Opinions about this 70 GMC please?

[MrGoodpliers]

Don't worry, mine was only a fleeting interest and I can't really afford it right now anyway. It seems that I may have loosened her up on the price though, so you can buy me a beer in Pigeon Forge in the fall I didn't go see it, she sent about five pics.

[CC69Rat]

If you have a few min, can you please send them to me? I promise, I'll be good to it I'm already pricing out a 5 lug swap, disk, 4/6 drop and wheels / tires. I'm going to call it the 'Hoover' .. like a vacuum in my checking acct. ! I'm good with a small block, this will be my occasional daily driver. My wife and I work together, ride to / from work together, run together, weekends, etc. I rarely ever need a car I'm always with her. Just to / from Dad's place to work on my truck!

ccoley0473@att.net

thanks.

[MrGoodpliers]

She texted them to me and I have already deleted them. Sorry. The exterior seemed really nice all the way around the truck and the inside of the bed had moss or lichen in it so it was tough to make out the condition. I saw some dings, minor waves in the floor and what might be a rust hole but it didn't appear that the truck had been abused. Good luck and keep us posted.

[big_al_71]

Looks like a pretty good buy chad. Now I see why you were asking me about the sizes....

I would say bags, with hubcaps and drive it!!!!

[a_barth]

Originally Posted by MrGoodpliers

I talked to the lady about this truck a few times. The ad said big block and a/c, both of which were untrue.

I think I see and under-dash A/C, but I could be wrong.

[lolife99]

You gotta take off those ugly outside mirrors,...

[CC69Rat]

If I get it (hoping I can drive it home ) I will probably leave it as is for a while and just get it super clean and dependable. The basic stuff, plugs, wires, tune up, valve cover gaskets, wheel cyl, brakes etc .. just get it really safe and dependable to drive before I drop a bunch of $$ into it. The way she talks it drives good, she drove it on a 2.5 hr trip and it did fine.

I just want to make sure it's ok, then I'll play around with it. The more I look at the hubcaps, the more I like them too

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by lolife99

You gotta take off those ugly outside mirrors,...

You just want them for your truck right? Kididng, yeah I hope they didn't drill into the doors. Bumper guards are cool too IMO.

[DANTIP]

Originally Posted by MrGoodpliers

I talked to the lady about this truck a few times. The ad said big block and a/c, both of which were untrue. (I liked the idea of a big block and 3 speed, did they even make any of those?) She sent me some pictures and after evaluating them I told her that I might be interested in the $3000 range. It has a coil spring rear, too. I think I saw a rust hole in the bed floor near the tailgate. It is certainly a good candidate for a drop, new shoes and drive the heck out of it project. Good luck, I hope you make a good deal and get it.

Looks like it has aftermarket/underdash A/C. Post the pics you received when you get a few.

Thanks!

[CC69Rat]

Been doing a little calculations / planning as to what I'd like to do with it.

$3k - Truck
Tires - Toyo Proxes STII 295/40 255/40 $691.96 shipped
Wheels - Probably Coys - 20x10 (5.5), 20x8.5 (5.25) $1150 shipped (approx)
ECE 4/6 drop kit and 5 lug disc, complete brake conversion with 5 lug axles ~$1350 I haven't called them yet.
Misc - Cleaning, Valve cover gaskets, tune up, etc. $500

I'll be in it for about $7k. I'm good with that (??) you think?

Sell the Ugly mirrors to Keith, $50. .. Just kiddin. Yes, they'll be coming off. I'm pretty stoked about getting it. I hope it works out. I'm leaving in the morning about 8am to go get it. (hopefully)

I'll post up some pics.

[NoNeck]

ROAD TRIP!

Hey... I just remembered. We have a nice black set of bucket seats and console that you got from Jonathan. We could just pull that old torn seat out and put them in! Maybe slap those Billet Specialties wheels on... change out the steering wheel to the one that's on the other truck... what do you think?

POP

[lolife99]

I think your bill from ECE might be a little higher that $1350.
I think the axles will put you over that price.

You did know that Coys now makes a 6-lug C5 (5 spoke) wheel.
But I'm not sure how they look in person.
Plus I think the offsets would be wrong.
I beleive they were built for the 99-up trucks.
http://www.coyswheel.com/coys-truck.html.

Depending on which '70 rearend (narrow or wider) housing is under this truck, will determine which offset wheel you need.
(5.5" BS might be too much for the narrower version)

[CC69Rat]

ECE -

5 lug axles = $309 + Bearings, etc.

Brake kit - $759
Drop kit - $759 (-269 for the spindles, don't need two sets)

$1650 maybe ? You're the man, .. you tell me. am I missing something? In no way trying to sound argumentative. That's why I posted it. If I'm wrong, please tell me. Just trying to budget. $7k is going to be about all I have right now. If I strip the truck, brakes, etc and do a 5 lug I could run my rallys (6.5 / 8) for a while if I needed to I guess.

should I just leave it 6 lug and call it a day?

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by NoNeck

ROAD TRIP!

Hey... I just remembered. We have a nice black set of bucket seats and console that you got from Jonathan. We could just pull that old torn seat out and put them in! Maybe slap those Billet Specialties wheels on... change out the steering wheel to the one that's on the other truck... what do you think?

POP

Naa .. the buckets are for the BB truck, but they would look cool. Maybe Jonathan has some sandalwood buckets? I kinda like the lighter interior.

[lolife99]

I would switch it to 5-lug for sure.
You might be able to save a few bucks by locating a 5-lug 71-72 rearend.
(If you just swap axles,... don't forget new brake drums into your pricing)

I think you have it priced out about right.

[CC69Rat]

Early rear end and 5" BS on a 20x10 / 295 40 ? ?? Would that work under a fleet? Coys offers a 5, or 5.5" BS on the 10's.

(thinking .75 difference either side 55.5" vs 57") 5 lug axel swap if it's early rear would give me a little more lip on the wheel, right? 5" vs. 5.5" BS. Humm..

You're right though. A 5 lug 71-72 swap maybe and just do the disc conversion on the front. I can probably pick up the whole rear end for less than $309 axles + shipped - labor - selling my early 6 lug rear? Food for thought. Thanks man ..

See what I mean? You sir, are the man !

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Early rear end and 5" BS on a 20x10 / 295 40 ? ?? Would that work under a fleet? Coys offers a 5, or 5.5" BS on the 10's.

(thinking .75 difference either side 55.5" vs 57") 5 lug axel swap if it's early rear would give me a little more lip on the wheel, right? 5" vs. 5.5" BS. Humm..

You're right though. A 5 lug 71-72 swap maybe and just do the disc conversion on the front. I can probably pick up the whole rear end for less than $309 axles + shipped - labor - selling my early 6 lug rear? Food for thought. Thanks man ..

A 20x10 Coys C5 wheel with the early (narrower) rearend,... with the 5" BS would be my choice for a static drop,... and 5.5" BS on the later (wider) rearend for a static drop.
(bagged trucks might require a little more backspacing).

Normally the least amount of backspacing would equal a bigger lip on the front side.
Not with the 20x10 Coys (with 5" and 5.5" BS).
They make the 5" wheels with a thicker flange on the backside.
(5.5" BS wheels just get a thinner flange)
I assume the lug hole depth is also drilled accordingly,... but the lip is the same on the front side,... because these are cast 1-piece wheels.

[lolife99]

IF,... your truck has the wider 6-lug rearend,... you could also use a donor 71-72 5-lug for the axles and brake drums.
The last 71-72 5-lug rearend I bought cost me $100.
BUT,... the axles had alot of wear in the bearing area.

So that put's you right back to ordering new replacement axles to replace your 40+ year old axles.

(see how I keep you thinking? Ha)

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by lolife99

IF,... your truck has the wider 6-lug rearend,... you could also use a donor 71-72 5-lug for the axles and brake drums.
The last 71-72 5-lug rearend I bought cost me $100.
BUT,... the axles had alot of wear in the bearing area.

So that put's you right back to ordering new replacement axles to replace your 40+ year old axles.

(see how I keep you thinking? Ha)

I have a 68 with the six lug rear end, what are the measurements to see if I have the narrow or wider rear end. I am also looking to convert mine to 5 lug and would like to find some good 5 lug axles but don't know where to measure.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by shawno72

I have a 68 with the six lug rear end, what are the measurements to see if I have the narrow or wider rear end. I am also looking to convert mine to 5 lug and would like to find some good 5 lug axles but don't know where to measure.

If your rearend is the original 6-lug '68 rearend,... it will be the narrower one.
All 67-69 rearends were the narrow one.
The 1970 model year was what is referred to as the "transisition year".
It was still 6-lug,... but it could be the wider 71-72 width or the narrower 67-69 width.

Some people use Wheel Mounting Surface measurement.
I like to use "backing plate-to-backing plate" measurement.
(that way I don't have to pull the wheels to know for sure)

67-69 6-lug (early '70) narrow rearends,... should be 55-1/2" BP-to-BP.
Late '70 6-lug and 71-72 5-lug wider rearends should be 57" BP-to-BP.

[CC69Rat]

Pop, we'll need to make sure we have a tape in the toolbox in the morning.

[NoNeck]

What? I'm not going to crawl under there to measure it. There might be SPIDERS under there!

POP

[NoNeck]

Chad -

I found a 1972 GMC Sierra Grande LWB today that we could use as a 5-Lug donor for your truck. One owner Tennessee truck, 122K original miles, rebuilt (20K miles) 350 4bbl 350 Turbo, matching numbers, working factory air, power steering, 5 lug power Disk Brakes, etc. Running and driving truck, uncut dash, original AM radio and bed light. Still wearing it's original Medium Green over Dark Green factory paint (nice patina).

We could pull what you need to convert your GMC, then part out the rest. It has the factory full hubcaps, nice grille, fenders, full gauges (no tach) nice air cab and beautiful hood. The only thing unusable would be the long bed. It has a lot of "old gezzer" damage on both sides of the bed where the old guy that had it (recently past away) ran over mailboxes, trash cans and fire hydrants on his street.

I can get it CHEAP. You could probably switch out to 5 lug and still make money on the other parts.

POP

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by lolife99

If your rearend is the original 6-lug '68 rearend,... it will be the narrower one.
All 67-69 rearends were the narrow one.
The 1970 model year was what is referred to as the "transisition year".
It was still 6-lug,... but it could be the wider 71-72 width or the narrower 67-69 width.

Some people use Wheel Mounting Surface measurement.
I like to use "backing plate-to-backing plate" measurement.
(that way I don't have to pull the wheels to know for sure)

67-69 6-lug (early '70) narrow rearends,... should be 55-1/2" BP-to-BP.
Late '70 6-lug and 71-72 5-lug wider rearends should be 57" BP-to-BP.

Thank you Keith I will measure now....and it's the narrow. I guess I will be looking for a donor 71-72. Now buying the new axles will keep my rear end narrow so does that mean I can put a wider wheel back there? Also what backspacing will I need? Thank you guys.

[CC69Rat]

You hi-jackin me punk ?

On the wider rear end (71-72) guys usually run a 20x10 with 5.5" BS. So what I was thinking is with the narrow rear end, a 20x10 with 5" BS. There is .75" of difference on each side of the rear end housing. (55.5" vs 57") So, Ideally you could run a 4.75" BS on a 20x10 and get away with it. ..

Ex. 57" rear 5.5 BS
55.5" rear 4.75 BS

Would put the wheels almost exactly the same width (total rear track width) Exactly the same positioning in the wheel wells?

What Keith was talking about is the difference in the Coys C5 wheel. He said if I used 5" BS vs. 5.5" BS you'd think the 5" BS wheel would have more 'lip' to the outside which is not the case. These wheels are cast so the flange where it bolts up is just thicker to offset the wheel 'out' more = .5" less backspacing. Where a hoop/center wheel would have a different overall look.

that's one of the reasons I went with Billet Specialties on my 68/69. (my BB project truck)

Keith ? Correct me if I'm wrong O keeper of the backspacing.


Hey -- Didn't you say Nate's truck (the Med green 69 with Billet Specialties) had the ECE 4.5 6" drop kit on it?