Trusty Rusty - 72 GMC LWB

[KY_GMC]

Today we started the tear down of Trusty Rusty.

We are starting with a 1972 GMC Super Custom LWB. It has a 350 SBC and TH350 with a 12 bolt rear end. The truck was originally from Arizona and the PO purchased it and drove it back to Cincinnati, OH. I have owned it since 1998. This truck came with power steering, brakes and the heavy duty front and rear springs and can haul a load!

Our plan is to remove the 350 and stroke it into a 383. With GMPP Vortec heads, Comp Cams 268 and headers, we should be able to get around 400HP.

The front end will be rebuilt, frame painted and plenty of body work. I am going to stay with the stock colors with exception of adding the two tone while stripe on the sides.

I would like to get a 4/6 drop on this truck, not sure if I can find some leaf springs that will be able to get this drop and still be able to haul a decent load. We'll see.

Here is what we are starting with.











More to follow.

[KY_GMC]

And here is what it looks like after the first day.

Now the engine tear down begins.





While the engine is off at the machine shop, we will start with tear off the front clip and start working on the replacing the front suspension.

[MoFormula]

[IMG][/IMG]

Great. My son and I started the same project last month, 1972 GMC Sierra Grande. Can't wait to see what you do. Much to learn on my end.

[MoFormula]

Sorry, duplicate post.

[MoFormula]

Any updates?

[KY_GMC]

Well, it has been a while since the last update. Sorry. There has been some progress, just haven't posted it yet.

So, here it is.

We got the front clip removed and noticed that the front frame horns are bent

Its kind of hard to see, but the right front horn is going to the left and the core support bracket is bent back. The left horn is also going to the left, but not as much. Looking for a good frame shop that can get this frame back into shape.
That was a depressing day!

Last weekend we got the bed off the truck. Not too hard with just the two of us and an engine hoist



Not bad for a days work.

[KY_GMC]

We've been working on getting everything out of the cab the past week. Luckily, my son has been helping while I have been traveling for work. He got a lot done without me!

We found rust damage in both sides of the front floors. The drivers side inner and outer rocker need to be replaced as well as the cab support. The passenger side floor and rocker will need to be replaced also. May do the cab support as well while we are at it.







This will be our first attempt at replacing body panels. We will have some help from some expert welders though.

[KY_GMC]

One thing that I knew all along was that this truck had a heavy duty rear suspension. But after removing the bed, you can see just how heavy duty it is! It's going to be interesting getting a 6" drop with this setup!


Not sure what happened here, but it looks like the rear horns on the frame were replaced with some c-channel.

[rhm63]

[QUOTE=We got the front clip removed and noticed that the front frame horns are bent [/QUOTE]

Mine has the same issue, slightly less though. I will be following along.

[KY_GMC]

After taking of the bed and cab, we noticed that the frame rail on the passenger side is an "S" shape and the driver side is a slight "C". It's a little worse than originally expected. Starting underneath the cab and going forward, it bows outward and then it curves back inward at the front suspension cross member and then curves back out at the frame horns.

We made some crude measurements and it is definitely racked, but the wheel base is equal on both sides. Still trying to figure out what needs to be corrected to get it back close to square.

Talked to a lot of frame shops in the area and they all want to see the truck with the body on it so that they can straighten the frame to the panels. Going to check out a place this week to see if they will straighten it to the specs. This has sure slowed things down a bit. And on top of that, I have to travel to Germany for two weeks. Not a whole lot is going to get done for a while.

On the bright side, got the block back from the machine shop and they did not have to clearance for the stroker crank and rods, which saved me $300! So at least we can work on building the 383.

[trac209]

Nice work!!

[lokivegas]

awesome build! im currently building a 1969 gmc LWB. have done 5lug disc swap with drop spindles on front with springs, and used a '71 gmc rear end/leaf springs for rear 5lug swap. also installed a djm flip and as of now my rear end is sitting about 3" or so higher than ffront so i need to look into blocks or shackles i think. got my "blazer" tank mocked up last night, and i am routing filler up behind side marker light.

[lokivegas]

heres my truck, or as it sits now.. and picture of how i will route my filler tube from tank. picture is from a friend who did his up through stake pocket. only thing different will be mine will go out straight towards bedside farther before turning towards back of truck so i miss the shackles.

[flashed]

Im in for the rest of this one .

[KY_GMC]

Since the last update, picked up some headers from Summit - Hedman Shorties so that they can be tucked up in the frame rails.





The only issue is that the passenger side is hitting the frame rail. Hopefully this will get corrected once the frame is straightened.

[KY_GMC]

The cab had some rust damage on the passenger side along the drip rail and a pillar. Cut it out and made custom patch panels since these pieces are not available. After a lot of cutting, trimming, and hammering, it turned out alright.





After that, finished welding in the cab supports, filled in all of the remaining holes from the rocker panel installation and then cleaned up the surface rust.

After a good coat of sealer, it looks pretty darn good!




Then, we worked on cleaning up the rust pitting on the cab roof.



The next step is to seal all of the body filler and then apply 2K primer.

More sanding to come!

[flashed]

Its looking very good .

[sduckworth13]

Very nice work! , your truck is looking great.

[KY_GMC]

Took a day of from work last Friday and was able to get some more parts sealed and 2K primed.







It was a nice day and was able to get the parts outside in the sun to cure.

It's nice to finally see some where all that hard work of rust and panel repair has paid off. Can't wait to see the paint on these panels.

The hood is still showing some rust pitting. Picked up some Dolphin Putty at KOI to see if I can get those spots filled. Don't think the 2K will fill them.

The next step is to start blocking and fixing any other body issues.

Still need to get the bed sealed and primed and the hood primed. Now that I know the end is near, we are picking up steam to get this thing finished!

[KY_GMC]

A very nice box showed up on my doorstep today!!



Tom at Classic Gauge and Cluster did an awesome job! Couldn't have asked for anything better than this.

Can't wait to see it against the Hugger Orange dash!

[KY_GMC]

Picked up a 1971 GMC tailgate from a nice Ford guy in Alexandria IN today. He knew what he had but he wasn't out to make a killing on it. He let it go for $200, which I thought was very reasonable! No rust, but there are some dents that need to be contended with. Anybody have any experience pulling dents like these?

Any help or advice on the best way to approach this would be great.











Should I just try to pull the dents from the outside or peel the top off and work from behind?

[KY_GMC]

It's been a while since last post, but work has been taking place, to the delight of my wife!

Got primer on the panels and then the sanding began.

[flashed]

Wow ,that looks great .

[inrustwetrust]

Looks awesome dad! we'll need to get some family photos with my 65 and old trusty when she's done!

[KY_GMC]

Well, its been a while since my last update, but I have been busy.

After I got the body back on the frame, I started with lining the cab with FatMat Rattle Trap sound deadener.



Got the AAW wiring harness installed.



Rebuilt the steering column.

Got the engine fired up and then found out that I needed to rebuild the carb during the break in. Had to pull the carb off, rebuild it and then complete the break in. Luckily, I had contacted Cliff's Performance and had a rebuilt kit and larger jets for my new 383 engine. His suggestion was dead on. The performance of the engine is spot on!



Rebuilt the vent windows and polished the chrome.



Rebuilt the heater box and heater controls.

I am tying on reusing as many original parts that I can. That means polishing a lot of chromed parts.