Finally building my 72 SWB... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 01:04 AM

Hey guys, figured it was time for me to start a build thread on this. I’ve been lurking here for years and drooling over others builds.

Finally picked this 72 up back in November of last year, I’ve wanted one of these trucks for as long as I can remember. I really wanted an original SWB truck, but decided against it since I knew I was going to cut it up anyways.

I found this one through a friend, it had been sitting inside a connex box for at least 5 years. It appears to be a rust free southern truck so far, but we’ll see.

Here she is the day I picked her up.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 01:06 AM

Settling into her new home.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 01:09 AM

I didn’t waste much time before getting her pulled apart..

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 01:10 AM

Old 350/350 pulled out and sold.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 01:13 AM

The welds on the frame didn’t look too great, so I scored them and re-welded them. Also put in frame stiffeners.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 01:18 AM

Sent my rearend out to be totally redone. Shortened 4” overall, new 3.73 gears, posi trac, new axles, Ford style ends, and new diff cover.

**Kronald_70GMC** · 05-15-2021, 01:33 AM

Looks great. Keep it up.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 02:48 AM

Stripped the frame down to nothing. Glad I’m done with rivets...

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 02:51 AM

Decided to go with No Limit Engineering for the suspension upgrades. After countless hours of researching, it was the best bang for the buck since it included brakes.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 02:56 AM

Went with a Dirty Dingo trans Crossmember as well as a Porterbuilt for the trailing arm crossmember.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 02:57 AM

Also installed the No Limit C-notches (yes the frame is upside down in this pic)

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 03:01 AM

While everything was blown back apart and at powder coat, I scored this free to me welding table from a friend. 4’x4’ and 1.5” thick.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 03:05 AM

Everything back from powder and going back together.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 03:08 AM

Front brakes on and painting the newly redone rearend. Rack and pinion installed after prepping and painting as well.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 03:11 AM

Brakes installed on rearend. Waiting on bushings from Porterbuilt to install the No Limit trailing arm kit.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 03:13 AM

Another shot of chassis...

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 03:15 AM

Picked up a 5.3/6l80 from a 2011 Silverado. Only has 91k on it, but it’s headed to the machine shop tomorrow for a whole new bottom end and rework of the heads. Before/after tear down.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 03:20 AM

That’s pretty much where I am right now besides picking up odds and end parts. Ordered my tires a couple days ago so that I can do a mock up for the correct back spacing for the wheels. I need to run down to Arlington and pick up some new bedsides and tubbed bed floor before mock up.

Went with 255/40/20 and 345/30/20 Michelin pilot sport 4S’s.

Leaning hard towards these intro’s in a 20x10 and 20x12 or 12.5.

**lolife99** · 05-15-2021, 09:27 AM

Great build thread.

tucktuck · 05-15-2021, 09:19 PM

Dropped the motor off today...4-6 weeks at the earliest. Gonna call speartech next week for the wiring.

tucktuck · 10-13-2021, 06:23 PM

So, I finally got my engine back from the builder a couple weeks ago. Now its on to the waiting game while parts slowly trickle in...

I've already ordered a mid-mount accessory drive kit from Holley, Terminator X Max, Injectors, Headers, Misc ARP bolts, DBW 102mm throttle body, and valve covers.

I decided to go with a 4L80E, so I had one built by Freak Show Transmission and picked it up yesterday. Also went with the BTR equalizer intake that the shop had at a great price.

Once I get all these parts in and final assemble everything, then I'll put the body back on and measure for my wheels and get them ordered, get the wiring roughed in, and then blow it all apart again for paint and body.

Still seems like I have a lot to do, but I've come a long way in less than a year...

I'll post some pics up once I remember how to...

tucktuck · 10-13-2021, 08:48 PM

Motor and intake

tucktuck · 10-13-2021, 08:49 PM

Side view

tucktuck · 10-13-2021, 08:50 PM

Built 4L80 with a 3200-3400 stall converter

**Getter-Done** · 10-13-2021, 09:35 PM

Great Progress.

Flip for ya.

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05-15-2021, 01:04 AM	#1
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Finally building my 72 SWB... Hey guys, figured it was time for me to start a build thread on this. I’ve been lurking here for years and drooling over others builds. Finally picked this 72 up back in November of last year, I’ve wanted one of these trucks for as long as I can remember. I really wanted an original SWB truck, but decided against it since I knew I was going to cut it up anyways. I found this one through a friend, it had been sitting inside a connex box for at least 5 years. It appears to be a rust free southern truck so far, but we’ll see. Here she is the day I picked her up. Attached Images

05-15-2021, 01:06 AM	#2
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Settling into her new home. Attached Images

05-15-2021, 01:09 AM	#3
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... I didn’t waste much time before getting her pulled apart.. Attached Images

05-15-2021, 01:10 AM	#4
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Old 350/350 pulled out and sold. Attached Images

05-15-2021, 01:13 AM	#5
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... The welds on the frame didn’t look too great, so I scored them and re-welded them. Also put in frame stiffeners. Attached Images Last edited by tucktuck; 10-13-2021 at 09:18 PM.

05-15-2021, 01:18 AM	#6
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Sent my rearend out to be totally redone. Shortened 4” overall, new 3.73 gears, posi trac, new axles, Ford style ends, and new diff cover. Attached Images Last edited by tucktuck; 05-15-2021 at 10:49 AM.

05-15-2021, 01:33 AM	#7
Kronald_70GMC Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Martensville, Saskatchewan Posts: 948	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Looks great. Keep it up. __________________ Kyle 1970 GMC "Project Splice" 2017 Silverado LTZ (Daily Driver) IG: kyle_ronald

05-15-2021, 02:48 AM	#8
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Stripped the frame down to nothing. Glad I’m done with rivets... Attached Images

05-15-2021, 02:51 AM	#9
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Decided to go with No Limit Engineering for the suspension upgrades. After countless hours of researching, it was the best bang for the buck since it included brakes. Attached Images Last edited by tucktuck; 10-13-2021 at 09:19 PM.

05-15-2021, 02:56 AM	#10
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Went with a Dirty Dingo trans Crossmember as well as a Porterbuilt for the trailing arm crossmember. Attached Images

05-15-2021, 02:57 AM	#11
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Also installed the No Limit C-notches (yes the frame is upside down in this pic) Attached Images

05-15-2021, 03:01 AM	#12
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... While everything was blown back apart and at powder coat, I scored this free to me welding table from a friend. 4’x4’ and 1.5” thick. Attached Images

05-15-2021, 03:05 AM	#13
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Everything back from powder and going back together. Attached Images

05-15-2021, 03:08 AM	#14
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Front brakes on and painting the newly redone rearend. Rack and pinion installed after prepping and painting as well. Attached Images Last edited by tucktuck; 05-15-2021 at 03:09 AM. Reason: .

05-15-2021, 03:11 AM	#15
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Brakes installed on rearend. Waiting on bushings from Porterbuilt to install the No Limit trailing arm kit. Attached Images



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05-15-2021, 03:13 AM	#16
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Another shot of chassis... Attached Images

05-15-2021, 03:15 AM	#17
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Picked up a 5.3/6l80 from a 2011 Silverado. Only has 91k on it, but it’s headed to the machine shop tomorrow for a whole new bottom end and rework of the heads. Before/after tear down. Attached Images

05-15-2021, 03:20 AM	#18
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... That’s pretty much where I am right now besides picking up odds and end parts. Ordered my tires a couple days ago so that I can do a mock up for the correct back spacing for the wheels. I need to run down to Arlington and pick up some new bedsides and tubbed bed floor before mock up. Went with 255/40/20 and 345/30/20 Michelin pilot sport 4S’s. Leaning hard towards these intro’s in a 20x10 and 20x12 or 12.5. Attached Images

05-15-2021, 09:27 AM	#19
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,682	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Great build thread. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

05-15-2021, 09:19 PM	#20
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Dropped the motor off today...4-6 weeks at the earliest. Gonna call speartech next week for the wiring.

10-13-2021, 06:23 PM	#21
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... So, I finally got my engine back from the builder a couple weeks ago. Now its on to the waiting game while parts slowly trickle in... I've already ordered a mid-mount accessory drive kit from Holley, Terminator X Max, Injectors, Headers, Misc ARP bolts, DBW 102mm throttle body, and valve covers. I decided to go with a 4L80E, so I had one built by Freak Show Transmission and picked it up yesterday. Also went with the BTR equalizer intake that the shop had at a great price. Once I get all these parts in and final assemble everything, then I'll put the body back on and measure for my wheels and get them ordered, get the wiring roughed in, and then blow it all apart again for paint and body. Still seems like I have a lot to do, but I've come a long way in less than a year... I'll post some pics up once I remember how to... Last edited by tucktuck; 10-13-2021 at 09:22 PM.

10-13-2021, 08:48 PM	#22
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Motor and intake Attached Images

10-13-2021, 08:49 PM	#23
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Side view Attached Images

10-13-2021, 08:50 PM	#24
tucktuck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Jo, Texas Posts: 137	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Built 4L80 with a 3200-3400 stall converter Attached Images

10-13-2021, 09:35 PM	#25
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 7,701	Re: Finally building my 72 SWB... Great Progress. Flip for ya. __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

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