Maybe I really am crazy...but

[TRAILRIDER125]

Well I have never posted a picture on here, but I will try. This is my old 1975 GMC dually. I have driven it for 32 years, put in a new engine many years ago, actually almost everything has been replaced at one time or another! It still runs like new.
I had been considering getting a small nearly new motor home to go travelling. But I have started thinking, "I LOVE this old truck. Why do I think a used motor home would be any more reliable?" At least I know the ins and outs of this vehicle. So now I am looking for a truck camper. I can always go the motorhome route later if I want.
Anybody else camping with an old truck?

Now I have the picture showing up. And, yes, I will take care of the rust and cosmetic problems and paint it before putting a camper on it!

[DWeikert]

Nice truck! I'm also in the use it camp with the caveat you verify the rust is cosmetic only. Not sure what you've been using the truck for but there's nothing like loading 4000 lbs worth of camper in the bed to find any weak spots in the frame.

[joe123]

nice truck fix it and use it.

[jimmyfred]

TRAILRIDER125 wrote:
Not sure what a "granny trans" is?
It has a big 454 engine, dual fuel tanks and an Edelbrock carb. The engine kicks butt : ) But the gas mileage stinks : (
It is a standard trans, which I prefer. No air, roll up windows, no frills. Which I prefer also. I can do my own tune ups and basic repairs since it is so simple. Best of all, it is all heavy duty metal (except over the dual wheels.)
I also think a camper top in the same year range would be a great idea, if I come across one in very good condition. I'll be sure and post pics when I get it done.

Oh I forgot to mention that I used this truck to pull a 26' horse trailer all over the country several years ago. Usually had four horses on it.

...........My guess is , it has a SM 456 tranny , with 1st. gear being non synchronized ! So most times you take off in 2nd. , 1st. is the "granny" low . , jf

[Stefonius]

Beautiful truck! It really makes me miss my old '73 Blazer. That truck would pass anything except a gas station.

[jake2250]

That is an awesome truck! Some good info for you! Especially the HEI distributor, I had a 1973 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 with the 350, I did and HEI conversion from Mallory in the late 80s, It was the best ignition upgrade I have ever installed, It was a drop in unit that replaced the points and condenser, It was basically a laser light with a slotted wheel that replaced the points, then it had a control box that I mounted on the inner wheel well. Never had a distributor issue after that and it had a way better spark!

That is going to be one heck of an RV! A cab over camper will make that ride like a Cadillac!
My truck also had two 25 gallon tanks and I sure miss that,, as soon as one was at a 1/4, you just flip a switch to the full one and kept on motoring!

Very solid trick, I believe those had DANA 70 rears in them,, bullet proof!

Good luck with your rebuild and yes please post picts of the adventure!!
Sure miss my old truck, I'd buy it back in a heart beat if I could!!

[d3500ram]

The HEI conversion is more of a complete kit if you use the existing distributor shaft. I converted my old '72 Blazer and purchased a whole new distributor including shaft and just dropped in the whole schmee. The kits usually include everything including the module, coil, cap, rotor, etc... pretty much everything minus the wires and plugs.

When you put in the motor back in the day, did you use the original distributor? If it is the original it might be prudent to pull it and inspect the shaft play to decide if a new assembly might be the easier route.

This is what I dropped in when I converted:
Stock HEI distributor.
20 years ago it was only about $75.

[67avion]

Well, I think that an Avion camper would go well with that truck. Maybe a C11.

[TRAILRIDER125]

d3500ram, it does indeed have points. I will be putting on the new plugs, wires, dist cap and rotor next week. Is the HEI ignition you mentioned something I can look for when purchasing the dist cap?

[TRAILRIDER125]

Oh well, I just looked up granny trans....I would have to answer "yes." When I pull the horse trailer I use the 1st gear to pull off from a stop. It is a very low gear, just used to get moving when I'm pulling. I guess that's good.

[d3500ram]

Hey TrailRider- Since you have owned it for years I am sure you are familiar with all the idiosyncrasies of it. Years ago I used to work at a Cheby dealer and owned a few trucks of this era. Some things that I recall regarding this series of truck:

Fuel pumps seems to go out more than a few times. The stock design is a pushrod type located at the right- front of the block. It was always a bear to keep the pushrod in place when installing a new one. A little chassis grease on the rod will help keep it in place when installing the new one. If I had a truck of this year i might consider an electric pump. IIRC there are kits available that include all the wiring, fuses and block plate.

Does this truck have points? If so, drop in a new distributor with the HEI ignition... money well spent in my opinion.

Not sure if the 700R4 transmission was offered this early or not. They were generally not installed on 30 series trucks but I have seen them on 20 series. It is not the best transmission (with its overdrive) for doing heavy duty work unless re-built/ built up by a transmission shop. IIRC the TH350 was the standard for this truck- it is perceived as a good transmission.

The hood: KEEP THE HINGES LUBED! if they start to bind up then it will start to crack and buckle the hood metal. Cheap insurance against needing to replace a perfectly good hood.

Neat truck... wish they still made them like this... although doung brake pads on the rear are a PIA!

ON EDIT: Just saw your mention of a manual tranny in the post above... disregard my comments on the TH350.

[TRAILRIDER125]

Not sure what a "granny trans" is?
It has a big 454 engine, dual fuel tanks and an Edelbrock carb. The engine kicks butt : ) But the gas mileage stinks : (
It is a standard trans, which I prefer. No air, roll up windows, no frills. Which I prefer also. I can do my own tune ups and basic repairs since it is so simple. Best of all, it is all heavy duty metal (except over the dual wheels.)
I also think a camper top in the same year range would be a great idea, if I come across one in very good condition. I'll be sure and post pics when I get it done.

Oh I forgot to mention that I used this truck to pull a 26' horse trailer all over the country several years ago. Usually had four horses on it.

[slickrock_steve]

Some of us are also running older campers too!
Mine is a "72" El Dorado, and has been upgraded to Solar replenishment, and a newer holding tank, and toilet. If I can get water, I can even live in it for quite some time. I DO HAVE it mounted on my 2005 Ram with a Cummins, so no problem pulling mountains, and long distance. Wife and I did the 11 western states last year! Including Utah, Nevada, California, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Idaho, Montana, and Washington and Oregon.

I would look at the underside for any problems with seals on Diffs, and tranny before looking for a heavy camper though. Do you have a granny trans?

Our Rig....

[nomadictxn]

I like the truck. What size is the engine? Do you know the GVWR of the truck. Just curious. I use to have a 350 powered 78 Chevy 2500 with 4.55 gear set. It pulled hard off the line. Hell of a truck. I think your truck with fresh paint and an older Camper would be the BOMB!
Thanks for posting.

[Grit_dog]

Heck yeah! Especially if you're looking at old used motorhomes. 350 or big block?
When you re paint it go factory colors with a white cab!
If you're going to do some big trips and in the summer and have the budget I'd want fuel injected, AC cruise, good ergos, etc of something from this millennium.
I spent enough time in 60s to 80s reg cab Chebbies to not want to drive one X country unless I had to.
Bad arse truck though.
12V cummins swap would be the bomb!