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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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1972 GMC duramax build
![]() I have a 1972 GMC 2500 that I'm swapping the chassis on. The chassis is from a 2003 Chevrolet 2500HD duramax |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
I shortened the frame. I cut the factory weld on the 2003 frame, and removed 16" and slid the frame back together and welded it up. I shortened the brake lines, and fuel lines. I had to drill new crossmember holes, and holes for the torsion bar support bracket. I braced the frame with I-beams before cutting. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
I'm trying to keep all the wiring intact and use the factory switches from the 2003 truck. I needed to find room for a few things. |
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#4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
Quote:
I plan on using the gauges of the 2003, but I want the look of the 72 dash. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
My Uncle is a machinist. Lucky for me. He made me a bezel for my 72. I was able to find a very close match of the wood graphic. I polished the outer edge.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
Core support
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,519
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
Is the engine and allison going to fit the engine compartment and tunnel or is there going to be heavy mods??
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: bowmansville,pa
Posts: 1,678
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
The cab is going to sit about 4" above the frame because of the way the frame kicks up in the rear. So there is no modification needed to the cab at all. Originally I was going to put a 8 ft. bed on the truck, and I didn't want to cut up the floor of the bed too much. That's why I raised the cab up. A factory 2500hd truck shows quit a bit of the frame anyway. So the 72 cab will show about the same amount of frame under it too. I'll post more pics later. I'm pretty far along. I started a thread on this site like 8 or 9 years ago, but photobucket started charging money, and my photos got removed. Now I'm just starting a new thread. I figure I'd just post pics of where I'm at, and if anyone has any questions I can take more detailed pics for them. My plan now is to have a 1972 GMC Sierra Grand dually flatbed. I have what I think is some cool plans for the flatbed. The 2500hd frame is the same frame as the one ton. I just bought a dually 14 bolt. The rearend for the newer trucks are different if you have a dually or single rear wheel. The hubs are different so the dually needs longer axles.
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
This is a 10 year build so far. I got caught up in other projects, but I've been hitting this one pretty hard this year. At this point I have a running truck. I plan on getting it painted a Harley Davidson anniversary color they had. It's a cool blue color with some flake in it. When the sun hits it, it looks grey, or dark blue.
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Waterford California
Posts: 2,514
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
Quite the project, not just a drive train swap. Lots of fore thought and planning.
Nice work! |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Kathleen, GA
Posts: 636
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
I love this project, very interesting interpretation of a 1972 Duramax. You have quite the imagination and obviously the talent to make it happen.
I'm hooked and am excited to see how this pans out. |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Here
Posts: 5,483
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
That is a cool dash concept. This will be nice when it completed. I'll follow along
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
I want to use the 2003 wiper motor. I had to make a bracket so I could mount it.
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
When I installed the brake pedal it sat off to the left from the factory 1972 one. I made a mock up pedal that I welded to the floor so I knew exactly where it was after I removed the pedal. I simply bent the 2003 brake pedal until it lined up where my old one was.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 3,683
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
Your build is awesome. Dash is very cool!
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
I'm trying to thin out the harness. I'm pretty sure 90% of these wires can go.
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
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#20 |
low n' slo
![]() Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: rosenberg, texas
Posts: 5,164
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
nice build looks fun!
__________________
67 1/2 ton Suburban - Project DRGNWGN. Build thread ![]() -_--_--_ _________ _--_-_ -/____|__|__\__ ,.,,,.,.,,.,|_O _______ O_] |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
I decided to go with new door panels from LMC truck. That was a mistake. They are horrible copies of the originals. It laughable that they would even call them replacement panels. The fake leather tooling design that is on the original panels is just a blur on the LMC ones. The whole panel itself is almost an inch smaller in both height and width. I held my woodgrain insert up to the new panel, and the space where the insert would lay is too small. If you can save your original panels do it. I'm returning the new ones. Now I'm just emailing back and forth because they want me to pay shipping.
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...1&d=1717515357
https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...1&d=1717515370 |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
Got my truck back from my paint guy. Looks pretty good. Now I get knuckle and died to death with the small stuff.
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Johnstown, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
Nickel and dimed. Dang autocorrect
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#25 |
All stock and staying that way
![]() Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elkland, PA
Posts: 1,456
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Re: 1972 GMC duramax build
I love this build. Great engineering and execution!
__________________
1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, Bronze, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration in progress... ![]() 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, DK Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... ![]() 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 41k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 60k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels |
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