72 GMC 4x4 rebuild

[Crumley]

You konw I just noticed that the date on all my pictures is wrong....all this time I have been usuing this camera and never paid attention to the date on the pictures. I guess that will need to be fixed.

[Chevy1TonFun]

Beautiful truck! Great job

[CELA-69K10]

nice nice truck!

[Crumley]

Well the girlfriend and I spent the day crusing around in the truck. We only had one problem during our running around. The automatic shift linkage down at the trans came off (the u-bracket a little to close to the end). Rather fun working around a hot exhaust pipe trying to get it back on. Well any way, we got back to the shop and a few washers where used as spacers to get the u-bracket a little further on and we back in business. Otherwise the truck performed flawlessly. If I had to come up with somthing else wrong the steering wheel is too small 13-1/2" dia. It needs a larger dia steering wheel. To much see-sawing while driving.

[Crumley]

Thanks everyone for the support. This project is almost finished and I will be on to the next one. My girlfriend is wanting the 1980 corvette restored. I am not looking foward to working on a car with tight working quarters. I may just do a quicky engine and front and rear suspension rebuild, so she can drive it.

[Yukon Jack]

Stunning! Very stunning!

[silver7]

Love the truck with 35" AT BF Goodrichs. Well done Crumley.

[BurnoutNova]

Lookin good! I especially like the belt molding and upper trim. I wish I would have put trim on my 71 K10 when I redid it.

[Berndtc426]

Perfect, thanks!

[68,69 K20]

Looks awesome, love the color

[Crumley]

Painted and installed the console this weekend.

[1985-GMC]

That looks really nice!

[Mr-Jack]

if you can measure that would be awesome...looks like a 3" drop drag link just from eye balling it. but better safe than sorry, also do you know what rod ends those are? i'm lifting mine 6-7 inches and will most definately need something like this. Is that adjustable too?

[Crumley]

Mr-Jack:

The drag link has an offset of 3-1/2" center to center. The tubing is 1-1/4" OD with thread ends. It has heavy duty rod ends. It is adjustable. The rod ends have zerk fittins for greasing.

With the 6" lift, raised steering arm and offset drag link, it drive and steers quiet nicely atleast for an old streight axle pickup. Very little to no bump steer. The only complaint I can come up with is the Grant 13-1/2" steering wheel is to small. I will be upgrading to a larger 15-16 inch steering wheel in the future.

[Mr-Jack]

looks good. i've located the drag link at 4wheelparts.com did that raised steering arm come with a lift kit? and looks like you're running the stock 1/2 ton 10 bolts front and rear right? Thanks again for taking the time to measure that drag link Crumley!

Jack

[msgross]

Mr Jack,

There is a raised steering arm for sale on the parts board if you need one... do a search and you'll find it...

[Mr-Jack]

Originally Posted by msgross

Mr Jack,

There is a raised steering arm for sale on the parts board if you need one... do a search and you'll find it...

sweet...i just responded to it!

Jack

[Crumley]

Well after lots of rotory fileing, cutting and adjusting I got the new aftermarket tail gate trial fit. Not impressed, very flimsey metal. I am afraid to breath on it because it might make a dent. The metal is just a little thicker then aluminum foil.

For now, I will run the after market talegate until I can repair the factory one. For the picture hounds out there here ya go:

[Crumley]

Mr-Jack:

The truck has the factory front and rear 1/2 ton axles. The front is a 10 bolt axle and the rear is a 12 bolt axle.

[Mr-Jack]

cool...you have any plans for a front bumper, or you gonna leave it open? I think it looks pretty good without it actually. i've seen a few lifted classic chevy trucks running on front bumpers and they look pretty nice. It's making my decision to leave mine or take it off that much harder

[Crumley]

Update on the truck build: Sorry I haven't been posting much. I have been pulling my hair out working on an 1980 corvette.

Mr Jack: I will eventually install the front bumper. The origional one has a few dents in it. They will need to be heated up and knocked out. I will sand the chrome plateing off and paint it silver like the back bumper. Or I will save money and buy a new aftermarket chromed one....

Well I finally got the tailgate painted and installed on the truck. I also installed the wide tail gate molding. I am currently debating installing the upper molding.

The old truck now has approx 1000 miles on it since the build. Luckly I have only had a few minor problems. It is probably getting about 11-12MPG, but who cares it is a awsome truck.

[1985-GMC]

The truck looks prefect man good work!

[Garys57]

I just came across your build thread and read it start to finish. You did a great job and the truck is the best!

To be truthful, I was never a huge fan of long wheelbase pickups.........but
I gotta say I would love to have it parked in my driveway. Congrats on all
the great work you did and to have a finished product like you got is nothing
but the best !

Hope you enjoy it to the max and drive it as much as you can !
Good luck !

[Crumley]

Thank you Garys 57.

I had alot of fun working on it. I am currently looking for another project car/truck to work on. The corvette is an absoulute pain in the a$$ to work on and everthing is expensive to buy. I have lost interest in it.

If I where to do the 72 GMC again I wouldn't put the 6" lift under it. It looks awsome with the lift, but it is a pain climbing into it, especially on a hill.

[j.kirn]

Very nice truck indeed great work