Chevy/GMC Trucks 1967-1972 – How to Build & Modify
Author: Jim Pickering Published by: Car Tech Inc. ISBN: 978-1-61325-747-0
American publisher Car Tech have an enviable selection of ‘How to…’ manuals with several covering the restoration and upgrading of pickup trucks. This new title covers the Chevy and similar GMC C and K series trucks from 1967 to 1972 and it’s perhaps the most comprehensive so far. By way of background, the ‘C’ referred to two-wheel drive and the ‘K’ denoted four-wheel drive.
Introduced in 1960, the trucks were designed to directly compete with Ford’s ‘F’ series and the Dodge ‘D’ series trucks. There was a wide range of configurations, including both bodies and drivetrains, though they are most commonly thought of as pick-ups. These in turn could be ordered in varying chassis lengths with short and longer rear beds. This book covers the second generation introduced in 1967, known as the Action Line range, at which point it was generally recognised that such pick-ups were more than just utilitarian working vehicles, but were equally useful for leisure activities. As a result, convenience and creature comforts could be ordered similar to passenger cars, such as auto transmissions, two-tone paint, radios and carpets.
The book’s 176 pages start by describing the Action Line pick-up range, advising on what might be the most desirable and outlining how to set a budget. There’s information on the range of tools you’ll need to restore one of these trucks and what to look for when shopping around. There are then chapters dealing with body and bed disassembly, including a useful explanation of ways to shorten a long-bed into a more desirable short-bed. It then covers the suspension in detail, including lowering the truck by way of dropped spindles, lowered rear leaf springs, modifications to the chassis, installing complete suspension kits and air suspension.
The chapter on brakes and steering also demonstrates how to improve cornering abilities. There’s a section on engine basics, then one on upgrading the motor to a more modern LS V8. Fuelling, including fuel lines, the ECU and cooling system gets its own chapter. Similarly, transmissions, both manual and automatic are dealt with, including upgrades and hydraulic clutches. The rear axle is dealt with next, with identification, heavy-duty axles, the 12-bolt, how to check tyre clearances and selecting the correct gears for your application. Once the oily bits have been covered, it leads onto the interior and air conditioning, followed by the all-important wiring and lighting. This includes upgrading to LEDs, which provide a great deal more light, yet need less electrical power.
The final chapter deals with the finishing touches, including common body modifications, rolled pans and bumpers, cleaning up and matching original paint, reassembly tricks, bed installations, wheels and tyres. There is a useful source guide at the back where parts and accessories can be ordered. Obviously, these are Stateside firms, but with the ease of ordering online these days, such purchases are not really a problem. The second-generation C/K GM pickup trucks are some of the most attractive ones available, with the advantage that they are still reasonably easy to find at fairly sensible prices. They have a huge following in the US, meaning that replacement panels and parts are easy to find and import. Prices, inevitably, are on the rise, but there are a number of these attractive pickups over here already, so this new guide should be of practical use.