Advice Please

[RHARVEY]

I have the chance to buy a 1972 Chevy 1 ton 4 speed. It has a flatbed and also comes with a new flatbed kit. There are some other parts that would come with the truck. . chrome gauge bezel(new) and also replacement rocker panels. We hit the starter and it fired right up... tires are in pretty good shape for around town use.

The main reason for this was for the kids to start learning to drive and also the frame is heavy enough that I can some day do some surgery and install a Cummins in it.

I can get the truck for $2400. 00



What you think????



Thanks

Rick

 

[lmills]

What motor does it have?

 

[RHARVEY]

I know its a small block(327-350) ... with a 4 barrel Quadrajet



Rick

 

[lmills]

Ehh. About par for the course. If it had a big block I would jump at it. Either way the price doesn't seem too bad. Especially since you are getting some extras with it.

 

[fkovalski]

Ya' might want to do a quick compression test to see what you got as a baseline.

 

[TowPro]

Check under the cab pretty well, expecialy the cab mounts. If its a 1 ton it already has the big brakes on it, might even be a floating axle. Does it have a center support on the drive shaft? Check it out. If your really going to look it over, check the ball joints. I don't think this ever came with a 4 speed, I thought they were THM-400 autos or a 3 on the tree.

 

[Philip]

Most of the one tons in that range were 4 spd equiped. Check the rear axle. The back lash liked to go out on these rears. The only place to get major repair parts is Chevy only. This has the removable center section rear axle. It has floating hubs on it.



Being a 72 it has disks on the front. So you are set there.



If those replacement rocker panels are not GM throw them away. The offshore parts do not fit this year worth a damn. Rocker panels and cab corners go GM and save your self the hassle.



If you would think about a big block swap. Be warned the big blocks used different clutch linkage. You will not get a small block linkage to line up properly. The mount on the frame is in a different position.



If you decide to get it. Let me know. I think I still have a factory service manual laying around the garage. I would have to look.



I have owned 2 ea 69's, 2 ea 70's, 1 ea 72. I can rebuild one in my sleep. LOL

 

[big jake 1]

Rick:



what size is the flatbed?



The 72s are very collectible in the 1/2 and 3/4 ton models, as it was the last year before the new( Back then) body style.



with unleaded at $2+ a gallon, I would get that 6mpg 350 out of there as fast as possible!!



a 72 1 ton dually, chrome wheels with a short flat bed (oak in-laid,) headache rack, dual 5 inch stacks with turnouts and a 12 valve in there someplace,



OH YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!



big jake



THE FORD GUY!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I have a 1968 Chev 1 ton flat bed. Had the 292 I6 in it but I did a conversion to a 307 (it was cheap) that I pulled out of a 1972 Chev 1/2 ton 2wd with the help of Josh Peters.

My 1968 has drums all the way around. Its a good old truck. Watch the cab mounts for rust. Mine was an old U-Haul back in the day. If the body is clean (no rust, minimal or no body filler), I'd say that 2400 is a good price.