I want your thoughts on a 72 build

[Hartje]

I've made a few posts here and there but this is my first thread and really my first post... I've been lurking for quite awhile longer than I have owned my truck watching the classified on this board soaked up more than a few of my nights... But! I found the truck and I've owned my truck for just a bout a year now. I was searching for a square when I came across this hoss on the local craigslist.

I don't have any great pictures of the truck but I'll share what I have in a moment.

My plans for the truck are pretty simple - spend 90 Grand on a full PB chassis with a brand new supercharged LT1.......

In the mean time until I plant that money tree! I'm going to static drop it and drive the snot out of it. This is a tentative list of the parts I'd like to pick up. Wife has more or less given me the green light to spend some money on fixing the hack job suspension and brakes My budget at the moment without wheels and tires is about $3500. (All 4 springs have been heated and the fronts were cut too. The rear brakes are in need of replacement as well.)

So this is my thought and this is the part I'd like some feed back on. Should I change this list? Looking for about a 5/7 drop...

Should I add the "bolt-in" c-notch with 5" drop spring in the rear?
Are lower A-arms worth the coin?
If I replace the lowers should I also replace the uppers?
Is ECE's drop kit better than the CPP kit? The CPP kit comes with sway bars...

7172FRBK5-BB (Front/Rear BIG BRAKE Kit) CPP $1,798.00 2.5" drop spindle?
6572LHPK (Lower and Handling kit) CPP $599.00 3/4 drop
7172SFK-PT (Front end kit, ball joins and rod ends) CPP $289.00
FA694 (Pitman Arm) CPP $39.00
CP4-2 ( 2" Drop Block) CPP $69.00

I've also got some 20" wheels picked out but I'll keep them a secret for now as I'll probably change my mind a few times before the purchase.

In addition to the above list I have a bunch of parts in the garage ready to go on now... I picked up an 05 Tahoe front bench with the shoulder belts in the seat. I have a new grill and emblem as well as CST side markers and new wiper arms and blades!
I'm getting excited to start on this project as I have finally gotten to a good spot with my Nova build.

Look forward to hearing your feed back!
-Blake

PICTURES!

(front) This is the day I brought her home... (disliked the grill from the start)


(back) Bumper needs to go!


freshened up the grill with 8 bucks worth of paint.


402 in all her glory I crinkle painted the valve covers and intake hat cleaned it up a lot in there!


Just for kicks this is my hot rod and the real money pit...

[D-rock1981]

What are you mostly going to be using the truck for? How often will you be hauling heavy loads, pulling trailers, etc. or will it just be used as a 2 seater car? Daily driver or weekend cruiser?

[Hartje]

I plan on using this as a "truck" and the occasional cruiser; its fun to see the old beaters out and about. I might haul a load of something but nothing crazy. hadn't planned on pulling much but it would be nice to have the capability... it is a truck. My Nova is the real road warrior, I just want it to sit sharp, turn and stop when I tell it to!

[truckster]

I'm curious about the choice of the LT1. Why not go with an LS series motor? Don't get me wrong; I love my LT1 in my 95 Z28 convertible, but I think you can do more with the LS motors.

[D-rock1981]

Imo the best way to get a good stance with a truck and still make it useful is with airbags, at least in the rear. I would get a front disk brake kit, 2" drop spindles and whatever you want for front springs to get the drop and Then airbag the rear since it's much easier to bag then the front. If you want you can also bag the front. Buy good quality shocks. Control arms are only needed if you want to run more caster on your alignment. If you don't have one put a sway bar on the front. Upgrade all your bushings, including body mounts to urethane. Rebuild your rear brakes, the drums are sufficient. I would also consider an overdrive transmission if your planning on hitting the highway.

[Hartje]

Originally Posted by truckster

I'm curious about the choice of the LT1. Why not go with an LS series motor? Don't get me wrong; I love my LT1 in my 95 Z28 convertible, but I think you can do more with the LS motors.

GM brought the LT1 back in the new C7 Vette it'll also be in the 2016 Camaros... It's pipe dreams and more sarcasm than truth.
But, my Nova runs an LS3 that is built for boost, but isn't forced fed yet, we're getting close!

[Hartje]

Originally Posted by D-rock1981

Imo the best way to get a good stance with a truck and still make it useful is with airbags, at least in the rear. I would get a front disk brake kit, 2" drop spindles and whatever you want for front springs to get the drop and Then airbag the rear since it's much easier to bag then the front. If you want you can also bag the front. Buy good quality shocks. Control arms are only needed if you want to run more caster on your alignment. If you don't have one put a sway bar on the front. Upgrade all your bushings, including body mounts to urethane. Rebuild your rear brakes, the drums are sufficient. I would also consider an overdrive transmission if your planning on hitting the highway.

Thanks D-Rock, I'd like to put in the NV4500 (?) eventually but who knows what'll happen with the drive train. I'm not opposed to another LS swap as mentioned above.... I love the idea of bags but the practicality of a compressor and pump aren't hugely appealing to me... plus once I go bags i'll want to lay fame then snowball...

Just trying to get a great stance some better braking and look cool while doing it.