'72 Chevy SWB, Project Driver

[usmcchevy]

I got this truck on Nov 13th and only now getting around to starting a build thread. The original plan for the truck was to get it running/driving and use it as my DD while I worked on it(using my motorcycle as a backup DD).





First thing was to get it started, Carb kit, file the points and a battery was all it took! Drove it on the trailer and got it home.

After It was home and cleaned out, I found the seat belts in never/hardly used condition still in the plastic wrap under the seat! A bit dirty but still great condition.

I also found a lot more rust.....Cab roof, bed floor, core support, doors you name it, it was bad. More about that later.
Since this is a driving project I needed someplace clean for gas. Blazer tank went in



You can see the tailgate I got from 1Sik52 in this pic

[usmcchevy]

Then it was time for brakes and a new windshield.............both turned out to be a huge deal for how simple they sound. First when I took the windshield out, half of the windshield frame came with it. I posted how to fix the windshield frame along with the drip rail rust. The general consensus was to get a new roof or a new cab








I was a little down about the windshield frame due to wanting this truck to be a driver, but continued work on the brakes. The front brakes were kind of working so I went after the rear with new wheel cylinders and rear end lines. Thank you whoever did this picture write-up! http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/drumbrake
After completing the install on the rear brakes, I drug my wife to the garage to help bleed the brakes. Still nothing to the rear.... fronts bleed good though. Next day i found all of the brake fluid in the cab from the "good" master cylinder the PO gave me. New master cylinder installed, still nothing to the rear, WTF. So I cracked a line on the frame, found fluid there, but not at the rear wheels. So I pulled the rear brake hose to find it plugged solid. New hose and all was well, better brakes than my 2000 Silverado!

[usmcchevy]

While I was looking for a roof or a cab, one found me Roland from here PM'ed me about a cab he had up by Jackson, MS. A couple weeks and a six hour round trip drive later and I had a new cab..........FREE, Roland is the MAN!!!!!!!!

Old cab going away.



I also wire wheeled the frame and painted under the cab, no pics
on its new home, by the way three guys is barely enough to lift and position a cab......my air cleaner didn't fare so well

Not to mention he also throw in two sets of seats and and a bunch of wiring! THANKS AGAIN Roland!
The cab was stripped of everything, scotch brite or wire wheeled.
Did some repair to the trans tunnel.

And started painting Flat black, Gonna be a rat rod until all work is done

[usmcchevy]

Then started putting back together. Which Is where I'm at now. Waiting on parts! They should be here thursday so I can get more done this weekend

[72BlckButy]

Nice progress, and props to Rowland for the offer.

[usmcchevy]

Little bit of progress.
New poly cab mounts installed.

New master cylinder and clutch rod boots.

Finished wiring for the most part
Homemade dash pad that came with the cab and gauge cluster installed.

Seats are out of a Freightliner not installed yet, but I think they'll do pretty good. Need to find a center console though.

I go to look at a set of doors on Wednesday, hopefully they are better than what I've got. Ya know, by the time I get done there isnt going to be much of the original body on this truck...............oh well it sure is fun

[usmcchevy]

No real progress this week. I picked up a bunch of parts though. First was a set of 8x15 slots no pics though. Second came all of this.
Solid Passenger side door.




I also got the core support, but still need a hood and passenger side fender.

[bguild]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Nice progress, and props to Rowland for the offer.

Roland hooked me up as well.. He is the man.. Awesome guy.

[usmcchevy]

Yes he is!


No real noticeable progress.
I finally got it inspected today and got my hot start problem sorted out. Had two problems with the carb, choke was set wrong and it was full of crud AGAIN. Also got the parking brake working and cut 1" off of all the bump stops. It rides much better now.

[Roland]

Great job, Ben. I wish I were making the progress you are. Seems like everytime I start to move forward, I think, "...well, since I'm this far into it, I might as well take this apart and check it out." Still going backward after two years. But! It's still fun!

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Roland

Great job, Ben. I wish I were making the progress you are. Seems like everytime I start to move forward, I think, "...well, since I'm this far into it, I might as well take this apart and check it out." Still going backward after two years. But! It's still fun!

That is the hardest thing to resist when building a vehicle. It is so easy to get the "you might as well" disease and go off the deep end.

I had that problem really bad on my last Camaro. Original plan was to just replace all the age hardened body bushings & suspension bushings over one weekend then $60k and a year later I ended up with a completely rebuilt and restored car.

It turned out OK though because that car helped me get out of my bachelor pad and buy a house in a nice neighborhood where I wanted my children to grow up and go to school. No shop or garage to work in now but my girls are worth it.

[bguild]

Originally Posted by Roland

Great job, Ben. I wish I were making the progress you are. Seems like everytime I start to move forward, I think, "...well, since I'm this far into it, I might as well take this apart and check it out." Still going backward after two years. But! It's still fun!

I actually had to take a step back from my project.. This is my 2nd project truck. The last one I had it torn down to a frame with no money to get it back together.. This one I have decided I am going to get it running driving for awhile and enjoy it for a few months before i tear it down to do the patch panels and air ride.. Its tough to not fall into that habit.

Great work on the truck

[heidick70]

where did u get that blazer tank from?

[usmcchevy]

Originally Posted by heidick70

where did u get that blazer tank from?

The tank came from ebay, it was the cheapest I could find not to mention the free shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/71-72...item5637d2d30e

[mcbassin]

Looking Good! Now I see why you hacked up your old cab...that puppy had some cancer.Wow

[wancosc356]

Trucks looking good. Subscribed!

[70onB.A.D.'s]

Good Job so far, Keep up the good work!! I believe I will have to subscribe!!

[nuke1]

nice job so far, and a big congrats to the new cab. P.S. nice bikes, a 750 gixxer and a ........ I relate to those.

[usmcchevy]

Picked up 2 68 hoods the other day along with a radio delete and a cowl with no antenna hole. I also picked up all kinds of hardware from lowes and got the seats bolted in. Working on rebuilding the drivers side door hinges and repairing my 68 radiator support. Of course I'd have pictures, but thanks to my wonderful dog. I have no computer and can only jump on here quick from my wife's or work I'll get pics up as soon as possible.

[fishingjred73]

Ben here are a few pictures of the 69-72 radiator support patch from Brothers.

[usmcchevy]

Long over due for an update, first thanks for the pics fishingjred73.
Next is what I've accomplished over the past almost two months.
I decided to rebuild my core support and skip the brothers patch panel. Turned out ok in my opinion and its now 1/8" metal so it should take a little while to rust out again.






You can also see I cleaned and painted the front frame rails while I was there. I'll do the frame around the engine when I pull the motor to replace it and the front suspension when I rebuild that.
I also gave the old doors a coat of flat black and stuck them on.


Other than that I've just been collecting parts and planning

[fishingjred73]

Lookin good Ben!

[my67chevytruck]

nice progress!

[lks dcvn]

Looks pretty good to me also! I bet you saved a ton of time/money/cursing swapping cabs over than doing the body work on the other one -

[Hart_Rod]

Looks great! Will it be ready by Cruizin the Coast?