'72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CABLESCUM · 02-20-2016, 10:20 PM

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...

flashed · 02-20-2016, 10:57 PM

Congrats ,you stole that truck.

CABLESCUM · 02-20-2016, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashed

Congrats ,you stole that 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.....

mild68 · 02-21-2016, 12:01 AM

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.

CABLESCUM · 02-21-2016, 12:32 AM

Time to check the block stamp lol

I'll be right back lmmfao

CABLESCUM · 02-21-2016, 12:52 AM

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

Thanks for the info

swamp rat · 02-21-2016, 02:12 AM

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

El Dorado Jim · 02-21-2016, 03:42 AM

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

Nitis · 02-21-2016, 04:42 AM

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

darkhorse970 · 02-21-2016, 07:14 AM

Cool truck, and a great price too!

tristan · 02-21-2016, 08:09 AM

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

CABLESCUM · 02-21-2016, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitis

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

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

67swb72klb · 02-21-2016, 11:28 AM

Great deal!!!

indymachinist · 02-21-2016, 12:18 PM

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

darkhorse970 · 02-21-2016, 02:08 PM

Very cool, factory hot rod!

CABLESCUM · 02-21-2016, 10:33 PM

"Bumper" and LED tail lights...

Odaroloc · 02-22-2016, 07:23 AM

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!

Farm Shop · 02-22-2016, 11:32 AM

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

**Ol Blue K20** · 02-22-2016, 12:09 PM

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

tucker69 · 02-22-2016, 03:22 PM

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

swamp rat · 02-23-2016, 02:59 AM

Did you make that bumper? or purchase where?

**68bowtie** · 02-23-2016, 04:09 AM

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

CABLESCUM · 02-23-2016, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Did you make that bumper? or purchase where?

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

swamp rat · 02-23-2016, 01:40 PM

Its a clean look, was just curious.

Z10 · 02-24-2016, 02:19 AM

Very cool story and truck. Good to see another

getting some love.

02-20-2016, 10:20 PM	#1
CABLESCUM Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: South Chandler, AZ Posts: 75	'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...

02-20-2016, 10:57 PM	#2
flashed Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: canton ga Posts: 12,728	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck Congrats ,you stole that truck.

02-21-2016, 12:01 AM	#4
mild68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Normal, Il. Posts: 110	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. __________________ my next project 68 step side 5.3 S10 build thread My 68 Chevelle SS396

02-21-2016, 12:32 AM	#5
CABLESCUM Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: South Chandler, AZ Posts: 75	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck Time to check the block stamp lol I'll be right back lmmfao

02-21-2016, 12:52 AM	#6
CABLESCUM Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: South Chandler, AZ Posts: 75	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck I'll be damned, it's an over bored 396 Thanks for the info

02-21-2016, 02:12 AM	#7
swamp rat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spanaway Posts: 8,451	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck I'd give you $1000 PLUS towing LOL! .......Holy crap thats a story! .... __________________ Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's

02-21-2016, 03:42 AM	#8
El Dorado Jim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: El Dorado Ca Posts: 3,374	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck I guess there are great deals still out there, you got a screaming deal! nice truck!

02-21-2016, 04:42 AM	#9
Nitis Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: NOR-CAL Posts: 1,134	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

02-21-2016, 07:14 AM	#10
darkhorse970 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Monroe, LA Posts: 2,103	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck Cool truck, and a great price too! __________________ Keith SOLD - 1963 C10 Short Fleet 350/700R4 4/6 drop 1967 GMC Super Custom - Short Fleet COPO concept w/427 BBC T-400 w/Doug Nash overdrive 4/6 Drop, Buddy Buckets, etc... Frame Off (In Progress) I call it "Vulgar Display of Power" 1980 Silverado Original paint 49k Original miles 4/6 drop Check out my build thread here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6209941

02-21-2016, 08:09 AM	#11
tristan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Western PA Posts: 1,295	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck Want to double your money? LOL, what a score.

02-21-2016, 11:28 AM	#13
67swb72klb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: livingston co.mi Posts: 2,449	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck Great deal!!! __________________ California 65 GTO---Texas 64 burb 283 ---Oklahoma 67 CST SWB BBW wood bed 327 2004r---New Mexico 72 k10 350 350 auto---Georga 72 short step project

02-21-2016, 12:18 PM	#14
indymachinist Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Indanapolis, IN Posts: 601	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck 1000???? Holy ****!! __________________ -Curt My 1968 Chevy shortbed stepside build

02-21-2016, 02:08 PM	#15
darkhorse970 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Monroe, LA Posts: 2,103	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck Very cool, factory hot rod! __________________ Keith SOLD - 1963 C10 Short Fleet 350/700R4 4/6 drop 1967 GMC Super Custom - Short Fleet COPO concept w/427 BBC T-400 w/Doug Nash overdrive 4/6 Drop, Buddy Buckets, etc... Frame Off (In Progress) I call it "Vulgar Display of Power" 1980 Silverado Original paint 49k Original miles 4/6 drop Check out my build thread here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6209941

02-21-2016, 10:33 PM	#16
CABLESCUM Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: South Chandler, AZ Posts: 75	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck "Bumper" and LED tail lights...

02-22-2016, 07:23 AM	#17
Odaroloc Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 168	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! __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande 2500 2wd "Sadiee" Caddy 472/TH400 Project "Sadiee" 1969 Chevy C/10 Build "Maisie" Thread coming soon



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02-22-2016, 11:32 AM	#18
Farm Shop Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Deer Creek, IL Posts: 145	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck What a score! I'm in to see what you do with the truck. __________________ 1970 SWB 2wd C10, Vortec 454/80e, CPP 3/5, slotted mags, patina 1972 K20 Super Cheyenne, Short bed, EFI 396, NV4500, NP208 1970 GTO Judge, heads/cam LS1 & stalled 4L60e

02-22-2016, 12:09 PM	#19
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,834	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck Subscribed, great deal on a fantastic truck. Cool story too. Welcome to the forum __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man

02-22-2016, 03:22 PM	#20
tucker69 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: shreveport, la. Posts: 160	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

02-23-2016, 02:59 AM	#21
swamp rat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spanaway Posts: 8,451	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck Did you make that bumper? or purchase where? __________________ Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's

02-23-2016, 04:09 AM	#22
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,360	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck awesome find! gotta love the big block short beds... __________________ I live in California, but identify as a Texan "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh)

02-23-2016, 01:40 PM	#24
swamp rat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spanaway Posts: 8,451	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck Its a clean look, was just curious. __________________ Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's

02-24-2016, 02:19 AM	#25
Z10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Midland, TX Posts: 1,267	Re: '72 GMC Shortbed Stepside...last truck Very cool story and truck. Good to see another getting some love. __________________ 1969 RS/SS Z10 Camaro Pace coupe 1972 GMC Short Step buildhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6356218 1979 Mazda RX7 1979 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 & 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary 1999 Honda Valkyrie 2006 Corvette Z06 2010 BMW 650i

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