Dad's "new" truck

[bulky]

I was helping my father over the weekend, and I stopped by my buddy's place to ask him a quick question. I hopped out of my truck and talk to my buddy for about 5 minutes. Well...in that 5 minutes my father spotted this GMC Custom Camper next to the garage. He corners my buddy and next thing I know, we own another truck. Just picked it up and brought it back to his house, haven't event had time to get a picture in the daylight. He already owns a 70 GMC 9' long step side 3/4 ton, now he has assigned me the task of finding out everything I can about Custom Campers... It's all good, he has helped me out countless times, I'm happy to do some leg work. I'm sure I'll have a bunch of questions for you guys in the near future.

It is a pretty solid truck, AC blows cold, 396 runs smooth, just have a bunch of little things to clean up and fix.

[jocko]

Holy BIG SPID BATMAN! Nice score - more pics of that beauty.

[Orange67]

Dang!!! Nice truck! Very cool options also. Hopefully, the chrome caps are with it?

[bulky]

Yes, it came with 2 of the chrome caps for the front wheels. The rear wheels are the 16.5 x 9.75 wide rims. Not sure if the wide ones were original or if they were added at some point along the line. Also not sure if it would have had the 9.75 rims on all 4 corners or not.

[burb71]

Very nice truck, wish I could find one that loaded.
Can you post a pic of the emission decal under the hood on driver side core support.

[bulky]

Sure, i'll grab a bunch of pictures as soon as I can get over there in the daylight. There are a few items I want to snap pictures of and try to get some more info on. I'll share more later this week.

[cherokeejohn]

NICE SCORE!, it's loaded with options. Do you know if it's originally from the North-East area?

[special-K]

Really nice '69 truck! I want a picture of the Custom Camper nameplate. The 9.75s would be aftermarket, were never offered by GM. Are you sure your dad's '70 is a 3/4t and a 9' bed? GM never built that truck is why I ask. It must either be a 1t, an 8' 3/4t, or someone out a 1t Stepside bed on a 1t cab & chassis or Fleetside

[bulky]

You're right, it his step side is a 1 ton. Just pulled up an old picture it is a 3500, i was wrong. Good catch.

[El Dorado Jim]

nice truck!!

[70cst]

[special-K]

Originally Posted by bulky

You're right, it his step side is a 1 ton. Just pulled up an old picture it is a 3500, i was wrong. Good catch.

That one is a GMC, too? That truck is an ubber cool (whoops, used a trendy term) C3500 Fenderside. You won't find many C30s, let alone a !!! So, he has two C3500 pickups, ey? He is a man who knows what's good

[robs71]

Big block,no spin rear,tach....that alone is a perfect 10 in my book ,plus nice colors...that is a great piece...thanks for sharing

[buddylee]

Nice truck. Where do you hide in Rhode Island?

[bulky]

Thanks for the support! Yes, GMCs seem to find him. Now he has the 69 & 70 1 tons, a 2000 3/4 ton (all 2wd) and a newer Envoy for non work days. He has had the 70 for a while, it has been used...but is relatively unmolested (other than a set of headers and other small items). He loves the truck and hasn't let me fix any of it's "character". He said that he bought the 69 to drive while he lets me the cab corners and rear fenders of the 70. The 70 has a few less options than the 69 truck but it runs mint and he has a smile ear to ear every time he gets in it. Here are a couple of pictures...

Now as I type this, I'm asking myself if it is really a 9' bed or an 8.5'? He always called it a 9', but when I was poking around it looks like a 133 wheel base truck would be a 8.5" . Looks like I am bringing a tape measure AND a camera over there this weekend.

I think I am asking as many questions as I am answering.



"buddylee".. I'm down near Newport.

[ratty69]

Both sweet trucks, but LOVE that long stepper...

[bulky]

Dad reminded me that I forgot about one more GMC... how could I forget about the water buffalo. Like I said before...these GMC's seem to find him.

[Ken B]

Love your Dads trucks! Cant wait to see more pics of the 69... What does your Dad use the Water Buffalo for? Obviously for hauling water for some reason?

[special-K]

Looks like it was an airport fuel truck. What's under the hood of the water buffalo?

And I truly dig the '69. Cool color combo. I'd keep that for sure when it's ready for that

[Already Gone]

Nice score on the GMC.

[factorystock]

Custom Campers was basically just a heavy duty suspension package, however most were usually well optioned because they were bought for a specific purpose, to haul heavy loads ,across the wide open country in comfort. Original buyers usually ordered as many options as possible to make the voyage as pleasurable as possible. Your GMC is a great example of this. A business, government or public utility would never buy a truck like this. Chevy offered a similar 1 ton fleetside, which was dubbed "Longhorn". The 8 1/2" box '68-'72 was short lived because most popular campers were designed for 8' beds. It appears the wheels have been swapped out at some time, it originally had 9.50-16.5" tubeless tires on all 4 corners. It appears it was ordered with the desireable 4.11 ratio, which is considered the "highway ratio" on a 1 ton. Nice find!

[bulky]

Thanks for all the info guys. The buffalo was off an old airforce base. Has a Oldsmobile V8 with an Allison automatic. He would just use it to help friends and family fill pools, water construction areas and most of all...set up a 60' slip n' slide at cookouts.

I'll get over there this weekend and grab some pictures. He already said he has a list of things he wants me to do.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by jocko

holy big spid batman! Nice score - more pics of that beauty.

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[midniteblues]

Dad's new truck sure has found a fitting home, it certainly shouldn't feel outa place there.

Funny how they seem to find him,but that's a good thing as he has a nicely growing fleet,they are all sweet trucks.

I been haveing sellers remorse on my 71 9' stepside buts ya can't keep'em all.

[Deer_hunter_088]

Following.