Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Update...

With the silly season over and some free time coming up... I was able to secure a parts truck a couple weeks ago. Bought it from a board member and drove it the 2 hours from his place to mine.

It's a 1972 GMC C2500. The grille is in way better shape than mine and a lot of parts are going to be scavenged off of it for my build. Once I'm done pilfering parts from it I will part it out.

When I was driving it home I stopped for gas, and a young boy in the back seat of the car next to me rolls down the window and asks me... "Is that The Farmtruck?" I got a good chuckle out of that. :lol:

Can't wait to get some stuff done... :)

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

If you do away with those side steps and want to sell whatever they are mounted with let me know ,I want to mount some on my 1 ton .I have the steps just dont know how they mount.That is a very nice parts truck ,hope you get yours back between the ditches soon.

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Awesome parts truck Gary, especially when you can drive it home!!

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Score!!!

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

It has finally stopped friggin' raining around here long enough to get some stuff done!

So the 1972 cab has been sitting on the 1969 frame for quite some time. I needed to swap out the Eaton posi-traction unit and 3.73's in the '72 housing and put it in the '69 housing. I bought Moser axles to fit the stock length of the '69 but it has 5 lugs instead of 6. I will be swapping over the 5 lug stuff up front too.

So I pull the pan off of the rear end and what do I spy? A stock posi-traction unit in there! Schwiiing! :metal: So I rotate the ring gear and it is stamped 11:41. Hmm... divide 11 into 41 and it equals... 3.72777777777. :lol: 3.73's! I counted the teeth just to be shore and I'm delighted as hell! I only read about cats getting that lucky with this kind of stuff. What were the odds of that rear end in the frame I bought having a posi-unit and the same gear ratio I have? :lol:

So I'm going to change the pinion seal, put new axle bearings in it and axle seals, and slide the Moser axles in it and call it a day. If it ever craps out on me I will always have my Eaton carrier and Richmond gears as a back up.

So saved me some serious time and money.

I pulled the drum brake backing plates (with all brake harware still attached) off of the '72 and bolted them with new grade 8 bolts to the '69 tubes. I had just put an entire new drum brake setup on the '72 only a couple months before I wrecked it. The parking brake cables appear to go directly into the stock holding brackets in the trailing arms of the '69. My '72 was leaf sprung so I'm hoping all that parking brake stuff will just swap over.

I'm also reusing all of the Inline Tube SS brake lines from the '72. I will have to fabricate up a new rear bracket to mount it from the frame of the '69, since I'm going to install either a Camaro or a Chevelle gas tank back there.

For now it's sitting back on the BFG's and ET slots bolted up. I have new axle bearings and seals on order so will have to pull the axles back out later on.

Anyways... heres a few pics of from the weekend. Don't mind the crack of my buddy's butt hanging out in the one pic... :lol:

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

You definitely have some good karma going on. It's nice to see it on the slots again.

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

That's great news! I agree on the weather, i took Friday and Monday off to get a few things accomplished myself!

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Today is one month from the day I ordered this kit. It arrived on my doorstep yesterday evening.

I guess all the talk of CPP having lousy shipping and customer service is correct. Even though I ordered through Summit Racing, I had to have Summit contact CPP 3 times to get any details about my order. Taking a month to ship in stock parts is a joke.

But, I have them and will install them this weekend. CPP will not ever get another dime from me.

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Next time Porterbuilt? Anyway i saw that other pic on Facebook yesterday and i gotta agree.

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

I agree with the Superbowl thing!!

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Super Bowl ,whats that ? Never watched one ,never will .

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Pulled the springs out of the 1969 front end yesterday. Now I know why there were a crap load of adjustment shims in the upper control arm and hard rubber spacers in the spring on the passenger side. The spring was broken.

Here is a shot of the drivers side stock spring next to the CPP lowering spring.

Gonna do ball joints today and paint some stuff like the 1972 spindles. Pic is the 1969 drums and spindles sitting next to the 1972 disc brake spindles.

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Just ran across your build today and enjoyed reading thru your progress. I noticed you have the same black seat cover as mine and you got some samples from SMS. Did you go ahead and order from them? I just sent them an inquiry for some samples. Ive ordered some NOS vinyl from them in the past for another project and was very happy with there service.

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Hi bronze... I haven't gotten that far yet. My seat is stripped apart, but the donor 1972 GMC I bought has a really nice seat in it with a decent cover, so I will just use that for now. Then down the road I will get a more factory looking cover.


Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

More progress over the weekend. Plus today is my day off so still screwing around while the sun is out. Which has been a rarity lately. :)

The front end has been a nightmare. Taking apart 40 year old stuff always has bad things rear their ugly head. One of the lower control arms on the '69 frame is cracked from eons of rust where the shaft goes through it. The upper control arms were rust welded to the point they don't even move.

When I removed them the studs that hold the upper arms to the frame pretty much stripped all the threads away. So I'm sure it's just a matter of beating them out and beating new ones in. Fun times.

The arms from the '69 are all not in that great of shape, whereas the stuff from the '72 are in really good shape. So the '72 arms will get a cleaning and be used for this build.

Also the lower control arm cross shaft saddles came off the crossmember and the rivet that centers the shaft fell apart from rust. I'm sure there is an easy fix for this, but maybe I'm just over thinking things. So I have to address that too.

Getting the rear coils out was a bigger job than I wanted it to be. I had to grind off the bolt heads of the lower bolts as they were rust welded into the cups. They've been sitting for 4 days with PB Blaster soaking them. Still nada... so out came the grinder. I got the passenger side coil out and the upper cup off. But the drivers side upper bolt and nut is not budging. So the hot wrench and grinder will probably be used on that one too.

I keep telling myself how much fun this is. :lol:

But progress is being made!

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

I somewhat recently dropped my truck. The front end went OK because I did a rebuild like 12 years ago and did a refresh to it while it was apart.

That back I had never touched and was an absolute nightmare that made me wish I had a set of torches!!! And this was a south carolina truck, frame just has surface rust, but those rear coil spring bolts/perches were damn near rust-welded together!

My impact gun couldn't do squat with this, and I saw why after I had it cut out (this was the DS upper spring bolt)...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1441889370

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Can't wait to see it done.

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Installed the rear 4" drop springs with new clamp/retainers and hardware. Springs are from CPP and the clamp kit was from LMC. Bolted in EZPZ. Way easier to bolt in then it was to remove the stock springs and clamps. :lol:

Installed new upper and lower cross shafts up front. The lower shafts were a tad different, but after I started to install them it made sense. The seals are a bit different and improved over the stock shafts so they needed to machine a deeper shoulder on the shaft. Still bolted in and lined up just fine. You can see the difference in the pic.

I bought new 9/16" grade 8 lower control arm U-bolts from Summit Racing. They are actually for later model trucks but will work with my 1972 shafts. The holes through the crossmember and through the cradles of the 1969 frame are already large enough for the bolts no problem, so I didn't have to drill them out. The thick grade 8 washers did not come with the bolt kits. I sourced those locally (Ace Hardware) and they will have to have a tad bit of grinding done to them to line up correctly in the crossmember.

If anyone is interested, the U-bolts are made by Dorman and here is the Summit Racing part number: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-13503 They are only $8 bucks per side. So for $16 bones and $5 more for shipping you're done. Nice and cheap!

Will install the front drop springs soon. Just gotta get new disc rotors and calipers and I can then bolt everything up front back together.

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Got what was left of the lower control arm crossshaft centering rivets removed from the frame.

Have them mocked up with the new 9/16" U-bolts I got from Summit Racing. Have to work swing shift today so will probably have the arms installed tomorrow or Monday. :)

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

More progress...

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Looks good .

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Looks like someone is swapping to discs. Looks good.

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Thanks you'se guys! Yep... swapping all my old 1972 stuff over to the 1969 frame. I used the 1972 upper and lower control arms (installed new Moog ball joints) and put new cross shafts and bushings in them. I used the stock 1972 spindles and 2" CPP drop springs. I just bought new rotors, bearings, calipers and pads today.

I also picked up new Moog inner and outer tie rod ends today as well. I'm using all the 1972 steering linkage and the 1972 power steering box too.

I had bought new upper cross shaft mounting studs that go through the frame, but ended up just using a thread chaser on the old ones and bought new locking nuts for them.

It should be sitting on all 4 paws very soon. :)

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Cool man. Nice progress.

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Some more done today before swing shift. New rotors (and new bearings), new shocks, and calipers mocked up. I cleaned up and painted the disc brake backing shields as well.

The 1969 frame has the brake hose tabs on the rear of the crossmember, so I need to weld on new tabs in the front of the crossmember to run my disc brake hoses like they were on my 1972.

:)

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

It's looking good under there .

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Lotsa stuff happened over the weekend. Ol' Creeping Death is sitting on its own paws bearing it's own weight. Been almost 2 years since those ET's were bolted to it.

Got some new bushings and grade 8 fasteners for the stock 1 1/16" sway bar too.

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Sway bar looks great ,I need to get one for my 72 .

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Good to see it back on it's feet!

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Working swings this week so got a little more progress done in the last couple of mornings.

I got pretty much everything I need off of the old bent frame with the exception of removing the bed, the front 2 saddles for the bed mounts, and the rear bumper. Everything else frame related is being cut up and going to scrap. The empty rear end housing, leaf springs and drop shackles might be spoken for, but I won't know if he's serious until I finally unbolt them from the frame.

I am going to use the driveline and original style carrier bearing and carrier bearing mount from my 1972. So I removed the rivets holding the 1969 carrier bearing mount and mocked up the bolt in one from the 1972. So far it looks like it will fit fine. But I won't know if I need to modify the length of my 1972 driveline from the leaf sprung truck to fit the 1969 coil sprung truck until I get the engine and transmission set into place. Luckily there is a driveline service shop just over an hour from my house that can do all the modification I might need. Or even build me a custom unit.

I have a couple more threads going in the main section only because I wanted help and opinions away from the build thread. But here they are if anyone might be interested.

Paint code thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=700867

Moving or not moving the fuel tank thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=703245

That's all for now... :)

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Just a thought, if the rear sections of the frame have the original bumper mount holes and they are not bent up or cracked it may be a good idea to cut them off about a foot back and save them, i have seen people asking for them on occasion on the parts for sale threads.

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Looking great, I can't wait to get rolling on mine

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

I'll have to remember to check those. If they are in decent shape I'll hang on to 'em. The front part of the frame is already gone to the scrap heap. I still have the front crossmember. But that's going this weekend if nobody around these parts comes and picks it up. :)

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

The bed made it's way off the old frame over the weekend. Also the rest of the frame got hacked up to haul to the scrap heap.

I dig the spot on the front of the bed where the build sheet was taped from the factory as it rolled through the assembly line. I'm assuming the shot of white paint was to show that it was gonna have a white top. There is also a "painter's mark" on the passenger side. Cool what you find on these old rigs when you blow them apart.

Also had to break out the cheater bar for some "persuasion" on the front spring eye bolts. The rears were pretty easy since I had installed drop shackles in the past.

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Updates??

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Wow, inspiring. Subd.

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Thanks for the bump Swampy... :)

Made progress over the last couple of days. Got almost all of the Stainless Steel brake lines installed into the rig. The kit was originally installed in the '72 with a leaf sprung rear end. So I had to do some modifications to the lines and the brake hose tabs. I remounted the CPP power brake booster, M/C and prop valve to mock up the lines.

I had to move the brake hose tabs from the rear of the 1969 front crossmember to the front of the crossmember to accommodate the 1972 brake lines that go out to the calipers. So before I scrapped the 1972 frame I had robbed it of the tabs to weld onto the 1969.

I also had to get creative for the rear brake lines as I still wanted to use the 1972 brake lines but the 1969 hose tab was in a completely different location. So I cut the tab off of the axle tube and then welded it onto the 1972 bracket that held the brass fitting that the lines for the drums screwed into.

Now th long brake line that runs along the frame to the rear was way too long, so I had to cut it shorter, bend a 90 in it, and then double flare the end to fit into the stock 1969 frame mount location.

So a little fab work and some patience and I got all the brake lines in. Now the engine and transmission will slide in between the frame rails very soon. I'd like to leave them out while I do all the cutting on the cab for rust removal, but I'm strapped for space, and I've been tripping over the engine and tranny since I removed them.

So it's been a great couple of days!

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Couple more pics...

Gary

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Looks good! I'm glad to see you making good progress.:metal:
I had the same issues with my '72 crossmember into a '67. Worked out great
though, and couldn't be happier with the upgrades. I also used a '72 rearend to complete the 5 lug conversion and to be able to achieve highway speeds.
So I'm happy to see you're progress.

Re: Out of the Ditch = The Rebuild Begins ('72 GMC)
 

Cool diff cover btw. Are you going to make a custom panhard bar to clear it?
That's my plan when I finally get time. I already have the heim joints, just need to get time to do it. Soon! :sumo: