Our new camper rig…1974 GMC

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

So we were out driving around the country this past Sunday morning enjoying our coffee, when Tasha looks up and exclaims we need that and points out the window. I looked at her confused and said need what, to which she replied that old camper thing out there in the field, it would be perfect for hauling a tractor to shows and save on motel rooms. 
 

I guess one good thing about living in this small rural community for close to 20 years is the fact that I know 99% of the people, so I said ok I happen to know the guy who owns it I’ll give him a call. He said he would be interested in selling or trading and to go ahead and drive in to have a look at it. I should have gotten some better pictures but forgot my phone in the pickup. But I did take this from the road, going out to look it over again tomorrow and try to work a deal out on it. 
 

What I do know about it is it is built on a 1974 GMC C20 chassis, but has at some point in time had an Olds V8 swapped into it (not sure what it is exactly but I do know enough that it’s an Olds rather than a Chevy/GMC engine) and has a 4 speed behind it, though I’m not sure if that’s original as it does have an auto steering column. I will try to get better pics tomorrow when I go back out there with the keys and a hot battery to try and make her run

Edited September 13, 2021 by ClassicTractorProfessor

[Pullstart 62,877]

Oh yeah Bryce!  Get it going and rock it!

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

I'm gonna try my best, the guy who has it is known to be quite the barterer, so I'm sure it won't be an easy one to strike a deal on. 

[ebinmaine 67,497]

Keep us posted. 

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,318]

Cool setup! Were you able to check out the interior of the camper? 

[Tractorhead 9,064]

That is a pretty cool Camper, i like the Skin.

 

get it running and use it for what it was built.

[TJ5208 1,824]

It look nice looks like it is a dually thats good. and let her run.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

Looks like it's parked in the middle of "WoodHenge" !

 

What's with all the wood poles?

 

[Pullstart 62,877]

1 hour ago, Jeff-C175 said:

Looks like it's parked in the middle of "WoodHenge" !

 

What's with all the wood poles?

 

 

A REALLY tall storage pavilion.  You just don’t see the roof!

[8ntruck 7,004]

2 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said:

Looks like it's parked in the middle of "WoodHenge" !

 

What's with all the wood poles?

 

It is a pole barn, of course.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

1 hour ago, 8ntruck said:

a pole barn

 

There's a few pieces missing I'd think?

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

At one time I think his intention was to put up a pole barn of some sort…I’ve been living here close to 20 years and they’ve been there as long as I can remember 

[wh500special 2,183]

I thought utility poles were the state tree in Oklahoma.  Maybe that’s a forest. 
 

Woodhenge:

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cahokia_Woodhenge

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

Got the keys from Joe tonight. Picking Tasha up from work and we are gonna go out and try to get it started. Will get some better pictures while we are out there and update soon

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

Got it running…definitely needs a tuneup and some fresh gas ran through it…got a little bit of fuel seepage around the seals in the carburetor, though that will be an easy remedy. Going back tomorrow to finalize the deal and hopefully bring her home

[Tractorhead 9,064]

The base looks pretty cool.

I would estimate it‘s an late 80’s right.

so far it looks good on the pictures, sure, little aged and therefore little care is needed,

but it looks still good - plus - it has a own Charme... i like it.

 

I don’t know your local rules for LPG Cooking and Heaters - as long as you be not yourself an LPG proffessional

let check once the whole LPG Gas system by Proffesionals for leakages, all other can be self made.

It‘s recommend to check all LPG tubes and the Pressure regulator for the Stove and Heater

if there be in and in good condition or exchange them if they more as 10 years old.

 -  For your own Safety and safe operations -

 

Have a lot of Fun and good times with her.

 

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

20 hours ago, Tractorhead said:

The base looks pretty cool.

I would estimate it‘s an late 80’s right.

 

 check once the whole LPG Gas system by Proffesionals 

 

The whole unit is built on the chassis of a 1974 GMC C20. I’m pretty sure that it was originally a 350 auto truck, but at some point in time has had a 455 Oldsmobile and 4-speed installed. 
 

I have a list of things that need to be tended to before the first time we take it out, and one of the higher priority items is checking out the entire LP system. 
 

We were able to finalize the deal this morning, I received the camper and $200 cash in exchange for an 8N Ford. Everyone seemed happy with the deal, the camper is now in a home that will put it to use, and Joe will probably get way more use out of the 8N than I ever would. We went out and picked it up this evening after Tasha got off work, truck ran great all the way home and I must say I was impressed, that big 455 moves it down the highway almost effortlessly, although you best have deep pockets, she’s a mighty thirsty old girl

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

Took the camper to town for morning coffee this morning so I could fill it up with fresh fuel…still amazed at how well this thing runs and drives. Takes me back to when I was a kid and camping with my great-grandparents in their old 74 Chevy with an Idle-Time truck camper

[Pullstart 62,877]

So awesome Bryce!  I love me an SM465 transmission!  

[wh500special 2,183]

That thing had a pretty swanky interior with those button tuft seats and blue carpet.  It wasn’t one of those “beau James” models was it?

[ebinmaine 67,497]

8 hours ago, ClassicTractorProfessor said:

…still amazed at how well this thing runs and drives

Super excellent Bryce

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

It was a nice evening so when we got back from my Grandpa’s birthday party Tasha got the rubbing compound out and went to work, I think with some final polishing that the old truck will really shine again. It was too dark by the time she got done with it to get a good picture, but here are some I took that really show the difference a little elbow grease made

[squonk 41,118]

9 hours ago, wh500special said:

That thing had a pretty swanky interior with those button tuft seats and blue carpet.  It wasn’t one of those “beau James” models was it?

Those seats were awesome. I always wanted a set when I had my 80's Chevys. 

 

Olds engine is unusual. You normally didn't see that until you had to replace a blown up diesel in the late 70's

[Achto 27,574]

4 hours ago, squonk said:

Olds engine is unusual. You normally didn't see that until you had to replace a blown up diesel in the late 70's

 

That was my thought as well. The early GM diesels were Olds blocks & they were not good on power or efficiency. I was involved with a few diesel to gas conversions using Olds 350's 

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

13 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

That was my thought as well. The early GM diesels were Olds blocks & they were not good on power or efficiency. I was involved with a few diesel to gas conversions using Olds 350's 

 

Worked at the service station a bit in high school and had a customer with an early diesel in a chevy pickup and it would barely pull itself up on the lube rack! Not the best idea ever! 

 

 

 

Randy