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1972 W200 "Big Red Express" what if?

LocuMob

Fluid Technician
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Mar 20, 2015
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Winnebago, Mn
You have probably already seen this truck before, but I thought I'd start a build thread about it.

My 1972 W200 Crew Cab Stepside 4x4. Ex Air Force, ex Fire Dept believe I'm the 4th or 5th owner. It's fairly solid, lots of little dings, wtojg grille, tailgate rusted down (it used to hold a tank in the bed during its FD duty), brakes are out. Runs like a top, 318/727 spartan interior will get changed over to 'Lil Red bucket style benches, stacks, steps, roll bar and wood on the box will also get thrown on the truck. Mild lift, Dana 60's front and rear, bigger tires and a 440 under the hood. That's the plan, been sorted out and parts sourced for years. It's number 3 on the list, and I'm starting number 2, so it'll be a work in progress, very slow progress.

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It is a basic recipe for a fun truck to drive around in and take to shows. I'll put period correct pieces in/on when I switch things over, so it will look kinda factory possible.
 
So it looks like I'll be putting an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake on to start things off with, but will end up with this on it:

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It was originally going to be used on my 67 Dart, but since I got the Weiand cross ram intake, this sort of got nudged out of the way. I'll put it on my Polara (when I get the carbs, next year I hope) and when I build a Max Wedge set up for my Dart, the Polara will get the Weiand intake. Then I might as well put this in the truck. It won't get driven much so fuel consumption won't be that big an issue. I'll put vacuum secondaries on the outboard carbs and whatever else I need to do to make it friendlier for the street. I figure why not go overboard with a driver?
 
What a dilemma, "what multiple carb intakes am I gonna go with? I hate my life"...
Well , Since I'm such a nice guy and If it would help you out any . You could always send one of your tunnel rams over this way . :) lol
 
But that would be work to get to a point it would sit on the engine and I've developed an allergy to work.
Yeah , and then you have to convince him to leave it on your car . That'll be a job all by it's self . lol
 
So I haven't done a damn thing with the truck but collect a few parts. Got another steering wheel, not as good as I thought it was, but it's my own fault for not looking at the pics better, but I can use it or parts of it so it's not all bad.

Got some window visors from @d5679 and mocked one up in the front window to see what it looks like.

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I made a pattern of the opening for the rear window, and then made a template from cardboard. I will have to make my own for the rears, so I need to find some creative way to stamp one for each side. Or some other way to form a compound curve. Maybe make a buck I can form the metal over. Gonna learn something along the way on this one.
 
well nice truck to start with , mine is a bit more work them yours . but i'm the second owner and it had @ 30 k on it before it was decommissioned . ex navy base truck . got hit with a run away forklift , did in the bed , still got the fenders . but i'm thinking short style side . got one lined up with a friend . just need more time , lol .

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like your idea about the rear visors tought about that for my crewcab too. but not for now got a lot to do with fitting my d100 rear tank.
 
like your idea about the rear visors tought about that for my crewcab too. but not for now got a lot to do with fitting my d100 rear tank.
So, after trying to find some original rear visors, I had a thought. I am helping a friend try to find a boxy Suburban, and one of the ads we came across it had the visors, so I checked a similar year by me, and they are only about 1/2" off, so I'm going to try to find some for a Suburban and see if that gets me anywhere.
 
No, I keep buying more projects! I'm hoping to get to it this year, at least do the brakes and drive around a little. It's too cool to let it sit.
Absolutley...knock that off and get this baby on the road :) I bet if you tried to sell it , it would go really quick ! Super cool crew cab. If I was close, I would be trying to buy it :)
 
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