Need help understanding options

[Tator]

1st off, long time lurker. Finally decided to register after beating my head against the wall looking for answers.

I have a 72 SWB that has been in the family since 74. It was given to me when I graduated high school in 2000.

This truck has been sitting more than driven. Sat for several years in the mid 80's, engine was replaced in the early 90's and was driven about 500 miles before it was parked again in the mid 90's, where it is still sitting.

I am telling that bit of story to highlight that I am sure and my parents are sure that nothing on that truck has been changed. i.e. cab swap, interior changes, etc. The only non original body panel is the tailgate. Dad was rear ended a long time ago.

The history is unknown from 72-74.

Now on to the truck itself.

1972 Cheyenne SWB
originally a 307, 3 speed on the column
now a 350, super t-10
Dark olive
Green interior
Buckets/console, these have been recovered in the 80's. Not original material but original to the truck.
Non A/c
Headliner with trim
Tach
Wood grain on the door panels, glove box, instrument cluster
Outside trim is also wood grain
Has upper belt trim also
Cargo light


From the searching I have done, could the instrument cluster been an option? I have gathered that only the super came with the wood grain cluster.

The SPID is in the glove box but I cannot get it open at the moment. I remember as a young kid looking at the sticker when we wold play in it like a club house.

This truck was my mothers 1st vehicle. It has sat more than 1/2 its life and I am finally in a position in life to give it the attention it deserves.

Any further insight would be appreciated.

[Coley]

Welcome to the forum....and it sounds like a nice truck.
The short wheel base trucks are popular models so it sounds like you have something good to work with.
As for the glovebox....a little 'coaxing' should get it open. Sometimes the latch is sticky but a gentle pry should pop it open and that would reveal your option list (SPID) that would be on the inside face of the glovebox.
As for the woodgrain, I'm pretty sure that came in the Cheyenne's as well as the Cheyenne Super....so that sounds correct.
Everything else sounds correct.....post up a few pics if you get a chance and we can get you some more info.

Again, welcome.
Coley

[Chevyland]

Get the glovebox door open
And post a picture
The spid will tell you everything if it matches the vin plate
Without it you will not know the true options(for a fact) on any truck

Wood grain on glove box and gauge cluster were only on Cheyenne supers

From what you are describing,it sounds like a nice truck
Maybe you have a very desireable Cheyenne super Shortbed
I hope the spid is there so you know For sure

When you get to the spid post some pics of truck too
Thanks for sharing (a Great first post)

[custom10nut]

Ok, I'll be the fist to say it. Where are the pictures? The truck sounds like its nicely optioned. Get it out of the weather, if you don't have it already so. Have you started it up recently? Clean it up and start enjoying it while you work on it.
Oh, and welcome to the forum. If you have a question, ask.

[El Dorado Jim]

Tator, welcome to the forum, we need pics!!!!!!

[Joesjunk]

Welcome, pics are a must

[Tator]

Alright you perverts. I was able to get back to my parents where the truck currently sits.
Don't laugh, this is embarrassing that I have let this truck languish for so long. 17 years just in my possession. The bumper is my fault. Where the truck used to rest trees grew up around it. The trees could not be cut down.










And the most embarrassing part. This engine was a crate with less than 500 miles, if that. The carb was removed for another project.


The headliner is in the attic at my parents.

The rear window trim was destroyed when the slider was installed. The original glass was shot out by someone. There are also dents in the cab from the installation.

This truck holds a special place in the family although it does not look like it. Life gets in the way sometimes and things get neglected.

I know there are pictures of this truck in its heyday (mid 80's) that I need to get scanned.

[Coley]

Thats an absolute great candidate for restoration....certainly being a swb- fleetside, cheyenne....valuable truck!
You've got some very nice options on the truck including the bucket seats and the am-fm radio.
If you want to feel really enthusiastic about it...pull it out of there, inflate the tires and wash it up....it will look initially like a different truck.
Then you can start in on the mechanical stuff....ie: brakes, engine, etc.
That said....if that original 307 has 'had it' (and it looks like it might have)...then hunt up a nice 350 for it and it will bolt right in to get you on the road and get going....noting that rebuilding the original 307 won't help the value as much as an upgrade to a 350 (or better).
Again...that's a great truck and a great project...I wouldn't hesitate getting started on that one!
Coley

[Deer_hunter_088]

I'm in for this

[Tator]

Originally Posted by Coley

Thats an absolute great candidate for restoration....certainly being a swb- fleetside, cheyenne....valuable truck!
You've got some very nice options on the truck including the bucket seats and the am-fm radio.
If you want to feel really enthusiastic about it...pull it out of there, inflate the tires and wash it up....it will look initially like a different truck.
Then you can start in on the mechanical stuff....ie: brakes, engine, etc.
That said....if that original 307 has 'had it' (and it looks like it might have)...then hunt up a nice 350 for it and it will bolt right in to get you on the road and get going....noting that rebuilding the original 307 won't help the value as much as an upgrade to a 350 (or better).
Again...that's a great truck and a great project...I wouldn't hesitate getting started on that one!
Coley

About 10 years ago we did brakes, front and rear. Swapped in the 4 speed, got it running (again). Then it had to sit again.

[35boulder]

Thanks for the pics. Don't be embarrassed by them...lots of trucks in worse condition have been posted here. Congrats and good luck. Nice truck.

[Bigdav160]

I'd be embarrassed about my parents giving me a car and it ended up in that condition.

[Tator]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

I'd be embarrassed about my parents giving me a car and it ended up in that condition.

Don't get it twisted. The truck has sat more than anything. Its the only thing that kept me in school. Call it a bribe. Promised to me if I graduated.

It was my moms 1st vehicle, given to her by my grandfather. Dad raced it/daily drove it until I came along, there is a piece of chain welded to the frame as a motor strap. 2 seats do not bode well for a family of 3 at the time. Soon to become a family of 5.

Mid/late 80's til 93 or so the truck sat. As kids we used to play in it.

93ish My Grandfather wanted to get the truck driveable again. Dad installed a crate 350 still with a 3 speed.

I learned to drive a stick in this truck at 11 or 12. Pretty much all the miles on the current motor was driving down backroads learning the coordination of what to do with my feet and hands. lol.

Grandfather passed in 95. Truck has sat since. I graduated, life happened, more than some, less than others. This truck has always been a constant fixture either being driven or used as a "clubhouse" for my siblings and I.

Will it ever be for sale? Does a snow man have a chance in Hell?

[rocknss]

Welcome to the board!!

Your truck is in great shape for the amount of time it was waiting for you. Now you can give it the attention it surely deserves.

[leddzepp]

Great looking truck! Who cares if it sat for many years, life happens and doesn't revolve around inanimate objects.

[Lanman1972]

I enjoy seeing the spids and how people ordered their trucks. In this case, a Cheyenne with interior upgrades etc., but no A/C and a base 307 and 3ott. My current project is a '71 Cheyenne with lots of options, but no power brakes. ???
Nice truck, goodluck with the build it will be worth it!

[Tator]

Originally Posted by rocknss

Welcome to the board!!

Your truck is in great shape for the amount of time it was waiting for you. Now you can give it the attention it surely deserves.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Great looking truck! Who cares if it sat for many years, life happens and doesn't revolve around inanimate objects.

Thanks and life doesnt revolve around materialistic things but there has always been a part of me that would look at this truck rotting away, and I it would eat away at me. Its always been at the same address just sitting there waiting.

Originally Posted by Lanman1972

I enjoy seeing the spids and how people ordered their trucks. In this case, a Cheyenne with interior upgrades etc., but no A/C and a base 307 and 3ott. My current project is a '71 Cheyenne with lots of options, but no power brakes. ???
Nice truck, goodluck with the build it will be worth it!

It is odd how these trucks are ordered to suit. I have always checked out these trucks at car shows, swap meets, parking lots, junk yards, etc. Never seen one optioned like this. That is a good thing. Seems like there are never 2 optioned quite the same.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Tator

About 10 years ago we did brakes, front and rear. Swapped in the 4 speed, got it running (again). Then it had to sit again.

You're going to have to go through the hydraulic part of the brakes (master and wheel cylinders), after sitting this long. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. If you haven't replaced the flex hoses, do that as well, while you are in there. You have a good basis for making a nice, solid truck! I've seen far worse made nice.

[PanelDeland]

I would clean it out, change the oil add a carb, prime the engine, use some fresh fuel and see if it will start. If there hasn't been a lot of crap into the cyl and it's free, the engine might be fine.
If it runs. go thru the bakes and then drive it a BIT. you'll BE SURPRISED HOW ENTHUSED YOU GET.

[Tator]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

You're going to have to go through the hydraulic part of the brakes (master and wheel cylinders), after sitting this long. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. If you haven't replaced the flex hoses, do that as well, while you are in there. You have a good basis for making a nice, solid truck! I've seen far worse made nice.

Correct. That was just part of the story. Started to make headway then the truck had to be put back out to pasture. LOL.

[Tator]

Another year has gone by BUT...the truck has been moved to my house. Finally.

Ignore the wheels. I needed rollers. The rallies are in the bed.

The cleaning process has begun.












Went through and verified the Vin to all tags. Just for peace of mind. Everything matches the SPID.

[Coley]

....looking good! ....keep going.

Next up, I'd get a new front bumper for it and keep 'the drive alive.
Everytime you clean or replace something on the truck your enthusiasm to get it on the road will ratchet up.

Again...looking good, keep going!

All good
Coley

[Willys_MB]

That is a really great looking truck. I'm kind of jealous!! Just remember to have fun with it and to keep driving it!

Here's a thread about the front bumper. I believe the consensus was to get the RockAuto refurbished front bumper, but I haven't seen any reviews on it, yet.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=742354

Best of luck!

[Already Gone]

Truck looks great even as it sits. Original front bumpers are not that hard to find and even if you find adecent white origianl you can get it chromed.. I've read your posts and looked at your posted pucs and you have a uniqely optioned family truck that should hang on to, it seems you have done that, no matter what.

[Jeff's72C10*]

Looking good. Keep up the good work.