My new 'old' truck shares a lot in common with my old 3rd gen..

Yeah it looks to be in very good condition.. For some reason I thought you guys got more salt exposure there, guess not.

You could always take the bed off, that opens it up a lot to work on the underside. Take care of the surface scale issues. I may recommend POR15 for your frame and underbody.
Also just jack your cab up off the frame slightly and put some poly body mounts on, radiator mounts, bed mounts etc.

I'll caution you tho, be careful if you decide to do much, it is REEEAL easy to slip into the abyss and under a mountain.. Once you pull this or that off, you see this or that, and say to yourself, "well while I've got this off I might as well do this and that".. Next thing you know your have your truck in pieces..

I say enjoy it. Fix any obvious things that NEED to be fixed and drive it.. You don't wanna get overwhelmed restoring it. Something that was supposed to be enjoyable turns into something you hate and dread. Seen it happen many times.

It'd be more enjoyable to piddle on it.


OH here are a couple of companies you can get just about anything from..

http://www.classicparts.com/1967-1972-Chevy-Truck-Parts-Catalog/productinfo/TRK-4/#.WRe7b1KZOV4
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/t.aspx
https://www.brotherstrucks.com/NEW-ITEMS/products/291/
http://www.classicindustries.com/shop/truck/parts/

 

Thanks man. This will be a fun project. Just got back from the lake with my dog.

Schnitzel the wonder dog approves of this rig.

 

It also happens to be my 50th birthday present to myself. This was new when I was in kindergarten.

 

I think he wants to drive.

 

Let Schnitzel drive!

 

Good looking dog, you could get some iconic pics with him and the truck, especially there in Montana. Maybe you should do a Montana outdoor sportsman calendar haha.

Happy 50th!

 

nice truck.

 

Ha-ha! Too bad my favorite bird hunting spots are 1,000 miles from home, round trip. And still in Montana, lol. Don't think I'll be driving this old girl that far.



He loves ALL trucks. He is a total truck dog. My buddy owns a ranch in Westby MT, and we have a resident beater truck- an old Dodge 150 ranch truck that we use to haul the dogs back and forth in it- especially if they get into water. In the morning we warm it up while eating breakfast and that is like Pavlov's Dog for Schnitzel. He's either IN the truck or in the bed- waiting, waiting, waiting.... He wants to hit the field so bad- he reminds me of a 5 year old on Christmas morning impatiently waiting for the parents to finish their coffee before opening gifts, lol.

 

Yeah because 1972 Chevy SUV's/Trucks were the pinnacle of rust protection.

I think they were selling replacement rockers/sills about 3 years after the body design came out. And cab corners. Don't forget about the flapping front fenders by the doors and that the door bottoms rusted out in about 5 years.

Other then that, they were pretty good rust wise. The frames did MUCH better then the bodies.

 

My first real car was a 75 Toyota Celica GT, my second was a 1977 Celica GT HB. Those cars literally melted away in the rain. Seriously.

Yeah these trucks have their weak spots though. There is some rust at the bottom of the doors- still surface rust though. No perforations. One cab corner that meets the bed is banged in and missing some paint. And there is some rust where the side trim moldings meet the body. Thankfully none of it perforated.

 

Nice ride OP.
I'm pondering on a project car myself, but I'm stuck on '65 mustang, a '66 Chevy 2dr impala and haven't decided on what year Vette.

But I was thrown off rail when I saw a fully restored 40 series Land Cruiser so I'm back to the drawing board till further notice



Cheers!

 

Most of that came from the cowl vents. Bc leaves and debris would fall thru and collect down in there and create a good environment for rust etc...

Oddly enough there is STILL issues with stuff like that, I found similar issues but not as bad with leaves finding their way and collecting at the bottom of the fenders etc on my 13 Taco. You would think that all automotive companies would've completely solved any issue like that. I have to question whether they truly want to eliminate all problems, bc if they did there's less money to be made off parts etc.

 

That is one sweet find..nice and clean for an original congrats.....original 350 small block ?.........man I miss having an older car like that.....every may/june used to get one out of storage for the summer..good times.

 

Love the old ad, lol.

There are a LOT of 40 series survivors here in Montana. These guys use them hard- but relatively in good shape. I'm sure you've seen the prices of them all dolled up- SPENDY!! I would definitely get one in un-restored but solid shape. Unfortunately one never knows what quality of work done unless you have first hand knowledge of the rig. That is exactly why I pounced on this- It has been used, mechanically repaired but uncut and unmolested.

 

Yup- 350 small block, new Holley 4bl, Turbo Hydramatic 350 3 spd trans, 4.10 rear (I'm assuming). Those screws are turning at 65mph, lol.

The motor and tranny match the RPO codes in the glove box, and according to the options sheet at that time, the 350v8 would have come with the 4.10 rear if the truck was optioned with the 4spd or Turbo Hydramatic.

I don't think the engine is stock though. More than likely replaced at some point.

 

You guys are lucky to not be in the salt triangle in the winter. NOTHING survives, the only way to keep older rides is to park them come fall and have a sacrificial salt vehicle.

 

Pull the engine and transmission and put them in a crate for if/when you sell it and do a 5.3L / Overdrive swap and fix that fuel consumption issue.

Looks great though! I'd be tempted to run a set of wide white steel wheels with the era-correct dog dish caps with a set of knobby white letter tires, or a set of Ansen slotted mags for the period correct vibe.

 

I'm not much of a Chevy guy but I'd like to think I know a win when I see it. That's a sharp truck...really nice canvas to start with.

 

That's a good looking truck! My father had a '72 Blazer in the orange/yellow. I loved that truck.

 

Here is mine. Needs some work. Makes me sad I have not given it the attention it needs.