'72 gmc

[Bird dog]

Well, I figured I should start a build thread.

I actually started about 6 months ago, but I'll start from the beginning and try to get up to current status.

Found a '72 GMC LWB truck in the blackberries, rotting away. Took it home for $150. Had no running gear.

Rockers, most of the floor, cab corners and interior roof were gone.

[Bird dog]

Here are the specifics of whats going in....

LS3 495
T56
Currie 9" with 3.89's
vintage air
Rambler 20" wheels
static 4.5/6 drop
caltracs
Disk brakes all around
Boyd tank
Stay Cool radiator

Couple more pics of already completed work. Notch kit, heavy duty. The steel must be 3/8" thick. It was an easy upgrade. I welded it in to clean it up. (I must have also welded up 200 holes in the frame).

Finally got all the rust cut out and repaired.

New rockers that fit like crap, had to cut them and stretch them to get them lined up correctly.

Cab corners and inner roof rail replaced. That went way better than expected.

Entire new bed. Stayed with LWB (I like a longer truck).

Modified the tranny hump to get the T-56 where I wanted.

[Bird dog]

I had the cab sandblasted and epoxy primed.

Installed the flip kit.

Installed an entire new floor with braces (went really well, fit great). Had to cross brace everything to keep the cab from "Moving".

Ran all the fuel and brake lines and installed the exhaust. Then took it all back off in preparation for body/paint in the future.

Started smoothing the firewall.

Installed the new Currie 9".

[Bird dog]

Heres the running gear.

[Bird dog]

The wheels....

[Bird dog]

Anyways, here's where I am now.

Just finished installing the new fenders (they fit surprisingly good after a little massaging) and the rest of the truck so she can go off to body and paint.

After the bodywork, everything is coming off the frame for paint and then the chassis heads off to blast and powder coat. Then we'll get the LS3, T56, suspension, brake/fuel lines and exhaust back on her before reassembly.

I made sure everything (trim included) was installed and test fit before body starts.

[Bird dog]

And got my Dakota Digital HDX gauges yesterday too...

[68Gold/white]

Look'n good!!!

I too favor a long bed. I will use my pickup AS a pickup whenever it gets done...

What color!!!

[Bird dog]

Not 100% sure on color yet, leaning towards medium green 518.

Test fit the front and rear bumpers tonight.

[raggedjim]

I like it, you work fast!

Good luck, Rg

[Bird dog]

We’re waiting for the body/paint shop to take the GMC in. Should head off in the next few weeks.

Installed the wheels on one side just to see how she will sit. Right now I just have the flip kit in the rear and 2” drop spindles and 2” drop springs up front. Im thinking I’ll be dropping the rear about 1” more with drop shackles and the front another 1” with either a cut of the springs, or buy the 3” springs.

The front is really sitting high until I get some weight under the hood.

[Bird dog]

She's off for paint. Brought the GMC to the body/paint shop this past weekend. Its going to be 4-6 months before she comes back.

I will try to post update pics.

Heres a rendering of how the finished product will look.

[El Dorado Jim]

cant wait til we get to see her all painted

[Bird dog]

The bodywork got going this week. With a new bed, tailgate and fenders, there was a lot of smoothing out to do. Its amazing how much work the aftermarket stuff needs to get the waves out of it. We're also going to have to cut apart the passenger side bed where it meets the tailgate. It doesn't line up correctly and measures 3/8" different from drivers side.

After the body work is done and I get the '67 lower body molding installed, everything is coming off the chassis so I can get the frame powder coated and drivetrain / fuel & brake lines installed.

[Bird dog]

A little more progress on the bodywork...

[Hart_Rod]

Nice build!

[Bird dog]

A little more progress.

2nd coat of build primer and a test fit of the body and tailgate trim. Should be getting color in a couple weeks.

Anybody got any pictures of an "off-white" cab? I want a little 'cream' in the white so its not so bright.

[Bird dog]

After we got everything gapped right and the body trim lined up, everything was torn back down and all the sheet metal removed. With everything apart, we're finishing up the firewall, back of the cab, etc.

[Bird dog]

The chassis was blasted and powdercoated. It looks great. I had a few spots on the frame that had some rust pitting so I went with the black hammer coat to hide the rough areas of the channel. Leaf springs got the hammer black as well.

I'm having the front suspension, axle housing, etc coated with grey hammer finish and everything under the hood (core support, inner fenders, etc) coated in satin black.

[Bird dog]

Got the rest of the powder coating in yesterday. Its going to go back together now for the final time!

[Bird dog]

Started the reassembly process last weekend. Tomorrow Im getting the fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines, exhaust, front suspension and wheels installed. The top of the cab is getting painted white tomorrow and Im told the 518 medium green will be going on wednesday.

[72 tigger]

Very nice project! You're doing it right

[builtbyKane]

Everything is looking top notch. I like the trim package with that year gmc...different ideas. Keep up the good work.

[Bird dog]

Thanks for the comments!

Ive got a couple bloody knuckles...

Installed exhaust.
Installed brake and fuel lines.
Installed fuel tank.

Ran out of time for the front suspension. That'll have to be later this week.

Painter called and told me he painted the top of the cab today. The cab body will be getting color Thursday and the fenders, hood, and bed panels will be Friday. I should be setting sheet metal back on the chassis next week!

I'm torn as to whether I should have had the stainless exhaust coated.....Thoughts? I guess I could do it anytime.....

[Advanced Design]

Your truck is coming along very nicely! Nice Impala in the back ground too.

I wouldn’t see the need to coat the stainless exhaust myself. It looks good as is.