1986 GMC S-15
- Thread starter Andrew_S
- Start date
moderndaynorseman
Active member
Beautiful pictures! Once travel restrictions ease up, crossing over from Alberta will be on my list again.
ITTOG
Well-known member
As already mentioned, beautiful pictures. It is amazing the places you have nearby to visit. Down here in South Texas I can go 500 miles, almost, and not see much that is interesting.
I don't know about you but I love going places where I'm the first on the road that year. My in-laws have some property that we camp at that is like that at times and for some reason I find it enjoyable whenever I have to break out the chainsaw to clear the road.
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I don't know about you but I love going places where I'm the first on the road that year. My in-laws have some property that we camp at that is like that at times and for some reason I find it enjoyable whenever I have to break out the chainsaw to clear the road.
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Todd780
OverCamper
Agreed!
Andrew_S
Observer
Thanks for all the good words guys.
Real short update here,
Big maintenance day for the '86...
Been putting off repairing this hanger for literally months. I think it took me longer to switch tanks on the welder then the repair.
Picture does a horrible job of doing the amount of work and effort it took to polish up the rims. 4 hours of messing around but they turned out great.
June-ary 7th? crazy weather on Sunday
Real short update here,
Big maintenance day for the '86...
Been putting off repairing this hanger for literally months. I think it took me longer to switch tanks on the welder then the repair.
Picture does a horrible job of doing the amount of work and effort it took to polish up the rims. 4 hours of messing around but they turned out great.
June-ary 7th? crazy weather on Sunday
Andrew_S
Observer
On todays epidose of " Things learned the hard way"
You should definitely heed the warning "use only honda power steering fluid"
I did not, and a couple days later the fluid ate through all the seals on the wifes power steering rack... 6 hours later and it's hopefully fixed.
Quick truck/camper update,
Built this little canoe/trailer hitch mount. This is just for quick trips down to the lake when the camper is not on, not for extensive journeys.
Picked up a Victron DC/DC charger. Now we can top up our house battery as we are driving.
This will also give us the flexibility to adopt solar and lithium down the road if we choose to go that route.
Mounting the DC/DC charger and shunt for the battery monitor.
This is part of the reason why we haven't finished out the interior just yet. We are still technically building this unit.
The wifey did up this nice little wiring diagram so I can pretty up the rats nest of wiring that currently resides in the topper.
You should definitely heed the warning "use only honda power steering fluid"
I did not, and a couple days later the fluid ate through all the seals on the wifes power steering rack... 6 hours later and it's hopefully fixed.
Quick truck/camper update,
Built this little canoe/trailer hitch mount. This is just for quick trips down to the lake when the camper is not on, not for extensive journeys.
Picked up a Victron DC/DC charger. Now we can top up our house battery as we are driving.
This will also give us the flexibility to adopt solar and lithium down the road if we choose to go that route.
Mounting the DC/DC charger and shunt for the battery monitor.
This is part of the reason why we haven't finished out the interior just yet. We are still technically building this unit.
The wifey did up this nice little wiring diagram so I can pretty up the rats nest of wiring that currently resides in the topper.
Last edited:
Andrew_S
Observer
Quick update,
This has been our "chuck box" for almost ten years now. This has also been the bane of my existence for that entire time.
In the spirit of starting another project before I finish the other ones, time to build a decent storage box.
Just need to get some hinges and finish off the lid/cover.
Proceeded to tear all of the wiring out of the camper, time to do this the right way.
Seeing as we have shifted almost entirely to cooking on the fire. It was time to upgrade our cookware. Picked up this 120 oz pot and nice size pan from Pathfinder. These should really improve our cooking experience.
Took a gamble and built the box before the cookware came in the mail. Was super relieved when it all fit nicely.
Finished off the weekend by giving both trucks a good wash/wax
This has been our "chuck box" for almost ten years now. This has also been the bane of my existence for that entire time.
In the spirit of starting another project before I finish the other ones, time to build a decent storage box.
Just need to get some hinges and finish off the lid/cover.
Proceeded to tear all of the wiring out of the camper, time to do this the right way.
Seeing as we have shifted almost entirely to cooking on the fire. It was time to upgrade our cookware. Picked up this 120 oz pot and nice size pan from Pathfinder. These should really improve our cooking experience.
Took a gamble and built the box before the cookware came in the mail. Was super relieved when it all fit nicely.
Finished off the weekend by giving both trucks a good wash/wax
Andrew_S
Observer
I've set a goal to complete both the Solid axle swap and new engine build by the end of the year.
I'm just tired of this stuff taking up space.
Pulled the 8.8 out today and started blowing it apart and cleaning it up.
Wire wheeled and chipped away at all the rust for a good 2-3 hours.
Cutting off the spring pads and sway bar mounts next.
Got my wiring diagram a little more sorted out.
I've got all of the remaining parts for the new engine on order. Contemplating placing a large parts order for the SAS here soon.
I'm just tired of this stuff taking up space.
Pulled the 8.8 out today and started blowing it apart and cleaning it up.
Wire wheeled and chipped away at all the rust for a good 2-3 hours.
Cutting off the spring pads and sway bar mounts next.
Got my wiring diagram a little more sorted out.
I've got all of the remaining parts for the new engine on order. Contemplating placing a large parts order for the SAS here soon.
1stDeuce
Explorer
This is my favorite thread too... Never disappointed by your posts Andrew!!!
I'm going to have to pick up an 8.8 in Canada... They want $500+ for them around here, which is stoopid because there are hundreds of them in all of the yards... Unfortunately, all the local yards have also gone "no public yard access", which means you have to pay them to remove anything you need, no matter how tiny, and you don't see it till they bring it out, after you pay...
Enjoy the good times while they last!!
I'm going to have to pick up an 8.8 in Canada... They want $500+ for them around here, which is stoopid because there are hundreds of them in all of the yards... Unfortunately, all the local yards have also gone "no public yard access", which means you have to pay them to remove anything you need, no matter how tiny, and you don't see it till they bring it out, after you pay...
Enjoy the good times while they last!! Mad German
New member
I've read this entire thread and love it. Your skills are top notch, Andrew. I'm living vicariously through you, imagining I have the skills you do, lol!!
Andrew_S
Observer
Man, the amount of times I've cursed that old tote with everything stacked up on top of itself... sheesh."This has been our "chuck box" for almost ten years now. This has also been the bane of my existence for that entire time"
Hilarious and looks very familiar to our setup too.... Trucks are looking fantastic though...
I'm the type of person, everything has to have a spot, and if it doesn't , it's just a disaster.
Thanks! Holy smokes that sounds like a nightmare. I hope we never loose our local yards. Shoot I might have to buy a new truck if that happens...This is my favorite thread too... Never disappointed by your posts Andrew!!!
I'm going to have to pick up an 8.8 in Canada... They want $500+ for them around here, which is stoopid because there are hundreds of them in all of the yards... Unfortunately, all the local yards have also gone "no public yard access", which means you have to pay them to remove anything you need, no matter how tiny, and you don't see it till they bring it out, after you pay...
Skills is a misrepresentation, stubborn and ignorant is likely a better choice of words . If I didn't make mistakes and have to redo everything 2-3 times, I would have all of the ongoing projects done a long time ago. Thanks man, I really appreciate it.
'84 looking great, and shifting great too! what a relief.
Now for something a bit different
Back to homeland, Ontario. Beautiful flight over the Monashees
At my old mans shop. Goal was to get this old '83 back on the road. So, same/same, but different?
My nephew pitching in,
Little paddling,
Top water fishing for pike is about as good as it gets
The endless lakes are the most beautiful part of Ontario in my opinion
Couple days at the families cottage
The lake is a swamp of bass and perch, unreal fishing
Photos like these blow me away. It's amazing what changes in a year and a half
Andrew_S
Observer
Back to the regularly scheduled program.
I wish I had the camper on for this pic, but it's a still a great comparison of different size rigs.
Willing to bet my buddies camper alone weighs almost as much as my truck.
The'86 developed a nice little exhaust tick on over the last week. Found it this morning.
Might be a show stopper for our long weekend plans.
Finishing up the chuck box,
Final product,
I wish I had the camper on for this pic, but it's a still a great comparison of different size rigs.
Willing to bet my buddies camper alone weighs almost as much as my truck.
The'86 developed a nice little exhaust tick on over the last week. Found it this morning.
Might be a show stopper for our long weekend plans.
Finishing up the chuck box,
Final product,
Todd780
OverCamper
Looks like a great trip!Man, the amount of times I've cursed that old tote with everything stacked up on top of itself... sheesh.
I'm the type of person, everything has to have a spot, and if it doesn't , it's just a disaster.
Thanks! Holy smokes that sounds like a nightmare. I hope we never loose our local yards. Shoot I might have to buy a new truck if that happens...
Skills is a misrepresentation, stubborn and ignorant is likely a better choice of words . If I didn't make mistakes and have to redo everything 2-3 times, I would have all of the ongoing projects done a long time ago. Thanks man, I really appreciate it.
'84 looking great, and shifting great too! what a relief.
Now for something a bit different
Back to homeland, Ontario. Beautiful flight over the Monashees
At my old mans shop. Goal was to get this old '83 back on the road. So, same/same, but different?
My nephew pitching in,
Little paddling,
Top water fishing for pike is about as good as it gets
The endless lakes are the most beautiful part of Ontario in my opinion
Couple days at the families cottage
The lake is a swamp of bass and perch, unreal fishing
Photos like these blow me away. It's amazing what changes in a year and a half