Longhorn owners?

[davepl]

There's not a subgroup for Longhorns is there? I couldn't spot anything... I bought Jesse's 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper (which is a Longhorn) and I keep going back and forth about shortening it.

My current inclination (and it switches hourly) is to keep it long, restore it to as-new, and if anything maybe just go to a bigger wheel and tire package. My thinking is it's easier to shoot for the "Oh my goodness what a massive truck that is" look than the "what a cute little sport truck", especially when you're starting with a longhorn chassis.

It's a big-block AC truck, so swapping in a shortbed frame would be the shortest path to glory, but then it's "just another non-original shortbed".

Does anyone love the longhorns, or are they the four-doors of their generation? I realize that ultimately it's what appeals to me, not anyone else, but you wouldn't want to pour a bunch of money into restoring a four-door Caprice that wasn't sentimental to you either...

To draw an analogy, if Convertible LS6 Chevelle is one end of the spectrum and four-door Malibu wagon is the other, where do these fit in? :-)

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by davepl

Does anyone love the longhorns, or are they the four-doors of their generation?

These are the four doors of the 67-72 generation.



I would love to find a loaded "plain-jane" GMC longhorn.

[Mayo]

I have a Longhorn and I think they are interesting trucks. I am not sure where they rank on your scale though.

[litew8]

Here's one in my area. I checked it out once. He doesn't realize/understand it is a Longhorn (the bed is extended).
http://desmoines.craigslist.org/bar/2752027514.html

[black_sheep454]

I wish my Sierra grande was a longhorn, especially if it was as nice as yours. I'd say leave it a longhorn and find a nice long bed 1/2 ton to make into a short bed if you can't find a nice short bed.
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[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by davepl

My current inclination (and it switches hourly) is to keep it long, restore it to as-new, and if anything maybe just go to a bigger wheel and tire package.

JMO I would keep the steel wheels and just go to a little bigger tire, like a 265/75/16

[earlthegoat2]

Keep it a Longhorn.

It kinda sounds like you bought something you never really wanted in the first place. It would be loads better on your wallet and psyche to just find a SWB truck. There are plenty of folks who like the Longhorns and I am one of them. I like SWBs too and that is what I have. I hope to one day have one of each. The shorty for play and the Longhorn for work.

[special-K]

Yes,there is plenty of love for the Longhorns. All trucks are cool. There is no 4dr equivalent. Longhorns are more like the Station Wagons of these trucks. They were not for everyone and you only bought one because you needed what it had to offer over the other common vehicles. You could order one bad little station wagon back then and the same for a Longhorn...like yours. Just like station wagons,those who don't know much overlooked them for years. But,there has always been a following and they were even favored by many drag racers,which defies the common view of what they were. Just like the typical masses overlook Longhorns in favor of shortbeds,as if they were the only cool trucks. I think if you wanted to buy a longbed to shorten you bought the wrong truck. More than my opinion,it's wrong because this is a fine example of all Longhorns,unlike standard longbeds the frame is totally different nit just longer,and the guy you bought it from sold it because he had enough sense to look for a better candidate as well as not wanting to destroy a fine GM truck. As time has gone by station wagons have become a way cool car to have and the same goes for Longhorns,whether the mass of people have figured that out or not...yet.

[jessemasterblaster]

That's exactly why I sold that truck. I didn't want to be the one to kill it. I like the longhorns too but a black and white swb cheyenne is what got me into these trucks. I got to stay true to my vision. I picked up a 1971 cheyenne without a bed to drop on my redone swb chassis and short bed ready for paint.

As much as i wanted to make the sierra grande into a swb, I just couldn't do it. Not too many of those around in that condition anymore.

[earlthegoat2]

Originally Posted by jessemasterblaster

As much as i wanted to make the sierra grande into a swb, I just couldn't do it. Not too many of those around in that condition anymore.

Good thing you didn't too.

There would be a few of us coming after you with torches and pitchforks in hand.

[Already Gone]

My opinion is buy what you want. If you want a Longhorn , find a Longhorn for sale ( which you did ) and enjoy and the same goes for a shortbox truck. I believe no one can make em like the factory does. If it came out of the factory as a Longhorn then that is waht it should be, and with that being said I know frames and boxes can be cut properly and professionally so a longbox can be made into a shorbox, but I have a question. Would you feel safe on the Golden Gate Bridge if you knew they welded patches on the girders to replace rotted steel.

[davepl]

I'm not replacing rotted steel, and the golden gate is probably riveted, not even welded!

I think a carefully restored vehicle can be far superior to a 60s factory build... in fact I have one vehicle restored at MCR that's far better than it ever was from the factory. But design and fabrication is a different story; making something the factory never intended requires engineering skill, but they -did- make short trucks, so its not pushing any envelope.

As to the bridge, I wouldn't trust it unless I built it, but that's just me :-)

[70cst]

I like Longhorns...

They are just a longer version of the SWB truck.

[stsalvage]

I have a 1968 longhorn it came with power steering 396 400 AC and a tool box and roof lights .I payed 500.00 for it 15 year ago.Now I've come to the point that i will be turning it into a Longhorn 1/2 ton with a 250 inline 6 with a 700R4 a guy on Ebay makes a kit to install a AC brackets on the 250 and 292 engi8ne and you can fun the HEI distributor with the big cap I'm just swapping the spindles from a 1971--86 1/2 ton truck and using a rear end from a 1973--87 1/2 ton sence all Longhorns had leaf springs really easy swap.We all know why the 3/4 tons truck survived they where work trucks most where maintained and cleans most often.

I for one have pass on the Hipo engines.I'm looking for longevity for all the trucks i have.I own over 12 trucks and a few chevy car's all are still projects but there mine.There just going up in valve I live in Calif in the desert in Riverside Calif next to the old Riverside Race way.

Most of my trucks have all the parts for them But one thing I don't have the time or the updated stuff to apply to them to get going.

I think the 1968 longhorn being turned into a 1/2 ton is a sweet idea I've not seen any one else do it But i feel that taking a very rear truck and converting it to a short bed is not a good Idea.there are tons of short bed step side out there that can be converted very easily or a plain long bed

One thing i will say to all of you the 1967 trucks and suburban has a different frame then the 1968.On the 1967 they had a power assisted steering with a ram and the frame dose not have the dimple for the 1968 and up power steering box

[special-K]

Originally Posted by davepl

I'm not replacing rotted steel, and the golden gate is probably riveted, not even welded!

I think a carefully restored vehicle can be far superior to a 60s factory build... in fact I have one vehicle restored at MCR that's far better than it ever was from the factory. But design and fabrication is a different story; making something the factory never intended requires engineering skill, but they -did- make short trucks, so its not pushing any envelope.

As to the bridge, I wouldn't trust it unless I built it, but that's just me :-)

There is no bettering a factory built truck IMO. Maybe you mean adding upgrades to the mechanical system,like electronic fuel injection and overdrive. But the factory made the best parts for these trucks and being left "as they were designed" (which is what restored means). But,these trucks didn't get to the great popularity they have by being a pretty face,although that may be what draws many of their new following into owning them.

The Golden Gate is a finely built bridge that stands up to the test of time using whatever antiquated methods were common at the time...just like these trucks.

The factory "didn't" build a shortbed on a 1t frame and never intended to

[davepl]

My intent is to keep it a longhorn... the shortbox trucks are nice and serve a purpose, but I'm already fortunate enough to have a Corvette and a Camaro, so I don't really need a two-seater or a "sports truck".

I think Jesse, the last owner, went through much the same process: began with the intent of shortening it but there's something about this truck that grows on you. Heck, I might even keep the giant west-coast mirrors :-)

I need to trade in some of the grandpa-vibe for logging-truck vibe, though.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by davepl

I realize that ultimately it's what appeals to me, not anyone else, but you wouldn't want to pour a bunch of money into restoring a four-door Caprice that wasn't sentimental to you either...

Exactly.

[72freak]

Ive owned 2....well...kinda.....I love them. I even have vintage grandpa style camper shell for a Longhorn.

[davepl]

I have a '73 camper (just a topper, really) for the Longhorn if anyone wants it. Came with the truck, but if there's a huge demand for these things, you'll have to get in line :-)

[rkn463]

So what is the story on how the beds were done on the loghorns? I've seen a few pictures and it looks like they just bolted on another foot (or how ever much) of bed. I've always wondered if that was it or if it is welded? Also what about the floors of those beds? The few I've seen pictures of were wood, was that the case on all of them?

[Mayo]

Originally Posted by rkn463

So what is the story on how the beds were done on the loghorns? I've seen a few pictures and it looks like they just bolted on another foot (or how ever much) of bed. I've always wondered if that was it or if it is welded? Also what about the floors of those beds? The few I've seen pictures of were wood, was that the case on all of them?

Yeah it has a 6 inch panel welded on the front of the bed. All of them have wood floors.

[crazy longhorn]

I have a 69 "horn", & as much as she has been cut(4" choptop, steel tilt clip, 1/2 ton suspension(3/5 drop+ 1 1/2 " channel),frenched lites in the gate,ect she is still wearin that 133 " wb PROUD! crazyL

[dads longhorn]

I inherited dads 1971 longhorn and I like its looks. When I stand back and look at it from the side, it looks like it's been lowered due to the length. Its porportions are perfect, looks great. I recommend you leave it a longhorn, and buy something else to alter, or buy what you really wanted in the first place. The longhorns are not that common, and originals are even more rare. Once you alter it, it looses what it had and no way to get that back. Keep it original as possible, sell it to someone who likes it and knows what it is. Buy something you wanted. IMHO

[va72longhorn]

Really, Crazy, Reeeally ??? You would really give us all that information with no pics?!?!? how could one fellow "horn-dog" do that to another ????

[dads longhorn]

sorry, I know, my bad, but I don't have any pics with me right now, I looked. I posted pics in the past, see if you can query posts by dads longhorn, or longhorn. I'll bring pics tomorrow, friday.