New guy intro and my beater truck

[Strider76]

Well, decided to post after lurking for a bit. You guys have some amazing trucks - I think some of you have WAY too much time on your hands, or money , or both. I wish my truck were half as nice. Anyway, I've been hoping to find a 70's vintage Ford or Chevy for a while, but just never managed to get something acceptable until recently. A couple months ago I hauled home this 76 GMC High Sierra Camper Special. It had been sitting for a number of years, and it's a bit rough, but I think it's eventually going to turn into exactly what I wanted in a truck. Hopefully my pics post so you can see what this guy looks like - and no busting my chops about my $7 seat covers!

[bharrison1]

Very cool!!!!!

[Coreyterry]

hey very cool truck.

just wondering if you would be willing to post some more pictures of your engine. i have an 80 scottsdale ive been working on and i need the smog stuff. from what i can tell on your engine the left exhaust looks exactly like mine. it would help give me more refrence as to what i need for my pickup.

no worries if you dont want to or cant, i can view them as you post more of your build.

thanks,

Coreyterry

[355bullet]

dude!! wooden bed, that's rare for a fleetside

[Dru]

Cool truck, and welcome. The 7 dollar seat covers like you have used to be all the rage for these trucks in the 80's, looks fitting to me.

Want your pickup bed!!!!!!!!

I have never seen a Fleetside with a wooden bed. The door panels look a bit odd to me, I dont think Im familiar with that style either, how the trim bends to follow the door under the window, but I cant say I have ever owned any camper specials.

[Strider76]

Coreyterry, I'll be glad to post some more pics of the engine bay. But not today, really dark and gray at the moment, but as soon as it lightens up I'll do that - remind if I forget. Mine has the California emissions by the way.
Yeah the wooden bed is really cool, I am going to rework that in the Spring though, as it's a bit rough and needs it.
As far as a build on this truck, I don't think you'll be seeing any body or paint work, but it's possible. I got this thing to haul, it's going to be a work truck, not a boulevard queen. But as time progresses I'll post on what I do to 'Teddy'. That's his name by the way, "Teddy the Rough Rider"!
And thanks for the feedback guys, not bad for $50 huh?

[canadian 4x4]

$50 thats crazy!

[78 Chevyrado]

I like it! From here that truck looks like a very good starting point!

[babyJay]

$50 is crazy! Especially for that bed. Heck I'd give ten times that for a truck with a usable wood bed. Awesome!

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

I will double ya money

[Restrorob]

Welcome aboard !

You didn't buy that truck.....You STOLE that truck !!!


Killer rig for the money for sure, First thing caught my eye was the wood bed.... Second is the factory clamps on the top radiator hose, How many miles are on it ?

[Davidmichael]

That is a great score. Is the front end a Dana 60 or a 44?

[Strider76]

Coreyterry, folowing you will find more engine pics. let me know if it's what you wanted.
Restrorob - When I hauled it out of the weeds it had just a touch over 88,000 original miles on it. I'm replacing a lot of original stuff as I go, heater and radiator hoses are high on the next list.
Davidmichael - I have no idea right now. My best friend has been a GM parts guy for 30 some years. He told me I have the heaviest crap GM put under their trucks. He drools over it a lot. Supposedly have the Muncie M20 with 4:10 rear. Drive it as 3 speed because first is so far in the basement, unless I want to pull a building over.
As for stealing it for $50. The only reason I paid that is because I couldn't get there right away to get it towed home. Had to wait a week and a half, so told him I'd give him $50 to hold it for me for a few days. Otherwise, it wouldn't have cost me anything.
So far I've got about $270 in it, including the $50 and the new $7 seat covers (I also think they'er very appropriate). Had to replace the muffler, the usual rotor, cap, plugs, plug wires. Changed fluids, but got to the brakes too late. Completely blew the rear cylinder coming up to a red light. That was exciting because I hadn't gotten the E Brakes working yet, so no brakes whatsoever. Gave some Honda boys a heart attack! Think I rolled a seal in the master so the master is new. The brake fluid was also original, looked like Hershey's chocolate syrup. Replacing seals and gaskets as I go because they did harden up sitting for so long. But Teddy runs and stops and is a hoot to drive.
Here are your pic's Corey.

[MofoG23]

Nice truck!

I have your twin....main purpose is the haul firewood and anything else that fits in the bed. Built like a rock!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=424902

[GMC87]

I had the exact same style truck but a 82 for a few years and loved it great truck and yours looks real solid. Nice find!!

[87 V20 Scottsdale]

I just drooled all over the keyboard! That is an awesome looking truck, and I am green with envy. Original 4x4 trucks that are that clean are impossible to find here. That's probably only the second wood bed fleetside I've ever seen pics of. We have a pickup-bed trailer that is made out of one, but it's so rotten you can't put anything in it anymore.

[Dru]

I have nothing more to add really, I just had to say...Im still drooling over your bed!!!!!

[Coreyterry]

hey thanks alot,

if its not to much to ask, can you get a better pic of the right side exhaust, and if you have a smog canister if you could get a pic of that too.

thanks for those pics thow they helped me alot already

[TheWhiteElephant]

Awesome truck. Mine is a '73 long bed K20 and it also has the wood bed but the bed definitely needs work.

[budgetstperformance]

nice truck. welcome from south florida

[Corts60]

Great score! That is the first time I have ever seen a wooden fleet side bed in the 73-87 trucks. Crazy cool.

[FritzA]

Hi Neighbor,

Highlands Ranch here.

Great looking truck and what a deal!! Much better than the 77 I got real cheap.

My truck is a 4x2 but I wound up scoring some unused front rotors and pads for a 4x4. Let me know if you need them (Hope that is not a rule breaker???).

Give a yell if you ned any help or want a truck get together.

[Strider76]

Coreyterry,
I'll try to shoot some more pics this weekend. PM me if you want me to just send them direct via email.
FritzA - sent you a PM.
Strider

[ironroad9c1]

Add another Orange 3/4 ton 4wd camper special to the list..lol Mine is a bit rougher though.

[Billy81]

Dang Strider76 that has to be the best looking beater truck i have ever seen, most old work trucks are so abused that they barely qualify as parts..lol