Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

While I love to see the modified trucks and ideas you all have, I have to admit I prefer mine as close to stock as possible. Having said that, every once in a while I stumble across something where I think to myself "I sure wish GM had done this (or that) back in the day." And I mean things they could have done, with GM parts or concepts that were available in 67-72 or some decision they could have made with what they had on hand (so as much as someone might wish GM had an LS engine in 72, that's not possible).

Here's one that comes to mind for me - as some of you may know, I'm a big fan of the Custom Two Tone paint scheme (i.e. no white anywhere). I think the 565 paint combo (Black roof, Hugger body) is pretty awesome (below pic for reference is very much "the one that got away.." in my case) - and I've always wondered why the black roof wasn't offered in a factory RPO paint scheme in combination with at least a few other primary colors.

So here's my time machine wish: I wish the black roof Custom Two Tone combo would have also been offered with (516) orange, (525) light yellow, (519) yellow, (514) red, and (521) white primary color trucks. I particularly think the light yellow with black roof would be a great lookin combo... :) (so much so that I've considered building a bone stock truck in this paint scheme, but I could probably never bring myself to actually do it... ha).

As a close second wish - I find myself sometimes wishing GM had offered the big block on Ks back in this era.

So, if you were GM king for a day back then, what would you have done differently or additionally?

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

.

I know this is lame but…

Driver side 4th door on the burb.

Quad cabs.

-klb

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

How about a high performance COPO C10. Something with a L88 or LS6 BB.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

I'm thinking on this..

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

What, you missed the Corvette option C10?

Right now, the only thing I can think of is a larger fuel tank for the Blazers.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

Rust protection for the rockers, something like galvanizing.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

How about the overdrive unit used on 3 speeds available on 4 speeds and autos?

They were made by Borg Warner IIRC, and I was under the impression they were strong, reliable units. (Never owned one.)

Not wanting to take this thread sideways with details, so I'd wish this if it was technically possible.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

Copo 427 yenko style, that’s a short bed C10 I could find a real use for.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

I wish the RS camaro hide away headlights had made it past the concept stage for the trucks as well a Super Sport type option. That was kind of the theme I took my truck was something more car related than even what the CST or Cheyenne Supers did.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

Obviously 4 door burbs is a good one.

K30 big block.

Metal floor longhorn.

I wish GM of USA documented stuff like Canada so we could reorder our build sheets.

4 door pick up trucks like square-body era.(I hate square body dashes and LOVE our dashes. It's actually a deal breaker)

Factory Volt gauge; factory temp gauge with actual numerical readings.

Factory Delay-wiper.


It is my opinion that most of the cab rust starts with leaky drip rail seam sealer. So I wish they dealt with that better.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

Rust protection for the entire vehicle! There was little to no protection on these. The lacquer paint was not great at protecting the steel under the finish. They primered the underside, but little to no paint on top of it. The steel quality was questionable. Many of these fine trucks/Blazers died solely due to the tin worm. I personally cut up 2 '72 Blazers in the mid '90's due to them being rotten.

I just saved a total rust bucket '70 Blazer. The body was in horrible condition in 1987 when I was gifted it. I scabbed it together then and drove it 10 years. Now it's getting the proper treatment it deserved then, when I had little money, knowledge, or parts availability.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

A little more leg room and head room.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

Most are mechanical: 16" 8 lug solid wheels, custom camper option should have included camper style mirrors, no upper molding option on fleetsides unless it is a tu tone, more complete rear axle ratio coverage, 5 speed, 5 speed overdrive ( heavy duty truck type). TH400 with any engine. Agree with jumpsoffrock, a factory 4 door crew cab with suburban type doors.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

I wish that 67-68 trucks would have had a upper moulding option like the 69-72 trucks had. But one unique to them, not the same as 69 up.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

I am a 4x4 guy.
*15x8 factory 1/2 ton 4x4 wheels (Non-rally) stock
*Big Block 4x4’s especially some of the 69-72 427-454 blocks
*k30’s or dually 4x4’s from factory
*Chrome factory step bumpers
*Factory crew cabs would have saved me a few years.

I wish they would have made this era as long as the square body. The squares timing was perfect for the creature comforts to start coming into play, but also overdrive transmissions, diesels, Dana 60’s, etc.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

All trucks to get full Foam Seats and folding (bench)
2" lowered seat (bench)

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

Dmjlambert beat me to it.
An extended cab version my 6’ 3” frame would appreciate. ;)

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

Make the Toroflow diesel an option in 3/4 and 1 tons. Continue the V-6 after 1969. Factory crew cab.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

Small window cabs past the 1967 model year. How come the medium Duty's got em up until 89? I mean I know we later year owners can do a cab swap but, why not have a 72 Cheyenne 10 with a small window from the factory? And some attempt at a full console I think would have looked cool, you know that stops just in front of the gas tank and go all the way to the dash.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

All metal inner grille for 71-72 (even if it visually was the same design).
Stainless steel headliner trim.
Telescoping column?

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

X2! For those daily high mileage and higher GVW hauls, you can't beat diesel power. Running the larger and more refined toroflows up to the early 80's could have been a game changer for GMC.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

Would have been nice to have Disc Brakes whether stock or optional equipment 67-70.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

AM/FM radios standard equipment would have been nice.

Even though FM didn't flourish till the late 70's.

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

Muncie M22 in 1/2 tons and 4wd in 1 tons. Everything else is perfect.

Re: Your time machine wish: things you wish GM had done in this era...
 

No wooden bed floors.
Buddy bucket option thru 72.
Seal off the cowl crap catcher and delete kick vents.