The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1972 GMC 5500

I found my Dad's 1972 CMC 5500 dump truck siting beside a barn a while ago and decided to take a ride over to see if it was for sale. To make a long story short I got a good deal on it and it will be comming home soon. The cab and fenders are in good shape but the running boards are shot. Anybody know where I can find repoduction? I will look for good used ones first.

I would very much doubt that there are any being reproduced. Good used would be the best way to go. An ideal place would be a big truck junk yard in a dry climate.

What engine and trans does it have in there?

Bill

It has the GMC V-6 and I believe it is a 5 speed with a 2 speed rear. Dad bought it back in the mid 70's and removed the rack body, shortend the frame and put a dump body on the back. He used it in his construction business up to the late 90's Now I'm the proud owner and hope to bring it back to it's former glory as it once was.

Sounds good.

Keep us posted.

Bill

Does any of the interior stuff from the small trucks fit the big ones?

Many interior parts from a pick-up will fit your truck as well as some sheet metal and other misc parts.

Also when searching for the Running Boards that you have mentioned above, there should be a difference between the wide fender ones and the narrow fender ones, like there is on the '60 to '66 style trucks (narrow fenders means narrow running boards). I haven't seen a picture of your truck, but your 5500 will most likely have the narrow fenders.

Bill

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2745294360102788587bJCmUa
Finally got the 72 home and it needs a ton of work. But that's half the fun why we buy these old trucks.

thats very cool that yer dad owned that truck and now its yours you are a big bolter now for sure!

Interesting truck. I like the Spoke Wheels. What GVW is it? (will be on the tag on the door jamb). Also wondering what V-6 you have in there (will be on the pad on the front of the engine).

Bill

that must be getting near the end of the v6 run,no? boy can those things suck gas those v6 moters-very cool looking engines

They actually made newer V-6's in the mid '70's. They were the 379 and the 432.

I super tuned my '66 GMC 1000 Pick-up with a 305 V-6 and got 15 MPG Hi-way. A lot of it also depends on how you drive them.

Bill

I will get some more time this week end to check things out. It is a gas hog, Dad put on a side tank on because the one behind the seat would not last the day. The first task is to find out why there is no brakes.

The plate inside the door reads max GVW is 20,000 24,000 lbs.

???

It says both?

Yes it does. I never seen one like that before. I tried to get a picture of it this afternoon but it did not come out.
Are the cabs the same as the smaller trucks? The one on this truck is border line on whether it is worth repairing or replacing. The dreaded rust above the windshield is just starting to come through.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2089752780102788587jPfZuN
Here is the vin plate. Make full screen and you can read it.

thats crappy rust to deal with im not sure with 67 to72 but i think the floor is really flat on a big bolt and change with series.windshield-same doors-same- idont know what that all looks like but that roof rust suks timbuk

I think your right timbuk. I forgot about the hump in the floor on the smaller trucks.