Thread: 1972 Chevy K30 Longhorn Build

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Well, I've been working on this again. If I can get PB too work with me, , I'll post up progress pics. I'm installing a B&W goose neck hitch, and boxing the frame from under the cab back. I'm also ditching the rear leaf suspension, for 4 link and air ride. It ought to be fun.

Here are pics of the goose neck install. I'm also boxing the frame too.





I've got to notch my LH frame rail for the hitch release pin, and weld in a tube to reinforce it. Then I can weld in my lower supports, and finally weld in the center section. Right now the center section is being sand blasted. Here is a pic of my 4 link brackets I got in the other day. I'm still waiting for some gussets, and upper and lower bag mounts before I can get on that. Plus all my tubing and link parts aren't here yet.

Nice work. I sold a '72 GMC Longhorn a few months ago. It was really solid, but needed too much work. I feel like I gave it away for $500, but it was free so I'm not complaining. Keep it up!

Lots of parts and pieces!!!! What air bags are you using on this conversion, Ryan?

This thing is a beast and will make an awesome driver. What kind of fuel mileage will you get with that diesel? My father in law has an 07 GMC 1 ton with a diesel and I was surprised when he said he could get 20 with it.

Originally Posted by 35fordcoupe

Nice work. I sold a '72 GMC Longhorn a few months ago. It was really solid, but needed too much work. I feel like I gave it away for $500, but it was free so I'm not complaining. Keep it up!

Man, that does sound cheap. But, I did buy this one, probably 8 years ago for $375 off ebay. It was missing the powertrain and was in ok shape.

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Lots of parts and pieces!!!! What air bags are you using on this conversion, Ryan?

I'm using some Firestone bags that are used on the rear of FLD120 Freightliner semis.

Originally Posted by falconvan

This thing is a beast and will make an awesome driver. What kind of fuel mileage will you get with that diesel? My father in law has an 07 GMC 1 ton with a diesel and I was surprised when he said he could get 20 with it.

Thanks! I think it'll do 18-20 easy. My 95 F-350 crew cab long box 4x4 has a 1990 12v in it turned up and has bigger injectors and turbo. It gets 18 back and forth to work, and I've seen 22 on the hwy. It's crazy really. The Corvette got 32mpg on the last trip it went on. That was driving it like there was an egg under the pedal to keep smoke down.

That's great; my 06 Silverado with a v6 5 speed only gets 20 at its best.

Today I cut the release pin for the ball, ground the side plate, and welded the release rod back on. That allowed me to not have to cut the frame rail to clear the release handle. I then tacked in 2 support cross members under the center section, then removed the center section, and welded them in. Next I sat the center section back in, trimmed one corner to get it to sit back flush, and then welded the center section in.





Then I cut another piece to replace the rear cross member.



Hopefully I can get more done this weekend.

Starting to come together ...How big a house you figure on pulling over

Originally Posted by cffisher

Starting to come together ...How big a house you figure on pulling over

Well, I figure I might as well go do the commercials Toyota and GM do on the computer, but for real. Haha I bet I can throw some rubber on the bottom side of that space shuttle while dragging it.

I got a little more done on Saturday. I removed the old rear cross member, welded in the new one, and removed the old gas tank cross members. Then I started welding all the un needed holes shut inside and out.

So how will the ball & release work with the bed in place? I'm assuming that this lets you remove the ball for hauling stuff, but put it in for a 5th wheel, right?

Originally Posted by rspears

So how will the ball & release work with the bed in place? I'm assuming that this lets you remove the ball for hauling stuff, but put it in for a 5th wheel, right?

The rod will be inbetween the bottom of the bed floor, and top of the frame sticking out in the wheel well area. You reach in and pull the handle, then remove the ball and flip it over so your bed floor is flat. No 5th wheel adapter for me. I don't have any 5th wheels. I have seen an adapter for them though. I still have to build the catch for the release handle. I'll get to that.