1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

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

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

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Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

The dog definitely approves the buckets

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..

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Here she is once we got home getting acquainted

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

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

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

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 :metal:

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One more of the spid I found

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

Looks awesome !! Nice and clean.

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

Great looking Jimmy. My favorite color!

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

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.

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

From my vault

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

great looking truck. congrats on scoring that

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A few more

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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.

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

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!

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

Lucky you. Great find.

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

She's a beauty, enjoy it!

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

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

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

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:metal:

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Awesome rig, I really like the medium bronze color!

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

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!:gmc2:

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Before

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

After

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

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)

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

So at this point I am down to the following (roughly in order of importance)

- replace all (4) headlights
- powdercoat and mount my 15x8 steelies (I picked up a set of GMC stainless caps already)
- locate and install rear hatch struts and latch keepers
- pickup and install 4x4 shift knob
- repaint new door panels and install
- repaint new sun visors and install
- replace leaking gaskets/rubber seals at door glass
- redo entire exhaust system and mufflers
- fix steering slop
- pull motor, fix oil leak, all new seals, re-paint, put back in
- replace piece of broken glass in top
- fix AC/diagnose issue

I used a spot sand blaster and blasted all of the rust in the kick panels and under the sill plates in the rockers and used a rust sealing primer to neutralize those areas. I started to do the same in the quarters and rockers but wanted to back up do some more homework on what products to use.

My next milestone will be to remove the top. I have never done it before but did some research and I think I am going to back her up to my 68 gmc in the driveway and stand up in the back of the blazer and pick the top up on my back and walk from the blazer into the bed of the pickup and set it down on the bed rails. We will see, it sounds fairly easy :lol:

I also dropped the fuel tank the other day thinking I needed to replace my sending unit. I plugged up my new sender and moved the float up and down and still had the same result, the needle wouldn't move past 1/4 tank. My next guess was the resistor on the back of the gauge. Luckily I had an extra from a spare cluster so I pulled the cluster, replaced the resistor, and the gauge works fine now. A little frustrating after all that but at least it's fixed and I don't have to worry about running out of gas.

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

A few pictures before some of the progress...

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....

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

Here is the interior after cleaning the cluster, installing the gas pedal, and blasting the rust in the kick panels. The black steering wheel has been driving me crazy so I had a pretty rough saddle one on the shelf that I threw in the truck and ordered a saddle GMC button that should be here Wednesday. I'll post a pic of the new wheel when the button shows up.

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

I found some pictures of this old truck online and it's almost identical to mine. I thought they would be a good reference point for the goal once I'm done working on this thing. The only difference I see would be the wheel covers.

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A few more

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Last one for the day, stay tuned for some more updates

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Man,... I love this Jimmy.

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

:metal:Nice I'm looking for a driver side fender for my K5 this og color.

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

a few notes -

- replacing headlights - are you going with HIDs or upgrading the stock wiring first to remove the limitations of the stock wiring/voltage running through the headlight switch?

- removing the top by yourself may not be the best approach even if you are walking it between PENNY and your 68 bed. Grab a buddy (or two) to spread the load and prevent any damage to either truck. I have seen people use a hoist, 2 post lift, etc. to assist in the process as well.

- exhaust swap - I have used the heartthrob exhaust (can get steel and also stainless for a bit more) three times now which is a direct bolt in full dual manifold back exhaust. I have sold the trucks before I ever had an issue with the exhaust system. The system comes with mufflers that sounds pretty good. You could always swap the mufflers out for your own preference in sound.

- slop in steering - best bang for the buck is to swap to the redhead steering gear (stock or quick ratio) if yours is loose and then check all column bearings and steering connecting points to make sure there is little to no slop during turning of the wheel. I just did the swap on my 71 project and it drives a lot better. I also did the lower column bearing in the process as it was toast.

The truck looks good and it is really coming together - keep us posted on progress!

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

Thanks man,
I was just going to grab a see of headlights from the parts store, that's what I'm running on my other trucks and they do fine. I typically don't drive at night enough to be concerned about it. I'm trying to decide between doing a complete exhaust swap or just changing out the glass packs for some flow masters. The pipe is in decent shape but it's all 2" and ultimately i would wanna change to 2.5"

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

I forgot I had powder coated the air cleaner. It was pretty rusty so I wanted to preserve it more than anything. I also found these grease markings under the LR quarter

Re: 1972 GMC Jimmy PENNY
 

I got bored on Monday and was really curious so I enlisted the help of a buddy and pulled the top off:smoke:

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Aaaaandddd what I found was a little disheartening

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I sure hate the r word. I used a wire wheel to clean everything up and then used a rust converter to seal it. Anyone have experience fixing rust here? I'm not scared of the metal work but it'll be challenging where it's 3 walls thick