72 GMC project

[hoser]

Its time to fix up my old 72 GMC and get it back on the road again, I am seeking
advice from others experiences I am looking for the best prices and hoping to
avoid the scammers and making common mistakes people make when restoring
a truck like mine, this is not a project truck like you see on TV where people
throw thousands of dollars into it, I want to bring the mechanical end up to
snuff then start fixing up the body....

A brief history on this truck, my dad bought it in 1978 from the original owner,
it was owned by a guy that had a gas station/automotive repair shop, it
came from the dealer with a snow plow on it and was used to plow snow
in the winter, not commercially but it seen alot of use, the snow plow is long
gone... Its a 3/4 ton 4x4, has factory a/c tach, cloth seat (bad shape) it had
all the chrome trim and was originally green and white, my dad added a
tilt wheel from a 72 Blazer, mom gave me the truck when my dad passed away
I havent driven it very much but that is going to change, the original engine had
about 90k miles and needed rebuilt so I built up a SB 400 as a replacement,
the factory TH350 trans started leaking oil into the transfer case so I did the
700R4 swap in hopes of squeezing another 2-3 mpg out of the truck and
so it would cruse nicely at 70-75 mph with the 4:10 gears.


I am currently going to do a engine swap, the current engine is a SB 400 bored
.030 over 9.5:1 flat tops crane HMV 272 cam bla bla bla, it averages 6-8 mpg with todays gas prices its time to swap it out for
a stock 350 I already have, its left over from my 86 Suburban part
out., the 400 is fun to drive but really dont need the extra power,
I am looking to get the mpg up in the 12-14 mpg range,
I already installed a 700R4 trans and transfer case out of a 87 Suburban.

After I do the engine swap next on the list is to replace is the
suspension, it needs shocks and all new bushings so my thoughts are
while I am into the suspension I will go ahead and upgrade to all new
springs by getting a 4" 'soft ride' lift kit, new springs, shocks, bushings
U bolts the works.

Other things on the list are as follows

Rust free 8' bed.

Rubber floor mat (I hate carpet)

New exhaust , I need suggestions on what works well and is durable

Convert the a/c to 134a freon, anybody have tips on this? I have
converted newer systems nothing this old...

New rear drive shaft or at least get the current one balanced after 700R4 swap.

Here is a page I started last year when I did the trans and transfer case swap.
http://12.215.122.222/GMC.htm

So now you have a idea what I want to do any help suggestions links
would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance.

[john]

Looks like you have a nice truck to start with. John

[68 Stepside]

I don't have any answers to your questions, or links to add, but I did want to say howdy from another Illinoisan.

The truck looks good, keep us updated on progress.

[krue]

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi. There's lots of good info in the FAQ section, but from the sound of things feel free to add to it. Love seeing another good looking GMC.

[hoser]

Thanks guys...

There is quite a bit of rust on the sheet metal you cant really see in the pics, rust around the wheel openings, lower doors lower front fenders, the usual stuff, I hate rust and dont like the idea of chasing it around the truck with metal patches, I guess I will keep my eye out for a rust free or close to it whole truck then do some swapping of body parts...

Until then I will work on the others stuff.

What is the hot setup for a seat cover, currently I have the factory cloth seat but its in sad shape, anybody have experience with replacement covers they would like to share?

How about lift kit recommendations, all my rubber bushings are shot rather than replace them I was thinking of replacing the springs with a lift kit, no more than 4" I dont want something that will ride real hard is their a "soft ride" you can recommend, what kits do I want to avoid?

Thanks again.

[orange72blazer]

I read your page on the truck and saw that you were going to install a smaller steering wheel, I have a smaller aftermarket steering wheel on my gmc and am looking for an original one. Would you be interested in trading?
Thanks

[chevybill]

Many of us have sentimental stories about our trucks. There is much useful information here on the board, just ask and search the faq section and in addition, there are some great vendors here that actually have an interest in these trucks, rather than just for profit business.

[hoser]

I searced the FAQ section for "seat cover" it returned "Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms." The only term I know for seat cover is "seat cover" thats why I ask here.

[Jason915]

I love your GMC, I have the Skyjacker Softride 4" on mine and I like it allot, good luck

[texascowboy593]

Good lookin ride and from Texas!