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

Nice. I like the bowtie right on the hood.

 

Your thread got me looking at new crate motors. I found a couple of 350s in the 400 plus HP and TQ. Hmm...may need to start on this project soon...we need to start some 1967-1972 build pages.

I had a guy offer me 10,000 for that truck as it sits the other day. I was blown away at that offer. But can't sell my dad's old truck.

 

Yeah it's kinda crazy what these things can fetch. They are increasingly becoming a hot item in the collectors market. The 1972 was the last year for that body style, and according to some sites it is the most sought after.

I drove into town yesterday to pick up some stuff at the local hardware store. When I came back out there were 3 guys circling the truck. Had a nice chat with them- they were all blown away at how solid the original body is. Then I drove over to the grocery store. When I came back out and fired it up, a guy across the parking lot (who was watching me) drove over in a hurry and stopped me from leaving. He offered to buy the truck. I guess he wanted to hear it run first, lol.

Get used to it brother. In halfway decent shape these trucks are appreciating in value quite a bit!

After I get some quality body work and paint I wouldn't accept less than $25K for this one. The C20's in good shape are harder to find than the C10's. Most of those 3/4 tons were put to hard work.

 

Ironically I had been looking for an early eighties Toyota truck, but the majority of them (around here) have been cut up so bad it's not worth anything more than a trail beater..

 

Speaking of value and what they're worth..
I was surprised to see at the time I sold mine, how the market was. You'd see literal hunks of rusted crap or poorly done trucks going for more, than nicer ones. As off as that sounds, is as off as it was, it made no sense what so ever.. Other than the "rat rod" thing.. But people would be dumb to buy something like that for more, when they could literally do it for many thousands cheaper... About five days after I'd put mine on the truck to ship out. I had a guy contact me, offering 5k more than what I sold it for... He was wanting me to give him the guys number that bought it etc.

But it does seem the interest has picked up, even within the last year.
Every once in a while I'll scan thru craiglist to see whats out there. People are asking triple what they would've brought several years ago. Another style that's picking up popularity is the square body's.

If I had know there was a group of 67-72 owners on here, I'd have sent some parts off to you guys for free. Some were still new that I happen to have extra.

 

I wouldn't bother with a 350. You can get take out 5.3's and 6.0's all day with wire harness for cheap. Other companies offer 1 wire hook ups for them also. Fueling them is easy as well. Buddy just bought a cam'd LS-1 with Harness low miles shipped for $2500. Old school stuff is cool, but fuel injection is so nice.

 

I can see that. Not sure I would know how to work on the LS1. The 350s are just so simple.

 

In the top 5 for desired trucks.


http://www.vanguardmotorsales.com/a...5-Most-Desired-Classic-Pickup-Trucks_AE9.html

https://www.americancarcollector.com/blogs/five-truck-buys

 

Sweet truck!

You can tell it used to have one of those cabover campers on it. It's got the attachments for the chains between the cab and the bed. Probably a 6 pack similar to this one.

 

Yeah I would think twice about a heavy mod on these trucks. In original shape seems to be the smartest way to go, or very close to original. I may start looking for a rebuilt Rochester carb to replace the aftermarket Holley.

 

I would say the opposite, messing with a carb on a vehicle that sits most the time is a pain. High performance old engines are a pain in the butt. A modern fuel injection engine, just let it sit with a battery tender, then turn the key whenever you want to drive it.

Unless it's something that is 100% original, then I get that.

 

Carbs can certainly be a pain. I grew up tinkering with them, that's for sure.

I used to race RX-7's, and I could swap jets on my Mikuni sidedraft in 5 minutes. Once you get the hang of it- easy peesy.

This was my pride and joy for years. I modded it with the era appropriate high end modifications, but kept the motor relatively intact. I did polish and re-jet the factory carb though.

 

Cool truck. I want one.

 

"sits most of the time" is key. Drive it once a week and you should be good though. While I love the LSX, sometimes the simplicity of a simple carb'd small block chevy with a holley double pumper is appealing. Easy to deal with if you drive it a little.

 

Good looking rig - OP!! Hopefully these third gens will last as long or longer. Love my truck

 

I agree. One of the fuel lines was weeping. Put a stainless steel hose camp on- done. If the fuel pump ever goes? 30 minute job in the shop. Everything pretty easy to work on. It's a tinkerers car for sure. But I'm used to it.
My son has a 1948 Cub. He entered it in the local parade last Friday (came in 1st place in antique vehicles).





The day before the parade it would start, run for a few minutes, die.. Checked the fuel sediment bowl, cleaned it and put it back on.. Still started and died. Pulled the fuel filter off, gave it a stiff blow from the mouth, slapped it back on- ran like a champ, lol.

Simple, simple simple..

 

That is a cool tractor.

 

Still mows the grass.

 

Sooo... Just for the sake of truck talk.. I finally had a chance to get my truck to my mechanic and get it up in the air... The general consensus amongst three mechanics and myself..

Don't fuck with it.

The entire under body chassis is perfect. Normal wear and tear- no serious rust anywhere. No frame rot, no floor pan rot- nothing. No grease or oil streaks ANYWHERE. This rig was well maintained. I have an Eaton 52/72 rear axle, which is a blessing and a curse, but a stout axle none the less. HD rear spring pack still in great shape, all body and engine mounts still in good working order.

The only mechanical issues are:
1. Steering box is toast- $350 redhead close ratio box on order
2. Steering shaft with rag joints is toast- $300 Borgenson adjustable shaft with greaseable U-joint on order
3. New shocks- Haven't decided on what brand to get yet. I want a softer ride due to the spring pack, which is ungodly huge.

That's it. Wow I scored big time.

So next I went to a place that specializes in custom Hot Rods and Classics restoration. Great kid- does great work. He gave the truck a once over or two and concluded (correctly);
1. The passenger side 8' box was smashed some time ago and they replaced that side with a non-Cheyenne outer and inner skin (the boxes are three piece). Some discoloration in the paint is noticed.
2. The rocker under the driver passenger side where the in cab gas tank filler is located needs some work.
3. The truck is basically 1 stage paint- all the original patina and wear is indicative of this year and style.

His conclusion?- $2,000 to restore the lower driver side, re install rear marker lights and original trim, touch up any obvious rust with 1 stage paint and call it good.


Everyone i talked to today said to let this truck remain a survivor. No frame off BS, no outlandish paint work. Leave it be. They all said it was the best 3/4 ton Chevy of that era they have ever seen. It is obvious the only thing it did was haul a truck camper- it saw no farm or field use.

I got a diamond. It's not everyday you see a '72 truck in this condition. Certainly not a 3/4 ton. I'm pretty stoked. Basically a $25,000 truck for a $9,000 trade.

 

Well by the pics, I'm not surprised.. That's awesome, I'd agree with what they all said, just let it be... Take care of it, fix the real probs and enjoy it, no frame off crap with that jewel.

Only thing I may add to it that I can think of right now, is grease all the zerks, and do them well and push out any old grease.. Change fluids and all that jazz..

You may want to use some good paint care products on it, since it is such a good survivor, just to pro long that etc.. Even tho the whole patina thing is cool, but since the paint is in good shape, why not at this point take care of it.. If it were more weathered and really patina'd more, I may say meh. But that's a personally choice.

But cool you found a jewel, I hope one day I find one or two or more.