72 project

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Hey guys. I have a 72 LWB Cheyenne thats been sitting for about 2-3 years now. It cranks/runs but not well with about 300K miles on original everything pretty much. This is my Granddads truck that he has had since new. Hopefully I will get this done and be able to give it back to him while he can still enjoy it.

That being said...this is my first major resto project so I need some HELP!!!! I am a decent shadetree mechanic, and have done a few 4x4 projects i nthe past but this is still kinda new to me.

So can ya'll help stear me in the right direction? Any tips/ comments you can through my way to help this go smoother?

Plans:
Rebuild engine....this I can do but would still love suggestions/input(tranny will be done as well)
Relocate Gas tank....rear under bed been reading posts but I have questions
Bucket seats....what goes best, easiest to swap in?
Stereo...nothing major jsut CD and some speakers
Interior...all of its old and needs to be redone
Body has some rust but nothing major.
Paint.


So....Engine is coming out next week. Other than that...where should I start? I'm thinking gas tank

[Paul M]

start by...posting pics! always love to see a 1 owner truck that hasnt been modified.

[matthufham]

there's no rust repair in your plans? i went rust repair, paint frame, body work, engine, drivetrain, paint, reassembly, interior

[Chris4x4Gill2]

[Chris4x4Gill2]

[Chris4x4Gill2]

One major thing i dont think you can see in the pics is that it needs a new tailgate.

Body is in decetn shape I think, not too much rust. Some small holes i nthe bed I should be able to fix w/o trouble. Only thing that worries me is inside the doors o nthe floorboard. That lip (door sill i guess) has a good bit of rust

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Here are pics of the major rust spots. Amy Suggestions on what would be the best way or repairing this?

[JAKES 68GMC]

That thing is in sweet shape for 300K, IMO. A lot of truck never even last that long, and yours is pretty solid!

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Yea...I am pretty pleased with the condition its in. I have an idea for fixing the bed. considering welding a plate to the bottom side of the bed to cover the rust spots.

It needs some bondo close to the wheel wells.

I just havent fig out what to do for the door sils in the pic both of them are pretty bad.What have others done for that spot? is it best to replace and if so, how?

[Billla]

That's a great looking truck and a great project foundation!

[mblackburnjr]

looks like a really good start! I would suggest cutting out and replacing rusty areas as time/money permits. There is a wealth of information as well as parts and vendors on this site that would be more than happy to help you. Using bondo now will only become a headache to you in the future. Once again, pretty nice truck with sentimental value to you!

[72armyswbtruck]

Good luck on the rebuild

[local13hutch]

Dont let that little bit of rust slow you down the patch panels are very reasonable.That truck looks alot cleaner than I expected. It's your truck but if you decide to go with buckets you should find some correct replacements I know that the newer seats are comfortable and all but so are cst buckets. That trim looks real nice and so do those hub caps. I would bet that your grandad would vote for the original paint color to. ''JUST MY TWO CENTS''..And you better get crackin he aint gettin no younger..lol....

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I want to avoid the bondo as much as possible. Completely if i can. Would you suggest cutting out that place in the door and rewelding then? I think LMC truck has the replacement pieces?

AS for paint...whenever it gets to that.....not completely going original. I want ot do the two tone paint. original baby blue with white roof and down the sides. so a foctory paint scheme, jsut not exactly like it was

[Chris4x4Gill2]

oh yea....Motors out

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Thanks for the compliments on the truck guys. I know its in really good shape considering its age. My Granddad drove this regularly as his work/hunting truck up until about 2 years ago and he kept very good care of it.

Only reason it was parked was a cracked exhaust manifold and then he got busy with otther things and just never fixed it.

[Green Machine]

In general I would start by cleaning everthing. Cleanup the interior first, then beg borrow or steal a pressure washer and clean under the hood, frame, and under he whole body, it is then much nicer to work on.

I would start with the mechanicals next, fix/rebuild engine and trans as needed, rear end, brakes, shocks, electical, but I would do the A/C after body work is complete, incase you need to unhook hoses and such.

I would make it a clean and safe driver, and save the body work and paint for last.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I have already cleaned the interior...it had some black stuff growing on the roof. except for the floor since its getting pulled out and replaced. Pressure wash is the next step (I have one already). I wanted to have the engine pulled before i did that. And it looks like the pressure washer will take off alott of the flaking paint. After that I need to clean up the engine bay and spray it down with a light coat of semi gloss rust inhibitor.

As far as brakes and everything goes they all work fine, although i would like to look into converting to discs. New shocks are a must and prob going to go with new 3/4 ton coils. I want it to haul a load in the bed better than what it did (sat down to low with a load)

[krue]

For parts I would check the board supporting vendors here (not LMC!).http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=3&a=10

For lots of good info check the links here. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669

[PanelDeland]

Most board vendors will have much better prices than LMC.

[MisterMan]

that bed loooks okay except 4 the floor. def. take care of rust 1st. take the truck in a shop if ya can.... sand, grind and patch that bed up. its still good. i have 152,000 miles 4rm the orig. man and he used it as a farm labor truck... everything has a dent.....

floor bordes in cab=... metal brush... sandpaper....report back.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Dont look too bad for a starting point..

[special-K]

I think Matt offered the best process right off the bat.I agree it`s a great truck to start on.You`ve gotten great advice so far and I agree with it all.You came to the right place.Here`s what I saw:
Matt`s process
Keep it same color/2-tone`s cool
Try to get original buckets
Buy from board vendors(LMC is not only high,some low quality,too)
When building motor,keep in mind,Grandpa`s gonna want to turn ETs under 11 sec.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Thanks guys. I am definately going to check out the board vendors...I'm still learning and LMC comes in the mail!

I plan to get the motor dissasembled sometime this week so the block can go to the machine shop. Once that is done I'll start on the floor boards.

My Granddad came up for a visit this weekend and of course took a look over the progress. He was impressed so far and gave me some more info that will prob come in handy as i get everything put back together.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Havent gotten very far. I was planning on using a week off work to get the engine dissasembled and I didnt get the time off so heres where I'm at.





And here is the reuseable/sell pile