The building of "Monroe" 72 4x4 swb

[tutone]

Hey guys, I am back in the game. Picked up a pile of good parts from a good buddy, some of which I sold him. It consists of a good long bed 4x4 k10 frame and a decent 72 cab. Of course there is a good reason for this build.
We are about to be grandparents for the first time and its a boy, Jackson Monroe. Paw is gonna build him a truck and if he hates it, he can sell it and buy something he likes. Going to shorten it to a 115" length and paint it in the 72 theme of white/black/ white. Lots of metal work, lots of hard work and I can't wait for him to ride in it. I have almost everything to assemble this thing, but I will make a few changes along. Stay tuned as I will post often and update progress. When I get it home, I will get some pics up here.

[1971Stepside]

Way to plan ahead for sure! This does give me an idea for when this day comes for me...

Can't wait to see the project begin.

[tutone]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Way to plan ahead for sure! This does give me an idea for when this day comes for me...

Can't wait to see the project begin.

Thanks, I wish you the best. My son grew up around old trucks, so his boy won't have a chance!

[tutone]

Well I got the frame home yesterday after work and rolled it in the shop. Too tired to fool with it after wrestling on and off the car hauler. Tonight I removed the receiver hitch that fought us tooth and nail loading. They had that thing bolted on like they were pulling buildings down. I sort of sized up the suburban mounts that I will need to cut off and looked it over pretty good. This thing needs a really good power washing and cleanup all over. It has a running 307 and I may wait until I hear it to decide whether she stays or not.A few pics below.

[Corts60]

Very nice! That's one lucky grandkid!

[tutone]

Originally Posted by Corts60

Very nice! That's one lucky grandkid!

Thank you, I have him his own folding chair for the cruise ins as well, so when he gets old enough to go, he can tell everybody about his truck.


Today I spent chasing parts that came with it. I was lucky enough to buy the front cap back from my last project, and I had already assembled everything on the 69 , so it worked out great. I will have to buy a few things along, like body bushings and rubber products, but the sheet metal is all there. Getting ready for the frame cuts soon and I will document that in pictures. I have all my measurements and have located the rear body mounts and bed mounts. All we have to do is cut them off a parts truck. Some cleanup and paint and this project will be on its way.

[tutone]

A long day today with some good progress. I got the shafts/exhaust off, pulled the eng/trans and case. Marked my cuts for the frame and cleaned up the back rails. it will be a short frame tomorrow if all goes well.

[tutone]

Today the long frame went under the knife. I still need to weld my inner frame gussets, but I am tickled about the progress. It went slick as snot. A few pictures but it has been a long weekend's worth of work. It is now a 115" wheelbase.

[rowdy11]

Subbed in and nice work on the doors!

[tutone]

^^^^Thanks, got some more done today and last week. Rustproofed the insides and replaced the window regulator. So much easier with the skin off. Finished fitting and bent my edges. I have not tacked anything in case i need to adjust. I made a foam covered jig on my bland ex to keep from damaging the outer skin while I beat on it. Here are a few pics.

[tutone]

Well guys, sorry for the lapse in updates. It has been a tough year, but things are settled down a bit. I have a 14 day plan to install a new complete floor pan , rockers and cab corners. I will post pictures as I progress. I really am tired of walking around this thing, and my buddy is probably ready for his cab dolly back. Let's see if we can't make that happen. Work starts tomorrow.

[geunther]

Looking forward to the progress

[tutone]

Today is measurement and prep work. The rockers and front and rear pillars are so rotten, I will have to go measure door openings on a solid truck. I drilled out every other spot weld on the back of the cab.

[Gregski]

skillz to pay da billz !

[Gregski]

Outstanding progress, and high 80s (I know you gots humidity) but that's cute, I've been out there in the heat at the Pick N Pull yankin' Vortex enjins out in 108°F by myself, ha ha

[tutone]

Well, there have been several developments since I last posted. Here is what Ive decided to do. I am continuing to labor on the 72 cab when time allows. But this project has taken a turn. I opened my mouth and bought a pretty good old 71 longbed c10 from Leonard1 here on the board. The 1st owner I knew from when I was a boy.The bed was good, as it had a topper on it for much of its life on the road. anyway, owner died, it ended up at his house and I just couldn't stand to see it sit. It is a 250 I6/ 3 ott but not for long. You all know by now that if it stays here long, 20 inches disappears from the back of them. This one is no different. Here is the new plan. Scrapping the 4x4 idea. I am building one chassis, 3/5 static drop. Steelies and poverty caps, 350 auto, 3:08 rear and keeping the 100% org paint. Or at least what's left. When i get it on the road, I will finish the black cab and swap it on my foundation. Iwill build a super slick bed for it, then. Here is where I am at so far.

[tutone]

First thing I did was swapped the grill and bumper. Got it running and disassembled the bed.

[tutone]

Started on bed floor next. Cut my 8 and 12 out. Good flat solid floor, too. Made a parts run and got a new bolt kit.

[tutone]

I did a lot of precision grinding to keep the patina. Next , I shorten bed sides. I watched " Coyote Customs" cut a side down and used his method on the outside panels. I also started with th passenger side in case it looked bad, so I didn't have to look at it every time I got in the truck. This will take a few posts to show the progress.

[tutone]

Primered and moved on to the front. The marker light is a pain, but no warpage. There was already some scraped and dings. They stayed, but made it harder to work.

[tutone]

Next, on to the styling curve in front of the rear wheel. I pie cut the panel, saving the edge reveal and worked it slowly into position. Added a pice of metal and then filled the middle stake hole. After priming all the cut areas and applying filler, it is ready for touch up. This catches you up and I still have the driver side to do. When I get to the rotten tailgate, we will have some fun then. Chassis parts arrived, so when I get this bed together, frame work.

[tutone]

I will assemble all this just to get it out of the shop, and take a good photo and put it up. Here is a shot of the mostly finished bed floor that I forgot to post. I know that it isn't as nice as a new one, but I don't have a thousand bucks in it either.

[tutone]

Bedside mounted, touchup left to do on many parts of it. Here is a gallery of pictures for you to look at.

[tutone]

Working on color blending. Sand and redo. Hard to match 50 year old thin faded paint.

[tutone]

Knocked out the other bedside today. I still have a little touch up to do and should get it mounted on the bed floor by end of the day tomorrow. The tailgate is next. I really am not sure if I can make anything of it. Lucky, though, all the rust is confined to the bottom. It doesn't have a bow in it like someone loaded cattle in it, so I am hopeful.