The building of "Monroe" 72 4x4 swb

[tutone]

Thanks Low Elco for the kind words. I took the old girl out for the 1st tme over the weekend. Lots of little things to fix here and there, then I will post a few shots of it done and then enjoy it. I'd like to thank all you guys and gals that have dropped by this thread and especially those that have contributed with answers on my questions. Also, I have waffled about lettering the truck since I started on it. I'm leaning to the "not doing it" side but I would also like to give a little hustory on the truck. It was bought new in 1972 at Parson's Chevrolet in Mayfield Ky. Then ended up at Shelton McClains within 2 years or so. A family friend, Billie Joe, bought it there and owned it till he passed. When I was 13 in 1974, he gave me a ride home with my bicycle in tow in this truck. He had a booming country garage business and used this truck for parts hauling for years. It was retired , I guess in '93 by the plate lapse and replaced with a light blue and white squarebody. A buddy is building that truck as we speak. It sold at his estate sale and ended up in my garage.
His garage was named "Billie Joe's Garage and Parts". Everybody knew him and he enjoyed a long life . He was good friends with my Dad as they were born the same year. Good guy and he deserves recognition for keeping this truck from the crusher or being parted out until I could rescue it.

[tutone]

Started cleaning up the wiring and crap from inside the cab today. Got rid of the old nonworking stereo and had already got rid of several speakers. It was a nice surprise to find the dash uncut. Fan switch is broke but the heater controls are all fine. Jumpered the switch and it works. Wipers are next.

[tutone]

Put a set of critical guages under the dash. Good thing, my "Made in Israel"
New 180 thermostat was faulty. Stuck closed. Put it on the stove to make sure and it is going back. Oil pressure is at 35/40 at idle, volts are a little high but steady. Gonna watch them . Overall, this thing looks like its a winner. Wipers next. I keep saying that , don't I?

[tutone]

Well folks, this build is coming to a close. Going to Bowling Green next weekend to the Hot Rod Reunion. Picked up a vintage 7up cooler roomy enough for a tool / fluids box the other day. Took it down to the other shop after carpet and door seals installed. It was tedious but not bad.

[Getter-Done]

Looks Great

[tutone]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Looks Great

Thanks. Put the door sills on and have taken it out on a couple of 20 mile trips. I want to iron out as many bugs as possible before I make a long haul. I believe this is one of the best driving 67-72 trucks that I've had the pleasure of building. It was a short 6 months to get to this point. Gonna spend some time getting the Camaro up and going and then I will get back to the black and white 72. I used some of my parts stash on this truck, so I will have to grab a heater box and steering column. I have every piece of sheet metal and a complete perfect front clip. Also a decent bed to cut down. I have a screenshot photo of a truck on my phone for inspiration. If it turns out anywhere as nice as that, I will be perfectly satisfied.

[tutone]

Down to getting the horn and wipers working. Wiper is a locked up motor. Horn, who knows. Installed the dash pad . Worth a picture anyway.

[tutone]

They had a decent sized show near me this weekend. Really surprised by the lack of 67-72 trucks that showed up. Not really a local car show person, but one of my friends had never displayed his 69 camaro after a 17 year restoration. I told him I'd go sit with them. Had several long time friends show up and ended up having a blast. Lots of people stopped and looked and talked about the old truck. Didn't have to polish on it a bit.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by tutone

They had a decent sized show near me this weekend. Really surprised by the lack of 67-72 trucks that showed up. Not really a local car show person, but one of my friends had never displayed his 69 camaro after a 17 year restoration. I told him I'd go sit with them. Had several long time friends show up and ended up having a blast. Lots of people stopped and looked and talked about the old truck. Didn't have to polish on it a bit.

Looks like a Good time to me.

[CarlsLQ9SS]

Great build and read. Looking forward to more progress on the black and white one.

[tutone]

Hey all, I had mentioned in the 5th page about the replacement for my truck from the long time owner. Anyway, it is done and successfully converted to a swb. I thought I would share a picture of it. We static dropped it 4/6 and found a swb frame and bed. It turned out great and my friend is enjoying it. I have a few things to do to the blue one, but they will be invisible, like window regulators and little stuff.

[tutone]

On the one year annv of getting this truck running, it sprang a radiator leak. 450 bucks for a 4 row Champion. I took it to a local old school shop. 8 or 9 tubes pulled loose from one of the tanks for no apparrant reason. I bought a new one today at Orielly's . It seems fine now, no leaks. This is the only setback I have had with this truck since the build.

[tutone]

Made it to the "Hot Rod Reunion" yesterday.
Great show. I got the C10 Nats and this one in the bag.
This old truck keeps chugging along.

[Getter-Done]

I bet there was a Big crowd up there.

[tutone]

Good crowd
Great weather
Lots of fun.

[tutone]

Well it's been over a year since I posted on this thread. I sold "Billy Joe" to a good friend a couple of months back. That leaves me with the blk/wht 72 to get back to work on. Even with a couple of buddies building c10s, I just couldn't get motivated. That was until I went to the c10 SE nationals last weekend. I think I have the motivation again. It is sitting on 2 flats and crappy wheels , so a set of rally wheels and some 32s are going on it. I will start back as time allows and maybe, just maybe, we can get this thing on the road.

[tutone]

Picked up a nice set of 15x8 6 lug truck rally wheels with center caps today. Tires are iffy but maybe they wull hold air to move it around.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by tutone

Picked up a nice set of 15x8 6 lug truck rally wheels with center caps today. Tires are iffy but maybe they will hold air to move it around.

Those will look good on there.

They are getting harder to find.
My brother has an old set that used to be on a Blazer of mine.

[tutone]

Thanks Dwayne, I bought a nice 350 and a set of correct ram horns today. Hoping when I get some time here soon, I can start assembling the chassis. I have just about everything I need to build this truck except a steering column and driveshaft work. This one was at the S Illinois show. Nice, nice truck.

[Getter-Done]

WoW.

[tutone]

Replaced a rear u-bolt pad today on a good friends 72 swb where the rust worms ate it away. A couple hours of hard work and he gave me a really nice 67-72 lwb bed floor with very little wear. I will cut it down and slick it up. He also has a good bed front that I'm going to buy that needs about a 30 minute repair. That gets me down to a decent end gate and some good tubs to find. I have a pair of good lwb bed sides in storage. Once I get all the parts gathered, I wil get to work cutting them all down.