Need help with several questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LawMan02 · 12-06-2005, 11:30 PM

Hello everyone. I'm new to this site, but must say it's very informative with all the knowledgeable people that log on and a great site for someone like me that has no great mechanical experience to find the right answers.

I've owned nothing but pick-ups throughout my life, but never a truck that needed much work...until now. I just purchased a 1972 GMC K2500, lwb, with a 350-V8 and 4 speed transmission. It has 32,500 miles and was a truck used in a fire department in Indiana. The body seems to be in good shape with no rust and the motor runs great and the drivetrain seems good also. I haven't driven it since receiving it on Sunday. It also has a Ramsey PTO winch. I'm very excited about repairing the few small things...valve cover gaskets, interior work and some minor exterior work. I also would like to put new tires and rims on it. This leads me to my questions.

1) I would like to put on a set of 35 x 15.50-16.5 Swamper TSL/SX on 9.5 X 16.5 rims. What would y'all (from Louisiana) think the minimum lift the truck needs to run this tires?
2) According to the tag in the glovebox the truck has a "power lok" rear end. Is this a true postive traction? Will I have trouble with the rear end running larger tires?
3) There are fire department stickers on the truck and I started removing them with a hair dryer and that seems to work fine. Is there an easy way to remove the remaining sticky stuff without damaging the paint?
4) Last question...With the truck being a fire truck with lights, antennas, radios and accessories, there are a number of drilled holes in different parts on the truck, exterior and interior. Any suggestions how to fill the holes other that bondo for a temperory fix. I would like to cover the holes and maybe later come back and repaint the truck. Thanks for any help. Randy

Rod · 12-07-2005, 12:11 AM

The power lok is a the posi traction set up in the dana rear diffs in these years....it's a good posi..... a clutch pak style posi....so there's some slippage compared to the detroit lockers that came in the eaton / corportate style rear diff in these years. With the option you listed you should have the dana.

matthufham · 12-07-2005, 12:21 AM

weld those holes up, grind, primer, then paint whenever.

**truckdude239** · 12-07-2005, 12:21 AM

KFreddy · 12-07-2005, 12:23 AM

Use a light dose of olive oil w/ a paper towel or two on the sticker residue. You'll be amazed....

-Fred

smbrouss70 · 12-07-2005, 01:06 AM

Welcome to the board from Crowley, LA! My dad lives in Saint francisville, i go there to do some of the more major work on my truck. Oh yeah, we need pics so we can help properly

shifty · 12-07-2005, 03:13 AM

If the olive oil don't work, there is this orange stuff at the store called "gunk". It removed the sticky tape off my floor from when I had the hardwoods done. Didn't affect the finish at all. If it works on wood, it's bound to work on paint.

Americanrider · 12-07-2005, 03:48 AM

Welcome, sounds like you made a nice score on a low milage truck. Check the 4x4 fourm for ideas on a lift/tire package.

**Yukon Jack** · 12-07-2005, 11:10 AM

Oh my, that is quite a find! You have got to take and get lots of pics posted.

You can fit 35 x 12.50's with a 4" lift but a 15.5 wide tires is gonna definitely require a 6" lift. I highly recommend Tuff Country springs. If you can afford it, go with all new springs, front and back rather than blocks in the rear. Another option would be a shackle flip with a 2" block in the rear. I have bought all of the lifts I have used on my 69 from www.offroaddesign.com. They are very helpful and have good prices.

Looking forward to seeing lots of pics - sounds like you have a great truck.

1969 C/K CST · 12-07-2005, 11:18 AM

#3-kerosine works also.

**CPNE** · 12-07-2005, 11:19 AM

Probably too late but leave all the FD stuff on it. Its an interesting piece of Americana. Everybody has a garden variety lifted 4x4, stand out from (not over) the crowd.

LawMan02 · 12-07-2005, 01:37 PM

Thanks so much for all the great advise. I will try the olive oil tonight when I get time to work on the truck. I will also get better pics of the truck today and post them. I was really hoping that I could run the 35's without a 6" lift but good to know that I can't before I purchased them. I guess now I need to shop for a 6" lift. Is there a cheap route without losing quality? Thanks again for all the advise. Be looking for pics soon.

**Yukon Jack** · 12-07-2005, 01:53 PM

The cheap route would be new front springs up front with just blocks for the rear.

boundstaffpress · 12-07-2005, 02:50 PM

lemon oil works to take off sticky stuff. You can buy "Goo-Gone" at any department store in the cleaning section. It is a thin yellow oil that will cut through dried gum and leave most surfaces untouched. Cleans up with a little soap or windex (faster) if your truck isn't waxed yet.

more later
Justin

ChevLoRay · 12-07-2005, 03:14 PM

Yeah, welcome to the board from Arkansas.

I gotta question: A Power Lock rear axle.....now, is that what GMC called a Positrack, when it was on their vehicles, OR is it the same as what Chevrolet called the NoSPIN or Maximum Traction?

Look on the inside of the glove box, on the data plate stuck to the inside of the glove box door and look at the option codes.

Does it have a code G86 or G87 code? According to the (yeah, I know) 1969 truck data book, IF GM followed through with the same features, the leaf spring rear axle should be what Chevy called "Maximum Traction". The coil spring rear axles got either a "NoSPIN (except with a 396 engine) OR the Maxiumum Traction axle with the 396 only.

The Leaf spring rear axles got the Maximum Traction rear end (optional) with all power trains.

Since GMC used leaf springs, I kinda took a little license and "assumed" some data. Am I right, or wrong.

Nice catch, though. I like fire apparatus.

LawMan02 · 12-07-2005, 04:14 PM

Here's a few pictures. I will check the power lock number in the glove box and report back.

LawMan02 · 12-07-2005, 04:21 PM

A couple more. Can y'all tell me the name of the thing that has the duct tape on it and where I can get a new one. Also can anyone id this rear end by the pic? And the two hole in the bed behind the fenders are the worse cut holes but they bother me. Thinking about putting diamond plate over them until I can fix them properly. Thanks again for all the great comments.

boundstaffpress · 12-07-2005, 04:21 PM

You gotta love a truck that was taken care of by firefighters. Lots of time to keep everything shiny. Great truck.

LawMan02 · 12-07-2005, 04:24 PM

Last pic

krue · 12-07-2005, 04:30 PM

Good looking truck, I would just weld some sheetmetal in there. Shouldn't be too hard to find some the same gauge.

shelby987 · 12-07-2005, 04:34 PM

the duct tape is covering your heater core....you can get a new one in any of the basic parts catalogue.....maybe parts store....NAPA would be my guess (I think they are a pretty common source of leak...check the hoses, that might be the problem that its covering too).
The rear should be a 14bolt, I think the 1 tons are the only ones that got the full floating, but I could be wrong.
I was told you can fit 35's with a shackle flip and add-a-leafs if you are looking for a relatively inexpensive lift, but I agree....15.5 are gonna rub.
I say keep those rims, or sell them to me! (Love the look of a good steel rim!).
welcome to the board.....some people don't like the lwb stepside....but I like something that is a little different....and a 3/4t GMC 4x4 to boot! awesome find!!

boundstaffpress · 12-07-2005, 04:36 PM

The duct tape is covering the heater case. Probably going to have to do some salvage searching to find one. My dad had a tape job on his from a time when someone quickly replaced the blower motor.

shelby987 · 12-07-2005, 04:37 PM

p.s. in the mean time you can always bypass the heater core by connecting the two hoses together, this will allow you to drive without worry about the duct tape coming off and.....killing your engine, but I heard LA was gonna be down to 58 degrees (OMG)....I will feel for you while driving around in -2 degree weather tomorrow morning!

1969 C/K CST · 12-07-2005, 04:45 PM

New leafs and some 33's and leave it alone.(.02) Dang nice truck.

**Yukon Jack** · 12-07-2005, 04:47 PM

That is not a 14 bolt - your rear axle is a Dana 60.

12-06-2005, 11:30 PM	#1
LawMan02 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Saint Francisville, Louisiana Posts: 157	Need help with several questions Hello everyone. I'm new to this site, but must say it's very informative with all the knowledgeable people that log on and a great site for someone like me that has no great mechanical experience to find the right answers. I've owned nothing but pick-ups throughout my life, but never a truck that needed much work...until now. I just purchased a 1972 GMC K2500, lwb, with a 350-V8 and 4 speed transmission. It has 32,500 miles and was a truck used in a fire department in Indiana. The body seems to be in good shape with no rust and the motor runs great and the drivetrain seems good also. I haven't driven it since receiving it on Sunday. It also has a Ramsey PTO winch. I'm very excited about repairing the few small things...valve cover gaskets, interior work and some minor exterior work. I also would like to put new tires and rims on it. This leads me to my questions. 1) I would like to put on a set of 35 x 15.50-16.5 Swamper TSL/SX on 9.5 X 16.5 rims. What would y'all (from Louisiana) think the minimum lift the truck needs to run this tires? 2) According to the tag in the glovebox the truck has a "power lok" rear end. Is this a true postive traction? Will I have trouble with the rear end running larger tires? 3) There are fire department stickers on the truck and I started removing them with a hair dryer and that seems to work fine. Is there an easy way to remove the remaining sticky stuff without damaging the paint? 4) Last question...With the truck being a fire truck with lights, antennas, radios and accessories, there are a number of drilled holes in different parts on the truck, exterior and interior. Any suggestions how to fill the holes other that bondo for a temperory fix. I would like to cover the holes and maybe later come back and repaint the truck. Thanks for any help. Randy __________________ 1972 GMC K2500, stepside, stock 350, 4 speed. Former F/D truck with 32,000 miles, no rust. 1973 Jeep CJ 5, 304, 33's with side pipes 2008 GMC 2500HD, CC, SWB, D/A, SLT

12-07-2005, 12:11 AM	#2
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Re: Need help with several questions The power lok is a the posi traction set up in the dana rear diffs in these years....it's a good posi..... a clutch pak style posi....so there's some slippage compared to the detroit lockers that came in the eaton / corportate style rear diff in these years. With the option you listed you should have the dana. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

12-07-2005, 12:21 AM	#4
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,233	Re: Need help with several questions __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

12-07-2005, 12:23 AM	#5
KFreddy Active Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 286	Re: Need help with several questions Use a light dose of olive oil w/ a paper towel or two on the sticker residue. You'll be amazed.... -Fred

12-07-2005, 01:06 AM	#6
smbrouss70 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rayne, LA Posts: 2,782	Re: Need help with several questions Welcome to the board from Crowley, LA! My dad lives in Saint francisville, i go there to do some of the more major work on my truck. Oh yeah, we need pics so we can help properly __________________ Steven "If dogs don't go to heaven, when I die I want to go wherever they went." -- Will Rogers R.I.P. Oscar R.I.P. Ratchet 1967 Pontiac GTO - Dad was the Original Owner 1970 Chevy 2wd SWB "Oscar's Truck" 1970 Chevy 2wd Blazer "Ratchet's Blazer" 2013 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax/Allison Z71 LTZ "Brown Sugar" 2017 Chevy Suburban "BDB" 2020 Chevy Blazer Premier "Foxy" Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Shop Build

12-07-2005, 12:21 AM	#3
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: Need help with several questions weld those holes up, grind, primer, then paint whenever.

12-07-2005, 03:13 AM	#7
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: Need help with several questions If the olive oil don't work, there is this orange stuff at the store called "gunk". It removed the sticky tape off my floor from when I had the hardwoods done. Didn't affect the finish at all. If it works on wood, it's bound to work on paint. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

12-07-2005, 03:48 AM	#8
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Re: Need help with several questions Welcome, sounds like you made a nice score on a low milage truck. Check the 4x4 fourm for ideas on a lift/tire package.

12-07-2005, 11:10 AM	#9
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	Re: Need help with several questions Oh my, that is quite a find! You have got to take and get lots of pics posted. You can fit 35 x 12.50's with a 4" lift but a 15.5 wide tires is gonna definitely require a 6" lift. I highly recommend Tuff Country springs. If you can afford it, go with all new springs, front and back rather than blocks in the rear. Another option would be a shackle flip with a 2" block in the rear. I have bought all of the lifts I have used on my 69 from www.offroaddesign.com. They are very helpful and have good prices. Looking forward to seeing lots of pics - sounds like you have a great truck. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

12-07-2005, 11:18 AM	#10
1969 C/K CST A.K.A- Crummy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC foothills Posts: 3,025	Re: Need help with several questions #3-kerosine works also. __________________ 2003 Silverado Z71 Are fishermen all liars?

12-07-2005, 11:19 AM	#11
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	Re: Need help with several questions Probably too late but leave all the FD stuff on it. Its an interesting piece of Americana. Everybody has a garden variety lifted 4x4, stand out from (not over) the crowd. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

12-07-2005, 01:37 PM	#12
LawMan02 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Saint Francisville, Louisiana Posts: 157	Re: Need help with several questions Thanks so much for all the great advise. I will try the olive oil tonight when I get time to work on the truck. I will also get better pics of the truck today and post them. I was really hoping that I could run the 35's without a 6" lift but good to know that I can't before I purchased them. I guess now I need to shop for a 6" lift. Is there a cheap route without losing quality? Thanks again for all the advise. Be looking for pics soon. __________________ 1972 GMC K2500, stepside, stock 350, 4 speed. Former F/D truck with 32,000 miles, no rust. 1973 Jeep CJ 5, 304, 33's with side pipes 2008 GMC 2500HD, CC, SWB, D/A, SLT

12-07-2005, 01:53 PM	#13
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	Re: Need help with several questions The cheap route would be new front springs up front with just blocks for the rear. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

12-07-2005, 02:50 PM	#14
boundstaffpress Jamie Hyneman is my twin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: La Junta, Colorado Posts: 705	Re: Need help with several questions lemon oil works to take off sticky stuff. You can buy "Goo-Gone" at any department store in the cleaning section. It is a thin yellow oil that will cut through dried gum and leave most surfaces untouched. Cleans up with a little soap or windex (faster) if your truck isn't waxed yet. more later Justin

12-07-2005, 03:14 PM	#15
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Need help with several questions Yeah, welcome to the board from Arkansas. I gotta question: A Power Lock rear axle.....now, is that what GMC called a Positrack, when it was on their vehicles, OR is it the same as what Chevrolet called the NoSPIN or Maximum Traction? Look on the inside of the glove box, on the data plate stuck to the inside of the glove box door and look at the option codes. Does it have a code G86 or G87 code? According to the (yeah, I know) 1969 truck data book, IF GM followed through with the same features, the leaf spring rear axle should be what Chevy called "Maximum Traction". The coil spring rear axles got either a "NoSPIN (except with a 396 engine) OR the Maxiumum Traction axle with the 396 only. The Leaf spring rear axles got the Maximum Traction rear end (optional) with all power trains. Since GMC used leaf springs, I kinda took a little license and "assumed" some data. Am I right, or wrong. Nice catch, though. I like fire apparatus. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

12-07-2005, 04:14 PM	#16
LawMan02 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Saint Francisville, Louisiana Posts: 157	Re: Need help with several questions Here's a few pictures. I will check the power lock number in the glove box and report back. Attached Images __________________ 1972 GMC K2500, stepside, stock 350, 4 speed. Former F/D truck with 32,000 miles, no rust. 1973 Jeep CJ 5, 304, 33's with side pipes 2008 GMC 2500HD, CC, SWB, D/A, SLT

12-07-2005, 04:21 PM	#17
LawMan02 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Saint Francisville, Louisiana Posts: 157	Re: Need help with several questions A couple more. Can y'all tell me the name of the thing that has the duct tape on it and where I can get a new one. Also can anyone id this rear end by the pic? And the two hole in the bed behind the fenders are the worse cut holes but they bother me. Thinking about putting diamond plate over them until I can fix them properly. Thanks again for all the great comments. Attached Images __________________ 1972 GMC K2500, stepside, stock 350, 4 speed. Former F/D truck with 32,000 miles, no rust. 1973 Jeep CJ 5, 304, 33's with side pipes 2008 GMC 2500HD, CC, SWB, D/A, SLT

12-07-2005, 04:24 PM	#19
LawMan02 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Saint Francisville, Louisiana Posts: 157	Re: Need help with several questions Last pic Attached Images __________________ 1972 GMC K2500, stepside, stock 350, 4 speed. Former F/D truck with 32,000 miles, no rust. 1973 Jeep CJ 5, 304, 33's with side pipes 2008 GMC 2500HD, CC, SWB, D/A, SLT

12-07-2005, 04:30 PM	#20
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Need help with several questions Good looking truck, I would just weld some sheetmetal in there. Shouldn't be too hard to find some the same gauge. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

12-07-2005, 04:34 PM	#21
shelby987 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Just outside Durham, NC Posts: 894	Re: Need help with several questions the duct tape is covering your heater core....you can get a new one in any of the basic parts catalogue.....maybe parts store....NAPA would be my guess (I think they are a pretty common source of leak...check the hoses, that might be the problem that its covering too). The rear should be a 14bolt, I think the 1 tons are the only ones that got the full floating, but I could be wrong. I was told you can fit 35's with a shackle flip and add-a-leafs if you are looking for a relatively inexpensive lift, but I agree....15.5 are gonna rub. I say keep those rims, or sell them to me! (Love the look of a good steel rim!). welcome to the board.....some people don't like the lwb stepside....but I like something that is a little different....and a 3/4t GMC 4x4 to boot! awesome find!! __________________ 1969 SS 350 Camaro Sold 2008 1970 3/4T K20, stock height with 33's, 250 I6, 3 on the tree, and locked front and rear 4.10's 1980 Chevy Malibu 2 dr Sold 2007 1993 Olds. Cutlass Ciera Wagon Traded 2006 2003 Saturn L200 w/5pd. D/D My list spans 5 decades with One common thread.....GM!

12-07-2005, 04:36 PM	#22
boundstaffpress Jamie Hyneman is my twin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: La Junta, Colorado Posts: 705	Re: Need help with several questions The duct tape is covering the heater case. Probably going to have to do some salvage searching to find one. My dad had a tape job on his from a time when someone quickly replaced the blower motor. __________________ Justin SOLD 1967 K10 Fleetside, 283, Front and Rear Posi SOLD Color Wiring Diagrams Now in High Resolution V8 and Cab and Cab and Chassis

12-07-2005, 04:37 PM	#23
shelby987 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Just outside Durham, NC Posts: 894	Re: Need help with several questions p.s. in the mean time you can always bypass the heater core by connecting the two hoses together, this will allow you to drive without worry about the duct tape coming off and.....killing your engine, but I heard LA was gonna be down to 58 degrees (OMG)....I will feel for you while driving around in -2 degree weather tomorrow morning! __________________ 1969 SS 350 Camaro Sold 2008 1970 3/4T K20, stock height with 33's, 250 I6, 3 on the tree, and locked front and rear 4.10's 1980 Chevy Malibu 2 dr Sold 2007 1993 Olds. Cutlass Ciera Wagon Traded 2006 2003 Saturn L200 w/5pd. D/D My list spans 5 decades with One common thread.....GM!

12-07-2005, 04:45 PM	#24
1969 C/K CST A.K.A- Crummy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC foothills Posts: 3,025	Re: Need help with several questions New leafs and some 33's and leave it alone.(.02) Dang nice truck. __________________ 2003 Silverado Z71 Are fishermen all liars?

12-07-2005, 04:47 PM	#25
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	Re: Need help with several questions That is not a 14 bolt - your rear axle is a Dana 60. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.