"Here you go darling" 1972 Cheyenne

[ckid1971]

So last year I started reminiscing with my kids on how back in high school I rebuilt my 1973 Chevy with my uncle. He made me take my engine out bolt by bolt and rebuild it and get that truck going. Well this turned my 16year old daughter into a gear head (and also watching alot of rebuild shows on TV ). So between her and I we conjured up the idea to get us an old truck and start a rebuild! I am not a complete gear head but I can hold my own and so I told her that let's keep our ear to the ground and find a truck. I asked her first off what body style of truck she likes...... Without any hesitance she pointed to one we happen to see while driving around. It was a gorgeous 1971 Chevy SWB fleetside......... I said to myself...... "Great"....one of the hardest body styles to find. So the hunt was on..... So after almost a year of looking I finally found a truck and it was in great shape for a awesome price....... but a long bed. A 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super! This truck was in awesome shape. Not a whole lot of rust issues. Really solid..... So now we started planning on how to build it.... It already has a great 350 short block....a rebuilt 350 trans about 18k miles ago..... I has a A/C cab and has all the lines just needs a compressor..... So all in all I am super stoked!.... Now the question I need to ask...... "Do I keep it a long bed or convert to a short?" I already took the initiative and got a short bed frame and had it stripped and painted and is ready to go..... So now I just need the bed (which has been so hard to find)..... So on we go..... If anyone has any ideas please let me know. I really want to give my girl what she wants but I have seen some gorgeous Cheyenne's and would love to keep it that way. I have some pics here of the truck as I got it (minus some of the dash as I have started taking out stuff inside).

[ckid1971]

some more pics of the inside and the motor. A couple of underneath.

[ckid1971]

I found a short bed frame that a guy was getting rid of that he had already stripped and painted! Boy did this save me time!!! And I also got from "Lynnfield" a rear end that I will start to clean up and convert to a posi and get on that frame. Thanks again Greg! Oh and I forgot to mention I found a guy who happen to sell antique plates and YES!!! He had a new set that were never on a vehicle for a 72 Truck!!!:

[VA72C10]

Cool story and a really solid looking truck! Long or short is a toss up. It will be worth more as a shortbed but ride better and be a cheaper build as a longbed.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Zoomin]

That truck looks like a really nice start, but you are going to wind up spending a ton of money to get her restored to her former beauty. Realistically assess your time and resources before you tear it completely apart, and definitely come up with a plan of where you want to wind up.

That's what I hear anyway - never was able to keep from getting carried away. Good luck with her.

[ckid1971]

Hey thanks Zoomin for the advice. I don't plan on going crazy but will make some modifications. Hey if you look closely when I pulled the trim off the truck it used to be a two tone just like yours on your Avatar. My daughter did see a Cheyenne on youtube like it and said "That is what I want"..... Yeah no kidding... Haha! Well we'll see.

[ckid1971]

Well it's settled. Daughter and I discussed it and we are going to move forward with the build as a short bed. I have the frame. The long bed on that truck is for sale!!! Daughter turns 18 tomorrow and I am off so...... we are taking things apart tomorrow and getting that short frame back to the garage...

[jayman68]

Congrats on the great find. Looks like a fun project for you 2 to work on together. Good luck, and happy father's day.

[ckid1971]

So I started taking this apart. Got the front off and the bed. I got the short bed frame to the house and am waiting on some parts to get to me to start. Took the rear end I got from "lynnfield" to Austin Drive Train and should get it back shortly. Going with Eaton 3.73 posi. Excited to get back. Here are some pics of what I have been able to get done....

[ckid1971]

another pic

[67c10rustbuket]

Cool project and great story. I told my daughter (2) that she can have my 67 when she gets a license. I guess we'll see if I still have it then Are you planning on cutting down your bed? I noticed the tape lines in one of the pics. you can buy a whole new short bed for around $2500. I know it isn't cheap but when you factor in sandblasting, body work, and headaches it seems to be a good deal.

[Tinkermc]

Welcome aboard and that is a nice looking project. If you want a shortbed why not just cut the long bed you have, it has been done here many times.

[Tinkermc]

reading here this morning I found a sample of my advise to you, look at this build, 1969 c10 long to short little to big

[suspect]

i remember those steering wheel covers. my parents had one on our 79 oldsmobile vista cruiser stationwagon. even was the same color. lol

[ckid1971]

Thanks Tinkermc. I went and checked it out and he did a great job. I am still kicking it around about cutting the bed. I did find a guy with one and planned on looking at it next weekend. I actually plan to just keep the bed for the LWB frame. This short bed is for my daughter. I plan on getting that Cheyenne going for me!!! LOL!

[ckid1971]

So...………… I am back..... It's been some years now.... Since I had started that project back in 2012 ALOT has happened. Life took a turn and had some drastic changes happened which resulted in me scrapping my project. But I never gave up on my dream and so now I have decided to try this again..... Take 2!

[Zoomin]

Welcome back!

[ckid1971]

So I am starting over and have found another 72 Chevy C10 truck. This one is in better shape then the first one so I am stoked. I started getting apart and hope to keep everyone up to speed on my progress.

[ckid1971]

Got it apart and have a buddy blasting and see what we are up against.

[ckid1971]

Got it down to frame. Now it's time to get it blasted and begin the transformation...

[ckid1971]

Thanks Zoomin!!!!! Glad to be back.