension work that Terry is doing. The truck is originally from Kansas and had a good deal of damage from salt and battery acid. The lower extension was cut off and a new aftermarket replacement will be installed:

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...terryjpeg1.jpg

After Terry lined up the new replacement panel, it fit in front but not the edge of the fender lip, which was over 1/2" off. Therefore, the new aftermarket lower extension needed to be cut in half and moved over to fit the original. Keep in mind that this is not overlapping metal--everything is being butt-welded to exact fit.

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...terryjpeg7.jpg

On this pic, you can clearly see how this doesn't fit the original GM fender:

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...erryjpeg11.jpg

This shows where the original fender was cut for the new aftermarket lower fender extension:

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...erryjpeg12.jpg


This is the new aftermarket extension cut in half and sized up to the original fender. Take note of the gap!!

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...erryjpeg15.jpg

---- Continued below -----

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Here's the new aftermarket lower fender extension after Terry cut it in half and moved it over 1/2" or more, and then spot welded to fit the original GM fender:

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...erryjpeg21.jpg


On this picture, notice the gap where the bars are--there will be a piece of metal butt-welded to fill the gap. Also notice where the new lower extension had to be cut and welded for proper fit. Notice the clamps Terry uses for proper alignment to the original metal:

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...erryjpeg23.jpg


Here's the proper alignment and fitting after the work is done:

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...erryjpeg29.jpg


If you're going to use aftermarket sheet metal, regardless of what company manufactures, plan to have a professional sheet metal guy handy for proper alignment. This photo shows just how much has to be filled in and welded with metal. I paid $85 for this lower fender extension and you'd think it would have fit a lot better, but you can see the 1/2 in.+ gap.

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...erryjpeg31.jpg


Now I understand a lot more about aftermarket sheet metal and what a nightmare it can be to fit original metal. Terry's an excellent sheet metal guy and I'm glad to have him on this project.

I'll post pictures of the completed fender later this week after Terry finishes up. Stay tuned for Part II.

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

I'd like to know what those clamps are. :metal:
s/t

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Casey, we did Jason's first truck in 1990 and many since then and we have always used original GM metal. There were 100's of thousands of these trucks made and there are too many parts trucks out there to deal with the grief you are dealing with. Regardless, it will be righteous when you are finished.
Paul and Jason

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Got my carburetor rebuilt by MPS Carburetor in Tampa, Florida. Here's some pictures they sent me of it. Looks like they did a great job--can't wait to put it on the truck. The man I dealt with at MPS was Brian. Very fair, honest, and quick turnaround. What do you think?

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...0272/carb1.jpghttp://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...0272/carb4.jpg


Here's the link to MPS's website:
http://www.mpscarburetors.com/checkout.sc

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Looks factory fresh..

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

looks factory fresh..

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Sweet!!!! nice build :cool: :metal:

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Casey, Thanks for the message. Carb looks great. You are really doing a super job on that truck. I wish I had the drive and patience it takes to do a project like that. Mike.

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

While we are making a list of things needed to do a project like Casey's we might as well add Dinero LOL

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Nice truck, a real labor of love. any updates?

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

I'd keep it; my '67 belonged to my wife's grandfather and I treasure it as the farm truck it's been it's entire life, and the only thing of Pappy's my wife has left.

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

I still have my dad's 69 GMC. He has been gone for many years, but that old truck still reminds me of the good times we had together. I remember taking him down to the chevy dealer the day he bought it. It is more than a piece of machinery, it's been in the family for 40 years.

Re: Grandma's '72 Cheyenne LWB Half Ton
 

Well, it's been a while since any real work has been done on the truck. It's now being worked on outside of Memphis in a restoration shop by the guy who restored my frost green Camaro. This truck has been a restoration from hell. The first guy had it for 14 months and we came to an agreement that since the work wasn't being done fast enough, I'd pull it and take it to another shop. Joel Francis in Oakland, Tennessee, has now taken over for Terry. The work Terry did do on the truck was outstanding, and I have all the confidence in the world in Joel to wrap it up.

Here's some pictures Joel just sent of his progress and I thought I'd share them with you.

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...72/Cnv0103.jpg
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...72/Cnv0137.jpg
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...72/Cnv0124.jpg
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...72/Cnv0118.jpg
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/q...72/Cnv0101.jpg