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67 - 72 trucks....


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Soon I will be getting a new used daily driver truck.  Chances are it will be another Ranger, but I am keeping an open mind.  Anyway, I have some questions on 67 - 72 trucks.  First of all, what engines were available in these trucks?  What kind of gas mileage can I expect from each engine (in a 2WD)?  Generally how reliable are these trucks?  Are any of them emmissions exempt?  Thanks!
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I am pulling these engines from memory so I forgive me if I miss one.

 

250 I6

292 I6

2?? V6 GMC only

305 V6 GMC only

307 V8 small block

327 V8 small block

350 V8 small block

396 V8 big block

402 V8 big block

454 V8 big block

 

Transmissions:

TH350 – I6 and small blocks

TH400 – big blocks

2 speed Powerglide – small blocks

SM435 – 67- 68…I think

SM465 – 69 – 72 and beyond

And two or three variations of a 3-speed manual that I can’t remember the model numbers. These were only behind 6 cylinders and small blocks

 

Fuel mileage:

Not great on any of these engines really.  8 to 12 depending on a lot of things.

 

Reliable?

Keep in mind you are talking about a 30 plus year old truck here. :D Reliability depends on how it has been taken care of.

 

Emission exempt?

Yep, but I am not certain about California.  

 

This is a great era of GM trucks but 71’s and 72’s are slightly more desirable as they had disk brakes on the front.  Disk brakes can easily be swapped onto an older truck without a problem.  If you get one of these trucks do yourself a favor and ditch the breaker point ignition and retro fit a later model HEI distributor from a 75’ through 80’.  You could actually pirate a HEI distributor from any Chevrolet big block or small block engine just make sure it has a vacuum advance.  

 

I have owned several of these rigs and currently own two of this body style.  My yellow 68’ GMC I got 15 years ago for $100 when I was only 15 years old. I had to spend a couple more dollars to get in to where it is at today though.   The 72’ C20 I got last Christmas for $300. It is a pretty much a piece of crap but sometimes it is nice to have piece of crap around to haul junk.  

 

Good luck with your search.

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Dihappy,

 

Is that your K5 Blazer?  That thing is sweet.  Really makes me miss mine.  I had cherried out 72 K5 Blazer CST that I sold in 1994.  Even back then I was able to get $7000 for it.  I sold it to buy a Toyota 4x4 truck…looking back I really feel like an idiot for ever selling it.

 

Pacodiablo,

 

I forgot another engine that was offered in that body style.  The 283 small block.  Don’t restrict yourself to only 350 because all the small blocks have an abundance of parts on the market that are very affordable.  There are an abundance of parts for the old big blocks too they just aren’t always as cheap.

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The 67-72 are out there, fairly cheap. They are becoming more collectable all the time. However, the 60-66 are still not considered collectable by most people. I think that there aren't quite as many around, but they are generally a little cheaper. The motor choices are about the same, but autos are pretty rare.

Personally, I like the 64-66 body style the most out of all the Chevy/GMC years.

I had a "65, 1/2 ton with the towing package that I ruined before I knew what I actually had. It had a 283 with a 3-speed manual and 3.73 gears. The tranny had a second lever that you could push forward and it made the truck "coast" when you let off the gas(no tranny braking). It also eliminated the use of the clutch for any gear changes. You just had to clutch to start and stop.

I put a 350/350 in it, not realizing that I had wrecked a classic and probably somewhat rare Chevy. :D

So, if you do get something that seems odd, do a little homework before you make it nice.

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