My 1972 Cheyenne Super 1/2 ton 4 wheel drive

[72 Super]

Not sure if this is considered a build thread, so I hope it is okay here. Here is my 1972 Cheyenne Super 1/2 ton 4x4. I have been looking for several years for a decent 71-72 4x4 truck. I sold my daily driver 72 Cheyenne 2wd in 2003 and have been looking on and off since then. I have had a few adds on here as well as searching all over the Internet and Ebay. I have another 72 that my parent's bought new, that I have been collecting parts for, so I have accumulated some extra's that I have been holding onto to make my self an nice driver. I was basically looking for another truck that I could drive and do a little to while I drive it as time goes on. I don't have time for another all out project and didn't want one that was too nice to drive.

Anyway back around August I was searching Craigslist ( I would just go in there and browse different states. I found this truck in Vancouver WA at a small dealer( Couldn't get much further away from me here in Maryland could it Lol). It wasn't even listed as a 4 wheel drive and wasn't mentioned it in their add. I called and talked with them. I asked for more pictures and information, meanwhile I posted on the message board here, seeing if there were any members in or near Vancouver WA. Luckily member ( Nitschke) lived just a couple minutes away and even knew exactly where the dealer was, so he went and looked it over for me and called me while he was there to answer any questions I had. I pondered a few days and finally made an deal.

I have heard some horror stories about transport company's which is one thing that scared me a little while I have been looking. I must say though, it went really smooth and only took a week and a couple days for it to arrive here. I was a bit nervous buying something not seen by myself, but I am happy with it. When it arrived here on the transporter, it was covered in dirt.

I have being doing a few things to it since I got it. I replaced both bumpers with some I had here, had the transfer case resealed, it was leaking pretty bad( I knew this prior to purchasing)I used 4 cans of Engine Gunk,2+2 carburetor cleaner and Simple Green on it to clean off all the grease, etc. The under side of the cab was covered as well. It had 2 inch lift blocks on the rear which I have removed.

Pictures start from when I got it.

Thanks,
Ray

[72 Super]

First thing I did after washing it was polish out some stains in the grill shell and replace the bent front bumper with another one I had here.

[72 Super]

Next I cleaned the engine and firewall leaving the little remaining factory writting that was still there. Next I tackled cleaning the years of grease and grimefrom the leaking transfer case and under the cab. What a mess!

[72 Super]

Removed the 2 inch left blocks from the rear. I cleaned and painted the U bolt retainers while it was apart.

I didn't like the jacked up rear look

[72 Super]

with the lift blocks and without.

[72 Super]

Lastly for now I replaced the step bumper with a factory Chrome one I had as well. I cleaned the hitch and wire brushed the frame as much as I could and painted it. Also bought a tag holder from a member, sanded and painted it.

My first build/project thread.

Ray

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by 72 Super

Removed the 2 inch left blocks from the rear. I cleaned and painted the U bolt retainers while it was apart.

I didn't like the jacked up rear look

Cool looking truck. It looks like you have a solid truck to work with.

[jc]

Great looking truck ray.
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[oldone]

Nice one!!!!!!!!!

[thelonerife]

I want one!

[Greenlee]

Sweet truck!
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[no moa]

Man, that thing is awesome. How much was the shipping across country?

Even though you were nervous about buying a truck site unseen, i think i'd feel pretty comfortable if i had any member from this board looking at a truck from me. Lots of knowledge and good people.

[72 Super]

Originally Posted by no moa

Man, that thing is awesome. How much was the shipping across country?

Even though you were nervous about buying a truck site unseen, i think i'd feel pretty comfortable if i had any member from this board looking at a truck from me. Lots of knowledge and good people.

Thanks guys!

No moa,

The shipping was $1280. It helped me having Nitschke's opinion, although I was still a bit nervous But I am pleased now.

thanks,
Ray

Few more random pictures. Nice original gravel shields that I thought were factory Blue until I dug them out. My memory isn't what it used to be LOL! I sprayed them Semi Flat Black for now.

Bed has been used, but the picture makes it look worse than it actually is. It hasn't been cleaned.

[Nitschke]

Looking good! I'm glad your happy with it and shipping went well for you. Ill be fallowing along
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[DeadheadNM]

Congrats Ray!! Great story - we have a good community of folks here on the board. Hope my Super looks half as nice when done. Pete

[butternut1972]

Nice looking truck. I know that building in the first few pictures, my company was involved in the construction of it.

[72 Super]

I am replacing the headers that is on it. I bought these original 4x4 manifolds off of Harry( 6t727t2) a member here. I have bead blasted them and painted them with some Hi Temp Cast Iron Gray paint I had here. They cleaned up well. I will be getting the exhaust done this week.

[Sicklajoie]

Sharp ride! Congrats!
I liked the before with the lifting blocks...

[Katrina/10]

Nice work, does the truck sit level without the blocks in the back?

[72 Super]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Nice work, does the truck sit level without the blocks in the back?

Thanks! It sits slightly lower in the rear. From the factory they sit lower in the rear.
thanks,
Ray

[72 Super]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

Sharp ride! Congrats!
I liked the before with the lifting blocks...

I am sure they would be great if you planned on doing some heavy towing or something of that nature. I just didn't like the "jacked up rear" look

[Zoomin]

I see you're chipping away at it, Ray. Is this puppy going to be a driver, or are you going to break down and blow it apart eventually?

I really like it!

[72 Super]

Hey Steve,

Once I complete the restoration of my Black 72 that my parents bought new I may freshen this one up some. For now, It is going to be a driver that I can do a little here and there to and still drive it. I am off work this week and had to run some errands today, so I drove it and put a few miles on it. Once it warms back up in the Spring, I plan to paint and detail the engine up some. I have a set or original valve covers, air cleaner, spacer etc that I will change at some point.

How are yours coming along?

Ray

[Zoomin]

Lol Ray, I knew you wouldn't be able to leave well enough alone, but on the other hand it's nice to have one you can just hop in and drive.

I've had a few diversions, but it looks like its going to be a productive Winter. Should have a couple ready to drive by Summer.
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[72 Super]

Had a little mishap back in January. I was doing the repairs outside on the weekends so it took a little while to get it back together. I used the old grill shell/head light bezels from my Black truck, bought a new inner grill from Bill Athey (pickupman). The Right fender has slight damage, but isn't very bad. Had realign the hood, as it threw it off.