What to look for on a '72 Jimmy

[Sammy Sandbag]

I'm always in the market for a first gen Jimmy, as I just like its looks the best out of all the K5s. Unfortunately, as you know, they are just hard to come by. Well one happened show up on the local Craigslist. I talked to the owner and will be seeing it today or tomorrow. From our conversations, sounds like a typical '72 with rust on the floor boards, rockers, and bottom of the doors. The owner has spent all his time getting the mechanicals up to snuff, so apparently the engine, trans, and brakes are in good working order.

The current asking price is $4,000. What I'd like to know from the experts is what are some specific things I should look for and check when I inspect the truck. I'll be sure to take my camera and get some good photos.

Thanks!

 

[Greg72]

RUST RUST RUST....

Check the floor corners up front, check the rockers underneath and also the upper windshield corners. All are common rust spots.

Sheetmetal repair is tedious and expensive, take the time to really evaluate how much rust there is and how deep it goes.


Good Luck


-G

 

[Cornfield creations]

RUST as he said! We had a 72 CST we were going to do a frame off on. Until we added up new metal. Probably around 3000-4000 in just metal, with us putting it in! Body panels are hard to find. There are some rare parts out there too. Like the rear hatch on the hardtop if it has one. Just check it out good and you should be able to decide if it's more than what you want to tackle.

 

[Sammy Sandbag]

Yep, it has a hard top.

I looked on LMC and saw that most of the needed repair sheet metal was available (floor pans, rockers, door skins.)

Can you tell me what the stock running gear was on a '72 Jimmy, so I can see if anything was changed. If memory serves me; NP205, D44, and 10bolt. What trans was standard?

 

[Cornfield creations]

The rear would be a 12 bolt, front Dana 44. If it's an auto its a TH350, 4-speed would be an SM420, but the 4-speed's would look very similar to a SM465

 

[blazinzuk]

Remember as far as the rust goes, if it goes under another body panel expect alot more.

I have looked at first gens (love them) where it would have just been better to spend 6k on a fiberglass body.

And plus 1 to the mechanical aspect D44 12 bolt rear most likely with 3.73s turbo 350 for trans or sm 420 both with 205s 350 for the motor

Also it will points distributor if it is stock, I would imagine if the current owner has spent time getting the mechanical end up to snuff it would have been changed to HEI

 

[HeavyMetal72]

Blazinzuk, do you know of a place that has a glass tub for a first gen k5. I've looked everywhere and U.S. Autobody quit making them several years ago. I would love know if they are still available, somewhere.