New to here-kind of old everywhere else

[66Grandeguy]

Hi folks another Northern Canadian here. I have admired and coveted these trucks since they were new. Its great to see that Collectible Automobile is finally getting around to doing a long article on them in the next issue!

As with most of the older folks on here, I have had numerous of these over the years and have wrecked, wasted or parted out a few. The only two I've been able to hang onto are a 1969 CST (not made that way-upgraded, I have to admit) It has a 250 with an Auto PS/PB and over the years I've been able to add every option you could get in 1969 (approx) except for AC (which you really don't need up here much) All this stuff - buckets, cruise, tilt, tach, vacuum gauge, speed warning, eight track player and AmFm is OEM. The only repro parts are minor such as the cool little slide out cup holder in the former ashtray and new heat sliders controls as the old one finally snapped after only 47 years. Humph!

She's a cutey and has been all over Alberta with me over the last 20 years, albeit rather slowly.

The other one is a project I picked up a few years ago that is one of 33 built as far as the Canadian Vintage Vehicle Services paperwork shows. It's a Canadian-built 1967 1/2 ton GMC short box stepside 4X4. It was rigged up as a mountain-based work truck for the Forest Service I believe as it came with the 292 4 speed, 16 inch wheels, 3:55 gears and a posi according to the SPID. Bit rusty around the bottom half of the cab but otherwise solid and the box must have had a cap on it as the wood floor is still really good.

Great to find this massive source of good will and good info. I look forward to talking quite a bit.

I will post a few pics as soon as I figure out how.

[Warrens69GMC]

Welcome! We like pictures here 😀

[66Grandeguy]

OK first try at pics. Here's a few of the 67. The first one is kind of dark and if it wasn't covered with snow at the moment I'd take a better one. Hopefully you'll get the idea.

[66Grandeguy]

Couldn't upload any of the 69 CST. Something about a security token?

[Warrens69GMC]

File is too big. Need to resize and then they will load. Nice GMC!

[66Grandeguy]

Yeah, the back fenders must have been replaced as they are from a later year but I have a good set of 67's and a good solid cab from a 68 one ton so should be a fairly simple project. These days I have a real soft spot for the basic work truck with no options to speak of as they are nice simple systems and I spent a lot of time in ones like that as an ex-forestry guy
The only perk this truck had was power brakes (oddly enough) and a heavy duty heater for those cold mountain days. They didn't even spring for the gauge package.

I'll work on the pics. Thanks for the tip.

[66Grandeguy]

OK found the time to try this again. Note the eight track is a stock unit that interconnects with the radio. The only deviation from stock was to use the door
speaker cutouts that a previous owner had cut into them. I also incorporated a subwoofer under the drivers seat that really adds a lot of presence to the music. I usually use good quality blank 8 tracks and record cd material using an old Akai 8 track recorder that still works really well. Very groovy man!

[68bowtie]

Both very nice pickups

[ghackett1]

Originally Posted by 66Grandeguy

OK first try at pics. Here's a few of the 67. The first one is kind of dark and if it wasn't covered with snow at the moment I'd take a better one. Hopefully you'll get the idea.

Nice truck—welcome from SW Florida!

[Getter-Done]

Nice collection.



Welcome to the forum.

[dagnabbitt]

I love that 67, I feel like I have seen it before.

[66Grandeguy]

Hi Dave it was originally sold out of Dawson creek as part of a fleet sale (I think) but I bought it here locally a few years ago. It runs and drives but need the entire lower back of the cab redone for sure. The rest is quite solid.
I have been picking up parts for it including a correct steering wheel but its just a question of getting to the front of the line to be the next project. My plan is to redo it totally original as they were pretty tough, capable trucks. Not sure how much I'll drive it day to day, as when I had a 72 short box 4X4 years ago, they sure were a back killer!

I might have to put in a set of OEM shoulder harnesses that I acquired just to keep me in the seat!

[dagnabbitt]

I remember now that it looks like the one that I went to see in Lac La Biche - I now remember it to be a fleetside - I passed on buying it and I always regretted that decision.

The board is a great source of info for these trucks. What other parts does it need?

[66Grandeguy]

Well I would like to trade my chrome bumper (which is in really nice shape) for a correct white one. i thiank that was a later addition. Not sure if 67's are supposed to have the top dimples on the bumpers that some of the GMCs had. A nice white 67 grille would be nice too. This one is really straight but was just painted black by someone so should be recoverable.
Otherwise I don't really need much that I know of. That may change once I start to take it apart.

[mr.mud1]

welcome aboard from the east coast,nice trucks.you'll find lots of help and support here,just ask.take care.

[dagnabbitt]

The stepside fender pictured appears to be a later addition, since it has a side marker. The original one would have been a cut out fender to accommodate the P13 SM Spare Tire Carrier option. Since they have a tendency to collect snow and salt and therefore rust out our in our climate - and they are not repopped - it is common to see them replaced with "regular" later model fenders.

Oddly enough I have a spare 67 grill, but the previous owner painted it black, too. A white grill and white front bumper would definitely transform the look of that truck.

My own 67 4x4 did not come with locking hubs or rear posi, those are nice options to have.