72 GMC Sierra Purchase - Thoughts?

[mgm60]

I'm looking at buying this 72 GMC Sierra. SPID is on the truck and seems correct for Sierra Grande (YE9). Its a BB now but was originally a 350. Looks like it will need rockers, cab corners and work on the lower door skins at some point and I can't tell if this a a repaint or the original paint, or a combo. In one of the pictures you can see the primer is black on the roof and the firewall is also black. Thought the cab on these was primered in red so not sure what's up with that. Don't know if these wheels are correct either. Going to take a look at it and wanted to see if folks on the forum with more of an expert eye could provide any opinions on it or suggestions on other things to look for.

[ho70]

ac is on wrong side, not sure of GMC's, but Chevys I have seen have body color firewall. Paint on rockers looks newer. If it is a short bed (VIN)-what's not 2 like (except price?)

[frenchy51]

Don't know the price but looks like a pretty solid truck. At least on the roof it looks like clear-coat flaking? I don't believe the original paint had a clear?
Keep the Big Block! I just removed the 350 from my '72 and put in a 400 BB.
Love it-Lots more torque and on the freeway with the same trans (TH350) and rear end it wants to do 75-80 without breaking a sweat. With the 350 it liked 60-70.....just say'n.

[Coley]

Ok...doesn't look to bad but you've got a few things to consider or check:
-Is this an original short wheel base truck?...or was it cut/down modified to a short wheel base? (inspect the frame to see if it has cut/join lines and plates and check on the vin which will tell you what is was originally).
-Does the spid (in the glovebox) match most or all of the options and colour on the truck?
-Is there rust on the cab window frame under the center windshield rubber at the top?...this is one of the worst places to have rust on these trucks.
-Take some cardboard or a tarp and make sure you get under the truck....don't bend down a bit and peak under the edge (like most guys).....get under the truck and inspect the bottom of the cab.


Now...pricing?
Well, as shown this truck is probably at least a $5k truck....but should not be too much more and I wouldn't put its value up near or past $10k.

My two bits (....so far...lol)
Coley

[tommys72]

The factory laquer paint on these trucks did not have a clear coat. Id say its been repainted, probably a little older. And the firewall would have been body color originally.
The a.c. on the wrong side confuses me, that doesnt take much though sometimes. And i would be more concerned about bad bodywork or a lot of hidden filler and rust, and definitely whether or not it is a factory swb or cut down.

Good looking truck and i like those bed rails

*Should have said i know why the ac is on the left, just makes me feel like im looking in a mirror i guess. Little trickery on my brain*

[RenoKeene]

Originally Posted by tommys72

The factory laquer paint on these trucks did not have a clear coat. Id say its been repainted, probably a little older. And the firewall would have been body color originally.
The a.c. on the wrong side confuses me, that doesnt take much though sometimes. And i would be more concerned about bad bodywork or a lot of hidden filler and rust, and definitely whether or not it is a factory swb or cut down.

Good looking truck and i like those bed rails

The engine is a transplant, originally a 350.
Rust is your biggest enemy. Take a flashlight and a magnet. The truck has been repainted at least once and like Coley said.. make sure its a real short bed .

[randy500]

I suspect that truck is a real shortbed that was fixed up a long time ago and painted red. The SPID will list the original color, get the guy to send you pictures of the spid, the title and the door jam vin plate, it will give you a lot of information. If it matches up its probably a decent buy. The clues to a color change are the wrong red color and the black paint on the firewall and the engine side of the front fenders. Someone cheaped out when they changed the color, no biggie if the title, vin and spid match up to a short bed.

The engine is probably a later model 454 since it has all the wrong accessories (long water pump). Its missing all the proper big block stuff...
Probably not a TH400 with a high center floor hump
Wrong fan shroud
Wrong engine frame mounts
Wrong A/C compressor mounting brackets
Wrong PS brackets and reservoir
Wrong Alternator brackets


EDIT...I thought it was this truck

http://fayar.craigslist.org/cto/5962463371.html

All of that can be fixed or change it back to small block.

[70cst]

Lots of good advice mgm60...

Oh Yes ---

to the forums and from Ohio.

Good Luck on your possible purchase

[mgm60]

Thanks for all the information guys. I have a pic of the SPID and it does show it as originally medium red (514) but good suggestion randy500 to get a shot of the VIN tag and make sure it matches the SPID. I'm thinking maybe the black paint on the firewall happened when the engine was swapped. It also has a trailing arm and coil spring rear suspension where I think most GMCs had leaf spring. Here's a few more pics of the back of the truck, interior and rear suspension.

[firedemon]

I like the console and bedrails the rims aren't stock but are the corvette style rally not the truck rally I personally like those better although I have the truck ones . looks like a nice truck

[frenchy51]

You're killing me-how much are they asking?

[70cst]

Originally Posted by frenchy51

You're killing me-how much are they asking?

[mgm60]

Asking $7K. + I'd have the cost to get it home.

And its not right down the street from my house. I'm in Colorado and its on the East Coast so I gotta be pretty committed in my head to make the trip over and trailer it back. Plus I have the transport cost. But I've been looking at Sierra and Sierra Grande SWBs and aint many out there. Only others I could could find on the market right now are LWB, show truck or drivers with way high asking prices ($30K). I want a daily driver or maybe something I can upgrade as I drive. Since this is not an original motor truck, the plan would be to bring the BB up to speed or do an LS swap with one of the newer LS motors. This wouldnt be my first rodeo either as I have a 1955 Nomad that I had the same sort of plan for and now its a fully restored garage queen. That started with one rusty floor pan and next thing you know......
So based on all I see plus the feedback from you guys is I think the truck is right with its SPID although modified by previous owners with an older repaint. I think it boils down to rust which is hard to qualify without real close inspection and can I take care of rockers, cab corners and doors without going nutso and having more $$$ committed than make sense.

[frenchy51]

I hear you. It's tough if you can't inspect the truck yourself-especially for rust. Another option would be to find a member or car guy in the area of the truck and pay them to inspect it for you. They always look better in pictures than in person- $7K is a good price if it's not too rusty.....too high if extensive rust.....tough decision.

[tommys72]

Yep, a board member or have the owner take it to a garage and have it looked over real well and give you the feedback on it before you head east.

[clay68c10]

Hello from down the road in Centennial!

When you say east coast, where exactly? If it's from an area with no real winter (read salt) then maybe I'd consider it. Otherwise no way.
I've been a tech for 16yrs and I can tell you that there's a big difference between a local car and something from back east. I can tell the difference as soon as I look underneath it. Everything under the car will fight you, seized bolts, needing a torch to loosen anything. Rusted thru brake & fuel lines, trashed rotors. Not fun.

Almost any one you find is going to need rockers and cab corners. Even the stuff in the southwest US.

Have you looked at these?
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5944094994.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5942571754.html
Comes with an LS3 http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5956460546.html
If you like the 60-66 also http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5949833512.html
If you want a patina project for cheap http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/5959064094.html

It's worth holding out for something that you can go look at in person, even if it's a day's drive.

[mgm60]

Hey Clay68c10

Its actually in the Southeast in North Carolina.....so probably hasn't seen much snow or salty roads although I don't know the trucks history. Thanks for the links and I have seen a couple of those ads in Denver. This search actually started out here in Denver when I looked at a 71 C10 with an LS conversion but couldn't come to terms with the seller. So Im still looking for a SWB thats either already a driver in good shape or that I can drive and upgrade in stages. Mama won't allow another full blown project in the garage.

I'll keep this string posted on what I do and its good to know somebody nearby with some knowledge of these trucks.

[clay68c10]

Keep an eye out in Wyoming, I'm up there a few times a year and I always see 67-72 trucks. If I see anything SWB next time I'm up there I'll post it up.
I understand the no big projects thing. My Caddy is a nice driver and I enjoy it for that. My latest 68 C10 will probably take a few years. Hopefully the kids will be into it.

Any other questions, feel free to PM