1972 Chevy SWB 4x4 First Project. Pics

[donelan07]

I found the truck about 30 miles west of Brookings in the country sitting next to a garage

I plan on looking over the frame good before I make a move to repair it. I will post some pictures of the frame. Is their something up in the steering that rotts away? I believe the truck is bowing that way form the rusted through frame in that spot. The other side seemed much better.

[Dusty_case]

I have done that I put the wires on backward on the selenoid

[kcjones]

Originally Posted by chas350

Just found this post. I noticed on your pics from the first post that you had a sag in the frame or bad cab mounts.
Take some pics of that frame and post em up, that is your single most important issue, do not drive that truck on the road like it is.
Have an experienced mechanic/welder look at it for their opinion on wether it is worth fixing, or at least a recomendation on how to fix it. Usually you will find cross members and spring hangers rotted also, so look the whole rear frame assy over well.
good luck
chas

Good call Chas350, I'm finding myself concerned! Take some pics of that frame if you can...a lot of board members are very qualified to make some very good recommendations & suggestions on frame issues, many of them actually build and heavily modify theirs.

[Dusty_case]

it is a good looking truck for sitting for 4 years running a jumper is a good way to test the motor when your key is not working but like you said it is only temp until your new distributor gets there. anyway good find. Good luck with your frame

[donelan07]

[71stub]

Thats not gonna be an ez fix...

[71swb4x4]

That frame is rough.

It is VERY easy to take the bed off these trucks. Pulling the bed will make the frame much easier to work on.

It looks like the cross rails on your bed are toast too.

[Fubar]

Picture's like that sure make me glad I live in california.

[elkynova]

set your points to .018/ or use a dwell meter and set the dwell to 28-32. The purple wire in your pictures comes from the key to the s side of the solenoid, then a black wire goes from the I side of the solenoid back to the - side of the coil. This gives you full 12 volts of power to the coil while cranking for easier starting.

[elkynova]

the main wire from your ignition switch to the coil is a resistance wire that only allows about 6 volts to the + side of the coil. You should check the voltage at that point. Good luck, nice project.

[68,69 K20]

Yikes!! That frame is very bad, personally I would try to find a more solid frame if possible...

[chas350]

I hate to say it but that frame is junk. It would take even an experienced welder way more time and metal than it is worth.
If you really want one of these trucks save your money for something better, or at least a good frame to start. Although the bed rails look like toast also.
I hope you don't plan on driving that truck..........Bummer for sure.

EDIT, did the prior owner warn you about the rotted frame?
I think I would be looking him up for a refund.


chas

[donelan07]

Would it work to splice in new frame rails the same as guys shorten long box frames? I dont drive the pickup it just sits while I frame hunt.

[longhorn_SD69]

when you mount the the started check to make sure that the leads are touching the frame if both are it doesn't matter if you turn it off it will try to turn over

[donelan07]

I have had the truck running. The starter works fine. I put in an HEI distributor the other day and had it running for a short time.

[longhorn_SD69]

good deal. yeah i almost turned something as easy as started installation into a nightmare for my hands. i thought that i had the battery disconnected already and i didn't the started arced and started alsmot ripped my fingers off...... thats why you don't get drunk and work on your truck lol

[donelan07]

I am fairly certain it was the bendex in the starter. Im not mechanic but it fixed the problem for me putting a new starter in. I try not to work on my truck drunk but hung over is another story ha.