Re: GM Semis
 

I now own this truck, a 1980 GMC General. It has a Detroit 8V92TA (435HP) with Fuller 13-speed and spring rear suspension. In process of changing starter, steering box leaks heavily & someone removed the air conditioning compressor & condenser (hoses are cut near steering box). Transmission needs some synchros replaced but it does shift. Driver’s door handle has been broken off long ago as well.

There is a rusty hydraulic tank on the passenger’s side but no PTO/wet kit…the frame’s dropped crossmember underneath engine/trans has been torch cut as well, so I wonder if someone swapped in this engine/transmission.

I do intend to fix what I can and get it back on the road for shows & parades as a collector vehicle; it will be a tribute to my late Grandfather (mother’s side) who was a diehard GM trucker from the 1940s through the 1990s. I have his 1982 GMC 3/4-ton pickup with a Detroit 4-53T (with Jakes) that he used to pull his fifth-wheel RV around the country with.

Re: GM Semis
 

Looks good.

Do you have any videos of the '82?

Re: GM Semis
 

This truck was still parked in that same spot until earlier this year when the property was sold and the truck & trailer disappeared. I had tried to contact the property owner (property had a mobile home on it that was long abandoned) about purchasing this truck to add to my 1980 General but never got a response. I have no idea where this truck ended up, shame.

ETA: It was a short wheelbase single rear axle.

It was on Midvalley Road just west of Minersville Hwy in Cedar City, Utah.

The property was rezoned for a multi-home new development (another shame!).

Re: GM Semis
 

Thank you!

No, sorry, don’t have any videos of the 82 with the 4-53T yet….it’s in storage on my property until I have time to work on it. Everything leaks and most parts are worn out, it needs a total overhaul. My Grandfather had a shop in Northern California do the conversion, and they could have done a better job, but it did go coast-to-coast almost a dozen times with no issues, so there’s that. It has a Spicer 3053A 5-speed transmission from a military M35A2 Deuce-and-a-half truck, with the hole between 3rd & 4th gear. I have 2 Deuces (1975 AM-General & 1971 Kaiser-Jeep) so I have several of these transmissions that are working pull-outs for spares….

I also have a 1944 Chevy G506 1.5-ton 4x4 that is totally clapped out…it was an old southern Nevada mining truck that was literally ridden hard & put away wet. I have visions of taking the 4-53T and putting it in this truck, then taking the 82 cab and swapping it onto a semi-truck chassis with either a 6V92T or 8V92T (I have both in crates, just need rebuilds). I also have a new fiberglass tilt hood from the larger C60-80 series.

I will never be bored! LOL

Re: GM Semis
 

Here’s my GMC General in my shop…still trying to get my shop organized & insulated, but am always short on time. Truck has a different license plate than original picture but both still from Wyoming; unless mine is a twin to the one in the original photo.

Just thought you’d all appreciate pics & proof that at least one truck from the start of this thread has survived and will be taken care of.

Re: GM Semis
 

Whadya know, I did manage to get a short video clip of my 1982 GMC 3/4-ton with Detroit 4-53T running, just before I put it into covered storage near my shop:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_0r-yBiqLI

Re: GM Semis
 

Detroit sounds good.

Keep us posted on your projects.

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Out hunting a k2500 with a service body with a friend. Didn't buy the k but this caught my eye.
The k20 was too rusty, came home empty handed

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Nice 4x4s, too bad the 2500 was rusted out…

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It was too rusty for spoiled california peoples

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:haha:

The fire truck looks like it’s in amazing shape. Gotta admit I’m a sucker for the larger trucks, especially 4x4/6x6…

Re: GM Semis
 

Thanks! I’ll do my best…I’m just unbelievably busy these days; not only do I have my own trucks to work on (collector trucks plus military trucks and old Caterpillar crawlers/dozers) but I do maintenance & fabrication for local contractors. I’ve gathered quite a few old Detroit Diesel tools so I can do repairs & tune-ups on 2-stroke DDs. Plus I like to buy military 8V92s at auctions mainly for parts…bought one not too long ago for $800 that was mounted on a like-new $6,000 engine stand!

I grew up helping my late Grandfather run & repair Detroit 2-strokes…I vividly remember as a teenager in the 1970s when he was working on an 8V71, barring it over to run the rack, and it fired up and ran!! The ratchet luckily just stuck to the front crank bolt and unscrewed it…I had visions of the ratchet going through the radiator or worse. From then on he engaged fuel or air shut-offs before barring anything over, and I do the same to this day! Obviously we didn’t work in a factory-authorized repair center….

Re: GM Semis
 

Single rear axle Generals are rare! I don't think GMC offered them until '79 or '80, and even then most single screw convetional buyers went for the Brigadier 9500's.

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GMC Fire Truck looks good. It's a '66 along with nice Wide Front Fenders. Did you catch what model it was? 4000? 5000?

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You know I didn't look. But the fender says gmc 4000

Re: GM Semis
 

I'll bet that fire truck is a 'factory' KV4000. It's definately a '66, notice how the 'GMC' script on the emblems and grille is the newer square style still used today, not the curved type they used from '60 to '65.

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"Pat's Pair" at the ATHS Tri-State show a few weeks ago. pat is 60 lcf here on this site

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FB grabs

Hard working lpg tank

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That tilt cab is probably a 702 V-12.

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Better be.
Be a lot if work for anything less

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Matt Carberry pic

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I hope that tractor has another large propane tank on the other side. Could you imagine how fast a 702 would go through propane?

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IMO, very uncommon to see a tilt with a long frame dual drive set up. This GMC is a rare one. With the sleeper on it, I would say dual fuel tanks would be mandatory item for those long hauls.

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'62 or '63

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Wish I could see the Front Bumper better, but it very well could be a 6500.

Re: GM Semis
 

I agree. I looked up the 1962 LW7000 and the longest wheelbase available was 158" with a 295" overall length. That tractor might have been a 158" wheelbase model, or it was some even longer SEO. The longer wheelbase certainly gave more space for fuel tanks and long wheelbase tractors are more stable on grades.

Re: GM Semis
 

Wasn't sure what thread to put this in but, since the main trucks featured here are from GM here goes.
Back in the day instead of Richard Petty battling Dale Earnhardt, Buddy Baker and, Cale Yarbrough, there was another series out there in the United States where Jimmy's were battling against Whites, Petes, Frieghtshakers, Husky's and, Kennys. Here are some photos from back in the day that I found online. Apparently they got banned from one of the NASCAR tracks because the weight of the semis tore up the surface of the track too badly.

Re: GM Semis
 

I never got to watch one of those races. I have watched a video about that gal who raced them. She was a tough cookie.

That Tilt Cab is exceptional. Neat to see one so heavy. Dual tanks would be a must, but there is a big reserve tank out back

Re: GM Semis
 

Nice haul ($$$) for Baswell. Anybody need a high compression 327 and powerglide?

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Nice wrecks. Ouch!

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Fb grabs

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I like the early rigs. This Texaco truck looks like they altered the door

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Fb grabs

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Export models were often chassis-cowls, cabs were supplied locally. I think that's what this GMC was. Butterfields Of Shipley was a English manufacturer of tanks.

Re: GM Semis
 

Good point, Bob. And since it's Thanksgiving I want to take a second to let you know how much I appreciate what you bring to this board. You are a true asset. Thank you

Re: GM Semis
 

I'll take it all, thank you!

Re: GM Semis
 

As always, my pleasure! And I would like to thank you and all the other 'regulars' around here, I learn an awful lot as well.

Re: GM Semis
 

Bus trailer ?

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That thing is loooong. Must be for really smart people :lol:

There was that beautiful black GMC 5th wheel bus in videos from South America and I've seen that configuration in '30s vehicles. There's a YouTube video about why we don't have trailer buses but I never watched it. I think I'll try to find that now that I'm more curious. That's a heavy load full of workers and tools/gear below

Re: GM Semis
 

Hopefully it had an air ride suspension:lol: