Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hi all, I'm starting my build thread. Purchased truck from a town just south of reno, transported it to Montana for temporary storage and to have bodywork done and will drive to the east coast later this year to finish at home.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

picked up some seats to have redone. here's the before and after. I had them done in black leather with repaired padding and repaired hardware. They should be ready to drop in once bodywork is done. I will have the body shop
weld nuts to the floor so the seats bolt in like factory. It now has a bench seat.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

What are your plans for the truck? Daily driver,show or something in between? Changing colors? Stock or custom? Good luck on the build!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Nice truck dude.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hi gang, well the truck is getting a full ground up restore. I searched for this truck for about a year or two. I wanted a west coast truck with very little rust, 4spd, ac and I found one. It only had a little rust on the floor seam between the rocker and kick panel. I think the carpet just rotted it away. I have never seen a 72 with so little rust. I've seen some trucks for sale with so much rot that the cabs where literally sitting on the frame with a couple bolts missing the rubber bushings. Not good!


I laugh when I say, "The plan is..." ;) to have all the body work done (it's in the body shop now) panels blasted, trim holes filled, rust repaired and a fresh one color paint job. I am also going to have them install a rear 20 gallon gas tank and a custom filler that will look stock. I am also going to have the bed, underneath, of cab and bed and lower 3 inches of the body panels sprayed with color matched bedliner.

The chassis will get a blast and repaint with the panels off and new urethane bushings all around. I think I am going to do a modest 2" lift just for a bit of clearance over the tires. Once I get the truck home I will get rid of the ho52 rear to a dana60 and gear ratio to 3:73 since this will almost be a daily driver for me. I figured rather than buy a new truck, why not recycle and build a brand new truck for less. No plastic panels, cheap parts, limited options etc. It just makes sense.

The trans is a sm465 4spd granny and I think I will keep it stock for now with a new clutch. It has a 350 that has been rebuilt, but until I dig into it I don't know to what extent. I am guessing only the top end has been touched. The long term plan is to install a Ls1 to take advantage of modern motor, fuel injection gas mileage and reliability.

So we'll see how, "the plan," goes. I will post pictures of the body work as it comes along and whatever parts I wrangle in the mean time. This will probably be a 2 year build or something, but we'll see. The real fun is going to be the cross country drive this summer. I figured I would drive her home instead of throwing away a grand on transport. Trucks were meant to be driven anyway. We'll see how that pans out.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

So, an update. Went to see the truck this thanksgiving in Montana and found that nothing had been done to the body yet. "Son of a b__tch." 11 months and nothing done??!! Apparently, It was a busy year for the body shop and he had just pulled it into the shop. I am crossing my fingers that this thing gets underway or I may have to change body shops. Of course if I had my own garage I would just get to workin on it myself. I picked a color so next time I see the truck, hopefully it will be dark rose red mica (#904674). This is an almost black paint until light hits it and it gleams dark metallic red. Should be interesting. I am relying on the references I have gotten and work I have seen that will hopefully make the wait worth it. Hopefully progress pics soon will tell the story

More to come on project reno

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hope it works out...many have experienced body and paint shop prison...

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

ok, so some progress. The front clip has been removed and the fenders are being worked on. Hopefully this is a sign of progress to be made. In the mean time I am wavering on colors for the truck. This is tougher than I thought. As I have seen with others, I am all over the place. I started with an 06 dark Red almost black kia color and am now thinking more of a period color like this 75 corvette steel blue (top 2 pics) or a deep dark Matador red (see bottom pic). Pretty cool colors. I think keeping it in the period is probably wise for holding value.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

very nice truck.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Finally the body shop is getting some work done. Front clips is being disassembled
and piece by piece brought back to life. After much thought and seeing some more
period colors, I think I am going with a 1973 GM metallic midnight blue... we'll see.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Progress! Just got some more pics of the body work. The front clip is done, some progress has been made on the bed sides and the cab is next. An 80's chevy gas door is being fit into the rear bedside to accommodate the new gas tank. I wanted it to look stock so will be pleased to see it welded in. Hopefully all the rust work will be done by this summer's end. Though this is a cheyenne, all the trim holes are filled. this truck is going back east and i am trying to eliminate any possibility of rust or water entry. Paint??? who knows what'll happen with that. Still on the fence. Should have more pics toward the end of the summer. Stay tuned

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

more pics

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

even more pics

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

What kinda quote did they give you ona all the body work being done? Looks like mucho dinero!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

This job started 1.5 years ago. It is being worked on when collision work is absent from the schedule. So 6K including paint and tinted spray in bedliner. I added frame sandblasting and paint so don't know that total. I am extremely pleased with the work. It's a deal, but patience is a virtue.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

As long as youre ok with the wait this is the best way to go. My body guy explained to to me very well, he said "if I work on yours exclusively and get it done in a week i'd have to charge you by the hour, and you dont want that". I agreed, he kept mine as long as he needed to and I got her back in under a year. It's hard to find guys who are willing to do this kind of work, most want to just do insurance work. Looking nice btw!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hey Thanks! This is exactly the situation. His passion is restoring old trucks/cars. He does collision work to keep the lights on. I am happy to wait because he really does good work.

I am hoping he will get her done before summers end. The work is actually being done in Montana. I will bring her home after. For now I just sit and wait.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Well some more good news. I finally found a dana 60 in good shape out of an 71 gmc 3/4 ton 4x4. I cleaned it up, stripped the hubs and am having the 4:10 changed out to a 3:73 and all new bearings/races seals on the entire axle. I also stripped off the drums and will be going with the disc brake kit for the rear. After pricing everything out, it was actually less expensive to go with the rear discs as apposed to all new parts for the drum brakes. I am also shipping the axle to the truck so I have to consider weight as well.

BTW, this axle should be a direct bolt in at 40.5" spring perch width and both shocks facing forward, but am not sure about the yoke and u-joint combo. i have an ho52 at the moment. Does anybody know if the stock dana 60 yoke will work?

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hi all. Well it's been a while. Still waiting on paint to be finished. In the mean time I have been stocking up on parts for the truck. I purchased a billet dash panel here on the forums and have been piecing together gauges and prepping it to go into the truck. I also purchased new 2" lift leaf springs and the rest of my brake parts so I can Install in the truck when I get to it this Labor day weekend. It's tough restoring something that is all the way across the country.
The dash panel had to be machined a little to accept the Classic Instrument gauges. i have brushed the edges of the panel and am about to have the crinkle black power coat put on to finish things off. I think I'm gonna have the panel clear coated as well to protect the brushed edges.

Hopefully the paint will be done when I get there and i can start thinking about driving her home. More to come.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Nice, been thinking of doing something like that with my gauges as well,
Iam doing about the same thing i bought my 69 with plans on selling my 06 and using the 69 as my driver just have to work out the PO problems, rig job
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Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Well.... a lot has been happening with the truck. I got tired of waiting for progress on the bodywork and pulled it from the shop that has had it for three years. I am moving it to another shop with the agreement that it will be done as a priority. The priority thing definitely bumps up the cost. So, we'll see how this shop does as far as progress?? At least, I won't be hearing, "Nope, haven't really made any progress." anymore. So I hope to see the bodywork and paint done by this holiday season. Ugggg! In the mean time, my dash is done. Just got the bezel back from powder coat and it looks great. I got it all assembled and led lights inserted so one more item off the list.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Asked if the shop could line-x the bed both inside and underneath as well as the inner and outer floor of the cab. Should be pretty protected from rust in the usual spots. Just waiting for the new bodyshop to get me some numbers. Also, here is the final color choice. It's a honda basque red pearl II code R530P-C. This is a newer honda red that is very deep.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Update! Well bodyshop 2 wanted $15K to redo old bodywork and finish all the new bodywork. UNBELIEVABLE!!!! The truck has very little rust. Born in Cali and lived in Reno the rest of it's life. Why ohhhh why??? The bodyshop blues continues. The truck didn't even need rockers or cab corners.

So, after much thought, I put her and all her parts on a truck and shipped her home to the east coast. I now have the truck in a garage, I think I found a body shop in MD that will do the panels once piece at a time and starting january, all hell will break loose on chassis work. Pics and work to commence in January.

Rant over
Chris

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Making some progress. Truck arrived via transport and I began tearing things down over the past few weeks. Removed remaining parts from cab: AC controls, box, steering and clutch assembly brakes and wiring. as well as front clip, bed. I am waiting for many parts to arrive so I can continue.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

OK, some more progress in the last few days. Got the 350 out as well as trans and transfer case, but I am going to sell this motor. It is a good motor and after pulling the pan, looks like it has had a recent rebuild. I went with the turnkey 6.0 lq4 motor from BD engines in AZ. To make things easier, I removed the bed and cab for body work and to make chassis work easier. I then built a dolly for the bed and cab out of wood to move around and transport when ready. I received and installed my crossmember from pacific fabrication and plan to moch-up the new motor this week. I also received and installed my aluminum tank from boyd welding since I will now have fuel injection. I installed the tank to sit on top of the bottom frame rail and as far forward as I could to feed it from the fabricated filler door on my bed. This week I hope to get new motor bolted in, with new crossmember then start taking it all apart for sand/soda blasting so I can get POR15 on chassis.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Can't believe how much body work is, very expensive and i thought the truck only needed some paint.
What kind of numbers will the new motor make? Is it just stock?

Like the direction you are going with the truck.

How many gallons is the new fuel tank?

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Hey chevymaniac. Yeah very expensive. The truck does
Need bodywork, but no rust or panel replacement is needed
Just filling and blocking then paint. Still looking for a shop.

Motor should be 300-325 HP stock. I'll upgrade cam later.
For now it'll do and the torque is hefty at 370 ft lbs.

The tank holds 18-19 gallons I believe. I used
The tank that utilizes an external pump.
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Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

All the stories of paint prison is the reason why I am going to do mine myself. BTY nice truck.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Made a little more progress this week. Got the transfer case and trans removed. After scraping the gunk off I broke things apart and took them to the sandblaster to get rid of the undercoating that was on everything. The blaster used soda on the trans and transfer case so as not to damage the moving parts. He used glass on everything else. I think it turned out pretty good. I decided to save some money and buy felpro gasket material to re-do all the transfer case/trans gaskets. It wasn't to bad and they turned out pretty good.
The angle grinder with wire wheel is my new favorite tool. Works really well to get stuff cleaned up. Used the wire wheel to clean up the driveshafts. Next up, fitting the motor into the crossmember.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...99834%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...79234%3Bnu0mrj
http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...3B534%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C834%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3A34%3Bnu0mrj

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

So, a little more to report. Got the trans and transfer case put back together temporarily to get the motor mocked up. Set the Pacific fab crossmember in and started lowering the engine into place.
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/ser...037417/enhance
After getting the drivers side motor mount bolt in, I quickly realized this isn't going to be easy.
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/ser...037423/enhance
I got the motor in place, bolted to trans and everything lined up and the passenger side motor mount isn't even close.
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/ser...037369/enhance
I decided to pull the motor and see if the crossmember would bolt up without being in the frame. Turns out, it, won't. I should have done this first. :(
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/ser...037397/enhance
I decided to do some measuring on the crossmember and it appears that the passengers side motor mount plate is welded in a different location than the drivers side. Not sure if this is a fab error or something else is a miss. Gonna give pacific fab a call and see. This is the drivers side of crossmember motor mount plate.
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/ser...869913/enhance
This is the passengers side of crossmember motor mount plate.
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/ser...869935/enhance
I think if the passengers side motor mount plate was moved up a half inch on the crossmember, all pieces will fit. I don't know if they jig weld these, so hoping there's some variation. More to come

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Success!!! I spent a few hours widening all the holes on the motor mount plates and got the crossmember mocked up on the motor out of the frame. Then did a test install in the frame with success.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3A34%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...37434%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3A34%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B34%3Bnu0mrj
Now for the next challenge...
http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...3B234%3Bnu0mrj
After getting everything mocked up, I lowered the cab and the passengers side valve cover was hitting the firewall. I think I'm gonna move the motor forward about an inch and a half for clearance. Otherwise there's plenty of room to move it forward.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...58934%3Bnu0mrj
Hopefully this weekend I can get the new holes drilled and move the trans forward. I really wanted to leave it in it's stock location, but doesn't look like that is gonna happen. Not sure why there are clearance issues?? I haven't heard of many on this forum, but also haven't seen many of these done with an sm465 mated to an lq4 either.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Ok, so been workin on the truck again. Had to take a hiatus to Santa Fe for a few days but have a had a solid week to make some progress. I ended up moving the trans/motor forward almost 2 inches. When done I was 19.5" from Pacific fab crossmember to front of forward crossmember. This gave me plenty of space in front of the firewall and in front of the motor.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...74834%3Bnu0mrj
I slotted the frame to make sliding the trans back and forth easier. I will reinforce this area after the frame gets blasted.
http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...3C634%3Bnu0mrj
As luck would have it, the positioning of the motor made it possible for me to keep the original brake hose holes.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...46934%3Bnu0mrj
http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...A6834%3Bnu0mrj
I will also be able to mount the bump stops in their original location with some cutting
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3A34%3Bnu0mrj
I was also able to get the axles pulled and my dana 44 cleaned up and ready for the gear switch to 373's. http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B34%3Bnu0mrj
New moog ball joints
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...67334%3Bnu0mrj
Tore out the old HO52. what a beast. btw, pick'r up and she's yours if anybody is interested. The dana 60 I prepped a while back is going in to replace her.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C534%3Bnu0mrj
And now for the cab removal.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...59234%3Bnu0mrj
So at last down to the frame. I think I'm gonna fill some holes and get her ready for blasting.http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B34%3Bnu0mrj

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Got a solid week of work done and frame is now ready for sandblasting. Some of you may be wondering why the the frame is getting sandblasted when it looks painted already?
Well, the body shop did a half ass job on the frame and rather than spot paint with epoxy primer, I just decided to start over with POR15. If your gonna do it...
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C934%3Bnu0mrj
http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...3A934%3Bnu0mrj
To save space in the engine bay and modernize a little I purchased the Vintage air system for the truck. so while I wait for the sandblaster, i went ahead and cut out the area where the vintage firewall plate usually bolts on. I decided to weld it in.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...88334%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...74825%3Aot1lsi
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...A9734%3Bnu0mrj
http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...93834%3Bnu0mrj
Welded up a couple holes in the floor where the fuel inlets were on the old cab tank.
http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...44534%3Bnu0mrj
The Vintage systems comes with a block off plate for the passengers vent. I made a couple steel plates to fill both sides as I don't see a need for them
with the new system.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3B425%3Aot1lsi
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3C25%3Aot1lsi
Next the frame gets blasted!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Yesterday the frame got blasted and i had the cab cleaned up a little. All told i think i have about $800 in blasting with the frame, cab and a bunch of parts. A little high, but I would have spent at least $6-700 to get a really good blaster plus media and my compressor is not up to that task. Blasting is done as far as I can tell. The rest can be done with some sandpaper and a sore shoulder. :)
http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...B9234%3Bnu0mrj
http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...55434%3Bnu0mrj
http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...25334%3Bnu0mrj
http://images3a.snapfish.com/2323232...3A734%3Bnu0mrj
Now time for paint. From all accounts, this should be fun. Not
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...68834%3Bnu0mrj
Plastic down, (check) breathing apparatus purchased (check) body suit purchased (check) plastic gloves (check)... this stuff better be good because it cost me a fortune.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...87834%3Bnu0mrj

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Got a full day to paint the frame. It had just rained so figured there was a good bit of humidity in the air.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C634%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3B434%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3B934%3Bnu0mrj
Though painting with a brush took a good amount of time and the runs were unavoidable, it turned out pretty good and coverage was not an issue. I used
2 quarts for 2 coats on the frame, core support and trans crossmember. I still had a little left over for misc parts. Next I will lightly sand, prime and coat
with topcoat. It's worth mentioning that it's really hard to get a good second coat as glossy black on black makes it impossible to know what has been covered.
To do it over again I would do silver for first coat and black for second. Then let dry prime and do final topcoat.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3B634%3Bnu0mrj
while waiting for the first coat to dry I worked a little on the old gas inlet to the cab. I por15'd the vent areas as well since I will be welding those holes up.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...25534%3Bnu0mrj

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Made some more progress on the cab after sanding the frame and core support and priming for top coat.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...85534%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...28434%3Bnu0mrj
I really liked what crash did to his firewall, so I have decided to do the same.
Thanks for the inspiration Crash. It really cleans the firewall up. I should have that done tomorrow.
I don't know if this would be possible without deleting the original A/C and going to the Vintage air system, but since I have, seemed like a great idea.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...58534%3Bnu0mrj
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C734%3Bnu0mrj
Hopefully this weekend I'll get the Chassis Black topcoat on. It will take me most of a day to cover everything well.
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3B534%3Bnu0mrj

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Very nice! Looking good!

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

The truck is looking awesome. Subscribed.

Re: Project Reno - 72 cheyenne rebuild
 

Looks great.. brings back memories.. :lol: