Inherited 71 GMC Truck: suggested Mods? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TomShilling · 03-11-2005, 10:08 AM

Hello! My first post as a new member: thanks in advance!
I have inherited a 1971 GMC 1/2 ton pick up. It needs some help. It is all original with a 350 invader, but needs the following: L and R lower rockers, new steering wheel (an easy bolt-on with no adaptors), new Seat, new rims, lower tailgate skin, and Major dent repair on the pass side bed in front of the wheel well.
It is pretty solid aside from the lower rockers, and I have seen cab corners as replacement parts: is that the lower truck cab where the bed joins the cab? I may need those. Mechanically, she is perfect, just had the brakes done and with a few upgrades, she'll be fine.
Again, any suggestions on where to find these items, best pricing, and any tech tips would be appreciated. I am posting a few pics so you can see what I have to work with.
Thanks again!

Longhorn Man · 03-11-2005, 10:10 AM

Let me be the first to welcome to the boards. What part of the world do you call home?
That looks to be a very nice pretty solid starting point. Rockers are pretty much a given onless you live in the desert...cab corners are pretty much just as commonly needing repaired. The cab corner is the bottom corner of the cab behind the rocker.
If you go to the main page her ( www.67-72chevytrucks.net ) you'll find a list of vendors on the left. They are pretty much top notch. There are a few others out there not listed, and for the best part, they are great vendors too. There are enough vendors that specialize in the 67 - 72 that there is no reason to go to a company who has us as a side line buisness....like a side line from brittish sports cars... (LMC truck)
Don't be afraid to ask questions here...even the dumb ones. Lots of ppl know there stuff here, and can clue you in on things you'd never woulda imagined.
As for your steering wheel, pretty much any wheel will bolt up. I have a write up in the FAQ section on the later model 4 spoke cusion chevy truck wheel...very nice wheel IMO.

krue · 03-11-2005, 10:12 AM

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi. Check out our FAQ page for some good info. BTW what part of the world are you in?

TomShilling · 03-11-2005, 10:21 AM

Home is in the Northwest corner of South Carolina, close to the NC mountains. A nice place for a truck to call home!
Thanks for the advice so far, i have a lot of research to do!
Tom

**VetteVet** · 03-11-2005, 10:28 AM

Welcome to the forums. Its fun hanging out here. Have you been posting on microsoft news groups? Your name is familiar.
Watch the for sale boards and you'll see all kinds of things for your truck and plenty of how to's in the other boards as well.
VetteVet

Brewski* · 03-11-2005, 10:31 AM

Please post pics of the motor> I would love to see an all original stock invader. I am restoring a 71 GMC 4x4 and love original pics to compare my restoration to. Sounds like a great truck to rebuild. Longhorn's link is the best place to start. GMC PAULS has great prices and supplies for GMC.

Brainchild · 03-11-2005, 10:41 AM

Welcome to the boards.You got the truck with the pretty smile

I just put a steering wheel off a S-10 blazer,prolly late 80's early 90's model,it bolts up,but the diameter of the center is different than the column,and it looks hokey.It's a cool wheel aside from that.I'm going junkin' today to find a better option.

TomShilling · 03-11-2005, 10:52 AM

Here are some more pics: it seems that Power Steering has been added, with a crudely fabricated bracket ( that's how things get done on a North Carolina farm!). Maybe you can see some areas of interest (or concern!)

Thanks again!
Tom

Longhorn Man · 03-11-2005, 11:11 AM

interesting...not to nitpick, but the alt is on the wrong side too. If the belts are in good shape, you may want to write down the numbers so when you get the idiot kid at auto zone with the upside down visor on...he'll still screw it up, but it'll be closer than if you just gave him measurements.

boraxman · 03-11-2005, 11:12 AM

Welcome from So. Cal.

Swbman · 03-11-2005, 11:14 AM

a board the Board..Nice truck,especially when you take into account that it was free,for the most part seems as though everything is there and thats a definite plus.

**VetteVet** · 03-11-2005, 11:14 AM

My nephew got married last october in Lyman, not too far from you. They had a festival in town the morning of the wedding and a small car show. Guess where I was between 10:00 and 12:00. I got some nice pics and that is some beautiful country you have there.
Vettevet

**Yukon Jack** · 03-11-2005, 12:44 PM

Welcome to the board!

70 shorty · 03-11-2005, 01:41 PM

Welcome from Central VA, it looks like you've got a nice starting point.

BET68 · 03-11-2005, 09:02 PM

WELCOME FROM WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA ( BREVARD)!!

CHEVY & GMC FOREVER · 03-11-2005, 09:10 PM

Welcome to the board from New Lenox, IL..... That 350 looks a little like mine looked before I got it rebuilt, except there is no A/C unit on yours, and mine is a Chevy.... I still don't have it back yet but here's a pic of it before........

Lot's of luck with that beautiful truck of yours..

03-11-2005, 10:08 AM	#1
TomShilling Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 42	Inherited 71 GMC Truck: suggested Mods? Hello! My first post as a new member: thanks in advance! I have inherited a 1971 GMC 1/2 ton pick up. It needs some help. It is all original with a 350 invader, but needs the following: L and R lower rockers, new steering wheel (an easy bolt-on with no adaptors), new Seat, new rims, lower tailgate skin, and Major dent repair on the pass side bed in front of the wheel well. It is pretty solid aside from the lower rockers, and I have seen cab corners as replacement parts: is that the lower truck cab where the bed joins the cab? I may need those. Mechanically, she is perfect, just had the brakes done and with a few upgrades, she'll be fine. Again, any suggestions on where to find these items, best pricing, and any tech tips would be appreciated. I am posting a few pics so you can see what I have to work with. Thanks again! Attached Images

03-11-2005, 10:10 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Let me be the first to welcome to the boards. What part of the world do you call home? That looks to be a very nice pretty solid starting point. Rockers are pretty much a given onless you live in the desert...cab corners are pretty much just as commonly needing repaired. The cab corner is the bottom corner of the cab behind the rocker. If you go to the main page her ( www.67-72chevytrucks.net ) you'll find a list of vendors on the left. They are pretty much top notch. There are a few others out there not listed, and for the best part, they are great vendors too. There are enough vendors that specialize in the 67 - 72 that there is no reason to go to a company who has us as a side line buisness....like a side line from brittish sports cars... (LMC truck) Don't be afraid to ask questions here...even the dumb ones. Lots of ppl know there stuff here, and can clue you in on things you'd never woulda imagined. As for your steering wheel, pretty much any wheel will bolt up. I have a write up in the FAQ section on the later model 4 spoke cusion chevy truck wheel...very nice wheel IMO. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 03-11-2005 at 10:17 AM.

03-11-2005, 10:12 AM	#3
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Welcome to the board from South Mississippi. Check out our FAQ page for some good info. BTW what part of the world are you in? __________________ "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"

03-11-2005, 10:21 AM	#4
TomShilling Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 42	Location : Beautiful Spartanburg, SC Home is in the Northwest corner of South Carolina, close to the NC mountains. A nice place for a truck to call home! Thanks for the advice so far, i have a lot of research to do! Tom

03-11-2005, 10:28 AM	#5
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,709	Hi Tom Welcome to the forums. Its fun hanging out here. Have you been posting on microsoft news groups? Your name is familiar. Watch the for sale boards and you'll see all kinds of things for your truck and plenty of how to's in the other boards as well. VetteVet __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

03-11-2005, 10:31 AM	#6
Brewski* Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rocky Mount, MO Posts: 1,293	Please post pics of the motor> I would love to see an all original stock invader. I am restoring a 71 GMC 4x4 and love original pics to compare my restoration to. Sounds like a great truck to rebuild. Longhorn's link is the best place to start. GMC PAULS has great prices and supplies for GMC.

03-11-2005, 10:41 AM	#7
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Welcome to the boards.You got the truck with the pretty smile I just put a steering wheel off a S-10 blazer,prolly late 80's early 90's model,it bolts up,but the diameter of the center is different than the column,and it looks hokey.It's a cool wheel aside from that.I'm going junkin' today to find a better option. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

03-11-2005, 10:52 AM	#8
TomShilling Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 42	Motor pics: not as original as I thought! Here are some more pics: it seems that Power Steering has been added, with a crudely fabricated bracket ( that's how things get done on a North Carolina farm!). Maybe you can see some areas of interest (or concern!) Thanks again! Tom Attached Images

03-11-2005, 11:11 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	interesting...not to nitpick, but the alt is on the wrong side too. If the belts are in good shape, you may want to write down the numbers so when you get the idiot kid at auto zone with the upside down visor on...he'll still screw it up, but it'll be closer than if you just gave him measurements.

03-11-2005, 11:12 AM	#10
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,921	Welcome from So. Cal. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

03-11-2005, 11:14 AM	#11
Swbman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tulsa,Oklahoma Posts: 606	a board the Board..Nice truck,especially when you take into account that it was free,for the most part seems as though everything is there and thats a definite plus. __________________ 1961 BUICK LESABRE 1968 CHEVELLE SS 396 1969 BUICK RIVIERA GS 1971 2 WHEEL DRIVE BLAZER 1971 4X4 BLAZER 1971 SHORTBED CHEYENNE FLEETSIDE 1971 SHORTBED 4X4 FLEETSIDE ** ...My Ebay

03-11-2005, 12:44 PM	#13
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	Welcome to the board! __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

03-11-2005, 01:41 PM	#14
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,768	Welcome from Central VA, it looks like you've got a nice starting point. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

03-11-2005, 09:02 PM	#15
BET68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: BREVARD NC Posts: 156	Welcome WELCOME FROM WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA ( BREVARD)!! __________________ NAMASTE B&E 1971 LONGHORN C-30 1969 LONGHORN C-20 1968 DUALLY 1970 STEP SIDE PROJECT 1972 CST C-20 1980 M-80 MALIBU FOR SALE 1974 NOVA FOR SALE:

03-11-2005, 09:10 PM	#16
CHEVY & GMC FOREVER Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Lenox,IL Posts: 306	Welcome to the board from New Lenox, IL..... That 350 looks a little like mine looked before I got it rebuilt, except there is no A/C unit on yours, and mine is a Chevy.... I still don't have it back yet but here's a pic of it before........ Lot's of luck with that beautiful truck of yours.. __________________ 1985 Chevrolet C-30 454 1-TON Dooley 1969 CHEVROLET CST-10 PICK-UP Good memories 1999 Chevrolet Z71 Ext. cab 5.7L Good Memories With a quart of oil, and a gallon of gas, she won't let no other car pass!!!. & FOREVER



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.