Square body extended cabs

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by rare86

Information on these trucks is somewhat scarce. I have found several that I know where made by Custom Vehicles International in Arlington Texas, and one made by Stage Coach conversions. From the information from owners that I have talked to, I have come to the conclusion that most of the trucks were built by Custom Vehicles International, and then shipped to various conversion companies that finished the interior and paint upgrades. The most extravegant ones, interior and exterior wise, are the Western Hauler, Overland Coach, and Tra-Tech conversions. I have one Tra-Tech extended crewcab, and two half ton extended cabs. The halftons do not have the fancy interior, which leads me to believe they may have been completed at CVI before delivery. I have found that the majority of these trucks were special order through dealers at a cost of $6000 according to one owner who has had his truck since new. I have contacted Western Hauler, and have been told they dont have any records of these trucks, though I have seen several with their badges on them. I have not been able to get any information on CVI, Tra-Tech, Overland Coach, or Stage Coach conversions. Its like they just disappeared. I am still looking though. I have found one guy who says he has a brochure from CVI with one on the cover, but cant get in contact with him for a copy.
Production numbers are all over the board. I have heard that 2510 total were made between 84-87, and I have heard that only 50 were made in 84 and 500 made in 85. I have not heard any production numbers for the extended crewcabs, of which I have only seen 8 total. This is why this site thread has been started, so we can try to document as many as possible.

Currently, these are the stats that I know of:
20-1/2ton extended cabs: 1-83, 2-84s, 13-85s, 2-86s (both GMC's) and
2-87s.

5-1/2 ton 4wds (all 85 Chevys)

3-3/4 ton 2wds

4-3/4 ton 4wds

2- 1 ton extednded cabs (cabs are correct, dont know for sure if they were orignally 1 ton duallies)

8- extended crewcabs- 4 have the pickup bed, and the other 4 have the Western hauler beds.
This is just what I have so far. I have more photos and info on http://conversiontrucks.net



This is where you come in. Any information you may have will be very valuable to putting the peices of this puzzle together. Any information is just speculation until we can find the hard documentation. For now, we just keep our eyes and ears open for the truth.

Here is information to help determine the difference between one made in the 80's sold through dealers, and ones made more recently.
I know that all of the CVI conversions had these interior peices ( note the back wall, jumper seats, and window surrounds. Some of the Overland Coach and Western Hauler interiors have more, padded type window surrounds)

The back portion of the cab used the floor section that was removed from the bed.

And this is how the bed was modified
[IMG]http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh203/choptop76
/comparionsofbeds.jpg[/IMG]

COntact this dealer, they used to sell them and may have some records
James Wood Chevrolet
2111 S Hwy 287 · Decatur, TX 76234
SALES (940) 539-0715· SERVICE (940) 539-9095

[Western hauler]

I have a 92 western hauler extended cab

[rare86]

I will check with them. Im gonna be that way at the end of the week, so I will be digging around the area for info. Thanks alot

[Billetmaster]

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by Billetmaster

I would be willing to sell the bed off of mine if anyone was interested. I am putting a regular short bed on it when I bag it.

Im sure rare86 whould like to have the CVI number thats on the driver side door jam.

[rare86]

Originally Posted by clinebarger

Im sure rare86 whould like to have the CVI number thats on the driver side door jam.

Oh yeah, and any other info you have on it. Ive seen it a few times, but never had a chance to contact you.

[Greenlee]

This one has been at a used car lot near my house for several years. I can't believe no one has snatched it up. I noticed it turned up on Craigslist a few days ago. I would like to have it, but I have enough projects. I remember seeing a few of these in the late 80's, but it was uncommon to see them even back then. This is the first one I have seen in person in probably 20 years.

http://houston.craigslist.org/ctd/1458471708.html

[Billetmaster]

Thought I would post a pic of the truck.

[rare86]

GM didnt build any square body extended cabs. The last one built in the aftermarket world in the regular extended cabs have all been 87's. I know of one 88 and one 89 Extended crewcabs. Due to a couple of trucks I have looked at in person, I believe there were two companies building them. Bobs84got me paying more attention when I saw his, and saw another one that comfirmed the same thing. It seems CVI and a company named Stagecoach both built the extended cabs. They are built basically the same way, but the Stagecoach trucks have a smaller rear window, and more bondo in the cab than the CVI trucks. The rear florrs were built a little different, but the extended cab dimensions are similar except the rear windows.

[CHEESE]

HERE IS A GOOD FIND
1985 Silverado Extended Cab - $1600 (Amarillo,TX)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2009-11-23, 10:34PM CST
Reply to: sale-5hysp-1479935770@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


In 1985 Custom Vehicles Inc. built 500 extended cab trucks for Gm. Sold off the factory floor. This truck is a numbered truck and very rare. I have done quite a bit of work to the truck and drove it everyday. It runs good. I have owned it for five years, second owner.
New parts:
Rear end rebuilt about 8,000 mi. ago (strong)
Rebuilt th350 transmission about 4000 mi ago (new torque converter)
New steering and suspension
Radiator , water pump, thermostat
Power steering pump
Starter is brand new
Exhaust is fairly new
More pictures available. If interested email me and I will respond back. Thank you, Russell


Location: Amarillo,TX
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests



PostingID: 1479935770


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2009 craigslist, inc. terms of use privacy policy feedback forum

[rare86]

I have seen that one before. Not a bad looking truck.
http://amarillo.craigslist.org/cto/1479935770.html

[rare86]

Heres one I havent seen yet. Its a hitop extended cab. Ive seen the crewcab version, but not the regular extended cab. Trying to talk the wife into it.I dont need it, but it'll make a nice addition to the collection.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/1474866147.html

[jgh64pkup]

whats up with the taillights

[rare86]

Theyre begging to be replaced. I can hear them from here.

[Scootin 81 C20]

Is it just me, or does that high top look like a 3/4 ton? BTW, I want that rear bumper.

[rare86]

It is a 3/4 ton so you eyes are not deceiving you

[heavychevy79]

Well it's mine now, I traded my 79 Malibu wagon for it even though the wagon runs and the truck does not. I can get another wagon, but not a truck
like this one.

It runs on straight propane, if it did run. It has a BB396 but originally had a
6.2 diesel.

As far as the cab conversion goes I can't find any company logo in any of the
usual places. It was done well so it must have been a conversion company,
and not a backyard job.

I'm still not real sure how to get into the back seat without hurting myself.

Taillights seem to be done well, without much filler. Has P.M. trailer lights.
The tailgate is all steel with latch moved to the inside but missing handle.

There is filler coming loose on top but at least it's not rusting.

I plan to put a stock 350 in it and use the propane system too.
It will be perfect cause all my buddies can get in to ride around or haul cars.

[rare86]

Congradulations, I am so gload you bought that one. I have been trying to figure out how to buy it myself, but really didnt need it. Keep me updated on the progress and join my site if you dont mind so the others can keep track as well.

[JohnC]

Is that a 88-98 tailgate on there?

[texasfunk]

Originally Posted by JohnC

Is that a 88-98 tailgate on there?

it looks weire, the body line doesnt flow onto the tailgate or back of the bed like normal, its crazy lookin, just flat

[heavychevy79]

Ok I joined your site rare86. Didn't have time to check it out yet.
I'm going take some better pics soon, those came out darker than I thought
they would have.

Now that you say that JohnC I think you're right about the tailgate being an
88-98. It's a little bit too smooth for me, I might put a 88-98 tailgate band
on it to break it up.

Yeah I was looking at that dually the other day, looks kinda rough for what they are asking.

[JohnC]

Maybe find one of the emblems off the newer vehicles and stick on there.

[bowtieguy79]

I love seeing these trucks. Nice CL score on the blue one heavychevy79!

There used to be a Grey 86 ext 2wd half ton in Havana, IL when I was a teenager running around (97-99). Always told the guy I would buy it when he was finished with it, about 3 years later I saw it smashed and sitting on a trailer headed for the chipper.....

There is a ext cab dually around Peoria, IL. It is lowered and has a very tastefull paint job of Black and silver stripes with some orange in there some where. If I see it around again, I'll be sure to snap photo's. It was for sale a while back for like $7500 but I just had no need for it.

Very cool thread, lots of neat pictures!

[rare86]

Somebody buy this one. I want it, but cant come up with the funds right now.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/1542312855.html

[GmtGmt]

Originally Posted by rare86

Somebody buy this one. I want it, but cant come up with the funds right now.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/1542312855.html

im almost ready to cry