1972 Chevy Crew Cab Cheyenne Super
 

Gonna start this new build thred by saying thanks for allowing me to become a member of such an awesome 67-72 family. As a new member I’m amazed at how helpful fellow members are and the level of respect shown from everyone is so cool. I been dreaming this new build up for over a year and I’ve seen numerous crew cab builds on here. Read them over and over again as I think the concept is so cool so I decided to build one myself.. The goal is to build my crew cab to look like somebody when into the Chevy dealer in 1972 and ordered the “Denali” of the day. Want to retain a full factory looking 3/4 ton 4x4 crew cab shortbed loaded with as many factory options as I can. Will have a small amount of lift and tires no bigger than 33s. First step for me was finding a suburban locally that wasn’t too far gone. In Pennsylvania where I’m at they are few and far between let alone a decent one... in January of 2018 I purchased my starting point... 1972 GMC suburban that was bought new in coatsville by a plumber. He ran his plumbing business out of it for 25 years before selling to the guy I bought from.. Nothing fancy here 350, three speed. The original protector plate was still in the glove box. The PO swapped in a 350 turbo trans and daily drove it for 10+ years. He said the water pump went out so he parked it but forgot how long.... that’s the spot where I bought it from... As far as rust goes your typical rockers, front mounts, floor section above front supports. But I was amazed at how solid the roof is above the windshield. The barn doors are straight and rust free so I will be selling them at a later date... The doors were also suprisingly solid.... Build progress will be kinda slow but hoping to hit it hard this winter....
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Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Welcome. Looks like a great start. These crew cab builds amaze me in the amount of metal work required.

Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

I am subbed for this build.
Hope to start my CC build soon.
Will it be a 3 door or 4 door?

Yes sir. Gonna be a learning process for sure.. but worth it in the end
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Thanks. Defiantly a four door! I feel if you go thru the work to putting a cab back on why not put a fourth door.
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Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Haven’t really started any major modifications quite yet. After a quick water pump fix the burb was running and driving under its own power. Immediately park it in the shop to begin tearing it down. Removed both passenger side doors and starting removing all the rust. Installed new front support and a floor section. Bottom of the A piller was kinda bad shape so replaced a piece of that. After fourtty some years of life on the road you wouldn’t believe how much debris gets packed down inside the cowl Pannel. Spent a few hours cleaning that out. Moved to the B piller and started working some new metal in there. Made sure to throw a brace in there as I didn’t wanna loose any shape... that’s about all the farther I’ve went to this point. But I figured it would be in my advantage to fix most of the rot and rust before starting to really form the crew cab. In the mean time I’ve slowly been collecting parts for this build. When I’m done with this project I want to get as many factory options so that’s what I been searching for the last few months. My doner truck for the rear cab section is an old abandoned project of mine but long story short it’s a 1970 C10 CST. Loaded up with a few good options... but the windshield area was too far gone so she will serve great purpose in the crew cab... Don’t wanna drag this out to long but what I’ve got so far for parts is a solid drivers door for the fourth door, factory tach dash with wiring harness, the AC parts will be from the doner truck and a few weeks ago I scored my personal favorite 1972 “extreme” bend tow hooks!!

Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

More photos of parts for the build and the spid sheet of the doner truck. Can tell a little back story on that if anybody really want me too. Bought a 1972 k20 frame out of the local junkyard. Got a cab light roof section for the top skin...

Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Wow
You have the parts.
Now it is just / How the Puzzle will go together.
I like that 4wd cab truck.

Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Clayton you better put those hooks in the safe! Looks like a nice project. Sweet nova!

Bought a whole truck just for them. Hooks are gold
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Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Good luck on your build, they take awhile. I like the idea of a GMC Denali version.

Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

6 Hooks ARRRRRR Better than 2....Looking forward to your project.

Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Not much progress made lately. I did get my cab light roof skin harvested. Spent most of the weekend driving all over picking up parts for the build. Got a set of bucket seats, another tach dash with air guage, two center consoles, and am/fm radio and som other misc. parts... super stoked to finally have bucket seats!
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Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Great parts harvest.
Real bucket seats.:metal:

I like the Hat cab lights the best.
That is going to look Good.
My truck currently has the Yankee 77 cab lights.
I will (use) those.

Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

I'm in to watch

Update on build progress since I haven’t in a few months. First and foremost it’s mid winter her in PA and I got in my usual winter blues but to brighten my mood I took advantage of some fresh snow to get some pics of my 1971 K10 shortbed.. I was thoroughly pleased and ended the day with big smiles. This was the first time this truck seen snow since I bought it 10 years ago at the age of 13. I’m sure the old lady I bought it off of would be quite impressed with the results but I think she has since passed...( honestly I was to young to pay attention as to where I was going when me and dad picked the truck up so I don’t know where her house even was) anyways figured I’d share my “snowshoot” with my fellow board family.... last pic is the day I brought it home I think August 2009
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But back to crew cab. No much foreward progress. Got passenger side front rocker I n place. And decided it was time to cut... a sawzaw made quick work of the suburban and at this point there’s no going back.. but I was pleased because I could already picture a 4 door...
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Next is harvesting the parts of the donor truck. Lifted the cab off of that and started to strip the parts I need. Most of all the interior pieces from this truck will be going in the crew cab such as under dash wiring and all ac stuff. Hoping to use some blue interior pieces as well because I’ve now decided to do a factory medium blue and white cheyenne super.. I decided that stripping the cab would be easier with the cab back off so that section was removed. Next plan of attack is to completely strip the suburban interior so I have raw steel to begin constructing the crew cab..
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Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Love the crew cab project in for this one. Also love the 71 K10, what color is that?

Thanks. It’s off a 2013 GMC Denali all terrain. I believe the name is red diamond tint coat.
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Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Nice project, keeping the cruise of the cst for the crew?

Thanks. I’m undecided right now but I’m leaning towards 4 speed big block. I love shifting gears and the cruise is set up for auto small block.. hoping to go big block... all the cruise stuff is in a box in the attic... rare parts these days
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Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Love your built so much
I’m in the collecting part stage for my cc. Can you share the cutting measurements? Thanks

Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Any Updates?













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Got the cab back tacked on in a few spots.. don’t quite know if it’s exactly where it should be so leaving it tacked until further progress is made.. re hung the pass side rear door checking gaps... got the rounded piece in the door as well. Got glass window run channel installed and threw the window in to make sure it still works properly..
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Kinda at a standstill with the passenger side so onto the real work.. drivers side. Got to working on the B pillar. Man I didn’t realize all the work that would go into this. I don’t think I’m a 1/4 way done yet but satisfied with the work so far.. getting itchy to start the 4th door but patients is key... sorry if the pics are sideways
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Finished up the drivers side B pillar. A ton of work involved in this and many hours but pleased with the outcome.. got it all ground and sanded down. Still have some cleaning up to do but it’s tome to start on a door...
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Starting on the fourth door.... not much progress. Just working on getting the inner door section and hinge area figured out. Figured I’ll reskin the door once completed
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More door progress pics..
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Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Nice work on all of it .
Good clean lines
Especially that 4th door.
I like your path with the 4th door. :metal:








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Been pecking away at the door... got everything working correctly internally. Modified both window channels and got all lock linkage figured out. All the pieces for that came from a third door as well. Door hinge reinforcement is done... took everything back apart and finished all welding on the door inner. Got a new door bottom in as well.. laid down some rust inhibitor on the inside of the door.. need to get some primer and seam sealer on the inner and it’s time for new outer skin and about to close up the door for good! Finally
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Took a break from the door as I’m tired of seeing doors and door pieces.. PO cut out the dash for an aftermarket head unit and that can’t stay in there. Plan on running a factory AM/FM so I cut up a diner dash panel and welded that in. This also gave me my center AC hole. Just need to cut outer holes for vent balls...
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Finished up the new reskin on the fourth door and it came out better than I expected... been working on the floor lately in hopes of mounting to the chassis to complete rockers and cab corners and supports...
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Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

Starting to work on the rear floor as well. Hand to get another doner cab to get front bench seat mounts.. I had the pieces but wasn’t thinking and scrapped them.. oh well 40$ cab is shot but it came in handy
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Starting to get chassis ready for new cab. All new lift springs and shackles. Went with a 4” lift. Also completed a shortbed conversion on a longbed. Bed was a little rough but using it for mock up right now at this point I plan on building a new bed with aftermarket parts down the road when paint is near.. for now this will do the trick and I enjoyed doing it. Not welded solid only tacked ever 1/4” or so
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Re: 1972 Chevy Crew Cab “Denali”
 

This is very cool to watch....I wouldn't or couldn't do it, but fun to watch...keep posting progress. I love it.