'67-'72 Reference Books - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

stllookn · 07-30-2002, 03:30 PM

What is your opinion of the Chevrolet Pickups 1946-1972: How to Identify, Select and Restore These Collector Light Trucks by John Gunnell? Is there a better reference manual out there? The Chevrolet Trucks RedBook does not get very high reviews.

toms68cst · 07-30-2002, 03:49 PM

I have that book as well as "Standard Catalog of Chevrolet Trucks" by John Gunnell. I've found a few minor inaccuracies (SP) in the book you mentioned but it's pretty interesting toilet reading.

The standard Catalog highlights model changes through the years and includes production numbers, option installation rates and option availablilty. My main gripe is much of the detailed print is very small and hard to see.

Most of the other "Chevy Truck" books and Pickup Books I have contain really annoying mistakes about our series.

Rod · 07-31-2002, 12:07 AM

This forums the best source, but I have lots of toilet reading truck materials also. Need a pallet jack for all the books now...lol.

*Gee_Emm* · 07-31-2002, 12:48 AM

Its a good library type book, in other words not really a buyer imo,

If you want a good reference book get the Chevrolet redbook, its a little pocket book with tons of info, the other book is more of a story kind, but even the red book has some mistakes in it.

Tar_Heel · 07-31-2002, 09:38 AM

Hi All,

Last Christmas my wife got me the Haynes manual for Chevy Truck (67-87). Overall, I found it difficult to find information that applied specifically to my 68. What do you guys and gals use? What would you recommend for a guy with no know-how but eager to gain "on the job experience"? Being a novice, I think a book with a lot of pictures would be a great help. Who knows, I just may become a grease monkey one day

Have a great day y'all!

chris

jay-dawg · 07-31-2002, 11:54 AM

I would have to say the factory overhaul manuals are pretty good. I just won the assembly manual so I dont have any opinion on that yet. I agree with you on the haynes manual...pretty generic but good reading anyway.

jay

DennyB · 07-31-2002, 12:00 PM

I got an 55-59 assembly manual off ebay. Its a reproduction but its thick and very detailed. Even explains where to drill the holes for trim, etc.

This is what I bought.

I recommend this seller

Denny

bouncytruck · 07-31-2002, 12:23 PM

A friend of mine has the assembly manual for his '66 4wd. He said that it has a lot of illustrations & exploded views, but very few explinations or instructions. I'm considering buying one for my '69 K5. I have the Chilton's book for Blazers for 69- something like 87. It is almost worthless. The descriptions are often wrong because they cover so many years. They also have more in-depth descriptions and photos for the easy, more obvious stuff but then the rest is something like "remove, rebuild and reinstall the transmission."

DennyB · 07-31-2002, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bouncytruck
....it has a lot of illustrations & exploded views, but very few explinations or instructions. .....

Your correct. But I figure If I know where it goes........I'll get it there

palallin · 07-31-2002, 02:15 PM

I have both the factory service and overhaul manuals. I want to eventually get the assembly manual. FWIW, one of my favorite resources comes to me in the mail on a semi-regular basis: the LMC catalog. It's probably the most useful catalog I've ever seen, with all the exploded drawings.

ChevLoRay · 07-31-2002, 04:10 PM

The Red Book has good info, as does the Standard Catalog book. The factory truck chassis service manual is the best, for your specific year model. Haynes manuals are way better than Chiltons, but still have to be somewhat generic to cover 20 years of trucks. The Assembly Manual is nothing but a compilation of sheets from the assembly lines, and offers some info, but you have to be careful with what you find. Measurements are nice. There should also be al factory overhaul manual, which is a supplement to the chassis service manual. LMC catalogs are great, too, for showing how a given assembly might be assembled. Another excellent reference source is a parts book OR a Mitchell Crash Book that will cover your model. Reference books are just that....reference. Hands-on is the other part that has to be included. You can't get that from a book.

woodrow59 · 07-31-2002, 04:35 PM

I've got that Chilton's book that y'all are talkin' about it. I agree it is basically useless. However, I remember my dad having a Chilton's manual in the mid '70's that was very different from the one i've got. It had pictures of the grills so you could tell which year you were dealing with. And it seemed much more detailed. Gonna have to call to see if he still has it.

Anybody else remember one like that ?

Bamm · 07-31-2002, 05:32 PM

What's the red book????? Where can you get them Can someone explain please.......JB

PanelDeland · 07-31-2002, 09:01 PM

Here's a book source. www.motorbooks.com They carry most of the books mentioned and a lot of others.They are mostly gearhead related publications.
Now for the real best advice on how to learn more about these trucks.
1) Buy whichever of the books/manuals you can find and afford

2) Buy a junker truck ( haul one off if you can get it for free)

3) Disassemble it by the book and when you get stuck,JUST GET ON THE BOARD AND ASK!!

4)Welcome to the exciting new world of keeping the neighbors,landlord, city and your spouse from complaining about the junk in your yard.

07-30-2002, 03:30 PM	#1
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	'67-'72 Reference Books What is your opinion of the Chevrolet Pickups 1946-1972: How to Identify, Select and Restore These Collector Light Trucks by John Gunnell? Is there a better reference manual out there? The Chevrolet Trucks RedBook does not get very high reviews. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

07-30-2002, 03:49 PM	#2
toms68cst Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 4,297	I have that book as well as "Standard Catalog of Chevrolet Trucks" by John Gunnell. I've found a few minor inaccuracies (SP) in the book you mentioned but it's pretty interesting toilet reading. The standard Catalog highlights model changes through the years and includes production numbers, option installation rates and option availablilty. My main gripe is much of the detailed print is very small and hard to see. Most of the other "Chevy Truck" books and Pickup Books I have contain really annoying mistakes about our series. __________________ Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club.

07-31-2002, 12:07 AM	#3
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	This forums the best source, but I have lots of toilet reading truck materials also. Need a pallet jack for all the books now...lol. __________________ 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.

07-31-2002, 09:38 AM	#5
Tar_Heel Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Beautiful Rougemont, NC Posts: 4	So what books should a novice start with? Hi All, Last Christmas my wife got me the Haynes manual for Chevy Truck (67-87). Overall, I found it difficult to find information that applied specifically to my 68. What do you guys and gals use? What would you recommend for a guy with no know-how but eager to gain "on the job experience"? Being a novice, I think a book with a lot of pictures would be a great help. Who knows, I just may become a grease monkey one day Have a great day y'all! chris __________________ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

07-31-2002, 11:54 AM	#6
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	I would have to say the factory overhaul manuals are pretty good. I just won the assembly manual so I dont have any opinion on that yet. I agree with you on the haynes manual...pretty generic but good reading anyway. jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

07-31-2002, 12:48 AM	#4
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	Its a good library type book, in other words not really a buyer imo, If you want a good reference book get the Chevrolet redbook, its a little pocket book with tons of info, the other book is more of a story kind, but even the red book has some mistakes in it.

07-31-2002, 12:00 PM	#7
DennyB Led Sled! Discs R 4 ME! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Toms River, NJ, USA (Transplanted Hoosier) Posts: 7,327	I got an 55-59 assembly manual off ebay. Its a reproduction but its thick and very detailed. Even explains where to drill the holes for trim, etc. This is what I bought. I recommend this seller Denny __________________ "Never ride faster than your Angel can fly" I.M.O.M,W,J&C Patriot Guard Rider

07-31-2002, 12:23 PM	#8
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	A friend of mine has the assembly manual for his '66 4wd. He said that it has a lot of illustrations & exploded views, but very few explinations or instructions. I'm considering buying one for my '69 K5. I have the Chilton's book for Blazers for 69- something like 87. It is almost worthless. The descriptions are often wrong because they cover so many years. They also have more in-depth descriptions and photos for the easy, more obvious stuff but then the rest is something like "remove, rebuild and reinstall the transmission." __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-31-2002, 02:15 PM	#10
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,238	I have both the factory service and overhaul manuals. I want to eventually get the assembly manual. FWIW, one of my favorite resources comes to me in the mail on a semi-regular basis: the LMC catalog. It's probably the most useful catalog I've ever seen, with all the exploded drawings. __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

07-31-2002, 04:10 PM	#11
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	The Red Book has good info, as does the Standard Catalog book. The factory truck chassis service manual is the best, for your specific year model. Haynes manuals are way better than Chiltons, but still have to be somewhat generic to cover 20 years of trucks. The Assembly Manual is nothing but a compilation of sheets from the assembly lines, and offers some info, but you have to be careful with what you find. Measurements are nice. There should also be al factory overhaul manual, which is a supplement to the chassis service manual. LMC catalogs are great, too, for showing how a given assembly might be assembled. Another excellent reference source is a parts book OR a Mitchell Crash Book that will cover your model. Reference books are just that....reference. Hands-on is the other part that has to be included. You can't get that from a book. __________________ 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.

07-31-2002, 04:35 PM	#12
woodrow59 OzarkHillbilly in Atlanta Join Date: May 2002 Location: Douglasville, Ga. Salem, Mo. Posts: 386	I've got that Chilton's book that y'all are talkin' about it. I agree it is basically useless. However, I remember my dad having a Chilton's manual in the mid '70's that was very different from the one i've got. It had pictures of the grills so you could tell which year you were dealing with. And it seemed much more detailed. Gonna have to call to see if he still has it. Anybody else remember one like that ? __________________ 72 custom/10 LWB 68 Longhorn C20 Custom Camper (sold)

07-31-2002, 05:32 PM	#13
Bamm Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amelia, Virginia Posts: 2,921	What's the red book????? Where can you get them Can someone explain please.......JB __________________ 1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS

07-31-2002, 09:01 PM	#14
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Here's a book source. www.motorbooks.com They carry most of the books mentioned and a lot of others.They are mostly gearhead related publications. Now for the real best advice on how to learn more about these trucks. 1) Buy whichever of the books/manuals you can find and afford 2) Buy a junker truck ( haul one off if you can get it for free) 3) Disassemble it by the book and when you get stuck,JUST GET ON THE BOARD AND ASK!! 4)Welcome to the exciting new world of keeping the neighbors,landlord, city and your spouse from complaining about the junk in your yard. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"



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