1972 gmc 2wd highlander with original paint

[kehstr]

http://www.azproperformance.com/Boyd...ill-14002.html
for the fuel tank

http://www.currentperformance.com/sh...erelay-module/
for the fuse block

Just in case any of you wondered

[kehstr]

Here are the pictures of the cab so far. The reason there are a bunch of vise grips on the rockers is because we decided to panel bond them in, it made for a cleaner finish, and an easier job. We are also hoping that because there are no welds in the bottom, it will help to slow rust WAY down!

[kehstr]

I have also set up a park brake warning light. After reading this thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=425922 I knew it wasn't going to be hard, but I wanted something that wasn't as big and bulky as a brake light switch, so I talked to my dad, and again he had an awesome idea of just building a little tab, taping it, then welding it onto the park brake, and then use the same switch they use for the dome light on the door. It was really simple and is something that is tucked out of the way where you will almost never notice it (sorry for the bad picture)


I also got my radiator support and grille torn down, and started to fix the rust




What I had to cut out


My first patch piece

[67 chevelle]

Looking good , as far as my previous comment on coil springs vs leaf springs , for ride quality , cornering and all around handling , or lowered trucks , I prefer coils . A work truck , c20 or above , lifted truck , or a truck that tows alot , leafs would be my preference , and lots easier to set up for those purposes .

[LongBox]

Nice work, and so great that your Grandpa and your Dad are both working with you, something that will stay with you for your whole life.

Back to the coils vs. leafs: I have had two GMCs from 67 to 72, both half tons, and both came from the factory with coils. A neighbour had a GMC 3/4 ton, and it also came from the factory with coils. The coils definitely ride way better than the leafs (I've tried both), but I think GM faced resistance in the market, as there are lots of guys who believe leafs are a better idea, so for the square bodies, they went to leafs only.

Now that I'm gettin older, I kinda like the coils way better, because of the ride.

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by LongBox

Nice work, and so great that your Grandpa and your Dad are both working with you, something that will stay with you for your whole life.

Thanks! I hope that I can keep this truck forever, just to be able to remember my dad and grandpa by, but as we all know that doesn't always happen

[kehstr]

So I have a really exciting update! We got all of the body work done on the cab, got it painted, and now it is sitting on the frame!!

Epoxy laid down over bare metal

Primer sprayed and masked to spray the white



My dad spraying the orange

[kehstr]

Here are the pictures of the cab on the lift ready to go down onto the frame, and then when it is sitting on the frame ready to roll outside.


It's not the picture that makes the cab look tilted, the lift is lower on the one side until it's lifted up all the way.

Here are my brothers sitting in the cab, they have been wanting to go for a ride in it for a while, but it's really hard to do without a cab on the frame, not exactly what they wanted, but will do for now.






The cab is not bolted down at all, the trans is sitting too high so it hits on the cab, something we will have to figure out what is going on, and fix it, but for now it's at least on the frame!!

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by kehstr

The cab is not bolted down at all, the trans is sitting too high so it hits on the cab, something we will have to figure out what is going on, and fix it, but for now it's at least on the frame!!

Would it be easier to change the cab to a "high hump" cab?
There is usually a few bolt on high hump transmission covers for sale in the classifieds section.
They add a ton of clearance.

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Would it be easier to change the cab to a "high hump" cab?
There is usually a few bolt on high hump transmission covers for sale in the classifieds section.
They add a ton of clearance.

We had to raise the mount on the trans to get the drivetrain angle where we needed it, so we are going to try playing with that first before we cut the tunnel, but if after doing that it doesn't work, then we will cut the tunnel. I actually bought one off of my local classifieds just cause it was cheap, and was worried I would need it. But thanks for the pictures it will help a lot if we do decide to cut the low hump tunnel out!!

[kehstr]

Kind of a small update. I got the dash cut to fit my radio and got the billet radio bezel piece mounted. Along with the key cylinder installed. Then I spent a bunch of time trying to get my gas pedal to work the way I wanted. I ended up just cutting the pedal and then bending it, and building pieces until it sat where I wanted it to. I also build a bracket to mount the pedal, They both need a little bit more work, but are close for now.

[kehstr]

Got to work my truck again this weekend.
Got the evaporator box all finished up. I got the filler piece riveted and siliconed in

Then finished up my gas pedal and bracket. I cut the mounting surface for the pedal down so it isn't so big and bulky, along with the bracket that mounts it to the firewall since it didn't need to be so big anymore with the pedal mounting surface being cut down. (You can see where I cut it in the picture before, I cut it along the black line)

Then I got the evaporator box installed

Along with the rest of the heater box

and the heater controls

[kehstr]

small update, I got the piece we added to the trans cross-member cut out and made it so the cab doesn't have a body lift anymore, just need to get the driveline angles set, and see if the motor needs to go down to make the angles all work right before I weld in the correct mount.



then I also got the steering column mounted



and got the firewall insulation mounted. Those of you that have put these on know how big of a PITA these are to put on. Anyone that is looking at doing this, it is best to start at one side and work to the other, clamping it or bolting it down as you go, otherwise it will fight you the whole time.

[kehstr]

Here is a better picture of the park brake switch I did

then also here are the visors all cleaned up. They look like brand new!!

And a picture of a gun rack that is mounted on the roof of my truck, just because I know you guys will laugh about it

[Tom Vogel]

So glad you are rescuing this truck. Well worth it, good work so far!

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

So glad you are rescuing this truck. Well worth it, good work so far!

Thanks! Every time I look at it I think of how much my efforts are worth it now, and how much more it will be worth it when it is done!

[Dieselwrencher]

Your truck is looking very nice. Those new rockers look good. That gun rack makes me think eventually someone will get a head ache from it.

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Your truck is looking very nice. Those new rockers look good. That gun rack makes me think eventually someone will get a head ache from it.

Thanks! I'm sure someone has hit there head on it before, and i'm sure i will! I just can't bring myself to remove them, I don't know how i would fill in the holes from the rivets, and just like to look at them and laugh when i see them !

[Greg58]

I had a Ford pickup once that had a cowboy hat rack mounted to the ceiling.
I never took it off either.
Thanks for the updates.

Greg

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by Greg58

I had a Ford pickup once that had a cowboy hat rack mounted to the ceiling.
I never took it off either.
Thanks for the updates.

Greg

I wish it was a cowboy hat rack!! That would be so much more useful to me, I honestly don't know what I will hang from this gun rack, it's just not the right size to hold anything I have, and is not cushioned enough for me to trust it with one of my guns.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by kehstr

I wish it was a cowboy hat rack!! That would be so much more useful to me, I honestly don't know what I will hang from this gun rack, it's just not the right size to hold anything I have, and is not cushioned enough for me to trust it with one of my guns.

Nice build! Good documentation on the what you are doing. Good luck.

[Greg58]

Originally Posted by kehstr

I wish it was a cowboy hat rack!! That would be so much more useful to me, I honestly don't know what I will hang from this gun rack, it's just not the right size to hold anything I have, and is not cushioned enough for me to trust it with one of my guns.

I think that style rack is meant to hold a cased rifle.

Greg

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Nice build! Good documentation on the what you are doing. Good luck.

Thanks! And I have to say, your builds are top notch have been a huge motivation maker for this truck!

Originally Posted by Greg58

I think that style rack is meant to hold a cased rifle.

Greg

That is probably true, it seems like the perfect size for that, I'll have to try it!

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Do you have a completion date for your truck?

We came up with one a few weeks ago. My dad and I decided we are going to have it done in enough time that we can take a road trip in it to go to the Brothers trucks car show in California on June 25. And yes that is set, we will be going unless something very catastrophic happens between now and then.

[Dieselwrencher]

Good luck, I hope you can get it done and make your trip. That's something I have problems getting done.