Preparing to build Project High Step

[1969k10stepside]

I decided to start gathering parts for Project High Step,a 72 GMC short step 4wd.I got out a 350 I had laying around piled under some junk.It isnt that pretty but it's a start since the truck doesnt have a motor.I dont know yet what I'll do with it motor wise.I'd like to build a 355 but might just clean up the current motor,new rings,a valve job,and call it good for now and get another motor to build as a 355.I got it out and put it on the engine stand that just had the motor from the SWB 4wd,a hopped up .06 over 350,off of it for a few months.I started cleaning up the motor.I plan to paint it chevy orange (of course) except for the valve covers.The valve covers are some old Mickey Thompsons that I'll just clean up.I'll probably use a Edelbrock Performer intake on it,along with a Holley double pumper I've had laying around.I'll probably put a mild cam in it,definitly not keeping the stock cam! I'm going to use manifolds so I dont have to worry about header and z-bar issues once I get the sm465 4spd/np205 in it.Until I swap those in though it's keeping its stock Th350/Np205 combo it has.I also bought some fairly decent doors for it today for $100.I'll have some pics of the motor,and the doors,but for now there is just pics of the valve covers,and the project truck of course! With the motor done and installed,I just need to weld in the new cab panels it has included,swap on those doors,swap out a drivers side fender,get some bigger tires!,and get some 67-72 stepside fenders on the main portion of that 73-87 bed.Then just primer,get out the spray gun and put a cheap paint job on,and drive it.It'll be a good truck just to drive and occasionlly take it off road.I wish it was a lwb 3/4 ton though so I could haul or tow stuff with it though.The truck was restored about ten years ago,was rear-ended so they swapped that bed on,sold it to another person who clipped a pole smashing the door and drivers side fender,and then it sat till he pulled the motor to put in his S10.It sat a few more years,rusting away again till now..

[toomanytoyz]

So you Have it Home Now?? Going with a 6 " Lift on This one?? Those are some of my Favorite Valve Cover's you Have there. Are You Gonna Leave it GMC or Swap out Front End??

Look's to be a Good Start , Stepper's are my Favorite.......

Rick

[1969k10stepside]

Rick,it still isnt home so it isnt technically mine but it will be shortly!! It has a 4" lift and maybe put in a add-a-leaf which claims adding 2" of lift so that should bring it to about 6" of suspension lift and will use 35s most likely.It will stay a GMC

[special-K]

Hey,I`ve seen those pictures before.Did another member own this before?Add-A-Leafs ad 1-2" of lift to stock negative arched springs,won`t do that for arched-up 4" spring packs.Are you just leaving the "steps" off the side or converting the front stantions to work with the 67-72 steps?

[1969k10stepside]

Tim,I'll probably get the steps and 67-72 fenders at the same time,I might not have any steps on it for a week or so though.I believe I'm the only one on here that has owned this truck

[special-K]

If you plan to convert the`73-up bed you need to extend or swap the front stantions(stake pockets).The`73-up steps rise up and blend with the uprights.You might look for a complete bed.From what I`ve seen,good fenders and steps are harder to find than a good box.

[earl87gta]

you may have seen the pics he had on the 4x4 forums. So when it it coming home. did you see the pics of the step with 49s on it was in a post the not long ago.

[special-K]

Oh,ok.So preparing to build a truck includes bringing it home????

[earl87gta]

That’s usually the hardest part for me convincing the wife to let me bring it home.

[Yukon Jack]

You are a very busy man! Looks like it will be another fun project for you.

[1969k10stepside]

I'd like to pull the truck home with the k/5 since its only a 10 mile drive.Just another 67-72 4wd pulling another 67-72 4wd home.The cheaper of the 2 pulling the other one!
The only issue is the rear tires,but I've got some 6 lug rims with some ok tires that should make it home.I might put a piece of wood under the tranny to support it during towing though.Not only is bringing it home is preparing,but also letting the neighboors have a few weeks notice before I do bring it home..lol. I also need to clean up some first too,and get some of the junk parts hauled off.The alternative to towing the truck home is to just hook the Duramax up to the gooseneck and go get it.But hauling a truck home with it isn't fun until it's atleast a 2 hour trip

[earl87gta]

Nice trailor thats my next investment. the one I have know is not wide enough to tow the birb or a blazer why they have big tires onit.

[1969k10stepside]

Yeah,I know what you mean.The tires on my blazer are 33/11.50s and they barely squeezed in there but they did!

[earl87gta]

I have a set of skiny tires I use incase I need to trailor one of the trucks.

[special-K]

Nice tow set-up.Wouldn`t it be nice to have a machine shed with every kind of 5th wheel you could need backed in?

[1969k10stepside]

The trailer is ok but is for farm equipment,not a car hauler.Its a 7 ton trailer..Its gonna get traded in for a different one...

I talked to the owner again...He said he is willing to negotiate.I've got to count my pennies again and see what I can offer....I just happened to be looking on a junkyards website in Central Indiana and they have a 6.2 Diesel from a '82 C30 there for $350..I'm leaning towards getting that motor and stuffing it in the truck.How many 67-72s do you see with these old Diesels?I thought about putting a Duramax in one,but thats too pricey,and havent found any 6.5 diesels around so a 6.2 will have to do if I go this route.I may still go with a gas motor,but I don't know yet...I'll want a 5 speed if I use the 6.2 I might just pull the motor from the Blazer and use it.The truck needs a whole lot less work than the blazer does,the only thing about the blazer is that it runs.The body on it is poor though..I can always put a motor back in it and fix the tub on it later.