1976 GMC pickup with a few things added....

[roamingaz]

So after selling my old Ford and 4 wheel camper I needed another truck and I really didn't have a clue what I was going to look for, my first choice was a Landcruiser but they are expensive and hard to find without alot of miles. I searched and looked at least 50 different vehicles even some 2 wheel drives but nothing cought my attention untill I came across this old Chevy pickup, it had had a bunch of work done and included a 8 inch thick binder of receipts, detailed diagrams, maintence history, even part numbers itemized for every single part on the truck!
I really didn't want another full size truck but with this truck having a manual trans and the 350 carborated engine it is simple to work on and parts are available just about everywhere. So $3500 and the truck is now in my driveway, hopefully it works out well and I can keep it more then a year:sombrero:

So the truck as I got it, almost looked like a crap magnet.

I had a bumper off a suburban that fit perfect and looks a lot cleaner, cleaned up and removed some stuff made a big differance.

The bed had a camper on it but it was a cheap plastic type, for now a tool box has taken it's place.

The engine and interior has a lot of custom work done. I have been cleaningmost of it up and sealing up oil leaks.

 

[Chucho]

Nice Rig!!!!

 

[Deleted member 9101]

That thing looks like a beast!

 

[xpndbl3]

Truck looks great, one thing I noticed, ditch all that rubber fuel line from the pump to the carb, that is just asking for a fire.

 

[Rot Box]

Looks good if it turns out as nice as your Ford did you'll have a great rig :sombrero:

If you decide you can't live with the Edelbrock on the trail consider a Quadrajet. They work great and can take some pretty decent angles vs. the E'brock that flood out when driving through potholes :snorkel:

 

[1leg]

If you decide you can't live with the Edelbrock on the trail consider a Quadrajet. They work great and can take some pretty decent angles vs. the E'brock that flood out when driving through potholes :snorkel:

Ditto, Edelbrock carb are not the great for a off road truck.

you should concider a TBI set up, pretty cheap if you use the stock parts.

 

[bftank]

wow that looks really clean! is it a half ton or 3/4? i like the dash. pass floor seems like a wierd spot to put the battery though.

 

[Mamontof]

Wow.What a old classical powerful beauty !!!!:wings:

 

[Nick02]

lol who owned it before you..a brah?

glad you're the new owner:victory:

gonna do crossover steering conversion?

 

[96discoXD]

Nice classic chevy there! I bought my '90 GMC for the same reason you bought that rig, stupid simple to work on. The best thing about your truck is any little town will likely have a shop or garage with parts in stock. Can't wait to see the build.

 

[redthies]

Hope that thing has a/c! Black trucks must be a ton of fun in summer in A.J.! I guess you get used to it... I must have missed it- how come you sold the Ford and FWC?

 

[roamingaz]

Hope that thing has a/c! Black trucks must be a ton of fun in summer in A.J.! I guess you get used to it... I must have missed it- how come you sold the Ford and FWC?

I made it through the summer with no AC and wasnt too bad. The 4wheel camper I had just wasn't my style and I got a offer for the truck and camper I couldn't turn down.
We should meet up when you get back to AJ !


SO.....a few updates on the truck, I have been slowly buying stuff and waiting for it to cool down outside so I can actually work on the truck with out getting roasted.


I had tried a couple different camper shells but it felt too cramped and access to stuff was difficult so I had to change my build plans.
I endured all summer with a ice chest so first on my list was a fridge, and a quick trip to Sierra Expeditions took care of that. Next up I decided a roof top tent is so much nicer then a ground tent for many different reasons, the tent just got here today, still working on a rack for it.
I have a list of stuff I want to get done and will be updating as I go, I am leaving tomarrow for 2 weeks for work so ordering more stuff so it will be here when I get back.

Anyone ever seen a camo roof top tent?

Here is the RTT set on temporary rack, the tent was a prototype, don't you love the blue trim on the camo?!

The fridge and 80 watt solar panel


Up next on the list:

wire up solar panel, controller, dual battery setup

Install 2 front offroad lights

finish rack for RTT

custom cover for truck bed opening

 

[Humvette]

Awesome!
Was the tent expensive?
I mean i have seen some that are $k's and i just do not understand why. I have a nice Marmot Limelight 2 tent and it was $125 for the ground.
M

 

[roamingaz]

Awesome!
Was the tent expensive?
I mean i have seen some that are $k's and i just do not understand why. I have a nice Marmot Limelight 2 tent and it was $125 for the ground.
M

There is a lot of debate weather the cost of a roof top tent is worth the cost, for me it is. I have a very nice Kelty ground tent, Thermarest pad and Marmot down sleeping bag and together they are awesome BUT a roof tent allows me to set up camp were ever I park the truck regardless of rocks, cactus, mud, ants, even a parking lot if I needed to whereas a ground tent I couldn't do any of those. Another nice feature of a roof tent vs. ground tent is I am up higher so I can open all the windows in the roof tent and get much better ventilation then a tent down on the ground, thats important during the summer here in Arizona.
I paid $800 shipped for my tent and that is a lot of cash to spend considering you could get a awesome 4 season tent for half the cost but most people that try a roof tent never go back to ground tents, they are that nice.
Check out Camping Lab.com , I have had one of those tents and they are good for a good price.

 

[rparker762]

Awesome truck. It should serve you well. Now if I can just find me one. I know a few people out in AJ and get out there a few times a month. I'm up in Glendale. Cant wait to see more pics