1972 C20 Deluxe Extended cab?

[calveryc]

My neighbor has a 1972 C20 Deluxe that has a extended cab with back seat. The rear window is a solid window and the back window apparently opens upward. He is going to sell it soon and I was contemplating buying it. It is 4x4 and has a 454 that seems to run well. The frame has no rust but there are some trouble spots on the truck. My question is what is this truck? I looked everywhere and I can't find one that looks like it. Is it a custom job? I'll try to get pics but I don't have my camera at the moment.

[cooters]

sounds like a custom to me. Never heard of an ex cab 72. Love to se pics

[Palf70Step]

Custom made. Either back then or somewhere since then. Depending on what is bad on the truck, you may be talking allot of custom fabrication to restore those trouble spots. And the 454 was not factory in 72, so no telling when the truck was constructed. Look real close at the frame to see how it was extended to fit the extra cab part. It could be they use a factory long wheel base frame to get the length or the extended it the distance they needed. I like alot of the extended cabs for these years and would love to have one, but I have to finish the one I have already.

Welcome to the board and if you go for it, heck even if you don't post some pictures of it.

[Longhorn Man]

there were also no big blocks in 4X4 trucks.
Total custom most likely. tThere's a slight chance that it was an after prodiction conversion, built by an authorized by GM outfit, and then sold as a finished GM vehicle. (most GM convertables, conversion vans, the famed El Camino SS... these were all done by an after production company then sold as GM's work)

[calveryc]

I just looked at it again and noticed that it has a third door on the back passenger side, and I think the room for the cab was taken from the bed because the bed seems small. He told me that they added the 454 and that it wasn't factory but I was just wondering about the body and chassis.

[calveryc]

A few camera phone pics:


This is the back cab lift gate

[see ten]

Appears to be a burb that has been cut down.

[calveryc]

You can see the rocker area below the front drivers door that needs attention. Are there any other areas ya'll want pics?

[calveryc]

Do others concur that its a burb thats been cut down?

[cooters]

its definetly a burb cut down. Amazing it looks like something that the factory could have built.

[special-K]

Yes,definately,rear hatch and all.It`s a CustomDeluxe model,also.No such thing as a Deluxe.CustomDeluxe was top-of-the-line on Suburbans.

[calveryc]

What would be the most you would pay for it? The enterior looks nice the engine (454) runs good but the body will need some rust removal. The fenders have lite rust but I don't think its through. The cab corners are nice but the rocker at least one of them will have to be replaced. I'm new to this so I don't know what it costs to have body work like this done.

[Longhorn Man]

that is an interesting custom chopped up suburban.
What's some of the details, general condition, condition inside, driveability... etc.
What's he askin for it?

[calveryc]

The general condition is fair I would say. There is typical rust spots but its hard for me to say how bad until its sand blasted. From what I can see the rocker panel on the drivers side will need replaced. There is a dent in the hood that needs to be fixed but its not rusted. Some spots on the fender are rusted but I can't tell if its through or not. The bed has some kind of rhino lining it it so I can't tell how bad it is until I climb under there. The axles are supposedly upgraded but I'm not sure what they are. I'll get some pics and let ya'll, the experts, tell me. The engine is strong it does need a new starter though. Frame looks great, not even surface rust. He hasn't given me an amount yet but a year ago or so he told me 4,000.00 I just don't want to have to spend another 4,000.00 fixing the body I can't afford it right now.

[special-K]

I think that`s high for Texas.It`s neat,but look at it as just a Suburban.A Suburban in that shape should be less.Now,look at if you wanted to sell it after you bought it.About half of us wouldn`t want it.Cool and all set aside.I`d rather have a Suburban fot what it was meant to be.That job didn`t take that much work,really.Not like building a true Crewcab pickup.That`s my.02

[Bob Moore]

One of the areas of concern for me would be how did they finish below the hatch. How does the bed floor change into the back of the cab? The side view makes it appear as one the better looking conversions I have seen.

I can only think the bed floor would be a huge rust magnet. Of course you are in Texas as where I am in rainy Washington. The bed would have to drain and keep water out of the cab area. Then it would also have to look fairly decent. The hatch would have to seal out the water also.

I know I am going overboard on the water problem but up here we get a lot of it.

Also as mentioned, GM did not put the BB in 4X4's until 73+. That could be an area of concern depending on their skill level. Exhaust clearance and firewall clearance are the 2 main areas of trouble with the BB 4X4's.

Maybe others can also comment but I like the looks of it overall - Bob

[LUV2XCLR8]

It's and all if your wanting a Daily Driver, anything more than that I think $4K is too much. My $.02

[Longhorn Man]

4 k seems a little steep to me too honestly.
And as far as what you'd put in it to make it presentable... you could easily spend 4 grand, depending on what you could do yourself.
I think, from what you've said, and the photos shown... I would say 3 grand tops... unless that engine is a kick ass build up, or a fresh rebuild... or some other real good reason to have a high price.
As for upgraded axles... that leaves a LOT of room for interpritation (I know i probably spelled that wrong)
From the photos, I can't tell if the badge says 10, or 20. (1/2 ton, or 3/4 ton) The wheels look a lot like the 16.5's that came on the 3/4 tons of that era, so now we are left to figure out what he means by upgraded. if it has a Dana, or a 14 bolt in the back, then that is awsome news. Parts are readily avalible for them. If it was a 1/2 ton, and the Eaton/corp rear was installed, while it is an upgrade, parts will be VERY expensive... to include the brake parts.
We have many members in the Dallas and Fort Worth metro area... over a dozen if I'm not mistaken. You may want to look into who you have in your area, and see if anyone is willing to look at it. personally, I've looked at over a dozen vehicles for board members, and have driven close to 75 miles one way to do so on ocasion... we have MANY awsome members that are willing to help.

[krue]

Good looking chop job on a surburban, but I agree with Longhorn. There are many knowledgable members in your general area (check the Southwest page on the Regions board) who would be willing to look at it with you.

[calveryc]

Here are pics of the axles I don't know what they are, sorry for my ignorance.

[special-K]

The reason the side looks good is because it`s untouched.It`s only altered from the windows-up.I`m sure it`s a 20 series,but I don`t know what is meant by upgrades.It looks like a later front axle has already meen swapped-in.

[calveryc]

It says C20 Custom deluxe on the side. As well as by the front side marker it says either 8 350 or B 350 I can't remember which.

[special-K]

Oops,both typed at the same time.You have a later 10-bolt up front and a 14-bolt rear...swapped-in later stuff.Was this originally a 4wd?What are the first two letters in the VIN?CC or CK?If CC,then it was converted to 4wd at some point.I`m guessin`swapped axles.

[BLAZERMAN]

Looks alot like the version GM had converted for export to Argentina, there lower body lines differed than ours. The truck has lots of potential and around here you cant touch any early 4x4 that runs and drives for under 4k.
I am with Bob Moore thou, I would really check out where rear bed floor and cab meet and see how well this area was fabticated, anything else would use standard replacement sheet metal.

[calveryc]

Ten bolt is a smallish axle isn't it? A Fourteen bolt is a pretty strong axle isn't it? What came factory in the 3/4 ton sub?