View Full Version : Mikes 72 Build page


itsmike2k
04-30-2007, 02:15 PM
Well I've started working on my 72 again. I have owned this truck for about 11 years. When I bought it it was a blue stepside with a 350/350. Its a Ac truck but the ac didnt work. So i drove it for about 2 years until one day the motor took a dump. So then in 98 i bought a totaled 96 cop car and pulled the lt1 and trans and started dissembling my truck. I installed the lt1 and hacked up the wiring harness and did get it to run and drive but I have never put the truck together enough to have it back on the road. I have buckets out of a 99, I think, suburban with katskin leather, a custom headliner and completely leather wrapped dash, pillars, back pillars, ect.. I had also bought a 96 stepside bed for it and started painting it viper yellow.. So that was a long time ago and like every project that takes forever ideas change :).. So now the yellow is out, I wanna do a complete air ride suspension, I'm going to go with a fleetside bed, if I can figure out how to get bagged7185's bed up to Vegas :), Put the lt4 cam kit and aluminum heads on the engine, and maybe a 67 clip w/ a cowl hood. I haven't figured out a color yet maybe a green. I'll leave the interior the same just finish it and figure out some kind of center conceal.. So that’s about it for my plans on my build.. So far I have the frame out and am going to start grinding and painting on it.. I have to order a few thousand dollars worth of parts and get busy :)...

Joe67
04-30-2007, 02:20 PM
Looks like a great project - I look forward to the progress pics to tide me over while my project sleeps :D

COACHMEASON
04-30-2007, 02:49 PM
Hey...I am sticking with yellow on my 72...If you have anything that is not going to work for you color wise please let me know...

itsmike2k
05-01-2007, 10:07 AM
I dont think i have anything painted yellow thats removable...

What trans xmember has everone used? I seen the one from CPP, just wondering if that is the only tubular option? thnaks

seanu
05-01-2007, 10:48 AM
Looks like a nice project..and a nice start!...I'd leave the firewall and under the hood yellow..and then go with a contrasting color for the outside...and maybe some yellow highlights inside the cab...give it that old hotrod look...hmmmmm?...maybe..maybe not:crazy:

itsmike2k
05-01-2007, 12:01 PM
Yea i might think about that.. See if it plays into the color i decide on..

Whats everyone using for shorty headers out there? What about all the LT1 guys, any special headers? I wanna get some headers and get my exhaust set up before i finsh the frame...

Alvin
05-03-2007, 01:23 PM
What trans xmember has everone used? I seen the one from CPP, just wondering if that is the only tubular option? thnaks

I have the CPP tubular tranny crossmember and it's fine. I didn't use their hardware, and I had to drill holes in the frame (it didn't line up with any of the factory holes), but it works. Nice silver powdercoat too.

This pic is before I drilled holes for it:
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries/Lowider/IMG_4676_sized.jpg (http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries/Lowider/IMG_4676.jpg)

itsmike2k
05-04-2007, 04:54 PM
I like how it looks, i think i'll go with it.. thanks

Slammed70
05-04-2007, 05:08 PM
Whats everyone using for shorty headers out there? What about all the LT1 guys, any special headers? I wanna get some headers and get my exhaust set up before i finsh the frame...

A buddy of mine put an LT1 in his 83 Cutlass years ago....as far as headers go, you dont neccessarily have to run "D" port headers with them. You can run regular headers with it as long as you use the square style header gaskets. And run full length amigo, shorties will accually hurt an LT1 with the way their short runner intake is set up. Just remember you also need O2 bungs in the collectors.

Also, how did you get the mechanical fan set up to work....can you get some more pics of that if its not too much trouble.

Thanks,
Mitch-

kyull67
05-04-2007, 07:36 PM
Your interior sounds interesting. Can you post up some pics?
Thanks.

itsmike2k
05-07-2007, 11:25 AM
Here is a couple pictures of the seats and dash. I have the headliner out now. and havent done anything with the doors or center concel yet. Behind the seats is carpet, but i will probably do a speaker box.. I built some plates that hold some mid range speakers that fit in the cab corners but i have to carpet them and itstall. But right now i'm trying to focus on the frame and engine so it will be a while befor i get back on the interior.. thanks

itsmike2k
05-15-2007, 09:14 PM
Got my rear ART set up today!! I have to say it is NICE.. And damb is the packing good :).. So now i have to get off my ass and get the frame painted.. If i wasnt having a baby tomorrow i would be out there right now, but i guess some things take priority :).. But hopefull this weekend i'll have some time to get the rest of the frame stripped down and painted so i can get this setup installed.. One question for everyone who has done this setup. Has anyone used a Billet 3rd member cover? All this money in tubular controll arms and stuff i have to put a nice cover and would love to go wth a billet but not sure if the panhard bar bracket will still fit with a billet cover... I'll try and post some pics this weekend...

jimmydean
05-15-2007, 09:36 PM
What year are those seats out of? Those look great!

<edit> '99, didn't see that the first time. Thanks.

jkade
05-15-2007, 10:08 PM
What year are those seats out of? Those look great!

<edit> '99, didn't see that the first time. Thanks.

Those would be 95-98 chevy truck or tahoe seats. I like them and I like the covered dash also;)

hiridn69gmc
05-15-2007, 10:15 PM
That interior looks really sharp. More of a modern look....More ideas when I start mine. Thanks!!

sleepyboy
05-15-2007, 11:20 PM
what material is that??

GREASEMONKEY72
05-15-2007, 11:37 PM
i vote for keeping the yellow under hood and have the hotrod style to it, cant wait to see more of it

itsmike2k
05-16-2007, 12:06 AM
Its all leather.. The dash has 1/4 landau foam with leather covering it. The rest is just over the metal.

itsmike2k
05-16-2007, 12:48 AM
Ok here are some pics.. Hope i didn't make anyone wait too long :)... So anyone have any info on the rear diff cover and weather or not it has to be stock?? Thanks alot

RACINJASON22
05-16-2007, 12:56 AM
Where you really having a baby today or tommarow?

If so :cong:

RJ22

Opps BTW Truck looks awesome too! :metal:

itsmike2k
05-16-2007, 01:01 AM
Yea and thanks!! Been a crazy day today, my 8 month old Cane Corso pup was playing with my wife's Italian Grey Hound and broke his leg :(, got my ART suspension :) and a baby boy tomorrow :).. Gonna be a expensive week :)>>...

RACINJASON22
05-16-2007, 01:10 AM
And one you will NEVER FORGET and thats a good thing.

:cong: again

RJ22:)

itsmike2k
05-24-2007, 01:09 AM
Well haven't done a whole lot lately, besides changing new baby boys diapers :).. But i did get the rear ART setup mocked up.. Its a really nice kit and fits very well.. Now just have to tare it all apart, finsh the holes paint the frame and put it together...

AR15DEFENSE
05-24-2007, 02:05 AM
looks awesome! How'd you like those first couple diapers? :lol:

itsmike2k
05-24-2007, 02:48 AM
Yea they were nice :barf: but ts worth it...

GREASEMONKEY72
05-24-2007, 02:54 AM
babies are always fun, CONGRATS


trucks lookin good to

itsmike2k
05-26-2007, 03:03 AM
Well my fronts came in today.. :) I have the engine and trans pulled and getting ready to tare the front apart, sand the rest of the frame and paint.. Hopefully this weekend wil be productive.. I have to say ART's strong arms look great..

itsmike2k
06-04-2007, 03:25 PM
I tore everything off the frame this weekend.. there is only the very front brace ,rear brace and frame rails.. Now i just have to sand and paint then assemble.. I'm gonna try and get some pics tonight.. Anyone use stainless bolts to put things like xmembers, enging mouns and suspension or should i stick with grade 8 bolts? I would like to get everything painted and back together to a rolling chassis by next week.. We'll see what the wife thinks of that though :)...

itsmike2k
06-04-2007, 10:47 PM
I got the first coat of primer on the frame tonight.. I kinda like the silver, i'm almost thinking of getting silver topcoat and just use the black for the suspension.. Anyone out there have a silver frame? Whats everyone think?

chevdanbarnett
06-04-2007, 11:01 PM
not sliver but you can see

itsmike2k
06-05-2007, 10:14 AM
I just cant decide if i want 2 tone under the truck or not, but the silver sure looked nice this morning :)...

porterbuilt
06-08-2007, 01:25 AM
I like the chassis to have some contrast... I would keep the silver rails and black components.

itsmike2k
06-12-2007, 01:46 AM
Only thing is the brake lines and stuff are goin g to be stainless and i would like a little contrast with the stainless lines.. with the silver frame it would blend a little.. Speaking of the brake lines here are mine tha i recieved today.. The look great!!!

Yukon Jack
06-12-2007, 10:19 AM
Nice upgrade to the brake lines!

Chevy_Man
06-12-2007, 10:30 AM
That sure si going to be one nice build......keep the pics coming...

Eric

ChevyDude
06-12-2007, 12:09 PM
My truck has a silver frame. Fact...all parts that were black from the factory are now silver.

68chevy68
06-12-2007, 01:30 PM
I painted my frame gray and all the suspension components flat black. looks pretty good.

itsmike2k
06-12-2007, 03:07 PM
You guys have any pics?

68chevy68
06-12-2007, 09:16 PM
i hope this works, i have never posted a picture before.



http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x184/68chevy68/DSCF2728.jpg

itsmike2k
06-13-2007, 12:34 AM
Looks great... I just cant decide.... MAybe i'll go black frame and silver parts like sterring box and parts, spindels and 3rd member..

itsmike2k
06-14-2007, 12:23 PM
I got my rear disk setup last night, looks pretty cool.. Its only 12" not the 13 or 14" like everyone is talking about.. But it is rear disks :), wilwood rotors and caddy e-brake calipers. I just have to have about 3/8" turned off my axels so the hat will fit over it and get everything installed.. Hopefully this weekend, I'l post some pics of the parts tonight..

itsmike2k
06-14-2007, 08:16 PM
So i droped off my axels and hats off at the machine shop, they'll be done tomorrow.. So maybe i'll get them installed this weekend.. I cant wait to get a rolling chasis again :)...

72 Cheyenne402
06-18-2007, 11:06 PM
Any update pics?

SCOTI
06-18-2007, 11:56 PM
Care to share any info on your rear disc set-up?

dsigh
06-19-2007, 12:27 AM
I think silver looks amazing. Below is a thread that grdndwn posted.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=245567

shifty
06-19-2007, 10:00 AM
I like how it looks, i think i'll go with it.. thanks

It's much easier to install product. I wish I would have used it with my swap, but I went with ECE's product instead, which arrived slightly bent/powdercoat cracked, only piss-poor product I've ever gotten from ECE.

shifty
06-19-2007, 10:58 AM
questions:
How much $$$ was that ART rear setup?
Does it come with the notch plate?
Is the notch bolt-in or weld in?
How much drilling on the frame was required to bolt this up?

SactoJim
06-19-2007, 11:06 AM
Looks like the kit from Speedway......is that right mike? Don't see the weld-on bracket in the pic. I have the same kit on mine and so far it works great and you can get different rotors (slotted) that will bolt to that hat. I just haven't figured out how to hook up my E-brake yet.

...and I had to get my hat machined to fit my hub as well.

68GMC454
06-19-2007, 11:22 AM
i like the idea of the silver frame and black parts..congrat on the baby..

itsmike2k
06-19-2007, 02:13 PM
Yea its a speedway kit.. I havent got it welded up yet, but it is pretty strait forward.. I think of all the kist out there it is the most reasonable and uses avalible gm and wilwood parts..

Shift: The rear setup was $1600.00 and yes it comes with the bolt in notch.. There is about 8 or 10 holes per notch to drill.

Sactojim: did you have to grind the top of the ear on the brake pad to get the bolt to slide through? I guess depending on the pads you might or might not.. I do :)..

SactoJim
06-19-2007, 02:18 PM
Nope.....the only thing to modify was the hub opening.

Thealien
06-19-2007, 02:25 PM
Where did you get all the brake lines?

SCOTI
06-19-2007, 02:30 PM
I tore everything off the frame this weekend.. there is only the very front brace ,rear brace and frame rails.. Now i just have to sand and paint then assemble.. I'm gonna try and get some pics tonight.. Anyone use stainless bolts to put things like xmembers, enging mouns and suspension or should i stick with grade 8 bolts? I would like to get everything painted and back together to a rolling chassis by next week.. We'll see what the wife thinks of that though :)...
I know stainless bolts are available in a stronger grade (like a grade 8 bolt) & can be used for engine/chassis stuff.

itsmike2k
06-19-2007, 03:22 PM
The brake lines are from inlinetube.com, I haven't installed them but they seem like a great product and a few members have used them with good results.. It was like 185.00 for the stainless hard lines and another 100.00 or so for the braided flex lines... So far i have over $3000.00 of new suspension and brake parts waiting on me to get the frame done :)..

itsmike2k
07-02-2007, 03:49 PM
Well i finshed painting my frame this weekend, decided to go black, and started the build back up :).. Lots of bolting things back together.. Still trying to decide what air configuration i wanna run. Anyone out there know how much space between the inner bedside and frame and how far the bedside drops below the frame? I cant decide how big of a tank(s) i wanna run. I'm thinking of starting witha 5 gal and a viair 480 and see how that works and adding another tank and compressor if i need... Anyway heres a couple pics of the progress...

itsmike2k
07-17-2007, 02:06 AM
Drilled my holes for the bulkheads on the front crossmember tonight, it looks good i think.. I have a ? for everyone, It seems like befor i pulled my front apart the front steeirng link was almost rubbing the front of the crossmember, there is actually a flat spot on the x member and link. But when i bolted everything back up its about 2" away. Can anyone verify how far away their stering link on a 72 is away? thanks in advance....