1969 gmc 3/4

[Vandals909]

I'm thinking about purchasing this vehicle.
I would like some opinions from you guys.
I had my mind set on a 1971-1972 1/2 short bed.
This truck used to have a utility bed on it and I'm thinking I could buy a bed to make it is 3/4 ton short bed? What would be the best way to get a shortbed bed?

Lastly any big disadvantage to getting a 3/4 ton?

Thanks!

[Longhorn Man]

being in so-cal, I say wait til you locate what you want. These are WAY too plentiful out there to get the 'wrong' one.
the 69 will have drums instead of disk brakes... some don't mind, but in so-cal I think I'd want the better brakes... plus this one is a 3/4 ton so it will be hard to get the look that you are probably after.
to install a short bed on a long bed frame, you'll have to cur the frame down. To some, it's not a major deal, but to most, it is way out of there abilities.
Again, keep looking. These things are a dime a dozen over there... even in the lower end of budgets.

[69GMCLonghorn]

Yeah, let me tell you about driving in So Cal with drum brakes! especially mine with a bad case of premature lock up! Mr. Toad's Wild freakin' ride!

Don't bastardize a 3/4 ton! As Andy said, get the truck you want. There are too many of them out there. Plus, let's say you had $5K to put into shortening a frame. Imagine what ELSE you could do with that $5K! That'll buy you a hooker on Hollywood Blvd for like 10 minutes! HAHAHAHA (at least that's what I've HEARD!)...

[Vandals909]

Looking at the photos of the truck with the utility bed it looks like it has a short bed frame, I think I would have to find a short box bed. Not sure how hard they are to find. So whats the difference between the 1/2 and 3/4, is it just 8 lugs instead of 5 and stiffer springs? Truck is about 200 miles from me so I will have to trailer it home. I guess I'm interested cause he only wants 1k for a truck with no rust.

No such a good deal I guess?

[vectorit]

Where you located? There is a member on this board (Leddzepp) that lives in the IE, and he is selling a really clean truck for a good price. Hit him up!

[69GMCLonghorn]

Hell, I'll sell you mine for $7000 complete! Built 350, new wood in the bed, 4 speed, new interior, paint... Just drive it and customize as you please... I've got $20K into it. Come and get it!

[Vandals909]

I would like to own Leddzepp's truck, I'm sure its worth more then I have right now.

[leddzepp]

Thanks for the compliments! 3/4 ton and longbed trucks in general are plentiful out here, as LHM stated above. You will have a difficult time locating a short bed out here, or anywhere for that matter. They are out here, but the people who own them do not usually sell them. Are you going to Brother's Truck Show tomorrow? IMHO it is the best show for our trucks. You will also find guys there selling their trucks too.

I have both a 1/2 ton shorty and a 3/4 long bed. Both are 72's with front disk brakes. Try to find one that has disk brakes. My coil sprung shorty rides like a Cadillac, and my 3/4 leaf sprung rides like a dumptruck...they are night and day as far as ride quality.

If you are looking for a short bed, I suggest buying an aftermarket one. Brothers and the Truck Shop carry the panels in stock and you can inspect them before you buy to make sure there are no dents.

Good luck and try to make it to Brothers tomorrow if you are near Yorba Linda off the 91 fwy.

[Vandals909]

Think I'll go tomorrow, maybe someone will have a truck I'm looking for in my price range.

Thanks guys

[FleetsidePaul]

You will be dollars ahead if you start with what you want, they are out there, I just missed out on a running, straight, rust free ,half ton, 67 CST with bucket seats 4 miles from my house for about the money your talking about. .they are out there.

[69GMCLonghorn]

It's going to be in the neighborhood of 100 - 105° at the Brother's show tomorrow! The wife and I are taking the truck to the beach for breakfast and a bike ride instead.

Someone post pics of the show!!!

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

You will be dollars ahead if you start with what you want, they are out there, I just missed out on a running, straight, rust free ,half ton, 67 CST with bucket seats 4 miles from my house for about the money your talking about. .they are out there.

I about cried when you told me that story at the board meet Paul! That was just as bad as me missing out on the free 68 in the orange groves by my house. I knew that truck was there for years, and the old dude told me I could have it if I wanted it. It had a speedwarning dash in it, all original paint, rust free. At the time my wife would not let me bring home any truck that did not run. I sat down a few weeks ago and opened up Classic Trucks magazine to see that the editor of the magazine swooped on it just recently!

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by 69GMCLonghorn

It's going to be in the neighborhood of 100 - 105° at the Brother's show tomorrow! The wife and I are taking the truck to the beach for breakfast and a bike ride instead.

Someone post pics of the show!!!

You can go to the beach anytime. Brothers is only once a year...

[haysonj]

Originally Posted by Vandals909

Think I'll go tomorrow, maybe someone will have a truck I'm looking for in my price range.

Thanks guys

I'll be out there tomorrow with mine. Its a 3/4 ton SWB 1969 with front disc brakes. stop by if you have any questions I did all the work on it except the paint.

[Vandals909]

What time does the show start? what are the fees? Parking and entrance fee?

[leddzepp]

Gate opens at 8 am....show starts/open to spectators at 9. $30 to register your truck, which is inclusive of parking and admission. I do not know the parking fees (not very much), and I do not think there is an admission fee if you are a spectator.

[Vandals909]

Thanks guys!

[Ilike 72"s]

I just emailed you about my 69 short fleet I'm selling. Tell me what you want for pictures. Dennis

[sameyrasmea72]

Originally Posted by Vandals909

Looking at the photos of the truck with the utility bed it looks like it has a short bed frame, I think I would have to find a short box bed. Not sure how hard they are to find. So whats the difference between the 1/2 and 3/4, is it just 8 lugs instead of 5 and stiffer springs? Truck is about 200 miles from me so I will have to trailer it home. I guess I'm interested cause he only wants 1k for a truck with no rust.

No such a good deal I guess?

If it is a 3/4 ton, then the frame is not for a short bed unless it has been cut down.

[special-K]

^^^Correctamundo...no short 3/4 tons made^^^

Save the 3/4 tons.They are still great low buck work trucks you can keep on the road.And,the world needs such a thing...especially these days.