1972 GMC duramax build
 

http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669659975
http://83de202b.jpg
I have a 1972 GMC 2500 that I'm swapping the chassis on. The chassis is from a 2003 Chevrolet 2500HD duramax

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669661226
http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669661266
http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669661302
I shortened the frame. I cut the factory weld on the 2003 frame, and removed 16" and slid the frame back together and welded it up. I shortened the brake lines, and fuel lines. I had to drill new crossmember holes, and holes for the torsion bar support bracket. I braced the frame with I-beams before cutting.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669661791http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669661791http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669661791http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669661791http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669661791
I'm trying to keep all the wiring intact and use the factory switches from the 2003 truck. I needed to find room for a few things.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Is the engine and allison going to fit the engine compartment and tunnel or is there going to be heavy mods??

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669678068http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669678068http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669678068http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669678068
I plan on using the gauges of the 2003, but I want the look of the 72 dash.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

My Uncle is a machinist. Lucky for me. He made me a bezel for my 72. I was able to find a very close match of the wood graphic. I polished the outer edge.
http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669678423http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669678423http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669678423http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669678423http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669678423

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Core supporthttp://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669684147http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669684147http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669684147http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669684147

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

By looking at his amazing work I think he will make it happen!

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

The cab is going to sit about 4" above the frame because of the way the frame kicks up in the rear. So there is no modification needed to the cab at all. Originally I was going to put a 8 ft. bed on the truck, and I didn't want to cut up the floor of the bed too much. That's why I raised the cab up. A factory 2500hd truck shows quit a bit of the frame anyway. So the 72 cab will show about the same amount of frame under it too. I'll post more pics later. I'm pretty far along. I started a thread on this site like 8 or 9 years ago, but photobucket started charging money, and my photos got removed. Now I'm just starting a new thread. I figure I'd just post pics of where I'm at, and if anyone has any questions I can take more detailed pics for them. My plan now is to have a 1972 GMC Sierra Grand dually flatbed. I have what I think is some cool plans for the flatbed. The 2500hd frame is the same frame as the one ton. I just bought a dually 14 bolt. The rearend for the newer trucks are different if you have a dually or single rear wheel. The hubs are different so the dually needs longer axles.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

This is a 10 year build so far. I got caught up in other projects, but I've been hitting this one pretty hard this year. At this point I have a running truck. I plan on getting it painted a Harley Davidson anniversary color they had. It's a cool blue color with some flake in it. When the sun hits it, it looks grey, or dark blue.http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669728197http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669728197http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1669728197

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Quite the project, not just a drive train swap. Lots of fore thought and planning.

Nice work!

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Thank you

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

I love this project, very interesting interpretation of a 1972 Duramax. You have quite the imagination and obviously the talent to make it happen.

I'm hooked and am excited to see how this pans out.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

That is a cool dash concept. This will be nice when it completed. I'll follow along

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

I want to use the 2003 wiper motor. I had to make a bracket so I could mount it. http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1670197388http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1670197388http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1670197388http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1670197388http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1670197388

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

When I installed the brake pedal it sat off to the left from the factory 1972 one. I made a mock up pedal that I welded to the floor so I knew exactly where it was after I removed the pedal. I simply bent the 2003 brake pedal until it lined up where my old one was.http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1670198045http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1670198045http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1670198045

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Your build is awesome. Dash is very cool!

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

I'm trying to thin out the harness. I'm pretty sure 90% of these wires can go. :)http://https://www.67-72chevytrucks....1&d=1671153538

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Thank you

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

This truck has a ton of options. It's a Sierra Grande. It had tilt steering, cruise control (aftermarket?). Houndstooth interior, and a tachometer, and a passenger side bed toolbox.http://20230128_143937.jpg

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

16807296645621035202328284494406.jpg
Just trying to plan out the A/C. Waiting on parts.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

http://https://67-72chevytrucks.com/...1&d=1687295943
I'm not sure if this ash tray is stock, but I thought it looked cool, so I put it on. It was on the original door.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

I see you were able to get some paint work done, any more pictures of the truck in paint?

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Nothing new yet. I'm still plugging away at the interior. I just got a new hood today. I'm about ready to call my paint guy to get it finished up though.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Lots of hard work! I can't wait to see the progress.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...1&d=1690300508
Test fitting speakers. I painted my faded blue panel brown. Came out nice. I found a very close matching woodgrain vinyl wrap for the insert. The browns look good with the blue. 6.75" Rockford Fosgate 3-way speakers.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...1&d=1690301320
Bought some panels on ebay to hold 6x9's. They are Rockford Fosgate 2-way speakers. The panels are real nice. One lip goes behind the door weatherstripping and the other lip I held in place with a strip of sound deadener. There weren't any directions on how they mount. That's just how I did it.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

nice build looks fun!

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

I decided to go with new door panels from LMC truck. That was a mistake. They are horrible copies of the originals. It laughable that they would even call them replacement panels. The fake leather tooling design that is on the original panels is just a blur on the LMC ones. The whole panel itself is almost an inch smaller in both height and width. I held my woodgrain insert up to the new panel, and the space where the insert would lay is too small. If you can save your original panels do it. I'm returning the new ones. Now I'm just emailing back and forth because they want me to pay shipping.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...1&d=1717515357
https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...1&d=1717515370

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Got my truck back from my paint guy. Looks pretty good. Now I get knuckle and died to death with the small stuff.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Nickel and dimed. Dang autocorrect

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

I love this build. Great engineering and execution!

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Nice job! It's looking sharp and will be a nice runner.

Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
 

Any updates on this oh-so-cool build? Love the Duramax content.