1972 SWB Build

[beaterku]

In an effort to clean up the previous thread I created and broken links, I decided to start a proper build thread. Progress is slow as I have a 3 year old and a newborn at home while working 50-60hr weeks. It will get there someday…
I have been quietly lurking the boards and gathering information for my truck over the last year. I have only posted a few times. I thought I would share my truck and the slow progress. My wife and I had been on the hunt for a 67-72 SWB for several years. She was a little more open to years as her grandpa had a 57 LWB on the farm. We looked at every truck that came across craigslist and word of mount, and never could find exactly what we were looking for. They were either more projects that I wanted to take on or too much money. I found one in Fort Worth that was a really solid truck but after much thought, I decided it was a little more work than I wanted at that point. So we pressed on, looking on and off for another year. A buddy of mine from DFW called up and said a buddy of his is looking to sell his 72. He sent over the pictures and I made a call to see what the truck was all about. I decided to take a chance and hopped on a plane that weekend...
A few beers later at my first crawfish boil, I owned it. It’s a 72 Custom Deluxe. Fairly low optioned, with the factory leaf option. A great starting point.

[beaterku]

About a month later, it finally made it home. Trying to find a transport during auction season proved to be tough. We took it to its first car show in my wife's home town. It got a lot of attention but no awards. Neither my wife, nor myself had entered a car into a car show before. It was quite relaxing talking to like minded people.

We took it to a couple of cruise ins and it was fun hearing all of the stories people had about trucks when they were kids. We entered it into my home town car show and won best of show. Not a bad deal at all.

[beaterku]

Next up, I decided to start taking care of some of the things that had been bothering me. First up was the steering wheel and dash pad. Both were no bueno. The PO has painted the dash pad white. It looked pretty bad and was in pretty bad shape so I picked up a new black one. I also swapped out the non-functioning AM radio for a Retrosound Zuma (I am not a huge fan of this unit, but it does the job.) Also removed the janky ratchet shifter and went back to column shift and put in a new replica wood wheel.

[beaterku]

I then parked it for the winter and didn't get a chance to really touch it at all. After a ton of research here on the board and scouring the internet, I finally decided on a set of wheels. I went with American Racing Torq Thurst II's in 18x9 5"BS all around. 265/50/18 Nitto tires. I installed a set of 2” drop shackles in the rear to help level it out a bit. The stance is not too shabby now.

[beaterku]

My next project was to tackle the wiring. It has been sliced and diced 6 ways till Sunday. I picked up an AAW kit from Laid Back Creations and started the process . I stripped all of the wiring out of the truck. I am also putting an ACC carpet in, which led to fixing a trans hump that someone had butchered, stripping the sound deadening that someone had installed at some point, installing dynamat and installing insulation on the firewall. It was a bit of a can of worms situation.

Doesn't look too bad, but looks can be deceiving... "Patches" removed. The PO had crudely attached a couple sheets of galvanized sheet metal to cover the holes.

[beaterku]

Bought a high hump from my local C10 parts guys Bob, Patched the hole, and Coated in Chassis Saver. I also put some Dynamat down.

[beaterku]

Firewall insulation. Still need to tape a couple seams. Finished up the interior wiring. Installed the a new steering column from Kev’sClassics, wheel adapter and wheel and built a relay array for the electric fans that mounts to the radiator. Buttoned up the wiring in the engine bay and fired it up. Fired right up. Drove it over to the lift so I can run the rear light harness. Getting closer.

[beaterku]

Had one mishap. Don't be a dummy and forget that you have a mechanical oil pressure gauge. Truck only ran for 15 seconds but that's enough time to pump a 1/2 quart into the cab on to brand new carpet. Opps. Most of it came out of the carpet. It was one of those deals that I knew it was mechanical but was more concerned about the electric temp gauge being hooked up. Oh well, live and learn.
I went a little overboard with the grounds. The battery grounds to the block, which is connected to the frame, which connects to the core support, cab and bed. It lacked grounding before. I want everything to work correctly. My Retrosound radio didn't work worth a damn prior to all of the additional grounds. Works like a champ now.
I also picked up a 6.0 from a Denali and a 4l80e from a local board member. The rebuild on these has been back burnered a bit until I can get my suspension, brakes and steering sorted.

[beaterku]

I did spend a few days earlier this spring working on the engine harness. It is fully separated with all unnecessary wires removed. I am going to route the harness through the firewall and under the seat. So I need to lengthen everything on the driver’s side of the engine. I’ll do that once the engine is setting in the truck. I picked up a Current Performance fuse block for wiring. It’s a nice piece. Should help keep a clean look.

[beaterku]

My plan is to convert from a leaf rear to truck arm rear. I picked up everything I need from my local C10 parts guys to make the swap happen.

The rear end was in no so prime condition. The diff pin was seized so I had to torch it out. No biggie since I was replacing it anyway. I tore it down, stripped it, sanded it and put a good coat of paint on it. I installed a set of Moser axles, Eaton Posi, Richmond 3.73 and all new bearings and seals. It was my first time setting up a ring/pinion. Managed a nice pattern and .006 backlash. I’ll call that a win.

The cross members and trailing arms are at my shop being blasted this week. I need to do a little body work on the arms to straighten out a couple of dings before they are off to powdercoating. For suspension, I plan on ordering a Ridetech Street Grip kit. Brakes will be Willwood D52’s up front and D154’s out back. I am going a new booster and Wilwood master. Steering is all new Moog parts with a quick ratio box from Wes at Classic Heartbeat.

[beaterku]

That’s all for now. I’ll post up some more when I get a chance. Progress is about an hour at a time.

[Pushrodjr]

True American truck. Absolutely beautiful.

[Hart_Rod]

Nice write up!

[68Gold/white]

No such thing as too many ground connections....

[MMcMasters]

You have a beautiful truck and I love what you have planned for it with the drivetrain and brakes!

[beaterku]

Thanks everyone! This has been a fun project so far. Looking forward to more progress.

[Farm Shop]

Beautiful truck. Keep up the good work.

[Low Elco]

Nice write up! I dig the truck, bring it to the All Truck Nats and hang with us! Always a good time. It's like a family reunion, weekend after Labor Day.

http://www.alltrucknats.com/

[beaterku]

Thanks! I've missed the all truck nationals the last 3 years due to the Shawnee show being on Sunday. I may come up on Saturday and check it out.

[beaterku]

A little update. I finally installed my new wing windows that I bought from Roger. He also helped me out swapping my chipped passenger side window. While it was apart I thoroughly cleaned and greased the door latch and window regulator and replaced a few broken rollers. I also replaced the window felts with a set from Precision. All in all, it went back together pretty nicely. I am not a big fan of the Precision seals. The first set has the clips placed way too high and once of the rubbers looked like it had been cut with a rusty pair of scissors. The second set was cut nice, but the driver side rubber is a hair too short. They do their job, but I would most likely go another route next time. Also adjusted the rear channels on both. No more rattling glass. The seals are so tight that the rubber binds a little when rolling up the window. I suspect this will break in with more use.

I've also started working on cleaning up the trailing arms for my leaf to spring conversion. 45 years of grease, rust and grime to clean off.

Getting there, slowly but surely.

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice truck and I like what you have planned for it! I have precision seal sin my 72 and I never have been happy with the wiper seals either.

[Low Elco]

Coming along nicely! How did you find the AAW harness experience? Worth the extra dough?

[beaterku]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Very nice truck and I like what you have planned for it! I have precision seal sin my 72 and I never have been happy with the wiper seals either.

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Coming along nicely! How did you find the AAW harness experience? Worth the extra dough?

Worth every penny. If you do it, make sure you use to proper crimpers. It's nice having an electrical system that works.

[68Gold/white]

So, what is your reasoning for converting to rear coil springs???
I probably wouldn't change them...that's just my opinion...
Just wondering....
The soil DO ride nice!!!

[beaterku]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

So, what is your reasoning for converting to rear coil springs???
I probably wouldn't change them...that's just my opinion...
Just wondering....
The soil DO ride nice!!!

Ride Quality and so that can install the Streetgrip kit.