'72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

So, I've had MANY...I can't even count. My first car(at 15) was a '68 Chevelle SS396...I was ruined. I've always gravitated toward the Squares, but my main obsession has always been the drive train I first owned.

i recently changed the locks, got custody of my sons, and had to sell my Square to finance the happiness of my sons, myself and my house....The Beast is gone;)

Anyways, I started looking for another. I've always been fond of the '73-'80s. As I was looking on CL, I sarted thinking the '67-'72s were pretty cool. I, not that picky...again, it's the drive train mainly.

4 days ago I was talking with my buddies son, who randomly mentioned a truck a friend of his dad's was selling...a '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside with a big block 400(I explained there is no such thing, he insisted is was a big block). A couple hours later I was looking at it.

Dude comes out and said, it was a family truck from TX willed to a 6 year old nephew. He was given the truck and money to fix it up. Said he put $7k in the drive train and drove it 200 miles in 10 years. On the kids 16th birthday...he tried to give it to him, and he didn't want it. It sat 2 years and he fired it up. He said "It blew the rear main seal, and I'm not mechanically inclined." There was no oil at there rear of the engine.

I looked under it and saw a 12 bolt rear, a TH400 and a Big Block. Told him I'd give him his asking price minus towing...he held his hand out.

I got it home, put a battery in it, fired in 10 seconds...sounded like 4 Harley's and lost 2 quarts of oil in one minute...the leak was from the oil pressure guage, the brass tube was snapped.

I took off the bumpers, rubbed off some rust stains, changed the oil....it is wickedly fast. It's a 402, which is a 396 w/454 head because GM ran out of 396 heads.... I'm going to drop it 3"/5" amongst a mess of other things.

Here are some pics. I gave him $1000, minus $75 for towing...


http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...pskfqlqrpj.jpg
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3fvzybvw.jpg
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...psiljflj6l.jpg
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...psptssu8su.jpg
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...psek8n6njn.jpg

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Congrats ,you stole that truck.

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

I was thinking of a vanity plate...STOLEN


BUT in AZ the Historic plates are solid copper, and you get 2... one to bolt up and one for shows.....

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...psgdnqraxp.jpg

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Great score.
You may be interested in this. There is a big block 400. http://ls3registry.macswebs.com/tech/trivia.htm
A 402 is a .030 over bore 396. Nothing to do with the heads. Although yours may have 454 heads.

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Time to check the block stamp lol


I'll be right back lmmfao

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

I'll be damned, it's an over bored 396

Thanks for the info:)

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

I'd give you $1000 PLUS towing LOL! .......Holy crap thats a story! ....

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

I guess there are great deals still out there, you got a screaming deal! nice truck!

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

just for grins how about a shot of the SPID (inside glovebox door)

First short step I have seen with a bigblock from the factory if it is original

not that I have seen a ton but my first

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Cool truck, and a great price too!

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Want to double your money? LOL, what a score.

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

I had no idea it was there, thanks....more mysteries solved lol

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...psetsbbjcu.jpg

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Great deal!!!

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

1000???? Holy ****!!

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Very cool, factory hot rod!

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

"Bumper" and LED tail lights...

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8jq8sksj.jpg
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...psnp0yebvb.jpg
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...pslari3o8v.jpg
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...psvyccs1b9.jpg
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...psko2wpr6t.jpg
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8nub38hu.jpg

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Thats amazing! I have a 1971 GMC Sierra Grande that was originally a 396 truck, unfortunately was taken out and a 1972 Cadillac 472 was stuffed in there! Great truck!

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

What a score! I'm in to see what you do with the truck.

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Subscribed, great deal on a fantastic truck. Cool story too. Welcome to the forum

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Great buy & a nice find. Good luck with your new found project. Got to love factory big block and turbo 400... let us know if we can help ya.... Casey

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Did you make that bumper? or purchase where?

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

awesome find! gotta love the big block short beds... :metal::metal::metal:

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

I made it, really more of a license plat holder lol

It's THIN, just some scrap I had laying around. Kinda matches the rails.
I'll get some thick stuff and make something similar soon.

PS...I'm not a welder, but I can put down a decent bead;)

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Its a clean look, was just curious.

Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck
 

Very cool story and truck. Good to see another :gmc2: getting some love.

:gmc2: