Truck build

[CRUSH2.0]

Ok, I just joined this site several months ago as I stumbled on and bought a 72GMCK1500. I wanted to take some time and think about potential build ideas.
Before I reveal the direction I’m leaning towards I would all of your thoughts and ideas.

Current state- original paint, pretty solid. Tired 400 motor , leaky trans, older shocks, some new suspension parts. New 33” nice stance. Interior is real clean not much needed there except some tunes!

Plan A- full restoration to original paint, 4” lift new driveline and tight suspension a/c
Plan B- driveline and all suspension upgrade. Relocate gas tank, for stereo and leg room, maybe remove side tanks. Upgraded stereo and a/c.

Open to ideas?

[Boog]

Wow. It sure looks good. Fix the leaks, wash it and enjoy it as is? As some say, it's only original once.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

What do you plan to use it for? If it's for travel and driven a lot, I might run with plan B and install an LS. That or blow all kinds of cash for street rod 4x4

If you appreciate an original build and aren't going to use it a lot, then plan A, IMO.

Don't know what to tell you on those side tanks. Both my trucks had them, and at this point they aint worth a (*^). Perhaps you can restore or replace.

[rjs53]

I'm a plan B guy. It looks good and its only original once as someone said. If the motors tired, then an ls swap would be good for a daily, that would justify getting rid of the saddle tanks. A decent salvage ls/trans is gonna cost about the same or less than a rebuild on the current motor and trans. You'll still have the fuel system and some wiring to do with the ls swap. So ya plan B, even going with rebuild on original SBC.

[davepl]

Moving tank doesn't buy you leg room. Seat is already up against the cab wall. I figure properly plumbed, the tank is safer in the cab, actually.

If the cab deforms enough to rupture the tank, you're long since dead and gone. It'd be like a Viking funeral.

Whereas if you get sidesswiped or rear ended with a frame-mounted tank...

Personally, I think that's a beautiful truck and color scheme and I'd do it 100% stock, but that's why they made a million of 'em, do whatever you like!

[toolboxchev]

That is very nice looking just the way it is. As for the your current plan I would say an updated motor or just keep it stock and rebuild it.

They are nice just the way they are and you will get tons of compliments without doing a thing. They do turn into money pits with the custom work. The do become more valuable the less you do to them.

[jocko]

Plan C : Paint is only original once, I'd leave it, polish it, touch up where needed. Stock steelies, no lift (sorry - current stance and wheels/tires are perfect as is), GM HT383 with a built 700R4 (or rebuilt TH350 with GV behind it - that all comes down to personal preference and $), and fully restored interior with converted gee-whiz stock radio (i.e. all bells n whistles, bluetooth, aux inputs etc in the stock face/body). Then drive and enjoy.
Plan C1 (if budget is a bigger concern): same as above except with an L31R in place of the HT383.
It's almost a blessing to not have the original engine in this case, you're free to go any direction (or maybe this is just a problem for me when I have a tired original engine... )

EDIT: toolbox made some GREAT points. Bone stock is never wrong - and it's usually the least expensive route, unless doing a stock frame-off resto.

So, I'm kinda curious - I see highlander plaid peeking out there... Is this a converted 2WD truck? And when you mention 400 - does it have a big block 402? (as in the 2WD trucks original 71 402 in it still)?
If so, I have a Plan D...

Got a SPID pic or a VIN you can share?

[jocko]

Dave, where did that gorgeous white/green GMC come from? Is that yours? It's stunning.

[tim71]

Sharp looking truck. Would love to see some more pictures. After doing the build on my K1500 short fleetside, I would lean toward going thru all the mechanicals and keep the truck the way it is. If the engine is a 400, I don't think it is original. With a V8, I think you could only get a 307 or 350. If you go plan A, let me know if you would want to swap leaf springs. My K1500 has a Tuff Country 2" spring lift that measures out more like a 4". My plans are to drop my truck back down to stock height this coming summer.

[jocko]

Oh WAIT! Sorry, I totally forgot - this is Pete's old K1500, right? That's an original K and he added the plaid. It looks great. I've always had a thing for this truck . Ok, I've got a thing for ANY of his trucks, let's just be honest here...

Boy oh boy, I'd keep the exterior as, freshen up whatever needs freshening, replace the engine if you want since it would not be original, and then do what you like with the stereo in as stealth a fashion as possible. Great truck you have there.

I think I already asked this at some point in the past, but did the camper shell come with it or did you buy it as is?

[Coley]

Nice truck...some great ways to go on this.
As for the 400 ci....big block? if so that would have been added or exchanged for the original engine given that GM didn't put 400's in the 4wd trucks then.
If its a 400sbc...that is different but still pretty cool...and I like the 400 sbc's myself.

Regardless, nice truck, nice find!!....more pics!

All good
Coley

[67swb72klb]

Very nice as is I would do a few upgrades and drive

[CRUSH2.0]

Originally Posted by jocko

Oh WAIT! Sorry, I totally forgot - this is Pete's old K1500, right? That's an original K and he added the plaid. It looks great. I've always had a thing for this truck . Ok, I've got a thing for ANY of his trucks, let's just be honest here...

Boy oh boy, I'd keep the exterior as, freshen up whatever needs freshening, replace the engine if you want since it would not be original, and then do what you like with the stereo in as stealth a fashion as possible. Great truck you have there.

I think I already asked this at some point in the past, but did the camper shell come with it or did you buy it as is?

No camper shell Pete has it. Motor is not original blows smoke really no power, not that I need a hot rod I have other cars for that. Shocks may be original so thinking bilstein and rebuilt or redhead steering. What’s a good stealth stereo system.
Would really like A/c for the hot mi days

Keep suggestions coming

[jocko]

Here are some of the radio options I was talking about, some modify your AM radio, some are hidden second radios, etc -

http://www.garytayman.com/
http://mikehaganantiqueautoradio.com/
https://www.joesclassiccarradio.com/
http://www.antiqueautomobileradio.com/
http://www.turnswitch.com/speakers.htm
https://redirad.com/
https://www.classiccarstereos.com/secretaudio-sst.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de5RbKvdnjQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBwsa0QR0I8
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=229621
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617011

[CRUSH2.0]

Originally Posted by jocko

Here are some of the radio options I was talking about, some modify your AM radio, some are hidden second radios, etc -

http://www.garytayman.com/
http://mikehaganantiqueautoradio.com/
https://www.joesclassiccarradio.com/
http://www.antiqueautomobileradio.com/
http://www.turnswitch.com/speakers.htm
https://redirad.com/
https://www.classiccarstereos.com/secretaudio-sst.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de5RbKvdnjQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBwsa0QR0I8
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=229621
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617011

Wow! Lots of options
Where do most put speakers?

[RTHarvey]

There are kick-panel covers available that allow speaker mounting. Or you could go under the seat. Please don't cut 4 inch holes in the door. I just paid a body man to weld patches in my doors, and repaint.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by CRUSH2.0

Wow! Lots of options
Where do most put speakers?

I've always just put a quality one in the stock location - but that's just because it's been good enough for me, others may like better (bigger) speakers. I THINK there is a board member that sells a metal bracket/panel thingy that allows you to mount them behind the seat in the corners of the cab. Not sure if it interferes with the filler neck - might only be for relocated tank trucks (or it might actually fit, I just don't know). I would avoid holes in the doors as well. I've only owned one truck that DIDN'T have the holes cut out! Ha.

EDIT: Here you go, found it: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=476976
And they are indeed for trucks with relocated tanks only.

[CRUSH2.0]

No holes will be cut in pristine doors

Any shock recommendations ?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by CRUSH2.0

Wow! Lots of options
Where do most put speakers?

On top of the dash for an AM radio

[57taskforce]

I saw this truck in person when Pete had it. I wouldn’t touch a thing on it save maybe a motor/trans if it needed it. Paint and body looked amazing for factory when I saw it ~2 years ago. I’m definitely with mark on this one. Fix the small things that need it so it can be reliable and safe and stop there.