72 GMC Nightshade

[Obscure]

I was told to check this place out after posting a picture of my build elsewhere.

Its a 1972 GMC pickup, started life as a 1969 truck, with a rotted out cab, bed, no engine or trans; but it did come with 3 tail gates, all of which were pretty much a crap shoot. I stripped it down to the frame, did an engine swap for a friend in trade for a 72 cab and title, bought some already shortened bedsides that needed alot of love still. and started laying out cuts and measuring things. The entire goal was to lay the frame on the ground, not really to toss it around a track. The frame has been shortened, because it didn't fit in my garage other wise and I like short beds, the front has been Z cut 3" with a 1.5" push, the rear has a step notch and 4 link, that I'm not entirely happy with so it will get redone at some point. It is all stock arms that have been cut and modified to correct ball joint angles, and clear the steering shaft, the lower have been cupped 2" to allow room for the air bags. I like to keep the number of custom parts down for things that could leave me stranded, suspension is generally stock off the shelf available parts. I have driven this truck most of 2019 put 12k miles on it, and driven it from Colorado, to Arkansas and Back with out a hitch, it has a combination of Original A/C cab bits, the Compressor that came on the engine, and some S series parts I had laying around, blows nice and cold. Cruise control from an older GM with a rostra stalk to fit the era of the truck.



before and current


Keeping with the theme, I am working on upgrading the brakes with larger over the counter available parts, stock rotors for a 06-10 SRT8 jeep Grand Cherokee on all 4 corners, Front '13 caddilac XTS calipers, rear 06-010 SRT8 jeep GC front calipers. these are all off the shelf available at most a 1 day wait if an emergency necessitated replacing them. After maths it should be pretty close to a 53/47 neutral brake bias, a prop valve will take care of the rear and shift the bias.




Now the part that has seemingly aggravated a few people, but generally everyone seems to like it. I have no real reason for doing this other than I just wanted to, it really is more for aesthetics and personal preference. I like a nice dished wheel, the way it gives depth and play with visual illusions. It currently is sitting on 20x12 -51 Vision Rockers, they are heavy defiantly not race car, rubber are 345-25/zr20 Lionheart LH5. Both were purchased on aesthetics, and cost. the wheels are inexpensive, and when I mess one up it wont hurt as much, the tires are inexpensive and when I burn them off it wont make my wallet cry. The front fenders have been widened 100mm to cover the tires, and retain my lock to lock turning at my chosen ride height. bedsides will be the same 100mm over stock. Disclaimer, I am not a body guy or a panel beater, I'm just cheap and like to try and do things myself, I am learning this as I go, both from reading tech articles and youtube, as well as talking with someone who has much more experience with metal shaping than me. This is my relaxing hobby. That being said here is where I'm at.






Made cuts on the bedsides yesterday




Some random pictures from over the build process.









I'm sure somethings are not clear, and somethings probably don't make sense. But I'm quite happy with how it is going.