Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

willy41 · 12-11-2013, 09:23 PM

Just acquired a '73 3/4 K20. First time into full size pickups.

There are two horizontal shock absorbers between the cab and the bed, one on each side, and inside the cab, there is a MAGNET ???!!!

What does this feature accomplish, and how? Thanks.

-glen

Sabaka454 · 12-11-2013, 10:05 PM

Pics?

80SPORT · 12-11-2013, 11:15 PM

You have the deluxe camper special package

The shocks between the cab and box were part of it

You should also have tiedown plates on the front fenders and 2 holes in each boxside for tiedowns

And you may have a rear sway bar

83GMCK2500 · 12-11-2013, 11:41 PM

Front fender plate is for an overhead shock absorber if I remember correctly. willy41, pics of the magnet, please? I'm not sure what you're talking about there.

Here is pic of whole shebang & pic of shocks that were on ebay.

willett · 12-12-2013, 11:57 PM

Oh the 70's

Anchorism · 12-13-2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80SPORT

You have the deluxe camper special package

The shocks between the cab and box were part of it

You should also have tiedown plates on the front fenders and 2 holes in each boxside for tiedowns

And you may have a rear sway bar

You wouldnt happen to have more pics of that rig do you? It appears to be the same model as the truck i have got color and everything. Minus the "deluxe" part.

willy41 · 12-13-2013, 11:21 AM

I have these pics in a gallery.

What others can I take for you?

-glen

Anchorism · 12-13-2013, 12:50 PM

Not to be rude but i meant 80sports truck... lol. He appears to have the dually with the same colors as mine.

Anchorism · 12-13-2013, 12:51 PM

Although, willy how do you like the mirrors like that? Ive got the 4 post (the large ones that dont attach to the roof) and love them. Ive seen the ones that attach to the top and am curious how people feel about them.

79Betty · 12-13-2013, 04:05 PM

I have some off the top of the door and bolt midway down. Took ones off a semi and shortened the lower arm to make the mirror head level. I LOVE THEM! My truxk is adter big rig styling though...

willy41 · 12-13-2013, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabaka454

Pics?

I have these pics in a gallery.

INSIDIOUS '86 · 12-13-2013, 08:08 PM

So what are the shocks supposed to accomplish?

TheBlueBomber · 12-13-2013, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

So what are the shocks supposed to accomplish?

I'm curious also..

80SPORT · 12-13-2013, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anchorism

You wouldnt happen to have more pics of that rig do you? It appears to be the same model as the truck i have got color and everything. Minus the "deluxe" part.

Real BC truck,,,sold new in Williams Lake

Used mostly to haul a camper

Original paint;350/th400/factory tach/sierra classic/tilt/am radio

No air,windows or locks

deluxe camper special

80SPORT · 12-13-2013, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

I'm curious also..

They are there to dampen "bounce" as you go down the road.

Especially with the nylon bias tires these trucks came with the weight of the camper could set up a harmonic motion at certain speeds.

Most big trucks will do this at certain speeds but the wife and kids travelling in your camper special may not be impressed.

INSIDIOUS '86 · 12-13-2013, 10:05 PM

Hmm interesting. So did it work as well as advertised? I've been thinking about connecting my cab and bed together to help stiffen the chassis since I'm trying to make a good handling truck.

cory d · 12-14-2013, 04:40 PM

i have thought about that a little. some type of bushing that wont stress the bed or cab and crack them

Anchorism · 12-17-2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80SPORT

Real BC truck,,,sold new in Williams Lake

Used mostly to haul a camper

Original paint;350/th400/factory tach/sierra classic/tilt/am radio

No air,windows or locks

deluxe camper special

Fairly similar. Mine is a 79' chevy camper special cheyenne. Although i just fixed the front end from a collision. Here is a pic.

fun in dirt · 12-17-2013, 06:29 PM

I love this site...always learning about new little things that I didn't even know existed!

Oldriginal86 · 12-17-2013, 08:37 PM

I worked for a GMC dealer in the early 80s and never saw this stuff. I like it.

Eyegore · 12-17-2013, 08:57 PM

I have a pair of those shocks somewhere that I saved from my 78 CS

motornut · 12-17-2013, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Hmm interesting. So did it work as well as advertised? I've been thinking about connecting my cab and bed together to help stiffen the chassis since I'm trying to make a good handling truck.

GM did that it's called a Jimmy...

INSIDIOUS '86 · 12-17-2013, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motornut

GM did that it's called a Jimmy...

Haha yes. I have a k5 as well but it's more of a family vehicle. My other one is built for "special" purposes other than hauling hay lol

willy41 · 12-17-2013, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anchorism

Although, willy how do you like the mirrors like that? Ive got the 4 post (the large ones that dont attach to the roof) and love them. Ive seen the ones that attach to the top and am curious how people feel about them.

I just bought the truck and don't have it home yet. No plans for camper, so I'll probably take off the big mirrors.

Anchorism · 12-18-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willy41

I just bought the truck and don't have it home yet. No plans for camper, so I'll probably take off the big mirrors.

Well if you decide to take them off, let me know. I might be interested if your getting rid of them.

12-11-2013, 09:23 PM	#1
willy41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA 91377 (Oak Park) Posts: 80	Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed Just acquired a '73 3/4 K20. First time into full size pickups. There are two horizontal shock absorbers between the cab and the bed, one on each side, and inside the cab, there is a MAGNET ???!!! What does this feature accomplish, and how? Thanks. -glen

12-11-2013, 10:05 PM	#2
Sabaka454 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT Posts: 278	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed Pics?

12-11-2013, 11:15 PM	#3
80SPORT Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: red deer alberta Posts: 777	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed You have the deluxe camper special package The shocks between the cab and box were part of it You should also have tiedown plates on the front fenders and 2 holes in each boxside for tiedowns And you may have a rear sway bar Attached Images

12-11-2013, 11:41 PM	#4
83GMCK2500 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Beaverton, OR from WA State Posts: 1,515	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed Front fender plate is for an overhead shock absorber if I remember correctly. willy41, pics of the magnet, please? I'm not sure what you're talking about there. Here is pic of whole shebang & pic of shocks that were on ebay. Attached Images __________________ Devin 1983 GMC High Sierra 2500, 4x4, RC/LB, 400 S.B., SM-465, NP-208, Corporate 10 bolt & 9.5" 14 bolt 1996 GMC Sierra SLE 3500 DRW, 4x4, EC/LB, Vortec 454, NV-4500, BW-4401, AAM 925 & AAM 1050 1997 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 4x4, Z71/F44, EC/SB, Vortec 350 My Introduction with my '83s History New Daily, the '96 Last edited by 83GMCK2500; 12-11-2013 at 11:49 PM.

12-12-2013, 11:57 PM	#5
willett Another Day, Another Dollar Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,316	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed Oh the 70's __________________ -78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square"

12-13-2013, 11:21 AM	#7
willy41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA 91377 (Oak Park) Posts: 80	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed I have these pics in a gallery. What others can I take for you? -glen

12-13-2013, 12:50 PM	#8
Anchorism Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dublin Ohio Posts: 203	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed Not to be rude but i meant 80sports truck... lol. He appears to have the dually with the same colors as mine.

12-13-2013, 12:51 PM	#9
Anchorism Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dublin Ohio Posts: 203	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed Although, willy how do you like the mirrors like that? Ive got the 4 post (the large ones that dont attach to the roof) and love them. Ive seen the ones that attach to the top and am curious how people feel about them.

12-13-2013, 04:05 PM	#10
79Betty Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Jasper, IN Posts: 948	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed I have some off the top of the door and bolt midway down. Took ones off a semi and shortened the lower arm to make the mirror head level. I LOVE THEM! My truxk is adter big rig styling though... __________________ When in doubt, throttle it out! 1974 Chevrolet Custom K20 2005 Ford Ranger Edge 1985 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C10

12-13-2013, 08:08 PM	#12
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed So what are the shocks supposed to accomplish? __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511

12-13-2013, 10:05 PM	#16
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed Hmm interesting. So did it work as well as advertised? I've been thinking about connecting my cab and bed together to help stiffen the chassis since I'm trying to make a good handling truck. __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511

12-14-2013, 04:40 PM	#17
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed i have thought about that a little. some type of bushing that wont stress the bed or cab and crack them __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

12-17-2013, 06:29 PM	#19
fun in dirt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,122	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed I love this site...always learning about new little things that I didn't even know existed! __________________ '72 C to K20 "Cannibalizer" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...32#post8653432 '85 K30 "Big Nassy" [B]'85 C10 [B] "Corpse" '01 2500 Suburban ...party wagon & tow truck '06 Silverado SS...DD '06 C1500 WT...DD '07 Classic C1500 WT...DD Built & sold cause can't keep 'em all: '72 Blazer "The Bucket" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=433190 '55 Chevy straight axle gasser https://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173938 '69 Pro Street Chevelle http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332541 '86 M1031 CUCV http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=553619

12-17-2013, 08:37 PM	#20
Oldriginal86 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pasadena, Maryland Posts: 160	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed I worked for a GMC dealer in the early 80s and never saw this stuff. I like it.

12-17-2013, 08:57 PM	#21
Eyegore What Hump? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New River AZ Posts: 2,009	Re: Camper Special : Shocks between Cab / Bed I have a pair of those shocks somewhere that I saved from my 78 CS __________________ Lil red 86 c-10 99 Sub 78 Camper Special w/ 454



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