1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

This is my first post.
I have a 1972 :gmc2: C2500 Sierra Grande. I had a couple ideas for the truck in the beginning, but I new I at least wanted a 4wd. I eventually came across a rolled 2003 Chevrolet 2500HD with a Duramax/Allison with 100,000 Miles on it. In the long run I thought it would be cheaper since it ran. Otherwise I would have to drop about $4500 in a motor, about $1000 in a trans., and $500-$1000 in each differential that I had. This 2003 chassis didn't need all that. The price of the truck was $6700 on ebay. This was a steal from what I've found in the past. I bought the truck and had it shipped to Ohio.
Basically what I have now is the makings of a pretty Bad Ass tough truck. It will get around 20 MPG. or better according to some of you. I can tow anything with it. If it's built the way I want, then it will have a lot of modern conveniences, but still have the cool body of a 67-72. I plan 0n trying to use everything. I am putting the 72 on the 2003 chassis. I will try to use the interior of the new truck, the gauges, steering wheel, center console, and brake pedals.
I'll post pictures as soon as I figure out how to.

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

I'll be watching this one. Have fun with all the metal fab!

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

I don't think anyone will get to see it. I'm trying to figure out how to post pics. It says something about making an album. The help section of this site sucks. Says go to control panel which I did and the next step after that is a dead end.
Not worth my time.

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

create a photobucket account on photobucket.com then uplead your pics to that site. Then copy and paste the image codes from your pictures there to your posts on here. that is the simplest way

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Thanks
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Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Sounds like a sweet project man! Get the pics uploaded. :lol:

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Sounds like a fun project. I've been looking into just swapping in a 6.2/6.5 in my 72 K-10.

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/83de202b.jpg
2003 Chevrolet 2500HD That I started out with.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/11e95f8f.jpg
1972 GMC Sierra Grande I took it apart before I took a picture of it. It was complete minus the motor.

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Here are the pics to get me started. I'll try to update everything soon. I'm fitting and welding the body mounts on the frame now. I'm a long way from the pics above, but I still have a long way to go.

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

I tore down the newer truck to just the frame and drivetrain with a saws-all.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/97644251.jpg

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

The 2003 chassis is 16.5 inches too long. The way this frame is built, they slid the front part of the frame into the rear. So all they had to do was make one front frame that fits everything, and GM could slide in a longbed frame, or a shortbed, or a crewcab etc. in the rear. All I did was remove the factory weld where the front and rear frames join and sepperated it.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/c304845d.jpg

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Almost forgot. I did not cut any wires. What you are left with is a giant pile of wires.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/3be5b5c5.jpg

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Sorry about picture quality, they were taken with my phone.

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

After I removed the 16.5 inches I slid the frame back together.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/1c2d9d07.jpg

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

You can see in some of the pics were I braced the frame with I-beams. The frame went together very easily. I then welded the frame just like the factory did.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/efc71718.jpg

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

The only other things that I had to shorten were the fuel lines, brake lines, and exhaust. The flanges were cut from the exhaust by the transmission. I shortened the pipes and re-welded the flanges back on.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/c8590700.jpg

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

The center of the 2003 frame drops down farther than a 67-72 frame. If you put a 67-72 body on a newer frame, the cab would sit alot lower than the bed. This is the problem with doing what I'm doing.
My fix was removing the crossmembers from the bottum of the bed. This would drop the bed to the frame by about 3.5 inches. The cab will sit 5 inches above the frame, which sounds like a lot but if you look at a 2000's 2500HD truck about the same amount of frame is showing.
Your not going to see through to the other side.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/19f6a90b.jpg

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

I bought some Hummer H2 wheels and tires. The tires are 35 inches. I'll post pics later of them on the truck.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/1fa0abdd.jpg

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Here's a pic of the mounts I made for the body. I used 3"X3"X1/4" square tubing and cut off one side to make a U. I bought a bushing kit from DIY4X.com. Which consists of a 2" sleeve bushing, a greasable bolt, and DOM tubing. The 3" tubing I made into a U was bolted to the front body mount bolt hole. This way all I had to do was weld a locking nut to the U, and drop a bolt in the original bolt hole in the body. Then I made a bracket to weld to the bushing DOM tube. The bracket will be welded to the frame. You know you did it right when you can use the same exact bracket on the other side of the truck. I made the bracket that holds the bushing out of 2"x3"X1/4" tubing.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/7fb0bbf8.jpg

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Driver side.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/d973533c.jpg

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Just wanted to say how helpful DIY4X.com is. They are a lifesaver. They have all kinds of things for us DIY people.

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Hey, this build sounds kinda familiar!!!:lol:

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Great work on it! It's looking really good!

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Awesome job man! Cant wait to see it finished!

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Yeah man, doin' work! I am really wanting to see how this progresses. I have yet to see anyone follow through and finish using the late model frame.

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Oooh, ouch!! That stings!! :waah:

OK, enough of the pity party,, check out DREWSKIREN's build YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN,,, yep it's finished. :chevy::gmc2:

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

This is a pretty awsome build keep it up.

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Definitely not a hit towards you! lol, I actually thought about that after I posted it. And I meant with a 4wd. I should have stated that. I've read all of Drew's build thread.

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

No offense taken!:lol: I think this diesel build should be one to watch. He can get some good ideas from both Drew's and my build. Can't wait to see how it turns out.:chevy:

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Okay, I'm in for the ride. Looking great so far!

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Today I started measuring the 2003 radiator and inter-cooler. It's huge.
http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...k/8f4d4c8a.jpg
The core support is going to get a makeover. It will be a while before I get pics up of the modification. I have to go buy some metal.

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Cool build so far Fakerwade. Wish I found it sooner.
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Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

For anyone messing with a newer frame. I found out by accident that WD-40 removes that wax / tar coating on the frame. Scrape off as much as you can with a putty knife, then spray it with WD-40 and wipe it clean.
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Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

I've been watching Drew's build. I would love to do a crewcab build. One thing at a time though.
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Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Thanks for the compliment!! I was mentioning Drew's build because I thought he had used a newer frame. Maybe I was mistaken,,, I'll have to go back and take a look. Thanks again for checking out my build.:chevy::gmc2:

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

He used a 2002 ex-cab i believe

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

I'm about half way done with the core support. I'll post some pics later.
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Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

wow, nice build!

Re: 1972 GMC Using 2003 Chevy 2500HD duramax Chassis
 

Do any of you guys know of a good quality paint and body shop in or near Ohio. I' m trying to get this ready for paint and body by this winter.
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