New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Well I'm new to the site but not to the truck. I've got a 1972 GMC 2500 2wd "Sierra" Custom Camper, 350, TH350, Dana 60 & 4:10 gears. I bought it in July, 1980 when I was 17--rescued from a Ford dealer's back lot in Lemon Grove, Ca. where it was about to be wholesaled to Mexico! This truck was a daily driver for a few years, then became my "desert rig" hauling an 11' Camper and towing my Sandrail to the Glamis dunes. Since escaping SoCal for North Idaho in 1993 the truck served "winter beater" duty for a couple winters but I couldn't keep treating my baby that way, so now I've got a '90 Bronco for that purpose. For the last 10 years or so the GMC has basically been sitting, only getting driven occasionally. She is parked inside, but the time has come to either get rid of her (not likely!) or get motivated to start work on restoring her to what she once was. She's actually in great shape for a 35 year old truck and I get compliments every time I do drive it, but she's not perfect. So I'm here mostly to get motivation to get started, and also to help me figure out what direction I want to take, and just how far I want to go in my restoration. Sorry for the long first post! Looks like a site with lots of good information to help me out! Here's the most current picture I've got - - poor quality camera phone pic but give you an idea what I'm working with. Any ideas? suggestions? I'm open to any suggestions!

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

That's a fine lookin GMC Kevenj! Doesnt look like it needs resto! You did a much better job keeping yours nice than I did even tho we have owned our 2500's for darn near the same amount of time.

Welcome---DAC

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! Very nice truck!:metal:

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Hi Kevinj and welcome to the board from your neighbor in Post Falls. I can tell you now that joining this board is probably the best thing you could do for restoration project! I wish I would have discovered it years ago. I own three of these trucks(all daily drivable...only two of us ..wife and I...hard to drive three daily)so be sure contact me if you need parts or advice.
Welcome again,
Mike

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

welcome from WA

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Welcome to the board from Texas

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

:welcome2:

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Thanks for the welcome everyone! She looks good in pics and she's a good "10 footer" in person but up close it does need to be re-done. As some of you might have noticed it's supposed to have the woodgrain moldings along the bottom. I removed those because they were faded and tacky looking. I was going to replace them but they trapped water and there was rust starting behind them so i had the holes welded up and there's actually primer spots all along the body where those holes were (we used "tint prime" that's somewhat color matched so its' not so obvious). there was some cancer under the rear window due to a leaky slider; I had a guy weld new metal in and repaint the roof - - and I got rid of the slider (as well as the leak). So the roof does not need paint but the rest of the truck does. I may need a left side cab corner as well; havent really picked at it yet but i think there's some rot there from when the rear window was leaking.

Mechanically it's sound- - I've rebuilt the engine and trans about 50,000 miles ago as well as ball joints and tie rod ends. Body work is another story; I can do sanding and prep work but I'll have to find someone to weld in the cab corner and paint it. It also has the wood bed and I want to put in a nice oak bed kit with the stainless steel runners; kinda scared about that and not sure exactly where to start. Anyone have any ideas on who sells the best wood bed kit? What about sheet metal - - I know there are good quality patch panels and cheap crap as well so any advice is appreciated. My other dilemma is do I want to stay close to stock or go more custom....I've thought about lowering it because you don't see many 3/4 ton's lowered - - but that will limit it's usefullness as a truck so I don't know...... Anyone feel free to tell your ideas!

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

A big HOWDY from Wallburg, NC.

I agree with the others...that's a clean lookin' truck. If yur'n is a 10 footer, I guess mine's 'bout a 100 yarder :rolleyes:

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Welcome Kevin. I see you drug yourself off the 300C forum. You will like it here as well, there is not the same crap that goes on there. Everyone here is very, very helpfull. As you will see this is where I spend most of my time. I pulled my motor to give it some more power and should have it back in by the end of the month. I will let you know when I dyno it to see if you want to head over. I have it at a friends shop by the State line so it won't be to far for you. :welcome2:

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Welcome from Vienna, Austria. That truck is in damn good shape for 35 years old.

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Sweeeet Truck! Welcome To The Boards From The Great White North!

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Welcome to the board from central California! :metal:

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Welcome from FT Worth TX.

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

HaHa! I figured I might see you in here! Yeah I've been neglecting my first pride & joy for too long and it's time to get serious - - in fact I was THIS CLOSE to trading the "C" for an SRT8 but the difference I would have to pay is the money I've got saved up to put into the GMC...... anyway I snapped out of it and the truck's gettin' done!

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Hi Kevinj,
Its your neighbor in Post Falls. I work at Glenn Vaughn Restorations in Post Falls and the guy(who I work with) that painted my wifes Suburban likes to do a little side work. Hes a great bodyman/welder. Let me know if you are interested and I can set up a meeting to look at the truck.

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Ok Coeur d' Alene guys, enough all ready, I was envious with Kevenj's first post. Originally from Montana, spent time from Wallace to Post Falls while surveying for powerlines back in 86-87. Awesome country, it's one of my favorite places to live (should I ever win the lottery). Welcome Kevenj.

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Welcome to the board from Western Kentucky.

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

:welcome2: From West TN :hi2:

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Hey, welcome to the best site around from Montana. Nice looking truck too!

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

:hi2:

Hello from Nampa, you have a really nice truck there

Re: New here from Coeur d'alene, Idaho.
 

Welcome to the board from West Tennessee.