The World's Only 1969 GMC 2500!!!

[Solego]

At least that what I feel like I own.

Can anyone tell me the major differences between a C10/1500 and a C20/2500?

When I look at parts for redoing my suspension, all of the parts say "1/2 ton only".

On top of that, the previous owner replaced the 6 lugs with 5 lugs with disc brakes up front. I'm not ungrateful for that benefit, but it throws a whole other loop into things.

What kind of front end do I really have now? Heck, what kind of brake pads do I buy when I need replacements?

I have purchased a reproduction chassis service manual and intend to also buy a reproduction assembly manual. But that won't help me if I have a mish mash of a suspension.

Can anyone direct me how to learn on my own to figure out what parts would be proper when it comes to rebuilding my truck?

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Mike

[CG]

Im guessing GMC is the same as Chevy here...I could be off though.
All 3/4 tons have eight lug, half ton up to 70 had six lug and half ton 71 and up have five lug.

Are you positive it used to be 3/4 ton? I guess he could have swapped front and rears. Just tossing the little I know out there to muddy up the waters

[Solego]

It has the options sticker in the glove box.

It is a 3/4 ton that was originally equipped with a 396BB and is optioned with rear coil springs.

It now has a '66 327SB, but I'm soon going to replace that with a 350SB and a reman TH350.

I'm going to tear down the front end when I swap out motors and rebuild the front end. I'm not going to replace any of the hard stuff, just clean and repaint. All of the soft stuff will get replaced, bushings, rubber, etc.

[El Jay]

Can't really help.
Just wanted to say that's a damn purty truck.

I'm sure that there are tons of folks on here that will chime in and give ya a hand.

As for your signature, "My sentiments, exactly."

[BurnoutNova]

Originally Posted by Solego

What kind of front end do I really have now? Heck, what kind of brake pads do I buy when I need replacements?


Mike

i'd say tell them its a 71-72 c10/c1500... or take the old pad in with you

[Solego]

Originally Posted by El Jay

Can't really help.
Just wanted to say that's a damn purty truck.

I'm sure that there are tons of folks on here that will chime in and give ya a hand.

As for your signature, "My sentiments, exactly."

It a purty picture of a truck. The closer you get the uglier it is.

[El Jay]

Originally Posted by Solego

It a purty picture of a truck. The closer you get the uglier it is.

Brother, you ain't seen my stuff....yet!

[see ten]

Does the VIN on the glovebox door match the one in the door jamb? Your truck looks like a swb and I really don't recall seeing any swb 3/4 ton trucks. If the VIN does match does the glovebox door list your wheelbase as 115" or 127". Either way, that's a good looking truck.

[special-K]

Alot can happen in 39 years.The cab could be swapped.It`s definately repainted and gone over at least once.It is a shortbed,right?Just ask for 1/2t parts.I think the only thing 2500 on it is the cab,which is no different than a 1500.When getting front end parts,call it a 71 or 72.Although,if those parts aren`t right it could have`73-up parts swapped-in.

[Longhorn Man]

front brake pads are the same 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton in 71 and 72... no clue about the later ones.
Make sure the glove box matches the VIN in the door jamb, and then maybe even check to see if it matches the frame. This may well be a mutt of biblical proportions! (mine is!)
Either way, i wouldn't worry about it too much. 99% of the parts are the same 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton. Just swing by here and ask before buying stuff if you aren't sure... esp if you buy from a place like LMC whos operators have never seen anything other than the photos in the catalogs.

[special-K]

Can we see more pictures?That thing is starting to look like it might be a shortened longbed.Can you get a shot of just the bed from the side?Just a hunch.Maybe my eyes are messin`with me.

[Longhorn Man]

i was seein that too tim... but I thought it was my eyes or the angle of the photo

[rscam]

What kind of front bumper is that? I fits really well. It squares off around the corner and the tag holder has that extra ridge around it. Maybe from a Blazer? As for the bed it looks somewhere between a short and longbed. Nice truck to start with.

[see ten]

Yep, It's been shortened.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=253141

[BurnoutNova]

i thought it looked farmiliar, but did anyone ever decide how it was shortened?

[special-K]

Oh...that one.I bet it started as a 3/4t,was shortened and had 1/2t axles and all swapped-in.Whadaya think?Do dat splain it?

[Solego]

You're all half right. The frame wasn't shortened, it was extended. Apparently, the person who did it wanted a longer short bed and a shorter long bed. It is a long bed that has been shortened to fit over the wheels. The frame has been extended in the rear to accomodate the new bed. I'll take pictures and show you all. I only bring up the original question because I just got the "all-mighty" permission from the wife/boss/money manager to do an all out frame off restoration.

I am probably not going to go all out and slam it and buy really nice and fancy parts. I'm probably going to go with a new GM long block 350 and build that mated to a reman summit TH350.

I'm not going cheap, but more like an inexpensive stocker compared to some of the works of art on this site. The truck will be better than new though. I intend that the most expensive part will be the total body restoration, including getting a new short bed. When I get it down to the frame I will forever solve the dillema of determining what model it is by measuring the rear coils and the frame itself. I believe that should settle it.

Anyways, don't hold your breath waiting for disassembly pictures. I still have to sell the Chevelle, grade/level/seed the backyard, finish building the backyard fence, and clean out the garage when the Chevelle disappears.

Thanks for everyones input!

[BurnoutNova]

[QUOTE=Solego;2691507] and clean out the garage when the Chevelle disappears.

QUOTE]


for good? i hope your just storing it somewhere

[Longhorn Man]

if the frame was extended, then it isn't the original (to the VIN) 3/4 ton frame, all 3/4 ton trucks were either lwb, or longhorn.

[ERASER5]

The front bumper is a Chevy. No GMC turn signal dimples.

Still nicer than mine, no mater what distance you are from it.

[Solego]

I guess my mystery has been solved. I'm driving a 1/2 ton. That reduces a lot headache when it comes time to start buying new suspension parts. My next question is, are there many differences between the years when it comes to suspension parts, or for that matter, any part? Most of you have said to treat it like a '70, '71, or '72. Why those years?

Here are the pictures of the frame rail extensions.

And yes, the Chevelle is being sold. I can either have two beaters, which will never be rebuilt. Or I can sell the Chevelle and restore the truck. Either way, I need a truck and my wife won't let me spend the money to rebuild one of them unless I offset the cost with the sale of the other. I will miss her, but my next hot rod is going to be my dream car, the consumate form of masculinity, the mighty beast, the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS!

[special-K]

I don`t mean to be rude or anything,but it sounds to me like a car salesman load of crap that you wear told.The po took a shortbed frame,extended it,shortened a long bed,and somehow it ended up with a 3/4t VIN?I`d like to ask the po about that.You may get an hinest answer.There isn`t a splice between the rear axle and cab?I apologize if I`m wrong,but I dunno...

[BurnoutNova]

i'd get rid of the truck before that chevelle... just my .02

[Solego]

Originally Posted by special-K

I don`t mean to be rude or anything,but it sounds to me like a car salesman load of crap that you wear told.The po took a shortbed frame,extended it,shortened a long bed,and somehow it ended up with a 3/4t VIN?I`d like to ask the po about that.You may get an hinest answer.There isn`t a splice between the rear axle and cab?I apologize if I`m wrong,but I dunno...

What do you mean about the splice?

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by special-K

There isn`t a splice between the rear axle and cab?

It's a short wheelbase with a long tail. So it would only need extensions in the rear.