60-66 vs 67-72 for daily driving!

[benbloom]

hi guys, ive had a couple 67-72 trucks before, and have found them extremely comfortable and drivable for daily use (especially the automatics) and now im thinking of switching to a 60-66 truck and im wondering: what do you all think about the difference is driveability between the two? are the older trucks going to be much louder and less pleasant to drive? im talking about comparing a 350 with th 350 in both applications. let me know what you guys have experienced! thanks!

[bigdog55]

I am wondering the same thing. I own a '70 GMC and am looking to buy a '64 chevy to go with it.

[bumwine]

It's about the same to me. I use to have a 71 now I have a 65

[padresag]

frame and wheelbase are the same, basically the same suspension, the later 67-72 have different steering box and disc brakes. 350/350 is a 350/350. it is what you want to do with it otherwise that will make the difference. the 67/72 may have had a little fancier interiors. exhaust is exhaust you can have it quiet or however that you want it.
every series of trucks had improvements; each series has proven to be a little heavier as they load more crap into them
ron

[63burban]

More leg room in the 60-66 trucks, trust me I'm 6'4"

[61K10]

you must have short legs lol.

[63burban]

LOL, Not really. I have had all eras of GM trucks and in older trucks, the leg room and door opening are the best in the 60s trucks. I have a 1986 plow truck that is a pain to get in and out of. Growing up tall you get used to not fitting in some spaces. Just like short people can't reach the high spots. B<}

[verdell]

Originally Posted by 63burban

More leg room in the 60-66 trucks, trust me I'm 6'4"

X2 with the leg room. My Apache's cab is more comfortable than my brother's '70 Cheyenne and he points it out whenever he rides in my truck. He's 6" 4" and I'm 6' 3". Gotta watch your knees getting in and out tho..

[GMDad]

I'm really surprised when you say the 65 has more leg room than the 67-72 era. I as thinking the exact opposite. I have a 5 spd in my 65 o constantly on the clutch pedal and I find the leg room short for my needs and I'm only 5'11". I raised the front of my seat mounts about a 1 1/2" and that helps a little. I was actually thinking of looking for a 70-72 just for that reason. Guess I better find a friend's where I can drive for an hour or so to help with decision.

[65chevysub]

I drive a 65 Suburban daily. I added a disc brake kit from a 72 to the front, 78 TH350 tilt column and power steering from a 72 as well. going to drop the tail end a couple of inches but it drives great.

[Riveted1]

Depends on what differential gears the trucks have, and if you're gonna drive on the freeway.

[duallyjams]

Originally Posted by GMDad

I'm really surprised when you say the 65 has more leg room than the 67-72 era. I as thinking the exact opposite. I have a 5 spd in my 65 o constantly on the clutch pedal and I find the leg room short for my needs and I'm only 5'11". I raised the front of my seat mounts about a 1 1/2" and that helps a little. I was actually thinking of looking for a 70-72 just for that reason. Guess I better find a friend's where I can drive for an hour or so to help with decision.

I'm 6'3 and drive my 66 with a T10 4 speed with no problem, the seat placement will make or break the comfort, I have factory buddy buckets with a GM car steering wheel it's a inch smaller and still using a manual steering.

[Clyde65]

Ive owned both and its a toss up actually.

However, since my lsx swap im enjoying longer trips in my 65 more than ever.

[sanford66]

I have a 66 and a 72. The 72 is closer to driving a car than a truck, power steering, power disc brakes, tilt steering column, lowered, etc.etc.. The 66 drives like...well...an old truck. It has manual drum brakes, manual steering, all stock 1966 technology. That being said I drive the 66 to work and back 60+ miles everyday, and actually prefer to drive it over the 72. Maybe it's because the 60-66trucks are my favorite, I don't know. It's all in what you want, but I would say the 67-72 trucks are a little more comfortable and car-like. Joseph

[GMDad]

Originally Posted by duallyjams

I'm 6'3 and drive my 66 with a T10 4 speed with no problem, the seat placement will make or break the comfort, I have factory buddy buckets with a GM car steering wheel it's a inch smaller and still using a manual steering.
Attachment 1525200

I am feeling really stupid now. Even with seeing the picture I do not know what a buddy bucket seat is. What are they from? Do you still have the gas tank in the cab? Looks like it was removed.

[GMDad]

These are the seats I am using from a mid 90's Silverado

[bigdog55]

Originally Posted by GMDad

I am feeling really stupid now. Even with seeing the picture I do not know what a buddy bucket seat is. What are they from? Do you still have the gas tank in the cab? Looks like it was removed.

The buddy bucket seat is where the middle folds down. I know that they were in the '67 and '68 models of chevy and gmc. I'm not sure if any of the earlier models. The tank can be left in or removed depending on your preference.

[duallyjams]

Originally Posted by GMDad

I am feeling really stupid now. Even with seeing the picture I do not know what a buddy bucket seat is. What are they from? Do you still have the gas tank in the cab? Looks like it was removed.

gas tank is still in the cab / buddy buckets were a option in 66 GMC only then 67-68 chevy only, basically they are bucket seats with a folding jump seat in the middle

[padresag]

Originally Posted by sanford66

I have a 66 and a 72. The 72 is closer to driving a car than a truck, power steering, power disc brakes, tilt steering column, lowered, etc.etc.. The 66 drives like...well...an old truck. It has manual drum brakes, manual steering, all stock 1966 technology. That being said I drive the 66 to work and back 60+ miles everyday, and actually prefer to drive it over the 72. Maybe it's because the 60-66trucks are my favorite, I don't know. It's all in what you want, but I would say the 67-72 trucks are a little more comfortable and car-like. Joseph

I would think that not all 72 came the way that your's did for comparison. if one took a bare bones 72 with basically the same equipment as the 66, you wouldn't find much difference
ron

[sanford66]

Originally Posted by padresag

I would think that not all 72 came the way that your's did for comparison. if one took a bare bones 72 with basically the same equipment as the 66, you wouldn't find much difference
ron

You are right, I was kind of comparing apples to oranges. In the end it all boils down to which year/body style catches your eye more. Joseph