The Wrecker Is Home

[toomanytoyz]

Went to get the 72 Wrecker project i bought from Jamie Yesterday, It turned out to be a major Project to get it loaded. Many Thanks go out to Jamie & Huck for their Patience & Help with The Loading.................

Here is a pic sizing up whether Wrecker was going to fit the Rental Trailer



we needed to Take off one Wheel for Clearance



Also had to Take off Front Bumper for Clearance



Next Problem was with Upright for the Gate, Here is Jamie Taking the Sawsall To it.............



Using Jamie's Blazer to Pull up on Trailer



2 -1/2 Hr's Later It was Finally Loaded



Just need to add that All this hassle was caused due to me having to rent a Trailer at the Last Minute, I came home on wednesday to find a Broken Down
FEDEX Truck in the middle of My Driveway. He had driven it several miles with the rear brakes stuck & They were Frozen up & The Truck would not Move....

This meant i could not get my Tri-Axle Trailer out to use for the Tow

Thanks, Rick

[1969k10stepside]

Glad you got it home.Sorry about the trouble you had but you looked to have some good help.

[jerry moss]

looks like it turned into a major PITA, at least you got it home safe & sound

[Longhorn Man]

sweet, I'll bet those indina rusted bolts were a real PITA.... great to see it got home though, what's the plans?
It's pretty uncommon to see a cheyenne package on a work truck like that... what other options does she got on her?

[toomanytoyz]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

sweet, I'll bet those indina rusted bolts were a real PITA.... great to see it got home though, what's the plans?
It's pretty uncommon to see a cheyenne package on a work truck like that... what other options does she got on her?

Actually the bolts were loose, Had hoped to swap to a 68 Doghouse & Get a motor in it & sort out if all Was good with Wrecker Componets............

Pulled the Doghouse Today & Cleaned off about 10 lbs of Crud from Suspenion
& then pulled up carpet & found the Cab is Pretty sad, Gonna need a lot of Work..............

Checked out options on Glove box Door, Listed Pwr Steering, Am/Fm Radio, Dual wheel Conversion was about it. Still Gonna put a motor in & Figure out where to go from there..............

Thanks For All The Input, Rick

Some Pics..............

[1969k10stepside]

Cant really see but I think I spot tow hook holes in the frame horns,and on a 2 wheel drive that would be rare.

[Longhorn Man]

pretty sure the holes are there regardless... been a while since i looked though.

[1969k10stepside]

They might just be there for the bumper/brushguard though

[Bishops Trucks]

Those hole's are already in the frame. The 5 trucks I've had have all had them. Congrats on getting it loaded and home. You say it was a rental trailer and you took a sawz-all to it. Gotta do what ya gotta do.

[toomanytoyz]

Originally Posted by Bishops Trucks

You say it was a rental trailer and you took a sawz-all to it. Gotta do what ya gotta do.

That was the conclusion we came to, I took the Trailer to a Local welding shop this morning before returning it. I then took reciept in with me & explained to the rental place.................
They were happy that i took care of it in a professional manner .

Thanks for all the input, Didn't get much time to check out truck today, Hope to Tomorrow. Just want to get a motor in it & find out how everything works before i put too much time in it.

I did order a Wrecker manual for the 480 Holmes bed & Found that it is all complete, Anybody need Part #'s or Diagrams just let me know. Will have time to do some work on it over weekend & will post more info..........

Thanks, Rick

[desertrat]

Originally Posted by Bishops Trucks

You say it was a rental trailer and you took a sawz-all to it. Gotta do what ya gotta do.

everytime I loan out a trailer it always comes back a little modified as well.

I can't beleive you got that truck to fit, Good job.

[1969k10stepside]

Hmm,only my swb 4x4 has two holes vertical by the rad mount and they are for towhooks.None of the other 3 67-72s have had those I have owned and they didnt have hooks...

[72armyswbtruck]

Been there and done that , I know what you mean about loading a trailer, the first truck that I drove to indiana to pick up took over two hours to load, Some just don't want to go easy

[Bishops Trucks]

Hey Dustin,
Maybe I'm batting 5 for 5 here with what I've had. I could be wrong, my wife tells me I'm wrong all the time.

[bad_turbo]

love to see the build-up on that old wrecker

[jamie72]

glad you made it home ok,and good luck with your new toy..
jamie

[PanelDeland]

Did FEDEX pay for the trailer?I would bill them for storage of their truck since it caused the problem.They probably wont pay but it couldn't hurt.
Nice looking project.Should make a real workhorse of a truck when you get everything going.Holmes was the premeir builder of wrecker beds in that era.
I don't remember where but someplace in Tenn has a wrecker museum including working models of some of the earliest Holmes equipment.
Goood luck and keep a build thread going.

[Rod]

Its worth savin'.

[dogdaddydbtg]

Hope for your sake it has drums on the front, my brother bought a 72 wrecker years ago. It had discs, ( 72 was first year for discs on a 1 ton ) they were worn out and the rotors were all but nonexistent and that was in about 92. We searched everywher until we found at one of the oldset and largest Chevy dealers in the Baltimore area. I guess they still had them in stock from when they were available. Gm had discontinued them and they were not available aftermarket. These were a One year only part.

[toomanytoyz]

Originally Posted by dogdaddydbtg

Hope for your sake it has drums on the front, my brother bought a 72 wrecker years ago. It had discs, ( 72 was first year for discs on a 1 ton ) they were worn out and the rotors were all but nonexistent and that was in about 92. We searched everywher until we found at one of the oldset and largest Chevy dealers in the Baltimore area. I guess they still had them in stock from when they were available. Gm had discontinued them and they were not available aftermarket. These were a One year only part.

Guess What, This also has the disc brake option..............

The good news is that i was at the Junkyard today & found a newer Dually that i can get the front end from if i have problem with mine, Actually going back Tomorrow to get all the Rims off this Truck for $ 10.00 each. I figure that is a Good Deal to update from the split rim set-up that i currently have.

Ptretty Decent Indiana weather Today so i took Power Washer to the Truck getting it ready to Paint the Frame before putting the motor in, After further inspection i Think i will just look for another cab. This one need's it all, Good Thing is Jamie was Right about the Wrecker Bed being pretty solid.

Just want to say Thanks to all who have responded with Tip's & encourament, Rick

[toomanytoyz]

Here are a few pics from my Trip to the Yard...........................

Here is a 68 1 ton that was not lucky enough to be saved





This would be a Good one to save, Yard owner want's to keep





This is the one i got Rims from

[toomanytoyz]

Got the whole frame painted & about ready to put in a motor....................

[toomanytoyz]

The Wrecker bed ony has to be patched in 2 places, 1 Toolbox will need rebuilt & 1 will need patched................











This one will need to be replaced......................

[bad_turbo]

great looking project!! Don't see many trucks on the west coast with that much rust, unless they have just been sitting down by the beach. But then again, how many '72 wreckers do you see out there? NONE! Can't wait to see more progress on it. As for a dics front end, you can always swap in a later model one that still has parts available.

[68GMC454]

looks like a great project..i always wanted a wrecker..would make it so much handier for dragging junk home,,wait,,maybe thats why the ol lady says i cant have a wrecker....