Bringing my Grandfather's 1972 Longbed Stepside C10 back to life

[bwl101]

Back at the end of last summer, I was able to rescue my grandfather's truck from sitting in a family member's yard for about the previous 5-8 years. This is how it looked...

[bwl101]

More Pics...

[Rich72C10]

That's a cool looking truck - what does the SPID say on that gal!

[bwl101]

Got it moved to my house and used the power washer to get most of the grime off...

[bwl101]

Before the spray down...

[bwl101]

Originally Posted by Rich72C10

That's a cool looking truck - what does the SPID say on that gal!

You were too fast seeing this! I'm still uploading pics, lol!

[bwl101]

After a rough spray down...

[bwl101]

Thank goodness for windex and a razor blade.

[bwl101]

Cleaned up the dash and seat with some armor all cleaning wipes. Pics show the before and after.

[bwl101]

New tires, went with a Firestone Destination XT. The new size definitely fills out the wheel wells better! Went from 225/75/R15 to a 30x9.50R15. This is also the largest tire that would fit on the stock spare tire mount haha!

[bwl101]

Came factory with a 307, but it was messed up and my uncle took the head off and never was able to get around to fixing it. Unfortunately the head was off the whole time it was sitting. I've got a line on a rebuilt 350, just waiting for it to get pulled out of the vehicle it's in. I pulled the radiator and ordered a Champion aluminum one and it just came in. I've also got a new fuel tank and other various parts. I'm just waiting for the motor so I'm waiting to order some parts to make sure I'll have all the correct stuff to support the new engine.

[bwl101]

My grandfather had a furniture store, hence the railings on the bed. I removed them and had to cut all the bolts as they were all rusted. I plan to redo the railings, but will try to figure out a way to have them quick disconnect in case I need them. I like the look of it better without them, but it is nostalgic to be able to put it back how I remember it as a kid. I also found factory center caps, so no I will not be using the Ford center caps anymore! Haha! Or the Caprice hubcap for the spare!

[SIXTY9]

Good deal on getting your Grandfathers truck. It looks like you are enjoying getting it back to the road and all the memories of it.

[68bowtie]

That’s quite the dramatic cleanup! Oh and I like the idea of keeping the bed rails, definitely a throw back.

[Ol Blue K20]

It's looking nice, great job saving it.

[bwl101]

Was able to test fit the new radiator today. Fits like a glove using the original factory radiator mounts. I will have to replace the lower mounts as the metal sleeve around the rubber is basically gone due to rust! Trans cooler lines line up too! Got a Champion CC369 3 Row Aluminum one. Hard to beat for $279 shipped with a lifetime warranty.

[FRCvette]

That is a nice looking truck. Good save.

[68Gold/white]

Wow, a great find!!!
Congrats!!!
Finding a 71 or 72 is such a good thing. It already has disc brakes. Sometimes all it takes is machining rotors, pads, and master cylinder and of course working of the rear drums, and its all done!!!
You've got disc brakes and the auto trans, two things' I'd desire...

It looks like your front seat may be save-able. THe cushion foam/cover isn't completely destroyed. You might get by with a new cover set. LMC has a black cover set (or did) for $149.00. That would get you by, at least...

I'm betting the 307 could be saved. Of course it would have to be bored....

Carry On!!!

[bwl101]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Wow, a great find!!!
Congrats!!!
Finding a 71 or 72 is such a good thing. It already has disc brakes. Sometimes all it takes is machining rotors, pads, and master cylinder and of course working of the rear drums, and its all done!!!
You've got disc brakes and the auto trans, two things' I'd desire...

It looks like your front seat may be save-able. THe cushion foam/cover isn't completely destroyed. You might get by with a new cover set. LMC has a black cover set (or did) for $149.00. That would get you by, at least...

I'm betting the 307 could be saved. Of course it would have to be bored....

Carry On!!!

I had thought about saving the 307, but it would need so much machining and all new parts that it would cost way more than something already rebuilt with a good bit more power.

[Palf70Step]

That truck cleaned up real nice. You don't see long stepsides much, so that is also very cool. Looking forward to seeing its progress.

[bwl101]

While waiting on getting a motor, I decided to test out cleaning up the paint. Worked pretty good on the cowl. There is a lot of this black, rough stuff on the paint with the most being on the hood. I used a waterless wash to clean it. I then used a Meguiar's clay bar kit to remove the surface contaminants. Last step was the Meguiar's Show Car Glaze Number 7, supposed to be good for older single stage paints to help remove oxidation safely and moisturize the paint with the oils in it. Looking pretty good so far and super smooth! Now just need to figure out what wax to put on for future protection. It takes a lot of elbow grease, but I don't know enough about using a buffer to not be scared of destroying the paint. Arm workout it is!

[SRU1436]

Looks great so far.

[Ol Blue K20]

It's looking good so far. Keep at it..

[Low Elco]

If there's a Harbor Freight near you, their long throw DA works a treat without being so rowdy. They stock all the pads too. Neat old truck!

https://www.harborfreight.com/75-amp...her-56367.html

[SCHRUMGMC]

Enjoying the progress for the ‘72 stepside

It’s great you’re fixing and cleaning this truck up.


I’m after my grandfathers 71 gmc swb. Fingers crossed that these people take my offer on it because I would love to have it lol. Seeing your thread makes me want it even more now which I thought wasn’t possible