It’s as Big as a Whale and About to Set Sail

Dare to be different. in this day and age, breaking into the custom truck scene with something different is no small feat, and to do it with a touch of class and a little shock value is another thing all together. for brent deWitt of Mesa, arizona, his custom truck goal was to build something unique. it all started with a 1967-72 Suburban, a C-10 cab and a desire to build the truck GM never did back in the day but probably should have. in fact, for brent it was his second effort at building this body style in a crew cab. the first version was a 4×4 built several years ago with a big lift. brent missed that truck and vowed to recreate it, albeit this time around those rocker panels would be just inches from the pavement instead of feet, with a two-wheel-drive version slammed in the weeds. the goal was a ’72 GMC custom crew.

With the Suburban torn down to bare frame at Brent’s shop, Gypsum Floor Masters, his lead mechanic, Jesus Leon, grafted the rear section of a C-10 frame onto the front frame section of the Suburban. Once the two vehicles’ ’rails were seamlessly joined, Jesus continued the chassis’ stylish slam using Ridetech Level 2 coil-over suspension combined with Ridetech dropped spindles. The rear was brought down to earth using Ridetech Level 2 coil-overs, with a custom C-notch and trailing-arm setup providing the rear axle room to roam under full droop. Wilwood brakes at all four corners are concealed behind 22×8-inch front and 22×10-inch rear Delmo Specials mounted on Pirelli rubber.

For power, Brent chose a Generation V 5.3L L83 engine and 6L80 transmission out of a wrecked 2015 Chevy pickup. A swap of this kind requires some specific parts to make it run in an application like this. A Speartech wiring harness controls it, while the Dirty Dingo accessory drive moves the AC compressor for clearance. Another obstacle is the absence of a power steering pump, which was implemented on the Dirty Dingo drive kit. The 450-hp mill is vocalized via customized 2015 Chevy Hooker headers that feed a Magnaflow exhaust system.

With the chassis and drivetrain in check, Brent turned to Jim Whipple at Whipple Paint & Body to make all of the panels new and arrow straight. All of the welds joining the Suburban and C-10 cab back-half were smoothed and the bodywork was done to perfection, with a C-10 roof skin used to accomplish the correct proportions since the Suburban lid sits a touch higher. Whipple Paint & Body laid down the PPG Black and White two-tone and topped off the look with a fresh chrome factory GMC grille shell, new chrome bumpers, side trim, door handles, mirrors and GMC emblems. The look is oh so period perfect.

Brent DeWitt has crafted one cool crew cab GMC with just the right custom and classic OEM style blended to create a look that would be right at home in a 1972 GM dealer catalog. If only GM had built this truck back then.”

Between the doors, the retro experience continues with black-and-white hound’s-tooth upholstery sewn over front and back bench seats by Top Notch Upholstery. An original GM steering wheel, Dakota Digital gauges and original dash with climate controls and vents, trim and badging keep the OEM look flowing. Tunes from LS Customs are cleanly hidden within the cab, yet easily heard when the volume knob is cranked.

Brent DeWitt has crafted one cool crew cab GMC with just the right custom and classic OEM style blended to create a look that would be right at home in a 1972 GM dealer catalog. If only GM had built this truck back then.

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BUILDSPECS

OWNER

BRENT DEWITT
1972 GMC Custom Crew
Mesa, AZ

ENGINE

• 2015 Gen V 5.3L L83 engine with 450 hp
• Speartech engine wiring harness
• GM computer
• 2015 Chevy Hooker headers modified to fit
• Aluminum radiator with dual electric fans
• Dirty Dingo accessory drive with power steering pump
• K&N intake
• Magnaflow exhaust system
• Six-speed 6L80 transmission
• Two-piece driveshaft
• Custom fuel tank under bed, filler behind rear taillight

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

• Suburban front clip (extended 17 inches), C-10 rear section
• Ridetech dropped spindles
• Ridetech Level 2 coil- over suspension with front and rear StrongArm system
• Ridetech sway bar
• Wilwood brake system
• Custom C-notch
• 14-inch Wilwood disc brakes with six-piston front and four-piston calipers in the rear
• Wilwood master cylinder
• Unisteer rack-and- pinion steering

WHEELS & TIRES

• 22×8 and 22×10 Delmo Specials with GMC hub caps
• 265/35R22 285/35R22 Pirelli tires

BODY & PAINT

• Work performed by Whipple Paint & Body
• Suburban body cut down with C-10 back panel grafted on and the roof dropped 3 inches
• PPG Black and White two-tone
• Delmo Speed & Kustoms wheel tubs
• Porterbuilt hood hinges

INTERIOR & STEREO

• Black and white hound’s-tooth by Top Notch Upholstery
• Dakota Digital VHX gauges
• Audio by LS Customs
• Custom Autosound head unit
• Infinity speakers
• Kicker subs and amps
• ididit steering column

SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE OWNER: “Delmo’s Speed & Kustom, Dirty Dingo, Ridetech, Top Notch Upholstery and Wilwood Brakes.”

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