Help with my Holy Grail

[Bad Jackson]

I'm sorta new & I don't own a truck... Yet. I need some help with prioritizing my list of characteristics of my perfect truck.
For me, the perfect truck is a:
1972 GMC LWB K10/K20
Factory A/C
Original Stereo (I don't want the dash cut)
Manual Trans
Metal Box floor
Minimal Rust
Survivor
Not Green
Good Condition
Reasonable Price

Obviously getting all these wants is a long shot. So, I was thinking of sacrificing a few things.
4X4 and Manual Trans, thinking those would be easier to change later.

Can anyone help with their options on this. Swapping the box would be easy too, but then I'd have to paint it.

Thanks.
Munsk

[68350]

I really don't see that list being hard to fill. The reasonable price thing is pretty debatable I guess lol. But I would think you can find your dream truck with a little patience. Its not easy to change the 4wd part. Basically would have to find find a frame and do a body swap later if you bought a 2wd now

[68350]

BTW, what part of Montana? I'll keep my eyes open on Craigslist for ya, I look every day

[Bad Jackson]

I've been looking on CL everyday too. Central MT.
I was under the impression that 2wd & 4wd frames were the same, just entirely different front ends. No?

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by Bad Jackson

1972 GMC LWB K10/K20
Factory A/C
Original Stereo (I don't want the dash cut)
Manual Trans
Metal Box floor
Minimal Rust
Survivor
Not Green
Good Condition
Reasonable Price

Thinking of sacrificing a few things?
I think you should sacrifice a couple other things first that would be easier to change later.

My suggestions to sacrifice...
72 GMC... I would be looking for either Chevy or GMC and 71 or 72
Factory A/C... aftermarket kits are easy to install and usually work better
Reasonable Price... If you find exactly what your looking for... BUY IT
Survivor... If you find a redone one for a price you can live with... BUY IT

But, I agree in that your list is not as much of long shot as you think.
Don't be afraid to travel.
And I totally agree with NOT GREEN

[Bad Jackson]

I just want factory A/C for the sheet metal. I'll completely replace all the components.

[Bad Jackson]

My Cummins was green. My car is green. My 4 wheeler is green. My Power Wagon is originally green. I'm just sick of dark green.

[68350]

The a/c swap really isn't too hard to do. Cut a few holes in the dash and modify the firewall a tiny bit and you're done. If you plan on buying all new components, this would be way to go if you dont find one with factory a/c. My dad converted the 68 gmc i have to factory a/c. Just a hole saw and a cutting wheel and some patience. The 2wd frames don't have any of the front suspension pieces needed for a 4wd. You'd be way further ahead to buy a 4wd.

[Bad Jackson]

But can't I find a junk 73-87 4x4 and steal the whole front end out of it? I was under the impression that, that's the beauty of GM, they didn't change much from 71-8?

[Ol Blue K20]

4x4 frame and 2wd have totally different frames

[Bad Jackson]

Really?!!! Damn. I was led astray!

[landy]

Why a '72? I think '71 is almost the same. You can likely find something that meets most of your criteria, although it may take a bit to find a survivor for a reasonable price.

Last year, I bought a white '71 GMC K1500, longbed with wood bed, fleetside, with 350, 4 speed, original AM radio (so uncut dash), no A/C, but very original truck.

Good luck with the search!

[wreckedchevy]

I don't know how deep your pocket's go and it's the wrong color but danggggg
https://bozeman.craigslist.org/cto/4609285621.html

[Bad Jackson]

Yes, that's a pretty nice truck, but my pockets are no where near that deep!

I want 72 really only because I want a Highlander. Or a Highlander clone. I know I can make the truck of my dreams out of any 4x4 from 69-72, but wouldn't it be sweet to have it all correct from the factory...

[wreckedchevy]

that's ok, neither are mine. I happen to know a guy that's hoarding an extremely clean black on black highlander but it's 2x4 and non ac. he's saving it for a rainy day but considering he's got atleast 40 of these trucks I don't think there' s enough rainy days

[Bad Jackson]

Ha! No, not after the 4th of July in Montana. Hardly any rainy days!!!

Thanks for all the help guys! I know now, that the frames are different!

[Nitis]

I'll also say the easiest thing on your list to not fret over would be ac

No matter how you go about it it's going to cost you close to the same do redo a factory cab or non

Plus in your part of the country there probably weren't very many who came there originally anyway

[Bad Jackson]

Right, factory A/C in a 4X4 is a hard find up here. Some, but not lots. I have read, on this site, that the A/C conversion is not terrible, but cutting my dash seems like a scary challenge. I'm a perfectionist & I like things to look factory when I'm done

[68350]

Well the good thing about making your cuts is you can get templates from someone and then its kind of like just following the lines. Plus the vents have some overhang so if it wasn't perfect perfect, you could hide it lol. I'm surprised how many trucks actually do have a/c. For it being an expensive option, I have seen a LOT with it. What kind of price range do you have? That way it will help weed out some ads

[Bad Jackson]

Realistically for me, anything above $5K is out of the question. I know it's hard to find good survivors for that, & I'm well aware that they are worth that or more, but I've seen some good ones for around $3K that have had minimal rust. So, I'm just kicking tires right now & I posted this originally to help me prioritize my list. I've already learned some about the frames, so I'm happy with today's progress!

Thanks again to all that have helped.

[jeffahart]

Just speaking demographically.

If I were you I would expand my search. Montana only has 1million people. So fewer vehicles. Plus if you look in Nevada, Arizona or Calif, you can probably get a good running truck with most everything you want and that has very little rust. Los Angeles county alone has 10 million people; lots of cars and trucks.

But, and your aren't going to like this.... there is a push in California to make all trucks GREEN!

Get it... California... green! Ha Ha I crack myself up!

[davepl]

Originally Posted by Bad Jackson

I've seen some good ones for around $3K that have had minimal rust.

You've seen trucks with little rust for $3K that have equipment like this?

1972 GMC LWB K10/K20
Factory A/C
Original Stereo (I don't want the dash cut)
Manual Trans
Metal Box floor
Minimal Rust
Survivor
Not Green
Good Condition
Reasonable Price

[68350]

OK I'll keep my eyes open. If I come across something I'll message you the info. Good luck with your future search

[wreckedchevy]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Just speaking demographically.

If I were you I would expand my search. Montana only has 1million people. So fewer vehicles. Plus if you look in Nevada, Arizona or Calif, you can probably get a good running truck with most everything you want and that has very little rust. Los Angeles county alone has 10 million people; lots of cars and trucks.

But, and your aren't going to like this.... there is a push in California to make all trucks GREEN!

Get it... California... green! Ha Ha I crack myself up!

ahh but you forget that our truck to redneck ratio here is very high :-)

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by wreckedchevy

ahh but you forget that our truck to redneck ratio here is very high :-)

Ha Ha.... Wasn't thinking!