View Full Version : advise for buying 67-72 GMC stepside
Carl Dempsey
10-06-2002, 10:38 AM
Hi There,
I owned a 72 GMC stepside truck about 15 years ago (before wife and kids). I'm turning 40 this year and would like to recaputre this part of my youth.
I plan to purchase a 67-72 Chevy or GMC stepside. Can anyone give me a list of items to look for? I want as close to original as possible.
The type of info I am looking for is: What is the best year (if any), what options are a must.
What about 4x4's? Are they typically more desireable?
Thanks a lot for any input.
tennesseehillbilly37110
10-06-2002, 04:46 PM
hey man welcome to the club my names ron and im from mcminnville tn. i love the 67 chevy truck cause its the first of the new body i guess thats why i own 2 of them just finished converting over the front end to 5lug p/s p/b and disk on the front of my short step side future plans for this restoration is a 283 smallblock 4 speed rock crusher and tilt column its lots of fun to do the work yourself huntin for parts etc... well if you dont want to spend alot of hard work building from the ground up like me try a 70 - 72 usually has all that stuff on it.some even have air and automatic which im sure you knew well feel free to email me ill try and help you as much as i can..
longhorn man
10-06-2002, 05:56 PM
Personally, i like the GMC nose...esp the 69/70 one. One reason is that the Chevys are still fairly well populating many areas, but as far as GMCs, there are not many around (so it seems)
I know I have the ONLY GMC Short bed truck that is a daily driver on the west side of columbus.
Impressive huh?
Oh, and welcome to the addiction. http://classicheartbeat.com.westserver.net/ubb/wink.gif
------------------
'69 G.M.C. (http://geocities.com/andys_69_gmc/) 350/350 and a heluva cam. Still trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man.
The 1970 One ton Longhorn (one of only 1404 built) with only a TH350...soon to be CADDY powered and a TH350.
Check outThe Longhorn Website (http://www.longhorntrucks.freeservers.com/) Andy, in Columbus Ohio...Home of JEGS
And now...another site. The caddy swap page (http://geocities.com/caddyoneton/) is under construction!
Sams_71
10-06-2002, 07:13 PM
Hi, welcome to the club and the classic truck fever. I've got a `67 Chevy Custom and a `71 Chevy Cheyenne.
Like Longhorn says, GMC's aren't as plentiful as the Chevy's were. And while most of the GM and GM knock-offs parts will fit, the GMC specific parts might be harder to come by. Likewise, the `67 was a unique year, alot of parts for it won't fit the other years. The `72's had a few parts that were different but not as much. I'd go with the `70 or `71 Chevy. A/C, V8, Auto, tilt, PS, PB and front disk brakes were pretty common.
Just my $.02.
------------------
Sam
For the record...`71 Chevy Cheyenne
http://home.att.net/~tmj39/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html
'67 Chevy Custom
The Genuine Chevy - GMC Truck Club of Kansas City http://www.chevygmcofkc.org/
Contact me: tmj39@att.net
[This message has been edited by Sams_71 (edited 10-06-2002).]
Carl Dempsey
10-06-2002, 09:35 PM
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the input, I'm looking forward to finding my truck. There was an ad in the paper today for a 71 Chevy truck, original owner, 30,000 miles on rebuilt original engine, everything stock. It was gone by the time I called of course...
Thanks again for the input.
PS Where are the common rust spots on these trucks and are there any other things to look out for?
longhorn man
10-06-2002, 10:28 PM
While not too familiar with the great white north, I'll asume you get a butt load of snow where your at. And with snow is normally salt.
If my asumptions are correct, then anything and everything from the belt molding on down is prime target for the skin cancer.
A part that is not normally thought of untill you discover one is over the windshild on the inside.
------------------
'69 G.M.C. (http://geocities.com/andys_69_gmc/) 350/350 and a heluva cam. Still trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man.
The 1970 One ton Longhorn (one of only 1404 built) with only a TH350...soon to be CADDY powered and a TH350.
Check outThe Longhorn Website (http://www.longhorntrucks.freeservers.com/) Andy, in Columbus Ohio...Home of JEGS
And now...another site. The caddy swap page (http://geocities.com/caddyoneton/) is under construction!
Carl Dempsey
10-06-2002, 11:50 PM
I'm in Vancouver, BC which is just north of Seattle. We get mostly rain in the winter with perhaps one or two snowfalls a year. They usually wash away in a few days. Older vehicles around here usually don't have the rust problems caused by salt so hopefully all of the old chevys out there are still in fairly good shape.
Sams_71
10-07-2002, 05:08 AM
Well, he must be busy or out of town or he would have jumped in here by now, but Wes is only a few hours from you. If you wanted to take a road trip he'd be a great source for information and parts. And he's got a collection of trucks. Maybe he knows of one for sale.
Depending on how much work you want to put in to it or whether you want to drive it right away or not. But I've heard a few people say that they'd rather start with just a frame and cab, then put one together from there.
------------------
Sam
For the record...`71 Chevy Cheyenne
http://home.att.net/~tmj39/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html
'67 Chevy Custom
The Genuine Chevy - GMC Truck Club of Kansas City http://www.chevygmcofkc.org/
Contact me: tmj39@att.net
Welcome to our boards neighbor... A little late, but I would like welcome you anyhow...LOL As luck might have it I am going out in the next day or two, to look at a 72 GMC to purchase. If you are interested in it let me know and I will get the particulars from it. That is if it is anything worth buying. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com (http://www.ClassicHeartbeat.com)
jwill41
10-08-2002, 06:10 AM
You guys have made me curious. I have a 67 gmc short step and never knew there many differences between the gmc and chevy besides the grill. It does have leaf springs and all the chevys I've seen have coils. Can yall point out a few more to me.
------------------
<A HREF="http://community.webshots.com/user/jwill411
" TARGET=_blank>http://community.webshots.com/user/jwill411
</A>
67 gmc short step side
68 chevy long fleet side
88 chevy 3/4 ton suburban
97 chevy short stepside
Farmers Branch, Tx
Carl Dempsey
10-08-2002, 08:17 AM
Wes, I'd be interested in learning more about the GMC you are going to look at. Do you think there are complications purchasing a vehicle across the border?
I don't think there will be any complications. Maybe some duty or something, but I have sold a couple of trucks that have gone up into Canida and I havn't heard of any problems. I will be looking at this truck tonight at 6:00 pm, so I can get back to you about price and condition. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com (http://www.ClassicHeartbeat.com)
wcasey
10-08-2002, 10:16 AM
Welcome to the Family !!! HAHAHAHA Well I'll give you my two cents worth....I think 4 x 4 is the way to go, but if your not interested in doing some off roading then go with the two wheel drive..alot less complicated when restoring and alot cheaper...Not to mention it gives a better ride. Not to say 4 x 4 is rough but you can really get a smooth ride out of the two wheel drive. Just food for thought.
------------------
WCASEY
70 C-20 4 x 4
307 4spd
wcasey@ec.rr.com
longhorn man
10-08-2002, 09:09 PM
Other than the rear springs, (which coils were available on GMCs...I have on) and visuals, there was not much differance. Options and the like did differ, but not by much.
The main thing mechanicly, is there was a model for V 6 trucks. Any GMC with a VIN that starts in CM is/was a big 'ole V-6 engine, either a 305, or a 351.
Here is some info on the huge monster V-6... http://www.favorites.com/~jolly/305V6.htm
GMC also played around with some loud colors. Up in the great white north, there was a pink paint job that was available, and reported a bright green, but have yet to see proof on that one.
------------------
'69 G.M.C. (http://geocities.com/andys_69_gmc/) 350/350 and a heluva cam. Still trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man.
The 1970 One ton Longhorn (one of only 1404 built) with only a TH350...soon to be CADDY powered and a TH350.
Check outThe Longhorn Website (http://www.longhorntrucks.freeservers.com/) Andy, in Columbus Ohio...Home of JEGS
And now...another site. The caddy swap page (http://geocities.com/caddyoneton/) is under construction!
Carl, I looked at the 72 GMC and what a pile of junk!! It's realy too bad too, because it's a Super Custom.... I wouldn't even buy it as a parts truck because it doesn't have a strait piece of metal on it.... WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com (http://www.ClassicHeartbeat.com)
Carl Dempsey
10-08-2002, 10:35 PM
Wes, thanks for taking a look at it. I will keep looking here. How often does a 67-72 Chevy/GMC stepside in good shape come available?
jwill41
10-09-2002, 06:04 AM
thanks longhorn.
------------------
<A HREF="http://community.webshots.com/user/jwill411
" TARGET=_blank>http://community.webshots.com/user/jwill411
</A>
67 gmc short step side
68 chevy long fleet side
88 chevy 3/4 ton suburban
97 chevy short stepside
Farmers Branch, Tx
They come up periodicly. It just depends on what you want and how much money you are willing to spend. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com (http://www.ClassicHeartbeat.com)
longhorn man
10-09-2002, 08:33 PM
Wes...whats wrong with dents?
you'd hate to see mine...not a good piece of sheet metal anywhere...well, the dash is almost straight. http://classicheartbeat.com.westserver.net/ubb/wink.gif
------------------
'69 G.M.C. (http://geocities.com/andys_69_gmc/) 350/350 and a heluva cam. Still trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man.
The 1970 One ton Longhorn (one of only 1404 built) with only a TH350...soon to be CADDY powered and a TH350.
Check outThe Longhorn Website (http://www.longhorntrucks.freeservers.com/) Andy, in Columbus Ohio...Home of JEGS
And now...another site. The caddy swap page (http://geocities.com/caddyoneton/) is under construction!
Nothing wrong with dents... I guess unless you are wanting to restore one and straiten them all out..lol These are acumpanied by more than it's share of rust also.... WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com (http://www.ClassicHeartbeat.com)
longhorn man
10-10-2002, 09:27 PM
Your STILL describing my truck... http://classicheartbeat.com.westserver.net/ubb/wink.gif
------------------
'69 G.M.C. (http://geocities.com/andys_69_gmc/) 350/350 and a heluva cam. Still trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man.
The 1970 One ton Longhorn (one of only 1404 built) with only a TH350...soon to be CADDY powered and a TH350.
Check outThe Longhorn Website (http://www.longhorntrucks.freeservers.com/) Andy, in Columbus Ohio...Home of JEGS
And now...another site. The caddy swap page (http://geocities.com/caddyoneton/) is under construction!
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.