72 K2500 Daily Driver/Weekend Warrior Project

[DarkFlounder]

For a few years, I had the itch to rejoin the ranks of classic truck owner. I had in mind the truck I was looking for (71-72 GMC, 4x4, longbed fleetside), I kept an eye on the local Craigslist ads until I found her. On Nov 8, 2014, she followed me home, and my wife let me keep her.

1972 GMC K2500 Longbed Fleetside. Lived a hard life hauling firewood. Body in desperate need of refurb or replacement. Mechanically sound (crate 350 with 20k miles, crate TH350 with 10k miles). PO replaced Dana60 Power-Lock rear end with Dana70 out of a 1ton.

Needs a LOT of work, but already a reliable daily driver.

This thread is to document what I've done and what I'll be doing.

Photos show truck on the day I brought her home.

[DarkFlounder]

Shortly after bringing her home, I removed the lumber rack so that I could get her into the garage.

Then, I started looking to replace the worst part of the body, the bed. Rusted through, beyond repair.

[DarkFlounder]

So, I found a replacement bed. Partially disassembled (bed sides had already been removed), some surface rust, but definitely serviceable.

Not bad for $100.

[DarkFlounder]

Also have the original bench seat. Badly in need of new foam and upholstery, as well as some spring repair. Currently residing in the back yard until I have a place to put it in the garage.

Obligatory dog photos included, because if you've got a truck, you need a dog.

[DarkFlounder]

And here's how she sits today. Currently keeping an eye open for a replacement driver door. Gonna need new tires pretty soon, not sure if I'll keep the rims or not, not many tire options in 16.5 these days.

[swamp rat]

Welcome to the board DarkFlounder!, be sure to visit the 4X4 Projects and Builds section as well. Nice score on the bed too.

[DarkFlounder]

Attached is the current drivers door. PO backed into a tree with the door open.

Attached is also the almost pristine door I just picked up at the swap at the local GoodGuys show. Correct year, surface rust almost not even worth mentioning. Only have to fix the speaker hole.

I'm so stoked! I finally found my door!

[DarkFlounder]

Been a busy week.

Stripped all of the bed parts, de-rusted, filled rust pitting, and primered. Tomorrow, assemble the bed.

Cleaned, prepped and sealed the behind-the-seat fuel tank. Got that installed and connected. WORKING FUEL GAUGE!!

Today, pulled the rear wiring harness and taillights out of the truck, they'll be reused in the new bed. Dropped the old plastic saddle tank and drained off the fuel.

Tomorrow, pull the old bed, rear leaf spring bushings and rear driveshaft u-joints (easier to do with no bed), and begin assembly of new bed.

It's not perfect by any means. But so long as it's an improvement, it's progress. And the new bed is DEFINITELY an improvement.

[DarkFlounder]

And the old rusty bed goes bye bye. The bed floor was so rusted, ended up having to hammer most of the bed to frame bolts through the floor, jack the bed up, and cut them with a hacksaw.

POR-15'd the underside of the bed floor, wheel wells, and gravel guards. And, of course, dummy me only wore one protective glove to paint. Left hand looks like a Sharpie blew up in my hand.

Tomorrow, bed assembly!!! Got a friend coming over in the afternoon to help mount the new bed. And, if I've got the time, driveshaft u-joints and leaf spring bushings.

[DarkFlounder]

Didn't get to the leaf spring bushings or the u-joints.

But the replacement bed is assembled, mounted, and bolted down.

[El Dorado Jim]

nice truck! will be watching your progress, love these old 3/4 ton 4x4's, you should move this to the 4x4 projects and builds section

[Bladeboy1998]

Subbed to this one too lol

What happened to the winch?

[DarkFlounder]

Originally Posted by Bladeboy1998

Subbed to this one too lol

What happened to the winch?

It was broken crap so I threw it away.

[Odaroloc]

Very cool! I would love to find an old 67-72 4x4! Looks great and cant wait to see how it turns out!