78 GMC Dually "THE BOSS"

[bodyman922]

Well I just bought this truck and figured I fill you in on the details that I know. This thread is just a continuation of the thread "Is it worth it". The truck appears to be an old texas truck sold at a dealership in amarillo. Somewhere along the line it made it's way to minnesota and unfortunately it has the usual mionnesota rust, but the doors, fenders, hood, and box look pretty clean yet as does the frame. It has been repainted at some point but what truck this age hasn't.

The front axle has been replaced with a Dana 44 out of a 3/4 ton. The dash pad is out of a newer truck but the interior looks clean yet. I found some paperwork in the truck that states the frontend is a 76 not sure if they mean the axle or sheetmetal. Doesn't appear that anything heavy was hauled in the box as the floor is straight yet. The're are 3 emblems on it (2 on the box sides and one on the tailgate) that say "THE BOSS" not sure if these are generic emblems, dealer add on, special edition, aftermarket equipment, or what they are. Turbo 400 tranny, stock rear end, No engine. All this purchased and delivered for $700. Here are some pics, I'll get better ones during daylight hours.

[Car'n'Guitars]

Cool truck, look forward to seeing more.

[mopar346]

The Boss may have been a conversion company like Sherrod or Mark III. I would do an internet search, you can find anything on the web. Sounds like a good buy.

[cory d]

it need this but to say "the boss"

[motornut]

nice project
conversions i've seen have stuff removed replaced with custom seats etc
but if thats the stock bench,look under it for a build sheet

[mopar346]

Man that looks familiar.

Sorry did mean to clutter your thread.

Back to topic - I did a quick Yahoo searcha nd found nothing on the Boss, but I didn't dig deep. Maybe a Ft. Worth member will be experienced (read old) enough to remember the company on the emblem. For what is what I have never seen a factory emblem with a background like that but a number from dealers and aftermarket/conversion companys that are very similiar.

[Car'n'Guitars]

Not any real information but this is something I did find if you want to look.

http://www.texasinfopages.com/c-97307.htm

[bodyman922]

Thanks guys. I have done a little research and have come up empty handed in figuring out "THE BOSS" mystery. Hopefully someone will enlighten all of us.

[rs74]

Do a search for Tra Tech. It will come up with a few things. One site said they were not in good standing. Maybe the BBB. Here is a van they put out called "The Texan". Well shoot it won't let me upload it.

[rs74]

http://books.google.com/books?id=By4...h%20tx&f=false

Just an ad in a magazine. The Boss must have been one of these conversions or whatever they were.

[rs74]

Here you go bodyman.

http://conversiontrucks.net/Forum/index.php?topic=6.0

Quote from the above article: All of the information I have found so far indicates that one company (Custom Vehicles International in Arlingtont, Tx) actually made the extended cab conversion, then the truck was shipped to Tra-Tech, Overland Coach, or Western Hauler for final interior modifications and special paint such as the Tra-Tech truck.

[mopar346]

WOW!! That 6 door is fricking outrageous.

[Tx Firefighter]

I'm a life long Fort Worth guy. Tra-Tec built a whole lot of conversion vans for many years. They later became Regency Conversions. I drove by their place a few weeks ago and even Regency is gone now, replaced by some other business that doesn't appear to be doing any work like that.

That does leave the mighty "Western Hauler" company still here building trucks though.

This area has a long history of neat companies building trucks and vans.

[FarmerDale]

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[bodyman922]

Well I havn't had any time to work on the truck yet but I have been looking for parts and ideas. It's hard to work on the truck in Minnesota with the cold weather and snow right now but hopefully things will work out better in the spring. As for now here are a few daylight pictures.

[meatwagon83]

in my opinion the running boards gotta go, but thats just my opinion