72 GMC 4x4 rebuild

[Crumley]

More pictures. I got the cab back on the frame today. New poly cab bushings all around. Man this thing is sitting high, when I install 35 x 12.50 tires it will sit 4-3/4" higher then it already is. Man, I must be getting old, its going to be a struggle get into and out of the truck, but I will deal with it..

[NEVERENOUGH]

Wow it is looking sharp. This is the motivation I needed to get back to work on mine thanks.

[Crumley]

Neverenough: It is good to know I am giving you some motivation to get to work on your truck. Geet..her done....Hopefully I will have this trucks, body work done, in primer and driveable by this summer....then I can save up money for paint...

[Crumley]

Whelp more updates. After drilling out a zillion tack welds, the right side rocker panel is off, only to show more work that will need to be done. The inner rocker is garabge, the bottom of the vertical cab support is toast, the horz. cab support (under floor) will need attention, the inside kick panel and part of the floor board will need to be repaired. So I will be saving my penny's to buy more patch panels. On a positive note I did undercoat the bottom of the radiator core support for more rust protection.

[Crumley]

Here are a few more pictures of a little progress on the truck. I removed the left side rocker panel and as usuall rust. The rust on the left side isn't as bad as the rust on the right side. I will be replacing the left lower cab support , inner rocker panel and left kick panel. Might as well do it right while I am in there. The radiator core support reinstalled along with the radiator, shroud, hoses etc. Also patched 3 PO hole in the dash.

[Crumley]

Pictures of the holes patched in dash. Cut small metal plugs, ticked in, welded out, grind down, a little body filler, sanding and epoxy primer.

[msgross]

what paint did you use for the upper part of the core support.

[Crumley]

msgross:

I used dupli-color rattle can low gloss (semigloss) black paint on the entire core support. After painting the core support I coated the lower part of the core support is 3M under coating.

[herodcreekfarms]

i would just like to say hi my names graham, and i am moving up to carrollton to go to west ga in the fall to get by bs and mba, after i graduate with my associates this spring. i would love to make it over ur way if ya ever need any free help because i am dreading leaving my beloved shop and projects for around three years..... also if ya are getting ride of ur stock wheels i may be interested! and if ya ever get a second could ya post up some pics of the front and rear spring mounts, because my 72 underwent a 4x4 conversion and im just trying to figure out what ive got under it thanks alot, graham

[Crumley]

Hello Graham what is your associates degree?

Where is Leesburg Ga?

I live quite some distance from West Ga Univ.

Right know I think I am going to keep the stock wheels.

Here are some picture of the spring mounts. If you need more let me know.

Also I would like to thanks you guy's here on this site for the support. If you see something that doesn't look right (my 1st body off restore) please fell free to chime.

[herodcreekfarms]

my associates degree will be in business. and i think its only like an hour ish to where ya live that not bad compaired to the threes hours i will be from my home. leesburg is near albany bout an hour and a half from colombus

[Crumley]

Graham:

Good luck on the masters degree. You are correct it is approx 1hr from west ga. So you are from way down south Ga? Drop me a PM when you are headed north.

[steelhorse]

Nice looking truck.Keep up the good work.

[jaros44sr]

Nice work, enjoying your progress...subscribed. Shame those lower 'A' posts don't look that bad, but once ya get them off it's amazing what hides behind them

[BIG HEAD]

Impressive. Look as though you are doing a fine job.

[Crumley]

While I am waiting on body filler and POR 15 to dry, I thought I might post some pictures.

Well look at all of that new sheet metal that came in, boy am I going to have fun now. We will start with the leftside inner and outer rocker panels. Out with the old in with the new. By the way I PO15'ed the inside of the horz. cab supports both front and rear as far as my brush and hand could reach.

[Crumley]

More pictures.....replaced the left side lower A pillar, kick panel and inner rocker panel

[Crumley]

Still more pictures...... installed outer rocker panel and cab corner. The outer rocker panel didn't fit very well. I had to split the front end to get the panel drop into position in front and lots of persauding with c-clamps and step oner clamps to get the bottom to fit.

The instillation of the cab corner wasn't much better. I had to split it in-half to get it to work properly and look decent. Now I know what they mean by replacement panels being a close representation of the orgional's. This caused alot of additional welding but thats the way it goes.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

She looks great keep up the good work..

[Crumley]

Some additional pictures:

Down to final sanding and priming on the left side. Currently working on cutting out the left side inner and outer rocker panels, cab support, kick panels. I have re-installed the rear inner rocker panel and lower cab support.

[Crumley]

Well it looks like my pictures didn't attach so lets try again.

I must have just fallen off the turnip truck, I now see why the pictures didn't attach, I didn't hit the right submit now button.

[115-K10]

It looks like your day was about like mine wrestling with aftermarket sheet metal. They are close but need some finesse to fit correct. I am actually considering repairing the GM outer rockers that I took off. They are not in that bad shape.

[Crumley]

115-K10:

Yup nothing like replacement body panels. But it is nothing that a cutting wheel, weldeing machine and a little patience can't fix. Just my opinion, if you can salvage the original rocker panels then I would. They will fit so much better.

Buy the way nice looking Monte Carlo. I use to have a 70 model a few years ago. It wasn't an SS though.

[Crumley]

Updates:

Well I finished up the left side inner and outer rocker panel, kick panel, lower cab support and cab corner. The cab corner was another pain in the keester. I had to cut it in 3 pieces to get it to look right. but it is done. Now it is time for body filler and lots of sanding.

[Crumley]

More pictures: