1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY

[Graham57a]

I have been on the lookout for a 69-72 blazer for a while. I reached out to my buddy Adam who has had his hands on a few over the years and asked him to keep an eye out for me. He mentioned that he used to own a bronze jimmy that he sold to his buddy Terry a while back and he may be interested in letting go of it. So I reached out to Terry and sure enough we struck a deal on it.

We met in Lexington, KY on Friday and I drove the old girl home to Asheville. It was a 300 mile trip and all I did was gas her up and drive the thing all the way back, not a single problem. I was more than pleased with the truck, it was an original California truck so the rust is fairly minimal. Everything is in tact and almost all as she was when we she rolled off the assembly line which was the main reason I wanted the truck. It needs new interior and has had a repaint at some point but the main goal for this truck is to have a reliable enjoyable family rig to take camping and on roadtrips so it's just about perfect. Here are a few pictures of the trip

[Graham57a]

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[Graham57a]

The dog definitely approves the buckets

[Graham57a]

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[Graham57a]

Here she is once we got home getting acquainted

[Graham57a]

So here is the short term plan, I am going to keep it drivable so we can continue to enjoy it throughout the summer and then save some of the bigger items for winter projects. My immediate to-do list is a follows:

Bleed the brakes
Adjust/tighten up steering to eliminate slop
Check all lights
Fix turn signals (may need new switch)
Fix RR brake light (hopefully just a bad ground)
Replace starter
Replace battery
Remove original carpet
Thoroughly clean interior
Change out wheels for 15x8 steelies and dog dish caps (Use same tires)
Remove aftermarket radio and explore options (dash is supposedly cut out)
Fix broken temperature gauge
Fix broken fuel gauge (likely sending unit, gauge did move when full)
Pull out dash cluster, repaint needles, clean and re-install
Fix rear hatch and tailgate hardware/latching mechanism
Find original NP205 shift knob
Find new 71-72 style gas pedal pad (arm is still in place)
Install new rear bumper license plate frame holder
Do a once over of engine bay wiring/hoses/organization
Do a once over of under-dash wiring harness condition
Neutralize rust in kick panels
Neutralize rust in rear quarter panels

[Graham57a]

The long term plan isn't to major but when the time comes I will start working on the following items:

Replace seat belts (plastic covers are gone)
Replace drivers side sun visor (just cardboard left)
Replace door panels (dried out and very chaulky)
Replace rear wheel tub vinyl panels (Originals have speaker holes)
Replace some side trim as needed
Replace rear tailgate band
Find original color GMC steering wheel and horn button
Install new carpet kit
Re-cover all seats with original upholstery
Install new exhaust
Replace or repaint hood (clear coat is starting to flake off)
Diagnose AC
Replace or install new aftermarket radio in hidden location

Easy enough, haha. I will start posting pictures as I work down these items but wanted to track progress in one place. Just a heads up you will probably see this thing driven more then you will see it under the knife so you will have to be patient with me.

Let me know what you guys think

[Graham57a]

One more of the spid I found

[hemi43]

Looks awesome !! Nice and clean.

[lolife99]

Great looking Jimmy. My favorite color!

[Tuff Gong]

Terry is a really good guy. About a year ago or so I was on the hunt for an original blazer / Jimmy just like you and I got a hold of him through a board member. I ended up not pulling the trigger on Jimmy you bought! Truthfully, I kind of regreted passing on it because what I ended up with has more rust than that Bronze beauty you scored! I'm really glad you are going to keep it on the road. Keep the pictures coming.

[Tuff Gong]

From my vault

[Walter White]

great looking truck. congrats on scoring that

[Tuff Gong]

A few more

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by Brian Atkinson

Terry is a really good guy. About a year ago or so I was on the hunt for an original blazer / Jimmy just like you and I got a hold of him through a board member. I ended up not pulling the trigger on Jimmy you bought! Truthfully, I kind of regreted passing on it because what I ended up with has more rust than that Bronze beauty you scored! I'm really glad you are going to keep it on the road. Keep the pictures coming.

I agree man, Terry was great to deal with. I couldn't be happier with the truck and I can't wait to start piecing it back together little by little.

[lks dcvn]

Looks like a great truck - congrats on the purchase!

Your initial list of work is a good bet to make it safe and reliable for the season. The cosmetic stuff can come in time.

Enjoy!

[Tom Vogel]

Lucky you. Great find.

[68panelman]

She's a beauty, enjoy it!

[tristan]

Very cool big bronze, I look forward to conquering Mt. Mitchell with you in my 71 Jimmy.

[Graham57a]

Thanks guys! I pulled up most of the original carpet the other day and found nothing but solid original paint sheetmetal and a few PENNYS. I did find more rust in the driver side kick panel then I was hoping but I have some naval jelly that I will use to neutralize everything this weekend and hopefully stop that from spreading..

I also adjusted the brakes, fixed all the lights, and replaced the starter with a high torque starter. It runs really well and seems very happy to have a good starter installed. I think I may move the new exhaust to the top of the list if I really plan on putting some miles on this thing., the factory stuff is pretty rough.

I am getting ready to place an order this weekend for some parts to get the short term list dialed and then get her out on the road and enjoy it! I'll post some more pics in the next day or so

[GPS1975]

Awesome rig, I really like the medium bronze color!

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by GPS1975

Awesome rig, I really like the medium bronze color!

Thanks man, I got a few things done over the past week or so.

When I got it the turn signal lever was missing so I pulled the steering wheel the other day and discovered that the white plastic piece that rotates when you turn the lever was cracked into 3-4 pieces. I pulled a spare replacement off of an old turn signal switch I had laying around (the reason I don't throw anything away) and bolted it right up. I bolted up a new lever I had laying around and everything worked perfect. SCORE!!!

I also got a good deal on a radio delete plate on ebay. It showed up in the mail yesterday so I took it to the shop and blasted it and put it in red primer. I decided to make a backer plate just slightly bigger than the delete plate and use Velcro to mate the radio delete and the backer to keep it in the hole without any modification to the giant hole the PO made in the dash. I think it looks a ton better.

That's all for now, I am about to order a new fuel sending unit, temp sending unit, license plate lamp, and some small pieces for the interior. I am also trying to track down an OG NP205 shift knob and some hardware for the rear hatch so I can ditch the bungee chord. I'm getting ready to wrap up here at the office and hit the road to Pigeon Forge for the weekend, if you guys are our there make sure to stop in and say hi!

[Graham57a]

Before

[Graham57a]

After

[Graham57a]

Some minor updates:

Here is my original list
Bleed the brakes (DONE)
Adjust/tighten up steering to eliminate slop
Check all lights (DONE, need new headlights)
Fix turn signals (may need new switch) (DONE)
Fix RR brake light (hopefully just a bad ground) (DONE)
Replace starter (DONE)
Replace battery (Older dated battery but works fine, will replace at some point)
Remove original carpet (DONE)
Thoroughly clean interior (DONE)
Change out wheels for 15x8 steelies and dog dish caps (Use same tires)
Remove aftermarket radio and explore options (DONE, radio delete installed)
Fix broken temperature gauge (DONE)
Fix broken fuel gauge (likely sending unit, gauge did move when full) (DONE)
Pull out dash cluster, repaint needles, clean and re-install (DONE)
Fix rear hatch and tailgate hardware/latching mechanism (Searching for parts)
Find original NP205 shift knob (Have one located locally, just need to pick up)
Find new 71-72 style gas pedal pad (arm is still in place) (DONE)
Install new rear bumper license plate frame holder (DONE)
Do a once over of engine bay wiring/hoses/organization (DONE)
Do a once over of under-dash wiring harness condition (DONE)
Neutralize rust in kick panels (DONE)
Neutralize rust in rear quarter panels (Started but needs some more work)