Project Phantom - 72 GMC body on NBS chassis.

[Frostflowz]

Yep..... I'm that guy, and I'll be the first to be fully aware that there are really no direct benefits to this over using the regular frame. However... I do have a story.



This is my 2002 Silverado Z71. I bought it in 2010 as a daily driver, and as you can see things slowly got out of hand. It had a cammed 5.3, built 60e with a converter, 4.10 rear lsd, etc. Static drop, it was a nice truck.

I had planned to touch a couple things up over the winter... and I slowly began to realize that this truck was nice and all... but it just wasn't this truck.



THIS is my 1972 GMC C-20. I bought it for $700 last year in hopes of redoing it later in life, however, it's been on my mind a lot lately.

I've researched this and found a couple folks who seemed to have successfully done this.

So, with that said, I am going to put the 72 cab and clip on the 2002 frame. I am aware of the fabrication and modification required.

Reasons for doing this? Well, I have a ton of money into the suspension on this truck, and plan to add more with a bag setup and 4 link. I ultimately love the 72 body style WAYYY more then the NBS. It's a no brainer for me, it's something different and I want a challenge.

This will be somewhat a slow build, so I can't promise any immediate progress. I'm estimating this to be done for summer 2015.

Jyst of the plans are...

Built 370 LS
Bags
Frame on ground
All Black
really loud
Somewhat modern interior


I'll post progress as it comes...

[Kennuck]

Hi there from a fellow Canadian. Have you looked into what it will take to get insurance on this when you are all done. Maybe things are different in Alberta but here in Ontario insuring that would be next to impossible.

Not trying to be critical just wanted to give you a heads up. Otherwise I'm subscribed for the build. Good luck.

[BLUIDVL]

Welcome from B.C. Looking forward to this build.

[Frostflowz]

tear down begins!

[70LonghornCST]

Welcome to the forum! I can't wait to see this build take form as you make progress. Good luck and have fun!

[mikeleeshields]

Good luck with that. Sounds like a lot of work and fun.

[hick]

Originally Posted by Kennuck

Hi there from a fellow Canadian. Have you looked into what it will take to get insurance on this when you are all done. Maybe things are different in Alberta but here in Ontario insuring that would be next to impossible.

Not trying to be critical just wanted to give you a heads up. Otherwise I'm subscribed for the build. Good luck.

You know how the salt destroys your stuff out there, and the province basicly forced them off the road before they become hazards.... Yeah thats half our fleet out here

Here, long as you have a bill of sale and a VIN thats not report stolen you get a plate and insurance

[Frostflowz]

Coming apart nicely!

Letting the brake fluid drain overnight, then I'll working on getting the wiring all bundled up

[808_67C10]

Oh, I am in to watch this one. Crazy idea but, I love it!

[Frostflowz]

Tcase is out and going to a new home, trans hopefully will follow it shortly!





And of course.... a trans drop isn't a trans drop without a red river... ugh.

[67ctener]

I wanna follow this one. Good luck on the swap

[low&slow]

I'm in on this too

[firethorn]

I'm in on this one as well , Sometimes different is just what is needed

[chuckmc8]

interesting!

[Frostflowz]

I hope I don't disappoint!

[vk_chevy]

sounds like an interesting project, I'll be following this build

[Hardesty454]

Canadians! You guys are crazy! Joey (Praise the Lowered) did this same thing a few years back and his turned out AMAZING! Im hoping yours does the same! Following along.

[Frostflowz]

A few updates...

I have sold mostly everything! Trans, cab and box are going to be gone hopefully before the month is over. I still have a good hood and rusty fenders, might just trash the fenders and hold on to the hood.

Once the box and cab are out of here I can bring the 72 cab and front clip over, and start seeing where modifications need to be made.

[Hardesty454]

I can't wait!

[Frostflowz]

I suppose I should post this lol, did this when I bought it back in summer!

http://youtu.be/yLRKsU-Fqwk

[Frostflowz]

Very small update.

Not sure if I mentioned it but the cab and box are sold. I got all the wiring tucked in the cab and off the frame. I also undid the cab bolts which were a massive ****!

Tomorrow I'll tackle the box mounts.. And then technically nothing is holding them on from what I can see!

[NastyBuzzard]

Any ideas of whether a 87 4x4 single cab long bed body will go on a 2001 4x4 ext cab short bed frame?

What you're doing seems excellent!

[Chckls88]

Lol I love fabrication. I just did my 72 c10 onto a 85 shortbed frame and I love it. Good luck with what your doing. My build took me And friend 2 weekends at his fab shop. Of course that was fast but we do this all the time and the only reason I did this was for the four link and abs setup with the shortbed. My truck was origanaly a long bed. This was a lot cheaper than buying the aftermarket brake setup and four link plus shortening the bed I got the rolling frame with everything attached for 150 I only spent another 200 on parts it was a worth while fab and I love the way it handles now compared. We are the origanaly owners of my truck so I've been riding in this thing for over 35 years since my grandfather first started to take us out for ice cream as kids so i defenatly noticed a massive sufferance in the ride and it was about time for an upgrade. I hope this truck makes some real good memory's for you and yours so fab away and if you have any questions feel free to ask

[Chckls88]

Anything is possible on the 87 swap it just takes patience and some imaginative work.
I do not know what all yours will entail but sounds like fun.

[NastyBuzzard]

I no longer have a welder or anything since shop burned down about 2 years ago. I have a friend who still has the stuff, I am just wondering if its just move body mounts or actually having to chop a lot of the frame.

I am not sure if would be easier to swap body onto frame or just take everything from my 01 silverado and put into my 1987 truck. I am doing the ls swap but I am wanting to swap fuel tank over as well and the rearend. I am wanting to use the gauge cluster from the 01 and the stearing colum/wheel as well.