I'd like to see your '72 GMC.
I lifted the truck 4", which was minimal for the aluminum slots (9.75s) and 35/12.50s I bought from a tire shop guy for crazy cheap... $50, and I got 5 tires! They came off the customer's truck because he had multiple issues in steering and suspension they were trying to solve. But they were also old.
Then I put the 255/85s on that came off my '92 when I sold it off. I really liked those on there as well. The truck sat like the early 4wds with divorced transfer cases. When those wore out that size was nowhere to be found, at that time. So I bought 16 x 8 wheels and got 285/75s knowing the size it very available. I'm back to that size on my '95 Suburban, too, on the 7" Accurides. That's my daily work vehicle these days, unless I need the '72 for the racks.
I have been enjoying using the '72 as it is. Once I restore it I still intend to use it. It used to get overlooked because it didn't look like all the money. It even seemed to bother some, like I didn't deserve to have it. I had a paving guy come look at a driveway job and he wanted to buy it. I said "This one's my keeper", my standard response. He said, "It would never see a day of work if I had it". My response was, "Been there done that"
. I had it at Fall Carlisle, sleeping in it with the cap on. I was set up right by the food places under the grandstand against the smaller building next to it. It got tons of attention. The comments were sowing appreciation for it just as you said, still being used. Before I restore then, yet fix them up, I go for the "Was a great truck back in the day still surviving look"
