Bringing my Grandfather's 1972 Longbed Stepside C10 back to life

[bwl101]

Back at the end of last summer, I was able to rescue my grandfather's truck from sitting in a family member's yard for about the previous 5-8 years. This is how it looked...

[bwl101]

More Pics...

[Rich72C10]

That's a cool looking truck - what does the SPID say on that gal!

[bwl101]

Originally Posted by Rich72C10

That's a cool looking truck - what does the SPID say on that gal!

You were too fast seeing this! I'm still uploading pics, lol!

[bwl101]

After a rough spray down...

[bwl101]

Thank goodness for windex and a razor blade.

[bwl101]

Cleaned up the dash and seat with some armor all cleaning wipes. Pics show the before and after.

[bwl101]

Got it moved to my house and used the power washer to get most of the grime off...

[bwl101]

Before the spray down...

[SIXTY9]

Good deal on getting your Grandfathers truck. It looks like you are enjoying getting it back to the road and all the memories of it.

[68bowtie]

That’s quite the dramatic cleanup! Oh and I like the idea of keeping the bed rails, definitely a throw back.

[Ol Blue K20]

It's looking nice, great job saving it.

[bwl101]

Was able to test fit the new radiator today. Fits like a glove using the original factory radiator mounts. I will have to replace the lower mounts as the metal sleeve around the rubber is basically gone due to rust! Trans cooler lines line up too! Got a Champion CC369 3 Row Aluminum one. Hard to beat for $279 shipped with a lifetime warranty.

[FRCvette]

That is a nice looking truck. Good save.

[68Gold/white]

Wow, a great find!!!
Congrats!!!
Finding a 71 or 72 is such a good thing. It already has disc brakes. Sometimes all it takes is machining rotors, pads, and master cylinder and of course working of the rear drums, and its all done!!!
You've got disc brakes and the auto trans, two things' I'd desire...

It looks like your front seat may be save-able. THe cushion foam/cover isn't completely destroyed. You might get by with a new cover set. LMC has a black cover set (or did) for $149.00. That would get you by, at least...

I'm betting the 307 could be saved. Of course it would have to be bored....

Carry On!!!

[bwl101]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Wow, a great find!!!
Congrats!!!
Finding a 71 or 72 is such a good thing. It already has disc brakes. Sometimes all it takes is machining rotors, pads, and master cylinder and of course working of the rear drums, and its all done!!!
You've got disc brakes and the auto trans, two things' I'd desire...

It looks like your front seat may be save-able. THe cushion foam/cover isn't completely destroyed. You might get by with a new cover set. LMC has a black cover set (or did) for $149.00. That would get you by, at least...

I'm betting the 307 could be saved. Of course it would have to be bored....

Carry On!!!

I had thought about saving the 307, but it would need so much machining and all new parts that it would cost way more than something already rebuilt with a good bit more power.

[Palf70Step]

That truck cleaned up real nice. You don't see long stepsides much, so that is also very cool. Looking forward to seeing its progress.

[bwl101]

While waiting on getting a motor, I decided to test out cleaning up the paint. Worked pretty good on the cowl. There is a lot of this black, rough stuff on the paint with the most being on the hood. I used a waterless wash to clean it. I then used a Meguiar's clay bar kit to remove the surface contaminants. Last step was the Meguiar's Show Car Glaze Number 7, supposed to be good for older single stage paints to help remove oxidation safely and moisturize the paint with the oils in it. Looking pretty good so far and super smooth! Now just need to figure out what wax to put on for future protection. It takes a lot of elbow grease, but I don't know enough about using a buffer to not be scared of destroying the paint. Arm workout it is!

[SRU1436]

Looks great so far.

[Ol Blue K20]

It's looking good so far. Keep at it..

[Low Elco]

If there's a Harbor Freight near you, their long throw DA works a treat without being so rowdy. They stock all the pads too. Neat old truck!

https://www.harborfreight.com/75-amp...her-56367.html

[SCHRUMGMC]

Enjoying the progress for the ‘72 stepside

It’s great you’re fixing and cleaning this truck up.


I’m after my grandfathers 71 gmc swb. Fingers crossed that these people take my offer on it because I would love to have it lol. Seeing your thread makes me want it even more now which I thought wasn’t possible

[67C10Step]

I like this one all the way around. The truck and the fact it was your grandfathers is just a good thing all the way around. The fact he had a furniture store explains the short stepper, perfect for that work.

[bwl101]

I was able to get a motor today, now working on figuring out what else I need to order to make it all correct for my '72. Per the code on the block, it is an '80-'85 305. I thought I was getting a 350, but it is a 305. And with costs of motors being crazy right now, a running 305 is better than a non running truck. It will need the carb replaced and a new distributor (maybe just cap?) due to a flame up when someone was trying to crank it by pouring gas into carb. Will probably use crank pulley off of my 307 since my truck doesn't have power steering and will use alternator bracket from the 307 as well. Planning also to probably do water pump, valve covers and oil pan. Here are some pics from transporting it and cleaning it up this afternoon.

[jimbosprint]

Cool truck! It'll be back on the road in no time.