1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis

[1tonwannabe]

Lazardkng I PM'd you.
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[Lazzardkng]

Make any new progress on the build? I'm working on steering and pedal fit now then final detail of frame and engine before final body install.
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[1tonwannabe]

I'm pretty much in the same spot that I was. Too busy to mess with the truck. In about a week or so I can get back on it. I found a painter. I'm going to get the cab ready for him, so he can paint the firewall and interior. That way I will hopefully be able to get it running.
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[1tonwannabe]

My Uncle Sam found a guy that was capable of tracing the 2003 gauge cluster and transferring it to a sheet of aluminum. His name is Kenny and he did it fast too.I just picked it up today and it looks awesome. There is a bezel that my Uncle had done earlier that is in some previous pictures on this thread. He cut out the center of it, and we had to find a guy that could make an insert for it out of aluminum, with the gauge holes in it.
The work on the insert was done by Kenny LaFollette at LaFollette's Machine Shop Inc.
Here are the pics. The first one is the bezel that my Uncle has been working on. Above that is the insert made by Kenny. Above that is the plastic gauge cover from the 2003 truck Kenny traced from.

The second picture is the insert in the bezel.

My plans are to find a vinyl wood grain decal that matches the 1972 wood grain, and cover the insert with it so it matches the rest of the interior. I will put a Plexiglas backing on the insert and use the plastic piece from the 2003 as a spacer for the gauge cluster.
If anybody wants some work done by Kenny the Machinist, I can give you his Email address.

[mjensen]

That looks pretty sweet! I can't wait to see it loaded up and installed.

[Lazzardkng]

Can't wait to see it together. If possible can you send some detailed pics on how it goes together. I still have to work on my gauge cluster.
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[Dieselwrencher]

That gauge bezel looks great!

[hick]

Some fine skills my friend...

Not to back track but can you shine some more light on how you did your core support?

Did you frame out the rad/intercooler and section that frame into the original support? Or did you completely build a new rad support and cut the sheet metal backing for the headlights and weld it into the new frame?

Your insight is appreciated,

Scott

[1tonwannabe]

I measured the frame of the 2003 rad support. So I went off those measurements to make a frame. I cut the bottom of the 1972 rad support off. Then I laid my frame on the back side of the 1972 support and tack welded it on. One of the pictures shows that part. I used 1"x3" square tubing for the frame. I made a bottom price, and two sides for the frame. The top is all 1972. After tack welding in the frame, I cut away the center of the 1972 support until it was matching the frame I made. I put a piece of 16 gauge sheet metal in the center and welded it in. Then I just measured the size of the radiator fins and cut out a square to match.
It's hard to put into words but hopefully that helps.
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[1tonwannabe]

The outer part of the support with the headlight buckets is the original 1972 radiator support. I basically just made the center.
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[hick]

Awesome, I know exactly what you did

Good thinking. Thank you very much

[dman1982]

dude your a badass!!! love the build

[1tonwannabe]

I need to take a break from the truck for an unknown amount of time. My wife was diagnosed with Leukemia last week, and I will be by her side until we kick Leukemia's ass.
Thank You

[dman1982]

Sorry to hear that boss, my mother in law was diagnosed a few months ago, she is a warrior and is doing well, she has been going to UNC and those guys are awesome, I hope she is alright and beats that nasty beast
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[mknittle]

Originally Posted by 1tonwannabe

I need to take a break from the truck for an unknown amount of time. My wife was diagnosed with Leukemia last week, and I will be by her side until we kick Leukemia's ass.
Thank You

sorry to hear that. she will be in our prayers.

[jon75]

Best wishes. My grandfather beat it. It's going to suck and it's going to be a long road. Hang in there and she can beat it.

[ThreeQtr]

Wow! So sorry to here that about your wife!
Mine (wife)was diagnoised with AML just 4 1/2 mos. after we were married and that was almost twenty years ago.
Do you know yet, may I ask(?), what type or kind she has? Chronic or acute?
Either way, seek answers to your questions, find out what questions to ask,too.
Haven't been in years, but when first diagnoised, we went to a Leukemia Society meeting where we met another patient whom had gone through all the treatment and took us out after the meeting to talk about it. He asked and answered our questions.

Your wife and family will be in our prayers.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Sorry to hear about your wife hope all is well..

[whitels1]

Originally Posted by frenchblue72

sorry to hear about your wife hope all is well..

+1

[1tonwannabe]

Okay, I am back on the truck. I am mounting the steering column. Pictures are coming soon. Thanks for the comments on my wife. She is doing real good. She has APL Leukemia. It's a very treatable form of Leukemia. She should be done with her treatments in January. Doctors told us if you are going to get Leukemia, this is the one to have. She feels normal and just wants to go back to work.

[Greenlee]

I'm glad your wife is doing better and glad you are back! Looking forward to more progress pics.

[Green Hornet]

This build is great. It is a project I have thought of doing myself, reading through what you have done and have to do is great insight. Great work!!

[Lazzardkng]

Would love to chat sometime and compare notes on steering, pedals, and gauges. I completed my mounts for the steering but still need to fit the 2003 gauges into the dash.
Dale

[1tonwannabe]

I have some pictures of how I did my brake pedal. I wanted to use the 2003 pedal. The 2003 has a large plate that mounts to the firewall. It has the hole for the steering column, and the hole for the brakes. I just lined the hole for the steering column of the plate, to the '72 hole on the firewall. Then I cut the holes out of the firewall to match the plate, and bolted it in. This puts the 2003 brake pedal too far to the left, so I had to bend it in the right location.
Here is a picture of the old brake pedal in it's original position, and the new pedal in it's original location.

[1tonwannabe]

I made a template of the original brake pedal, and tack welded it to the floor so I could remove the old pedal and still know exactly where it was supposed to go.