Gertie, the 72 c10 Highlander

[GoPokes72]

Hello everyone. I finally decided to start my own build thread after several months of admiring some pretty incredible builds. I am a novice, to say the least, but am using this as an opportunity to learn as I go with my dad’s help (a lot of help!).

So a little background… I grew up around these trucks; my dad always had some form of a 67-72, whether it be a truck, suburban or blazer. I bought my first 72 c10 when I was 14, and my dad and I started a restoration in preparation for my 16th birthday. Well, like many know life got in the way, and after I was married it was time for that project to move on down the road.

Let’s fast forward, I got it in my head that I had to have another one and decided I wanted to make it my daily driver, and so the hunt began. I finally found a clean, mostly original truck in my price range and the voyage began.

So without further ado… let me introduce Gertrude, a.k.a. Gertie!

[dfwright]

Looks like a very nice truck to start out with! What are your plans for the build?

[GoPokes72]

Here are a few more pics...

[GoPokes72]

Thanks, dfwright!

The Plan

I would like to keep it mostly original, kinda shop truck meets grandpa’s Highlander. This is going to be somewhat of a slow process, as time and money allow. So here’s my list as of now (not necessarily in any particular order)… keep in mind this is my daily driver so I plan to leave the truck in driving condition as I tackle these projects.

• Basic tune up and overall inspection of all the major systems
• Get gas gauge working
• Rebuild carburetor
• Convert to SWB
• Remove gas tank from cab and install rear mounted tank
• Fix front grill
• Paint rear bumper
• Paint wheels and replace center rally caps
• 4/6 drop
• Replace front steering components
• Brakes
• Replace cab mounts
• Install drop center crossmember and auto trans crossmember for additional clearance
• Replace driveshaft center support bearing
• Rerun exhaust
• Clean and paint frame as well as undercoat bottom of cab and bed
• Replace interior pieces that are beyond repair (door panels, arm rest, seat cover, etc.)
• Recover seat with original Highlander Avocado seat cover
• Replace windshield
• Install 3 point shoulder harness seat belts
• Vintage Air
• Update sound system
• Replace below eye line mirrors with sports mirrors
• Convert to HEI
• Rust repair: The cab corners and rockers where done by PO but might need to be redone down the road. Front fender bottoms need to be repaired, and the door bottoms will need some attention. Other than some battery tray and core support rust the truck is pretty solid. I haven’t pulled up the carpet, but it seems solid from under the truck.
• As for the exterior: I’d like to keep the current paint (not so perfect patina look). I don’t believe it’s the original paint, but it is the original color combo. I did not like it at first, but it has grown on me. I am going to cut my bed sides and floor to keep the color.
• Repair dent in driver side front fender
• Repair, clean, polish and paint exterior trim, and eventually replace the bumpers and front inner and outer grills.
• Overall: Clean, repair, restore, and reuse as much as I can.

There will be much more, I'm sure, and my mind my change as I go, but that’s the plan as of this hour!

Comments, questions, suggestions, and advice are always welcome! This site has been awesome!

[GoPokes72]

So the first thing I did was rebuild my carburetor. It’s an Edelbrock 1406. I had never rebuilt a carburetor before, but after reading several posts here and watching some videos online I felt pretty confident to give it a shot. I have to say it was pretty straight forward, and quite frankly it was fun to rebuild.

So here are a few pics… (I cant find any after pictures, but it did look pretty sweet!)

[GoPokes72]

Next major undertaking was to have it converted to a SWB. This was not something I really wanted to tackle myself so we had a local guy, who has been cutting and working on these trucks for a long time, cut my frame and floor. He did an awesome job!

My dad had some aftermarket bed sides that we put on it. I have since decided to have my original bed sides cut down so I can keep the original paint and look of the truck.

Here are some pics...

[GoPokes72]

More pics...

[GoPokes72]

More pics...

[GoPokes72]

and again more pics...

[russgoodman]

I really like this truck with the special 2 tone paint and the highlander package. It looks like (heck may be the same one) one that was for sale down in TX that I saw. Nice work so far on it. And lastly, GO POKES!!

[dfwright]

Originally Posted by GoPokes72

I plan to leave the truck in driving condition as I tackle these projects.

Excellent Choice! I don't think you'll regret that. I have days I wish I had done the same. You are really making super progress! I am not sure you and I both have the same understanding of the word SLOW progress.... lol!

Great Work!

[GoPokes72]

Originally Posted by russgoodman

I really like this truck with the special 2 tone paint and the highlander package. It looks like (heck may be the same one) one that was for sale down in TX that I saw. Nice work so far on it. And lastly, GO POKES!!

Thanks, russgoodman! This is the one that was down in Texas. Been a good little solid truck so far!

Originally Posted by dfwright

Excellent Choice! I don't think you'll regret that. I have days I wish I had done the same. You are really making super progress! I am not sure you and I both have the same understanding of the word SLOW progress.... lol!

Great Work!

Haha. Thanks, dfwright! I'll be honest, this is progress from the last year, so I'm playing catch up on my thread!

[GoPokes72]

We also removed the gas tank from the cab and installed a new rear mount tank from LMC.

[GoPokes72]

some more pics...

[GoPokes72]

I decided to go with a simple filler so we cut a hole in the bed floor and installed a pop-up style filler from LMC. We did have to cut the crossmember to provide clearance. Everything went in pretty smoothly and turned out nice!

[GoPokes72]

I was pretty pumped when we finally put the bed back on the truck. I have much respect for the long beds but something about a SWB truck that's just awesome!

[GoPokes72]

A couple before and after pics...

[GoPokes72]

I got the truck back to my house and started doing some cleaning and repair work to make ol' Gertie look even better running down the road. I had one broken tooth in my inner grill so I used a piece from another to fix it. I also gave them a good cleaning and painted them. Turned out pretty decent!

I plan to eventually replace the grills but the budget does not allow for it at this point. I also put a fresh coat of paint on the bumper to round 'er out.

[GoPokes72]

Here are a few more pics with them back on the truck.

[GoPokes72]

I also pulled all the trim off the cab and gave it a good scrub.

[GoPokes72]

My next major project was to install a 4/6 static drop. After researching and reading the numerous posts here, it only made sense to go with ECE’s kit. I have to say, other than shortening my truck this was probably the thing I was looking the most forward to. It gives these trucks such an awesome stance. Ideally I want it to be as level as possible. I plan to run the same tire size on all four wheels.

So, I started by scraping and cleaning 42 years’ worth of dirt and grime off everything on the front end.

We then got it up on the lift and started taking the front end apart, accessing what needed to be replaced. After confirming that all the front steering components were pretty worn, if not original, I decided to replace everything with Moog.

Here are some pics…

[GoPokes72]

More pics...

[GoPokes72]

and more pics...

[GoPokes72]

I also replaced the front brake calipers, pads, brake hoses, wheel bearings, and had my rotors turned...

[GoPokes72]

more pics of the front end...