1973 3/4 ton GMC 4x4 25HD Restoration Build

[RoughKuntry]

Alright guys, Much of you know this truck as Blue Thunder, Let me put it to ya this way she is a monster. Atm she is nothing but Rolling Chassis. Dana 60 FF with 4:56 Gears, The Front Dana 60 Even Has the Appropriate (FMJ) Full Metal Jacket Warn Locking Hubs. NP205 Full Time T-Case, 4 Speed M20 Transmission. I have photos of what My Truck Started Out. I will upload them tomorrow Night, So Stay tune. She has a Stock Lift, with 33's & Original Rims & Hub Caps. I wanted to take this back to the Original Style, However I spoke to The DMV and asked if I could remove the Vin from the Cab and The Loop Hole was if I can prove that the Cab is unsafe. Not to mention If Your Rig Holds Less then 10 Passengers You can Run without Doors, Just Relocate Your Mirrors. I have a Full Custom Roll Cage Ready to protect the Front Clip to the Cab. I am not going to Bob the Bed of the truck Unless I do it my way. Which is a pain in the a**. I am gonna try to upload the Video's of The Tear Down, I have had help from a few friends to remove The Cab & Bed. But other then that All Other Work was Done By Me. I spent maybe 2 yrs already removing rusted or damaged parts from this truck. I just had a great though about letting yall see what she looks like. The Cab & Front Fenders + Hood Are Original to the Early 1973's With Red Primer. The Only Thing that Is not Original to the Truck Is the 1976 Chevy Bed. Which Was Painted Blue after the Primer Was Gray. But Stamped On The Passenger Side under where the Cab Sits is 10/11/72 which states this Truck Is an Early Model 25HD Super Custom. I have dug into the research of the truck enough to know what to do and what not to do. So Sit Back relax and Enjoy The Ride.

-T.Rokk

[RoughKuntry]

1973 3/4 GMC Super Custom 25HD

[RoughKuntry]

Breaking Down The Old Truck





Rebulding The Rear Dana 60 & Replacing Rear Drum Breaks






New Axles 4:56 Gears FF Dana 60s

[83GMCK2500]

Truck looks like a great starting point, nice find.

The Dana 60 was not introduced until 1977, if that is original it is an early large hub Dana 44. GM NEVER USED a Dana 60 rear axle in these trucks, that is a 14 bolt and it's an early one with small BRAKES. Your front caps are correct for 1973, the rear caps are 1977+. Those are most commonly referred to as Warn Premium Locking Hubs, with an alloy dial; an upgrade over the Warn Standard Locking Hubs with plastic dial.

[y5mgisi]

I like it even in the before pics!

[y5mgisi]

Also, as stated above, the rear axle is a "Corporate 14 bolt". Not a Dana 60. Most would agree that the 14 bolt is Superior to the dana 60 due to its larger ring gear, and the addition of a third pinion bearing.

[RoughKuntry]

Me & MY Bestie Tearing Apart Blue Thunder. Shh Watch The Video's
Vid 01: http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/To...tml?sort=3&o=8
Vid 02: http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/To...f04e0.mp4.html
Vid 03: http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/To...b1f6a.mp4.html
Vid 04: http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/To...d8786.mp4.html

[RoughKuntry]

Alright, guys good news in 3 to 4 weeks my dad is coming up to live here in Wa, just means that I will get some help in building my 73 4x4. I am also picking up a newer cab & fenders for my truck. I know, I know, yall love the 73 look. But I think these old trucks need a change of style. Of course the vin is the same but the front clip is from a late model 89 Chevy Truck. Depending on how it looks I may not be subjected to customization. However, I am interested in customizing the 1991 Z71 front grille look into an 89.

[RoughKuntry]

Alright, Well as yall know I have been rebuilding my 1973 3/4 ton for the past 2 yrs. I just bought the new cab & Front Clip. I hauled all of this back to the mountains from Spanaway, Wa. Using a 1980 C10 1/2 ton truck. So I thought yall would like to see how I got it home. I spent $200.00 on a Full Cab with Matching doors from 1977. And Was also given The Custom Flat bed, and full interior for this cab. So You could say I got a great deal. I have checked everywhere on this cab and as far as I can see its all surface rust. The Rocker Panels are in perfect shape. Could use a Bath & New Windshield, But first need to Mount everything. Will update in a few days after the 4th of July, to Show yall progress.

Enjoy.



Now back to the new Updates taken before the 4th Of July 2014.

[old Rusty C10]

Looks great!! LMK if you want this moved to projects and builds

[79Betty]

Looks solid! Curious, what is sticking up on the hood of the red/blue truck?

[RoughKuntry]

The 1973 - 1980 C10 - C30 light duty trucks had a problem with the hood creasing. Those were put there to stop it. And they do a great job at holding down a deer. And Rusty go ahead and place this thread in the Project & Builds. Atm I am turning the cab from an Automatic into a Manual.

[RoughKuntry]

Just to show ya what I am saving for the day I get her all put together. Here is a Teaser

ENJOY!!

[Hankster]

Im along for this one.. I am running that grille in my 86.. its just been painted gloss black.

[rusty76]

Killer.

[RoughKuntry]

Just got back from picking up the new custom flat bed, it could use some paint and maybe some rhino lining, but other then that its about 500lbs of steel. I will post some photos up here later tomorrow, so yall can see what I got free with just buying the cab & front clip.

[mud.man.rj]

The old girl looks sooo sad all apart in pieces.

[RoughKuntry]

I know right, but just wait there is more, I got ahold of a great v8 for my Mud Slut. 305 from a 65 Belaire, for only $150, forgot that I have original Ram Horn Exhaust for the guy's set up so you know its going to be one of a kind. Of Course the 305 needs to be rebuilt but I have all the pieces still in plastic ready to go. I could of sold them off and bought a new engine, but I think I will rebuild this new motor and the 350.

[RoughKuntry]

So Gents, I had some help today its 7/14/2014, a friend of mine with a Forklift came over and helped me put the Flat bed on the truck & cab then I built the rest yesterday night when it wasn't 98 degrees outside in the shade. But without farther ado I can now show you my 4x4. Still need 4' lift blocks for the axles until I get the suspension lift kit from Rough Country, but that will have to come when I drive down to Yakima, Wa. But I give you a Super Custom Flat Bed Special 4x4 aka The Cispus Mud Slut.

1973 Super Custom Flat Bed Special 4x4

[RoughKuntry]

So today at 9am 7/20 we get to drop the new 292 I-6 into my 3/4 4x4. That gives me a truck to drive then the C10 gets to be rebuilt. But gotta wait for my dad to get to Washington to rebuild the 350 Original Motor. I am so excited. Yall will see the 4x4 in action if I can get the fuel to drive her today might have to wait to get a video on youtube.

[Hankster]

Lookin' Good!

[RoughKuntry]

The only other problem I am having now is with the 350 Swapped to I-6 250, she seems to be smoking from the starter motor? Anyone have any Ideas on how to fix this small problem?

[rusty76]

I have no idea on the starter motor other than some bad wiring. The truck looks good with the flatbed!

[RoughKuntry]

Figured that I might as well drop the SM465 along with the Np 205, well when I put the motor to the Transmission I did forget 1 thing guys, The Pilot Bearing... So I know the problem, I found the old bearing in the tool box and I was like "OH S***!"

[mud.man.rj]

Well you won't forget the pilot bearing/bushing ever again after that, least it's coming together.