2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

I decided to start a build tread for this truck. This is a second 72 for me. The other is prostreeted C10 truck, also picked up for $500.00 18 years ago. This was a $500.00 truck I found in a field in central Michigan. The truck orginally came up from Texas about 5 years ago, but was left in a farm field where it sat in 3ft tall grass, which is where I found it. It only has 35,000 miles on it, but the weather just took it's toll on the body panels and frame.

Attached are the pictures of how it looked when I found it. More progress pictures to follow later. Enjoy!

Chris

AKA; Prostreet 72

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

I notice it has tilt and parchment doorpanels. Does it have a plaid seat under that seat cover? If so you have a highlander. Package b since I don't see ac. The glovebox code is yg8 i think then special promotion after that. Good luck with your build.

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Attached are a few more pictures of the truck after I began stripping it down, and getting it level for rebuilding. The frame had some soft spots in some critical places, so rather than replacing the frame, I decided to rebuild it and box in the rear rails.

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

looks like she wil need a little bit of blasting on that frame,

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Yeah, this truck had some serious scale problems from being left on that wet grass for so long.

After I went thru the frame with a fine tooth comb to uncover the soft spots, I determined that the frame arch above the rear springs was in bad shape. There were a few spots where the metal had begun to get soft, and in a few spots rusted thru.

I started fixing that by placing 2 25" lengths of 2" x 4" x 3/16 rectangle tubing inside the frame rail. I forced the tube in above the spring mount and tied it into the frame with some plates and strap. I did this to both sides.

The next step was to box in the frame rails. I started in the center and worked rearward, checking that the frame was staying level and not twisting on a regular basis while welding. All of the original cross members were welded to the original rails (Top and Bottom) and then tied to the new box sections.

On the outside of the frame, above the springs where it had some reus thru, and softening going on, I ground down the frame, treated it, and installed a 28" plate to the outside of the rail. This material was 3/16" thick, and was triple welded and ground. To make these sections so they would not be noticed, I made cardboard patterns of the frame for both sides and trimed the plates to them.

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Great work......And i am sure it gives it tones of strength

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Hey Thanks. I plan to pull my other Prostreet truck in it's trailer with this on, so I am going for broke on frame strength.

I am just about caught up with where I am today. The next step for me was to fix the rear section of the frame. As you can see from the pictures, someone damaged then by using the holes as a hitch point. Also, this truck was equiped from the factory with the Aux. rear springs for towing. The problem with them was that the base block that fastemed to the frame help water and rotted the frame thru. :( To fix this problem, I had 2 new rails sections made to the factory dimensions, and transfered the holes to them. I then put in a 2" x 4" x 3/16 rectangle tube as the rear crossmember. The final touch for the rear of the frame was the class 4 hitch for the added strength. I then went on and boxed the remainder of the frame, tieing in the crossmembers as I went.

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

OK. So after this tread, we should be up to date on my build. I welded in 1/4" studs for the fuel and brake lines on the passenger side rails, and didi the same on the driver side for the brake controller harness and tail light harness. I also picked up a 1972 step bumper from the local salvage yard. Now we are up to date.

I hope to get the frame painted, tank installed, and reassemble over the holiday. I'll post another set then.

Prostreet 72

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

looks really good, beefy that is for sure, but should definetly be made for towing

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Over the holidays I managed to get alot of things completed. The frame was all ground down, the axle cleaned, and I managed to get it all painted and back together. (The rear portion of the truck)

I still have to attach the fuel tank straps, but that should do it for the rear frame.

I guess I will do the axle brake lines and shoes next. Then I can fab up the rear portion of the exhaust system while the bed is off.

After this stuff, I can move to the cab. I am putting this off as long as possible, because I am not looking forward to doing it. The floor needs to be replaced, and the usual suspects as well.(Sills, rockers, supports)

Chris ;)

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Looks good Chris - I wish I had more indoor (heated) room to do some work on my stuff over the winter like you do. That makes me appreciate the warmer months that much more.

Keep up the good work.

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

nice build Chris....those welds look awesome!!!

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Looks great....should be an awesome hauler.

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Hey Tom;

Thanks for the comments. If you look real close at the last picture I posted, you can see your frame leaning up aginst the wall.

Everyone else;

Thanks for the complements. Sometimes you get so lost in the project, you sort of become snow-blind. You loose touch with how the project is turning out. It helps to get some valadation from others. At the same time, if anyone sees something that looks a sque, please let me know.

Thanks again! :metal:

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Prostreet72, what did you use to paint your frame? i i like the ideal of how you boxed the frame around the rear shock mount crossmember.

Keep up the good work, Keep the LWB alive.

Phil

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Thanks. I used Eastwoods Chassis Black and Rust Encapsulator Kit to the this one. I used POR-15 on all my other projects, but decided to give this a try. So far I like it. It is much easier to deal with in regards to clean up and application.

Chris

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

I second that. Been doing the same thing, trying the Eastwood stuff instead of POR-15. So far really liking the Eastwood paints. :metal:

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Brake lines are now done. I think I can call the rear end of the truck now complete. Now I can move on to the cab. Stay tuned.....

Chris

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

So I was trying to drain the fuel from the tank the other day, and while doing so, I thought, hey, this floor dosn't look so bad after all. So needless to say, I was preety happy with the idea of not replacing the whole floor.

I went out there over the weekend and pulled the seat and fuel tank. I still need to replace the floor. :no:

It was a nice feeling while it lasted though. So here are some pictures of where I am now. I warn you, It's not a preety sight.

Chris

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

oouch, that look like a lot of fun!!! awesome work on the truck so far good luck with that floor! ill be watching for updates

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Chris...doesn't look like you're going to get off that easy!!!LOL....BUT at least you know that it'll last another 40 + years when you're done!!!

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Yea thats true. I think it ma be a while before I buy that floor though. It looks like I have plenty to do prior to the floor. I seem to have unearthed all kinds of treasures on this thing.

First off, every time I fire up the furnace, the garage turns into wild kingdom. All sorts of bees and bugs start coming out of this thing. I sware I have pulled more bees nests out of this truck, then I have seen in years around the house. Unbelievable! Anyplace there was a part missing, theres a bees nest. Currently the bee population seems to have dropped slightly. It was the strangest thing. There would be like 20 of them flying around in the garage...

I even found cat poop in the aircleaner?? The guy had the cover on upside down. I guess the cat just backed up to it!

I am still waiting to find a mouse or two hundred in it somewhere. One thing is for sure, they will not be in the panel above the visors. Too many holes there. I guess I will add one of those to my list of sheetmetal. I also found the original color under the headliner. The previous guy painted the cab with the headliner still in the truck. Headliner and all. It looked like it was a nice shade of green. I guess forest green.

Chris

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Ahhhhyes....leaving the truck in tall grass for several summers= bees and cat pooh!!!LOL...

Quick question....is this a 71 or 72??....With my limited knowledge I thought the 72 had a windshield mounted rear view mirror not cab mounted??...just curious!

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

No your correct. I was thinking the same thing when I took the windshield out the other day. It didn't dawn on me until I went to crawl thru the front window and hit my head on the mirror. I guess the previous owner liked the cab mounted mirror better. I did the same thing on my other truck. It's a mutt. I picked the parts I liked from the 6 different years and used them to replace the missing or warn out ones. I'll admit it, I'm not a complete purest. Dose that make me a hypocrite?? Not sure....

Chris

Re: 2nd 1972 Chevy Fleetside build (Green Monster)
 

Wow nice work on the frame. I wasnt so sure about it when ya first got it but it is looking really great. As for the mice I would try looking in the heater core and blower box if it has one. I found a huge huge nest in mine. I took awhile to get it out but after romoving the core from the box was able to get the nest out with one dead mouse. That would have smelled really nice had i not found it. Anyway keep up the good work!