A little info please regarding '72 Chevys

[Cameraman]

I have come to the seat of knowledge for some information. I have a desire for another truck. My last one was stolen in '99 and since then have driven my wife's car. Over the holidays we visited her family in the middle-of-nowhere Texas where I saw a 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super for sale. It looked to be in good shape and cost $5000. I loved the way it looked, and decided right there I wanted one. Here is my situation and my questions. This will be my only transportation, not some weekend cruiser. I need a long bed as my wife and I are remodeling our entire house and I need to carry 4'X8sheet stock and lumber. We are also landscaping (rocks and soil to be hauled.) I am not even close to being a mechanic and working on cars easily frustates me. I can change oil and plugs, but not much else.

Is an old truck for me? Will it be reliable? I am a nurse and have to be at work on time. I have read that the 67-72 trucks are collectable. Should I look at a later date to save money? Are parts readily available on something that old, and are they more expensive to have repaired than a newer truck. I want something stock that looks nice. What amount should I look at spending?

Thanks for any help you guys can give me. If there are any important factors I missed, please inform me.

[stsalvage]

well this is the perfect ? well i bought me a 1972 3/4 ton cus i've been in the junk hualing business for 17 years my 1965 3/4 and me have gone a long time to gather over 500K i'm moving up do to that i wore all the ribbits out on my 65 meaning the frame is now starting to twist and becoming to get loser the 1972 i payed 800.00 for it and i will have 7000.00 in it when i'm done

this is a short list from a long list anything that came with the truck that gets worked almost every day when you drive it was replaced now add ons that i put on it

was a hitch that would handle my 3 ton hydrlic dump trailer for pulling and brake controller inside Moved up to the 16 inch tires and put motorhome leave E rated tires ride is very smooth and none aggresive tread got bed liner but befor bed liner was put in went and got a 5/8 peace of plywood in my mind save's the bed upgrated to 4 core radiator from a 3 core new crate 350 240 hp 4 bolt main brand new for 1300.00 had th 350 rebuilt if i was not going to do any towing a 700R4 would of gone in 1987 and later and replaced ( all ) the wireing harness that is a must and front winsheld and all rubber

if you can find a truck that has been rebuilt for one goal in mind to be work it should cost to some where arounf 7000.00 to 9000.00 to do right

to by one that has been done like that expect to pay 11,000 to 13,000

Yes in my book a older truck from 1968 and up would be a truck that will last 10 to 15 years as long as you don't abuse it

and you build to work not to play you start hacking on it yes it will leave you high and dry

resone for full wire harness to be replaced is the codeing arounf the copper wire drys out after 10 years 15 years it starts falling apart

yes if your a stupid person and you know nothing about truck the 1971--72 has to to be the best basic truck on the market all you need to do is find a guy with will being it back to stock for other then learning how to drive right and whach your gaugs every 10 to 15 mins while you drive truck will last you a life and and will be worth 3 times what you payed for it

Me for one i'm not one for air condioning its just another thing to brake the heater is the best thing in the truck then the power steering and then the power brakes then the disc brakes yes its work having one of these truck as a daly driver

and there so cheep to work on

[72armyswbtruck]

I say go for it, find you a truck that has been completely gone thru probably a 3/4 ton with a newer documented motor, make sure that the wiring has been replaced and the transmisison is newer. As for maintenance these trucks are very basic and easy, and if something does go wrong with them they are fairly easy to have fixed as any mom and pop mechanic shop can work on these. Just make sure that if you purchase one of these trucks that you step up in money to the 10 to 12 grand money range. At that price they should have been fairly gone thru, take a magnet with you and check the rockers, and around the wheel wells, doors etc to check for bondo. Also don't be afraid to get underneith the truck and look at the supports to ensure that they have not rotted away and all they prevous owner did was paint the exterior without taking care of the essentials.

[hchad18]

"yes if your a stupid person and you know nothing about truck the 1971--72 has to to be the best basic truck on the market "

What does that actually mean?

[68GMC454]

if you really dont know that much about it,,maybe you can get some of the texas crowd to keep an eye out for a good truck...definatly get a 3/4 truck..

[cdowns]

if you're not ready willing and able to maintain a 35year old vehicle and gas milage is normally in the 8-12 range// i'd say get a mildly used mid-90's truck ford or chevy// old vehicles need lots of attention to be a reliable daily driver they dont fall into the set it and forget it class of vehicles// buy one for a hobby when you can because they're lots of fun though

[PanelDeland]

35 years is a lot of abuse or use.You can find a reliable one,but like cdowns said,they are not set and forget.Also if you pay $5,000.00 for it you should get a nice enough classic that you will not want to haul rocks and dirt in it.If you are looking for a working truck I personally think you would be happier with a newer truck.Also there will be less maintainence on it for regular use.If you want a truck to restore a 67-72 Chevy/GMC is the "BEE"S KNEES"

[Cameraman]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I have wondered whether it might be best to purchase a newer truck, but I love the look of the 1972 Chevy. I am a firm believer in owning quality classics. Series 70 Colt 1911A1's, Winchester bolt action rifles (with iron sights), Milwaukee and Porter Cable power tools. Unfortunately, I am very stubborn and once I get my mind wrapped around an idea, I have a hard time changing (much to the distress of my wife.) Everyone seems to agree that a 3/4 ton is the way to go. Is this just because of the greater carrying capacity, or are there other reasons? I will probably just have to resolve myself to "settling" for something newer.

[stsalvage]

Well I Can Aswer That Onei Own 5 3/4 Tons Fruck From 1964--72 And They Can Take A Little More Beating The Suspion Under The Chassie Is Stonger Lot Less Maintaice Just Have The Chassie Greased Every 6 Months If You Do A Lot Of Driving Every Other Day You Should Pop The Hood And Check Water Oil Trans Fluid Power Steering Fluid And Brake Fluid That Is A Must The Brakes Last Longer On A 3/4 Ton Then On A Half Ton From Other Then That Nothing Else Changes On A 1/2 Body To A 3/4 Ton Body And You Want One With A Automatic

Its Like I Said In My First Post If You Find Some One That Has Gone Throw This Truck Now Worried About That The Body Looks Like Cus That Cosmetic Who Cares Aslong As Everything Works Under The Hood Inside The Cab And In The Back Tail Lights That Is A Winner In My Bood And Having A Good Solid Cab The Fenders Can Have Cancer So Can The Bed They Can Be Found And Easly Replaced The Cab Is The Tricky Part You Don't Want To Be Like( Fred Flinstone) And (barny )(rubble)

And Go Get A Set Of Good 16 Inch Raidal Tires Would Be Good. Remmber You Buy A 200.00 Tire It Will Last You A Long Time I Payed Out The Door With Road Hazerd 1000.00 For A 10 Ply Radial Mischin Xps Rib Tire Now Bigstone Makes One That Is A 6 Ply Tire That Is Only 136.00 Per Tire And They Are Good Too If Your Not Hualing Heavy Loads All The And Running A 235/85/16 Will Kick Up Your Speedo Meter By 5 Miles Per Hour Faster But Normaly You Would Get 8 12 Miles Per Gallon Well I Say You Will Get 15-16 Miles Pergallon Cus You Change Your Rear Gear Racal With A Taller Tire But I Just Found A 1972 3/4 Ton With No Cancer 350/400 All Power With Air Condioning For 1500.00 And Its A Driverand Its Got A Clean Body Few Dents But Clean Body But If You Found One Of These Trucks It Would Be A Blessing Butry And Find A Grand Father That Bought It And Only Drove It Here And There And Its Not Been Molested You Found One Hot Truck But They Are Very Cool Trucks And 72 Is The Best Choice Out Of All Of Them

[Lapper]

Originally Posted by stsalvage

Well I Can Aswer That Onei Own 5 3/4 Tons Fruck From 1964--72 And They Can Take A Little More Beating The Suspion Under The Chassie Is Stonger Lot Less Maintaice Just Have The Chassie Greased Every 6 Months If You Do A Lot Of Driving Every Other Day You Should Pop The Hood And Check Water Oil
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That was pretty much unreadable.

I'm in a similar situation as the OP. I just purchased a 72 K20 (Cheyenne, 4-speed fleet full-size box) for my daily driver. It runs quite well, but there is some sill and cab support rust, as well as a couple of other minor problems. I'm not mechanical either, but I am a bit of a DIY kind of person, so I will correct these problems on a going forward basis on my own. I don't learn any skills by farming work out to a shop, and I can save a bundle by doing the work myself as well.

I always thought that old Chevy's were nice, but never considered buying one until I saw Copperhead on tv. The 67-72 Chevys have been on my mind ever since. I would have preferred a Blazer/Jimmy, but I haul my dirt bike around in the summertime (but without much success, hence the nic) so I need at least a shortbox.

I like the 3/4 ton for the larger sized axles and brakes and are a better choice, IMO, for towing or hauling a camper than a 1/2 ton.

Good luck with it.

[krue]

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! If you're looking for little to no maintenance a mid-90's GM truck would probably be a better choice IMO. If you wanna look good going down the road a 72 is much better.

[mageckman]

About a 2 years ago I happened to luck onto a beat up 72 half-ton pickup.I paid $600 for it. The guy I bought it off of was gonna strip the motor and trans out of it and out them in another car and junk the body. The body is rough, but, the engine and 3-speed manual trans run like a dream. This truck is my daily driver and I get between 15 and 20 mpg out of it. Not too bad for a 350 with a 2bl carb, I think.I have had to do very little maintainence to it in the 2 years that I have had it.Unlike the other newer trucks that i have had in the past.My other vehicles(1992 dodge Spirit, 1994 Chrysler Concorde, 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass) require more maintainence than my truck.I have done more things and hauled more weight with my 1/2 ton pick-up than most guys do with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck.I'm a volunteer firefighter and tend to take my truck places where most people wouldn't take a 2 wheel drive truck. If you can find one that's in decent shape and mechanically sound, these are VERY reliable trucks. Just my 2 cents worth. Mageck

[ChevyDude]

I would say, don't buy it. You said you are frustrated when you have to work on a vehicle....These trucks need tweeking, and this and that done to them from time to time. Buy a newer truck that goes Brooooom everytime you turn the key, the heater will work all the time, no shorts in the wiring that leads you on an hour of testing to find the problem, the carb won't need attention. Leave the 72' for someone whom loves all that goes into owning one.

JMHO.

Alex

[BLACK AND BLUE 67-72]

I say if it's what you want go for it, the 72' and the 70' I own in my opinion are far more reliable and a heck of alot easier to work on than my wifes 94 Escort and the company trucks that I drive at work, 03 Ranger , 95 Chevy, 93 Nissan and an 06 Nissan. I have had less trouble out of my old truck than the newer models, and as far as turning the key and the newer trucks starting every time, not always!!! I have experenced problems with all of the company rides and wifes car, the only time I had a problem with my old trucks it was because of my own stupidity, pressure washing the engine the HEI coil wasn't tightened all the way down so I got water under it and it would not run, well actually it ran for a ways then quit. Any time you buy a used car or truck you will have a problem of some sort sooner or later

[Cameraman]

Thanks Alex and the rest of you guys for your assistance and common sense. The purchase of a newer truck does on the surface seem more sensable. They should require less work and be more reliable. But so many vehicle purchases in this country make no sense at all. (Do all those men and women driving alone in huge SUV's make any sense. Or how about all those guys that just want to look "cowboy".) Speaking on a purely superficial level, I don't want to look like other guy at the intersection here in east Texas. I'm kind of proud that the good Lord has given me the strength to roll down my own window insread of pushing a button like everybody else. Know what I mean? I fee that newer trucks just don't have the "class" that an older truck has.
I'm rambling. Again, thanks everyone for your help. It seems pretty evenly split between yes and no though. We'll just have to wait and see what the make turns up.

[69lnghrn]

Ok, I had a 2000 silverado since 99. A couple months ago, roofing wasnt to good for me so i had to sell one of my trucks. It was between the '00 and the '69. I kept the old and out with the new!
i am not that much of a mechenic, but this truck it is starting to get kinda fun doing stuff to and not having to pay someone.

and for $5gs i would asume that the truck you were looking at is in great running condition.
mine is an everyday soild workhorse. few problems with it and if there is, it not that costly.

[Gray Ghost]

I drive my '70 every day into Dallas from Terrell I paid $3k for mine and have around $5500 in it now after a year. Even made a few trips to Tyler recently without issue. I think you'd be smart to stick with the older trucks. I'll pm my phone number...give me a holler and I'll help you look/decide.