'71 or '70

[rharris]

Thanks for the pictures. Looks like a nice start. Notice your door panels - 72 only style. Looks like you got some PO1 wheel covers laying in there too. Good Luck!

[Will Rotten]

Can those wheel covers be restored? I'm missing a few of the "lug nuts" and the rest are needing to have the bolt replaced.

Those door panels are shot. I'll have to replace all the bottom molding. I think I can restore the top molding.

Thank you. I'm going to need all the luck in the world.

[too much stuff]

Looks like a 72 gmc sierra. Nice truck.

[rharris]

Originally Posted by Will Rotten

Can those wheel covers be restored? I'm missing a few of the "lug nuts" and the rest are needing to have the bolt replaced.

Those door panels are shot. I'll have to replace all the bottom molding. I think I can restore the top molding.

Thank you. I'm going to need all the luck in the world.

I'm not sure on restoration. I'll PM you - I have a pair if interested.

[Will Rotten]

Wheel covers

[rharris]

scratch that - forgot that mine are bowtie

[Will Rotten]

Originally Posted by too much stuff

Looks like a 72 gmc sierra. Nice truck.

Thank you. It has the 402 BB. Factory air but the compressor went bad before I parked it.

[BlazerBill]

Regarding 70-71 rear view mirror location. I have two 71's that have the roof raised (boss) for the mirror! A k-10 and a custom camper 20. Then I have a 70 custom camper 20 w/ out
The standoff and a 68 c-10 without as well. The 70 is 100% original including the paint. Thought that because it was a camper truck, that could have been the reason for not having the raised mounting area. Then my theory gets holes in it, because my 71 camper has it. Also it has original non commercial license plates, so one assumes it can from the factory like that. Want to put the 70 cab on my build, but sure if in need to cut out that part from a doner truck and have it welded in?
Thanks for any help.

[Will Rotten]

Mine is half way across the country so I can't check for holes. All I know is it's a completely original '72 but my dad had to buy parts for a '71 in order for them to fit correctly. I originally forgot if it was '70 or '71. Boy is this board active!! I'm loving it here. I spent a day looking through the service manual and parts catalog. This is going to be expensive...

[jocko]

It's absolutely a 72. Might want to check the blue sticker on the inside of the driver's door below the latch for month/year of manufacture. Production always started in the prior year for a given model year, so it would not at all be uncommon for a 72 to be built in late 71. But, keep in mind, that does not make it a 71, it's still a 72 if the year digit in the VIN is a 2 (and yours is). Other unique items are the door panels - 72 only, as stated above. Stiffening screw in the door panel just below the vent window, etc. Also, aside from a handful of trim pieces, mirror, door panels, window cranks, etc, I can't think of a 71 part that doesn't fit a 72 - they are identical mechanically. A 70 part would not fit in some instances (front brakes changed to disk in 71, etc).

[Will Rotten]

I wish I could remember what part dad repaired and I wish he was there to help me. I wonder if the engine is a 71? The molding and mirrors a '72?

I didn't see a sticker. I would have taken a pic if I had. Could it have fallen off?

[Will Rotten]

The trick is, I have to order the parts from Florida. The truck is in Oklahoma. I want them delivered there, obviously but I have to time it so if it doesn't fit I can return it. Good times....

[jocko]

Yes, logistics can be a pain, but hang in there. It is a nice truck, decent condition, and worth saving/keeping - for obvious reasons. I'd hold the money in a big jar until you have the time to work on it - and if that is far in the future, might think about just getting it on wheels and tires and getting it stored so it doesn't deteriorate more. It may be years before you have a lot of time or the situation to get to it. Agree, buying parts and piling them up can result in some unreturnable parts. Pretty much all 71/72 engines are the same. The engine was even more likely to have been built in 71 than the truck (because they are assembled prior to truck assembly), but it's still a "72". The blue sticker I'm talking about would only be visible with the door open - it's usually overlooked. Wouldn't fall off - I'll try to find a pic of what I'm talking about. It has the VIN and build date on it - should match the SPID, frame, and metal VIN tag. It would only come off if someone scraped it. Your doors appear to be very original, as does the whole truck, so I bet it's still there.

EDIT - here is a pic

[rharris]

x2 Jocko. Ive been in the boat of non-returnable parts because I just had to order them, to stare at them for months, then have hard time returning. This holds true to HD's, Trucks, Cars, Yamaha, Honda....well you get the point. I think we have all been there. Great looking truck. Get it into storage and pick away at it. Don't be afraid to ask... I was you a few years ago when I got into these trucks. I only wish I was smart enough to scarf up my grandparents old trucks as they got rid of them.

[feller]

Ok guys and gals, I told a fib. Well more of a half truth, my 72 did not have the mounting boss on the roof, I just removed it and the po just drilled 3 holes. Sorry, I had never had it off, never had a reason to, just took it for granted it was like that. Why would anyone just drill holes in a truck?? Lol, like the cb antenna hole in the roof why?? Lol

[Will Rotten]

Thank you Jocko. I'll check it out on my next trip. I pulled the wheels and they are being powder coated. I guess that could have been left until the end but I wanted to set the bar for the rest of the job. I'll be going back to her later this month to get her on wheels and rolled in the shop. From there I'll pull the wheels back off and figure next step will be pulling the bed, brakes, inspecting wires and lines. Pull the tank. Have the carbs rebuilt. Replacing rubber, battery. Then fingers crossed?

[tdangle]

Originally Posted by feller

Ok guys and gals, I told a fib. Well more of a half truth, my 72 did not have the mounting boss on the roof, I just removed it and the po just drilled 3 holes. Sorry, I had never had it off, never had a reason to, just took it for granted it was like that. Why would anyone just drill holes in a truck?? Lol, like the cb antenna hole in the roof why?? Lol

Just had to chime in. In the mid 70's while in high school, I worked at a stereo CB shop. I can't tell you how many guys came in with pickups and wanted a CB antenna mounted on the roof. I got really good at fishing the wire from the antenna mount to the under the dash. CB's were really big back then. My dad had a "gutter mount" antenna on (now) my truck, which ruined the gutter above the drivers door.