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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Gravette, Ar
Posts: 40
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New to everything, please help
Hello all, I stumbled across this site and cant get enough of it! I found a 1968 GMC 3/4ton 4x4 with 66,000 original miles. I think Santa (aka-My wife) is bringing it for my Christmas. I cant wait to get ahold of it. The thing is, I am not a mechanic. I am not ignorant to wrenches and mechanical ability but I dont know anything about working on trucks. I dont have any pics to post but my plan is to make this a daily driver. I dont need, at this time, for this truck to be show room condition.
Here is my thoughts, add power steering, add disk brakes, switch from a manual transmission and possibly change out the rearend so it isnt so low geared. let me know what I am up against? Also, how difficult is it to add AC to a truck like this? Let me know what you all think. Love the forum!!!! |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: richmond, MO
Posts: 794
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Re: New to everything, please help
glad to see a new member and welcome too your new home. as far as making all the changes im sure you will find tons of answers around the site one thing to keep in mind on a 4 wheel drive you have to have matching gear ratios front and rear so if you change rear you will need to change front as well and last but not least we LOVE PICTURES so get them up asap lol
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,514
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Re: New to everything, please help
Welcome to the board.
The first thing I would do after getting the truck is to buy a factory service manual. That is one of the ones that GM sent to the dealers for use in their shops. Mine came with side notes and fingerprints off Ebay. Those are the only manuals that have detailed instructions for everything and repair on the trucks. They are usually written so anyone who can read and comprehend can understand them too. I'll be honest though, If I wanted a truck with disk brakes and an automatic I would be hunting for a 71/72 that came with the disk brakes and find one that had the automatic already in it. You can swap everything over but you will be money and headaches to start with one that already has the stuff on it. |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Gravette, Ar
Posts: 40
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Re: New to everything, please help
Thanks for the quick replies. Mr 48, I dont plan on doing this all at one time but I do understand what you are saying. The price I can buy the truck for, IMO, makes it worth doing this work.
Last edited by spavinaw; 12-19-2009 at 05:14 PM. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 299
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Re: New to everything, please help
Well brakes, power steering could be the easiest or the hardest part. I'd say find a local 67-72 parts dealer (most of the time an older gentleman with a lot of spare parts and time) and you can usually get disk brake parts off another truck and the same with steering and trans.
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#6 |
Its a Truck Thing......
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Posts: 3,159
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Re: New to everything, please help
Well,
If you have any ounce of mechanical abilities (Some people dont, thats when I make a little on the side) Then youll be ok, good news is these trucks are as simple as it gets, finding parts can be a hunt, just as stated above, 4x4 PS can either be there or youll be looking for a while..... Good luck and hope Santa delivers the goods. Pics are a definite plus..... Smitty
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71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 71 C20 Longhorn/Ole Yellor 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time Last edited by 71meangreenc10; 12-19-2009 at 06:49 PM. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Gravette, Ar
Posts: 40
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Re: New to everything, please help
Thanks for all the input so far. I will get some pics up just as soon as I can. Can someone chime in on adding AC to a truck that didnt come with it? Do i try to find salvage parts and peice it together or get an after market system?
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#8 |
Its a Truck Thing......
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Posts: 3,159
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Re: New to everything, please help
Aftermarket,,,,,
Youll get a better system, (my opinion) Old Air has a sweet setup, alittle pricey but it has a nice setup. But if you want AC your going to pay... Smitty
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71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 71 C20 Longhorn/Ole Yellor 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: St. Paul MN.
Posts: 1,996
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Re: New to everything, please help
Welcome post some pics when you can and start asking questions. Lots of good people here to listen and give lots of good advice.
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#10 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Southeast Missouri
Posts: 2,436
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Re: New to everything, please help
Welcome to the board from Southeast Missouri.
All you mention can be done, but getting it road worthy and driving it would be nice. That way you will be able to enjoy driving it while you get your plans and parts together. No matter what you want to do you will find a lot of help on this board. Danny
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'67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E. |
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#11 |
Nothing to see here.....
![]() Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Shawnee, KS
Posts: 4,625
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Re: New to everything, please help
^^what Danny said.
and... you couldn't get an easier vehicle to start your mechanical future on. the electrical system is straightforward. the engine bay is easy to manueuver in. and these trucks were built and designed well in the first place. good luck on your new rig. we will want pics when you get it!!! welcome to the forum as well!!
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Doug ![]() ![]() The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson |
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#12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: New to everything, please help
welcome to the board
if it's a truly 66Koriginal unmolested truck keep in mind most of the mods you have planned are not thhat hard to do BUT will in the long run probally lower the value substantially
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#13 |
Tot Roddin'
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 24,461
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Re: New to everything, please help
![]() Best of luck with the truck and can't wait to see some pics... well after Christmas morning of course. ![]() As many of the members have mentioned, take you time, pace yourself, pick up a manual specific to the truck, and then search through the 1,000s of posts available on the board. Everything you have mentioned above has been covered, and more than likely, documented down to a "t". Best of luck with the purchase, and can't wait to see it! ![]()
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-Nate ![]() 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package) |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona
Posts: 734
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Re: New to everything, please help
Welcome to the forum - good to have you here. Your joy in getting this truck is priceless, as is your enthusiam to modify it to the way you want it long-term. Yes, there are challenges in what you want to do - and there is some excellent info and advice given above by members - but in dealing with the challenges you will LEARN a ton about these trucks - stuff you will not forget, so you will find out why so many of us love the 67-72s.
The mods will enhance its value to you, which is the important part. Yes, they can make it less valuable to a "collector", but there are lots of reasons why people like and enjoy these trucks in varied ways. Some restore them, others rod them up for quickness/power, others trick them out and make them almost too fancy to drive in normal conditions, and others do nothing except keep them running well. It's all fun. In my case, I try the get them looking like nice rust-free drivers - nothing beyond that with cosmetics - and try to optimize their operating condition so they are all ready to go wherever I want to take them. In that condition, they seem as good as new to me and (here's my bias) better than most everything on the road. Enjoy, and ask here.
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CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp |
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#15 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New Madison, Ohio
Posts: 21,365
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Re: New to everything, please help
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A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. ![]() 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. ![]() 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc ![]() ![]() JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder! |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Gravette, Ar
Posts: 40
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Re: New to everything, please help
This is exactly why I am here. I am the "collector" in this case and want this truck like I want it. To add a little bit to it, my daughter will be driving in about 2 years and we plan on making it her daily driver. It will be hard for me to turn lose of but that is what dads do. This truck, hopefully, will never be sold out of our family so the mods are for me and not anyone else.
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#17 |
70 Chevrolet=Obsession
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: nice ca
Posts: 1,067
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Re: New to everything, please help
If you plan on having your teenage daughter driving it, I hope that the truck is an automatic with power steering and power brakes. A manual trans, manual brake and manual steering truck is a bit of a bear to drive, ie a "Man's Truck". Better to get her a Toyota Corolla. I have one. It's the easiest car in the world to drive.
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![]() ![]() ![]() I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner) |
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#18 |
Car Knocker
Join Date: May 2001
Location: jefferson,arkansas
Posts: 664
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Re: New to everything, please help
Welcome from Arkansas!
![]() Got any pics yet?
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68 c-10,91 sportside bed,350 .030 over,4 bolt,10-1 comp,2.05 intake/1.94 exhaust,1.6 Harland Sharp roller rockers,edelbrock rpm cam and intake w/750 carb, 700r4, 3.73 gears,Jacabbs Electronic Igntion w/Accel HEI distributer and super coil. ZR-1 roll pan, filled tailights. Blazer tank. Hidden hitch. 2 1/2" Flowmaster 40's. Parts bought but not installed>> ford 9" posi with disc. CCP front and rear lowering kit 4/5. Cab corners,foor boards,rockers, cab braces, Phatom grill, Painless wiring kit. |
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#19 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Gravette, Ar
Posts: 40
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Re: New to everything, please help
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