1972 GMC 2500 build
 

Here is the back story on this truck. My father bought this truck new in 1972 as a chassis cab truck. He took it straight to Knapheid for the utility bed install. He was a telephone splicer. He drove this truck all over East Texas until 1997 when he bought a 1997 Dodge 2500 with the 5.9l 12 valve Cummins, that I own now, also. My dad kept records of his miles, since it was his work truck. He drove it 868,000 miles. He offered me the GMC in 1997, but I did not have a place to store it, or the funds to fix it at the time. My step brother owned a wrecker service. He towed the truck away in about 1998. I was sure it was going to be crushed or dismantled. My dad died in 2013. My step brother told me he still had the old truck, and I was welcome to take it if I wanted it. 15 years in a tow lot did not do good things to the truck, but it is all still there, except for a busted passenger side window. Luckily, the trees grew up around it to keep it from escaping. I'm slowly bringing her back from the edge. Suspension and brakes are done. Next up is the heart transplant. I'm going to be swapping in a 5.3l LS soon. Then I'll start patching the severely rusted floor and doors. She's a work in progress, but she is worth it. She is two years older than I am. I was standing up in the seat beside my dad, when I was about two years old, when we hit one of the two cows that have been sent to cow heaven by the grill of this truck. Thankfully I didn't go through the windshield. Thanks for reading this brief history.

Re: 1972 GMC 2500 build
 

Rowdy

Re: 1972 GMC 2500 build
 

Progress so far.

Re: 1972 GMC 2500 build
 

Great story and great start. Keep the pics coming.

Re: 1972 GMC 2500 build
 

I'm coming by to steal that utility box! The truck looks good, it's great that it made its way back to you. Planning on painting it or driving as is?

Re: 1972 GMC 2500 build
 

Love the story and glad the truck made it back to you...what are your plans for the truck?

Re: 1972 GMC 2500 build
 

The main plans for now are getting it running safely. I already rebuilt all of the suspension and brakes. Now I am replacing the old worn out 402 and the original Muncie 4-speed with granny gear with a 5.3 LS and a 4l60e. The only body work I am going to do any time soon is to patch floor pan and door sills. I will eventually paint it, but I like the patina look for now.