1972 LS3 C10 build
 

Here is the start of my 1972 C10 build. I was not sure I was going to put it out on the site but the information that I got from this site was so helpful that I thought maybe I could help someone in return. I started with a one owner 1972 SWB C10 that my grandfather bought brand new and it only had 30,000 miles on it. Some of you will probably think I am crazy for taking this clean of a truck and doing this build but the bottom line is it still is a 40 year old truck that needed to be rebuilt. I thought about doing a frame off and putting it back original but after thinking about it for a few years decided to build a truck with 21st century parts that would be a fun (with some guts) driver. Now I did not have the time to build the truck myself so I called my friend Rick Jones with RJ Race Cars www.rjracecars.com and asked if he would be interested. Rick built all my Pro Stock cars in the lates 80s and early 90s and we were partners when he raced IHRA Pro Stock. Rick told me "hell ya" we can do it and here starts my build.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

Welcome to the borad... That looks to have the highlander package???

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

Rick and I decided to go with an air ride suspension and I decided I like ridetech the best. www.ridetech.com

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

I wanted to move the fuel tank out of the cab so I went with a between the frame tank from Boyd Welding. www.boydwelding.com

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

I went with an LS3 motor and 4L85E transmission.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

Cool build! Neat higlander you started with....hope you didn't trash the seat cover or wheel covers...they're both rare and valuable!

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

We have kept everything that came off the truck and will start selling the excess parts in the next few months.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

Clean looking build - Ill be watching. Very nice truck to start with.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

A few more before and after tear down pictures.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

Thanks. I was real torn on what to do but I did not want to spend the money to restore and still have a truck that drove like a 72 so I decided to go this direction to keep my grandfathers truck alive but have a nice driver for car club weekends.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

Wilwood disc brakes all the way around.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

Moving the gas tank to the rear required a new fuel door be installed in the rear of the bed. Rick found a fuel door from Hagan Street Rods www.haganauto.com that was perfect and of course Rick's guys are some of the best fabricators around so installing it was no problem.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

nice clean truck.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

We decided to leave the side molding off and also close up all the stake bed pockets. We installed electric windows and locks from A1 Electric http://www.a1electric.com/ and closed off the key holes on the outside. Rick had to notch the frame for the motor but boxed it back after he got the correct clearance.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

The body was sandblasted using baking soda so it would not warp the metal.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

Man beautiful build! What I'd do for that seat and door panels from a 30k mile truck. Beautiful.
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Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

I wanted bucket seats so I could use a console and I found some seats from Procar http://www.procarbyscat.com/Products_Rally.asp that I really liked and they had the option to order them uncovered. They also had a factory frame that the seats bolted to so we did not have to fabricate one but it ended up being too high so Rick lowered it 3". We did not want the seats to stick up above the rear window and we were not going to use the headrest. The truck had a tilt steering wheel with a column shifter but I wanted to move the shifter to the new console we were installing so we installed a ididit steel chrome plated tilt steering column. Rick and his company RJ Race Cars have a great relationship with the Summit Racing http://www.summitracing.com/ folks so we tried to get most of the parts that we needed from them. They also are an associate sponsor for Rick's son Rickie http://www.rjracecars.com/team-information.asp Pro Nitrous car. :devil:

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

I wanted the firewall to be fairly clean so we installed a Vintage Air system. http://www.vintageair.com/ The system uses a different A/C compressor then what came with the accessory package for the LS3 motor so I had to get a bracket from KWiK Performance. http://www.kwikperf.com/ This worked out really nice because it moved the compressor from the bottom to the top of the motor which made the hose installation much easier.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

I was not going to put the BIG truck mirrors back on so I got some factory sport mirrors. Anyone that has a truck with these mirrors know the factory sheet metal screws SUCK so Rick's guys welded nuts on the inside of the door :gi: which solved the never ending problem of the sheet metal screw coming loose or stripping out of the door sheet metal. I got a lot of parts from Manes Truck Parts (really nice people) http://www.manestruckparts.com/ and I like the suggestion if you buy the mirrors from them. "Throw away the screws" :lol: http://www.manestruckparts.com/store...Category_ID=17

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

very sweet build

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

Fantastic build choices so far for sure. The truck looked SOLID even before you got started. It didn't really look like it needed the 'full' frame resto but it sure doesn't hurt if you have the budget.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

nice work :metal:

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

WHEELS AND TIRES: I want thank everyone who ever posted information about what they used along with providing wheel and tire sizes. The information along with pictures was invaluable in helping make my decision for the wheels and tires as well as sizes. I did not want to tub the rear or cut the front inner wheel wells so I searched and studied for MANY hours on wheels. "Layin frame" was also not a concern for me. I ended up choosing Foose Legend wheels.
Front: F10588073 18x8 with Toyo Proxes STII 255/50R18
Rear: F10528573 20x8.5 with Toyo Proxes STII 265/50R20
The guys at Wheelsforless http://www.wheelsforless.com/ did a great job and they have both the wheels and tires along with offering mounting and balancing which was a nice convenience.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

A couple more pics. I don't want anyone giving me the :wop: for not enough pictures.

Re: 1972 LS3 C10 build
 

Your right that it probably did not need the "full" frame resto but I was concerned about having the remodeled bathroom and did not replace the tub look.