1972 SWB with 69 frame

[Nick1972]

I started this build in 1999 when I was 19. Teenage distractions lead to the truck to sit untouched, and collecting dust until this past October. I ran across A 1969 Swb truck for $1300 that sparked my interest again. Hopefully posting on this forum will give me good drive and ideas to finally finish the truck I drove in high school. I am Taking a 1969 swb frame and putting a 1972 body on it.

[Nick1972]

here are some pics of the build from 1999

[Nick1972]

here are pics of the 1969 swb i bought in october of 11

[Nick1972]

sold all the part except the frame, which is all i wanted, and broke even! Free Short bed frame!!

[Nick1972]

transmission crossmember out will probably go with a tubular crossmember. still have to figure what engine and trans combo out.

[Nick1972]

had to cut the reared bolts off they were rusted solid.
took me 1/2 a can of pb to get the springs off.

[72LSK10]

Looking real good, 2wd short beds look soo much nicer than 2wd long beds

[Nick1972]

pics after I took the front end off. I kept the front crossmember, and am going to get it sandblasted and painted, because I didn't know if the one off of my 72 was the same. Im gonna send it with the frame anyways. does anyone know if they are the same?

[STOCKISH]

The crossmembers should be identical. Look forward to the build! Good luck!

[Nick1972]

don't know if I'll need it but just in case i decide to slam my truck I'm putting in the dropped crossmember in the middle. i liked the idea of the 3'' holes for the exhaust. getting the bottom rivets out was a ***** so a flipped the frame over to get a better hit with a punch. I also supported the side rails with a 2x4 to keep the shape for the new cross member I think this will be a life saver when I put the new one on.

[Nick1972]

Took a wire attachment and cleaned the spot where the new crossmember is going to go. btw i had to drill out a 4th rivet on the passenger side toward the front to get the old one out.

[Nick1972]

I just used some rust preventive paint to coat the spot were the new crossmember is going. a little reassurance for me that the frame will be rust free once its painted.

[sharpmark]

hey nick
great start-must admit i'm partial to shortbeds
good luck-you got along hard road in front of you with a project of that magnitude.
cheers mark

[Nick1972]

mark, my 72 that ive got is a longbed. my taste has changed a little and wanted the swb look. The long bed frame I have now is already done, Im thinking a 67-72 4x4 build after this one. we will see. -nick

[Nick1972]

Just got the new middle crossmember today. That brings me up to date. Lets hope the extra $ keeps coming in. Shooting for a complete date of Spring of 13.

[Nick1972]

Got my friend jason to help me flip the frame back over. First help of the build, up to now its been all me. i checked placement of the new member looks good, glad I braced the frame with the 2x4. Waiting for my garage to warm up its 22 degrees in there right now. burrrr

[Nick1972]

gonna have to drill the holes for the bolts bigger. going to the hardware store to see what size they are. the place i bought it from didn't answer. i think its 1/2''

[Nick1972]

It was 7/16 will have pic tomorrow of the new crossmember installed.

[Nick1972]

got the crossmember bolted in. I just bought an 1 1/2'' grade 8 bolt to replace the extra rivet I drilled out.

[Nick1972]

my next chore. it been sitting beside my dads shop for 13 years hope its salvageable.

[Nick1972]

gonna have to dig the 72 out of storage eventually. there are parts i need of of it.

[Nick1972]

besides a junk yard anyone know where I can find this crossmember. it is cracked near the hole in the middle

[68 c10 gold/ivory]

i like both trucks

[Nick1972]

just got back from the car wash. i pressure washed 13yrs of dirt an leaves off of the front support. I forgot that the passenger side was rusted out probably from battery acid. does any one know of a replacement piece or is to the junkyard to find a new one?

[Nick1972]

Just showered after getting back from a junk yard. It was recently underwater by the Ohio river. I found a 68 that was gonna get crushed tomorrow and paid $200 for the rear crossmember and the radiator support. wee will see if i wasted $ or a good support. either way I saved a piece of that truck.