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'72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Time to start a project thread!
I bought this truck, in theory at least, to use as a work horse so my K10 can get new floor pans this summer :lol: The truck is super clean - all original, needs outer rockers and not much else. 50,800 original miles, factory flatbed and original 350/4bbl/4spd/PS/PB The day I bought it: http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps38d900be.jpg First thing was to replace the rusty hood with a good spare it came with: http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psab8d8a11.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps39ba77d3.jpg And some rattle can http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psec2418ac.jpg |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Next up: New fuel lines, pump, and filter. Found this in the fuel tank:
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3529925e.jpg Was a little bit distressed by how rusty the tank in general and the sending unit are. I ordered a new sending unit and stainless fuel lines from Inline Tube. Can I swap a '67 fuel tank for this '72 no vent model? I'm going to have a clean '67 tank available to me shortly. This is how I left off for the day http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps42f53673.jpg |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
And now to my current status: new rear wheel seals!
I am entirely new to the heavy duty (H072 in this case) axles, so this was a bit of a learning curve: http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps757bf38d.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb81b7128.jpg Driver's rear drum, both shoe hold-downs were missing so replaced those and adjusted, new rear wheel seal, packed and torqued bearings, all is well http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps59f97cb5.jpg Passenger's side... not so much. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psc4131bc8.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psecdc5671.jpg That wheel seal had completely failed. Cleaned everything up as best I could, replaced the seal, packed the bearings, but new shoes are in order for that side as soon as the budget will allow. Yikes! Also, I've now got a line on this '67 C-30 dump truck http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...dumpbodyup.jpg which is going to get parted out and donate it's dump hydraulics and PTO setup to this truck :metal: |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
how do you find these local? i never see them on criags list. stop over some time. now that the snow is gone i can actually get working on my blazer.
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I'll definitely drop by sometime soon to check out the progress |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Not much to report this weekend, waiting on parts mostly.
1. Found out the points weren't properly bolted down inside the distributor, at the expense of the integrity of the new muffler and a cold dark hour on the side of the road :lol: 2. R&R'd the heater controls and put screws through the face to hold the bracket to the faceplate - my '69 is like this as well, nice and secure now! http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psf24d6383.jpg 3. R&R'd the cowl, cleaned out 15 lbs of leaves and twigs and rotted organic matter from the cowl vents. 4. Removed the wooden bedside boxes from the frame http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps8cdceab9.jpg Next weekend I'm picking up the '67 C30 dump to get ready for hydraulics swapping into this truck |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Parts truck on it's way home tonight - more pictures to come when I start getting hydraulics swapped over :metal:
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...pscb323ff8.jpg |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
No work on the GMC today, but started stripping the hydraulic lift frame of all the extra metal (IE the rusty dump body :lol: ) before I swap it across.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps039056b4.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps04cff0b4.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps8d39e17e.jpg As you can see, this truck got used HARD http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psa448ccfa.jpg Anyway, Once I've got the lift frame stripped completely, I need to rebuild the last 6" of the rails on either side, then separate it from the '67 frame (it is welded on) and then get the flatbed off my GMC so I can swap it over and build new bolt-on mount towers for it. Tonight, I'm trying to ID the PTO ... :uhmk: |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Sweet! I think you are at the start of a great project, I remember the thread when you brought it home.
Glad to see another dually coming back to life, there is getting to be not a lot of them left. |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
More work on the dump mechanism:
You can see a bit here, there is a bend in the actual piston, which I'm working on straightening out (I loose about 4" of return travel) http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps52b96bfb.jpg Both sides of the dump subframe were rusted through on the outside where the mudflaps / center frame brackets were mounted. Cut all that out and ready to weld in some new plate tomorrow (Hopefully) Driver's (You can see a split in the inside wall of the frame tube as well, rust growth between the bearing block and the frame caused that. I am going to weld the split and then weld a doubler plate over it before I patch up the outside) http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps82c5b29d.jpg Passenger's http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psbe58ab1e.jpg Removed the uprights, working on getting the pivot bar unseized from the driver's so I can fix the rust at the end of it http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps0ead9bcb.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psef9bbe8c.jpg And my second or third major setback of the day - the pivot bar on the hydraulic cylinder failed! This is a 1.5" diameter steel rod - I will have to weld in a replacement. 30 years with no grease will do that :lol: http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psfb2b5a43.jpg Here's the broken end still stuck in the bearing block http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psae4a76b1.jpg That's all for tonight, don't like to run the grinders at night and tick off the neighbors. |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
I'd just take that ram to a local machine shop and have them make you a new rod for it. Shouldn't be all that expensive and will be well worth it to have it done right.
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Didn't make much progress today. Weather is being non-cooperative! Driver's side of frame - split welded and fished, patch welded in place for the bottom of the frame. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps515d3674.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...pse6be5c01.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps46e6792c.jpg I have new hardware for mounting the ram, and most of the metal needed to rebuild the uprights and the subframe. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb8ee2aa8.jpg HOWEVER - design snag! Turns out that when they installed the dump bed on the '67, they cut 17" off the rear of the frame to make the dump angle as it should. Since I want to keep the original flatbed and frame dimensions, that's no good. Nearest I can figure, if I shift the subframe back when I mount it to the GMC, I can still achieve a 50* dump angle with the current cylinder and geometry if I lengthen the uprights and taper the rear overhang behind the pivot. I'm going to make up a model of this later on and make sure everything works out. |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
You know seeing that thing a bit better, I would honestly scrap the mechanism and rebuild it, with that much rust in it, I would not trust it, and the steel to build that wouldn't be all that much.
Some box tubing and a little time, probably less time than you would spend fixing everything that is wrong with that one. I think you would be much better off, much safer too. |
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I do appreciate the input, though. I guess it's just the yankee in me, hard to scrap things :lol: |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Finished patching up the subframe today and got it separated from the original chassis
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps64539021.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps64d5d4c7.jpg With all holes drilled and primed http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps7983336c.jpg |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Spent most of today out and about, so not much work got done:
1. Got the seized rear pivot shaft free - had to cut a relief in the housing and spread it a bit, this pic was taken after I'd finished welding it back together. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps6c5b5f99.jpg 2. Just a shot of the poor PTO pump - the slip joint in the shaft seized up and caused the u-joint to chew into the packing retaining screws. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psaceb1915.jpg 3. The herd at rest! http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps29aeedd7.jpg |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Had today off so I made some great progress today:
Uprights are completely repaired and I've extended both sides so they're now 110" in length to match the original flatbed. I tapered the tubing from 4" tall down to 2" tall behind the pivot point, in order to be able to maintain approximately a 55 degree max mechanical dump angle without cutting off the rear of the truck's frame. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps6fbdd70b.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1afcfccf.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps76847f86.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps58ab9caa.jpg You may note I have not yet added the reinforcement plates to my extensions - I ran out of flat stock so I'm going to finish that off in the AM Got the ol' John Deere involved to lift the flatbed off - this assembly is extremely rigid by itself, I was quite surprised! http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psf770c017.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...pse718145d.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb7ece4aa.jpg Truck chassis with just the wooden carry blocks and brackets remaining - those come off tomorrow for subframe fit-up. Turns out the wood spacer blocks have some dry rot at the bottoms near the frame, so I will be using them as a template to cut new ones from PT lumber. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2f1cf505.jpg |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Lots more progress today:
Naked dually http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps5c3775b0.jpg Subframe and bed installed with straps for mockup http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...pscbe6e631.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps92285a00.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps67ba58cf.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps4ff39cb9.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psa65a49d8.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps51060c1d.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psa65a49d8.jpg Clearance at rear of frame at full height http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3c93c505.jpg Started cutting down original bed - frame mount brackets to fit new subframe - decided to retain bolted configuration rather than channeling and welding. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2e094291.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2003876a.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps909f581e.jpg |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
More progress
Naked Dually http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps305a7128.jpg Lift frame with all deck mounting brackets fitted and tack welded http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd6bca5ce.jpg Mounting brackets (haven't made new wood spacer blocks yet) http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psfeafcd7f.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps7efd8d79.jpg Subframe mounted to chassis hopefully for the final time http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd84e73cc.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psaa0ecd4f.jpg Lift frame in place with all brackets welded (also added fish plates, no pics though) http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps38a1a8f2.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psc85ed980.jpg Setting the deck back on ... clearly this is why I bought a tractor http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps863ec9a5.jpg And all put back together. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps4d0cebe7.jpg Next thing to tackle is a rear hitch / bumper and lights, and getting the hydraulics all squared away. The silver is a cold galvanizing compound - this was a new product for me to use and I'm very happy with the results thus far. |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Progress has been slow. I've found a good SM465 PTO, I've been working on the hydraulics slowly but surely, but mostly I've been worrying about trailer wiring.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps482fb4ae.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps74934227.jpg Rear lighting back in place and with sufficient slack to let the bed tilt fully http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...pscebfc16e.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps951cbea7.jpg Bulkhead connector I'm mounting to the firewall for all the trailer brake wiring http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb53d3e39.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps44d102da.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps35cdce83.jpg You may notice some other terminals in the background - I'm tapping into the factory harness at the rear harness firewall connector and the stop lamp switch, replacing the terminals and using wire from another harness I cut up, so in essence it will look as if the factory installed the plug in connector for a brake controller inside the cab. |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
This post describes what one of my good friends calls "OEMitis" ... I did all the in cab wiring today, which was done to make it look as if the factory did it.
First connection (for the brake controller) - stop light switch. Before http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps58cfe13c.jpg After http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps88976dd0.jpg Rear harness firewall connector - after shot, connections for turn, marker and reverse http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps8b1c9752.jpg Main harness reloomed - new trailer harness connector is the 6 connector black right in front of the gas pedal http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps8a68faa5.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps07003c9f.jpg Thru-bulkhead connector carrying lights (4 wires), ground/power/ brake feed from brake controller (3 wires) http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2a3743d8.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psacdf04a5.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3bd2885c.jpg Used a factory marked drill point and knockout in the insulation to install it, just like they meant it to be there http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...pscd9c0fa2.jpg Bulkhead connector with mating harness connector attached http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps8f09e577.jpg And the new fender mounted junction box, which connects the rear trailer harness to the bulkhead connector and houses the 2 self-resetting circuit breakers (30A for brake controller and 20A accessory feed to the trailer) http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb7fe0935.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb953cf72.jpg The loose black and white wires are power and ground, I ordered a special jacketed cable for that purpose but UPS is still trying to find it... Tomorrow the hitch goes on, as will the rear trailer connector, then an oil change and fuel sender and first trailer towing tomorrow afternoon! |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Little update here, haven't really done much with the truck other than use it!
1. Hydraulic cylinder is out for repairs, I have the PTO and all cables, getting ready to complete that install and then redeck the bed 2. Did some towing. This thing pulls my 6000lbs tractor/trailer combo like my K10 tows a 750lbs boat. So nice! http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3ed1e593.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2518002c.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps21ec7a8b.jpg |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
First time in ages I've had a chance to work on this truck!
Bad cell pic (camera is on the fritz) http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd6908c77.jpg I got the new rod cut for the cylinder, welded on a new pivot point for the piston, relocated the pump to the truck's frame and got a new subframe cross member and brace welded in. Hopefully tomorrow I will get the PTO installed on the trans and get the pump hooked up - then I just need new hydraulic lines and the bed can go back on for good. |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Progress update!
Hydraulic ram is rebuilt, pump moved to frame and replumbed: http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psff2f56f7.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps0b948cd2.jpg Bed lowered: http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps08d7ecb2.jpg Bed lifted (not under power yet, no PTO driveshaft) http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb4d6f300.jpg PTO installed http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psade05595.jpg And an unexpected hangup: http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps5c544e27.jpg The rear brake line on this truck was fitted to a standard 1/4" brake tee - which cracked and started spraying fluid everywhere. Come to find out, the reason it cracked is because the factory line is not a 1/4" brake thread at the axle, after all. Unable to find the right parts, this '92 S10 Blazer rear line and 3/16" - 1/4" adapters worked out just like GM meant it to. As soon as I get a PTO driveshaft installed I need to run the control cables, then redeck the bed :metal: :gmc2: |
Re: '72 C3500 GMC flatbed project
Driveshaft fabricated (at least a temporary home made for now)
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3f8f3856.jpg http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps57b08a69.jpg Unfortunately, the driveshaft is rubbing on the parking brake cable arrangement, so I am going to have to rearrange that linkage to make everything work. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...psa0f950a4.jpg |
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