1968 C20 50th Custom Camper

[lil hoodlum]

A little over 2 months ago I bought another truck. I have been wanting to buy a C20 for awhile now for a tow/camping rig. For one reason or another I missed out on 3 other trucks that were in my price range and within reasonable driving distance. I was really wanting a 1972 but came across this one and could not let it pass me by. It does run and drive and the title is safely in my name, am currently working on getting it registered.

She does need some work and the truck has been lowered which I do not care for. The ride height will be restored back to factory specs. She left the factory with a 327 but that motor is long gone and a 1972 350 resides in the engine bay now. I would like to put another 327 back in it but time will tell. She also has some wiring and rust issues that will be taken care of and eventually I want to repaint the anniversery gold paint back. I may try to wet sand the grey primer off to see how the original paint has fared.

[bigdisplay442]

[lil hoodlum]

My goal is to either tow a small camper or install an in bed camper. I want to camp and visit Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon in about 2 years time. She will need some work to get to that point. I drove it for the second time today and she is scary to drive. Suspension is bottomed out. Front coils were heated to lower, no suspension travel. Several leafs are missing from the rear suspension and very little travel. Tires are too small for my taste.

[lil hoodlum]

Interior pictures. The only 2 things that are missing for the anniversary package are the custom camper name plates and the white drivers side door panel.

[lil hoodlum]

Previous owner was a nice guy. I think he put in a lot of work to get the truck back on the road. I have only done a little work on her so far. Waiting to get it registered before putting money into it. Rear lighting harness needed attention as it was spliced in several areas and the plastic covering was brittle and exposed in several places. Bought a new rear lighting harness from Classic Industries and the lights work correctly again.

Here is a shot of the SPID. She does come with a few goodies.

[lil hoodlum]

There is a dealership sticker remains on the tail gate.

Maple Motors
Hendersonville, T? 322-4414?

I'm thinking maybe Hendersonville, Tennessee?

[Steeveedee]

It's missing the Side Trim Molding. That might change your wanting to restore it to original. Not wanting to rain on your parade, it's a nice truck. That molding set is going to be pretty spendy. Sanding the primer may give you a clue about what happened to the holes that were there for the moldings.

[lil hoodlum]

Yes, it is missing the side trim molding. The holes are still present but full of bondo at this point. I know the side trim is kind of pricey but that will be further down the road when I get to that point.

When I drove it today it rode horribly. Lots of bangs and clanks from the suspension. My next project on this truck will be to replace all of the suspension parts i.e.; ball joints, tie rods & connectors, control arm shaft, shocks, pitman & pullman arm, rear leaf springs, and proper tires.

Not sure on what size tires I should be looking for. Truck will eventually used to tow or haul a camper.

[68Gold/white]

I'm glad the 68 Golden came to you!!! A 71 or 72 would have been my first choice, also, with factory disc brakes. I have a good friend that likes 67-72 pickups. He's had one or two in the past. I kept encouraging him to look for a 71 or 72 ONLY, the standard disc brakes was the only way to go, to make it a little simpler. I found him a 71 C10, this spring. I am doing all the work to get it in tip top condition!!! He is thrilled (He's a very good friend, like a brother to me. He's a stage 4 kidney cancer survivor. THe Lord pulled out all the stops and healed him, a miracle!!!)

How does the 350 run??? If it's in good conditionand has no problems, I'd keep it. THe extra torque of a 350 vs. a 327 is a good thing for towing. If it's not in grear shape, I'd get the lowest HP crate engine (new) the GM offers for sale. Scoggin Dickey in Lubbock, is the place to shop for one of those!!!

If you become a paying member, you can advertise a "Want to buy" ad in the 67-72 for sale section (you have to be a paying member to do such, even buying), there's parts around that you are looking for, unless you've got better potential sources. 3/4 ton stuff is a little harder to find.

Does it have front disc??? THe master cyl looks like a disc/drum cylinder...

Glad you saved another 68 Golden!!!

[lil hoodlum]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

I'm glad the 68 Golden came to you!!! A 71 or 72 would have been my first choice, also, with factory disc brakes. I have a good friend that likes 67-72 pickups. He's had one or two in the past. I kept encouraging him to look for a 71 or 72 ONLY, the standard disc brakes was the only way to go, to make it a little simpler. I found him a 71 C10, this spring. I am doing all the work to get it in tip top condition!!! He is thrilled (He's a very good friend, like a brother to me. He's a stage 4 kidney cancer survivor. THe Lord pulled out all the stops and healed him, a miracle!!!)

How does the 350 run??? If it's in good conditionand has no problems, I'd keep it. THe extra torque of a 350 vs. a 327 is a good thing for towing. If it's not in grear shape, I'd get the lowest HP crate engine (new) the GM offers for sale. Scoggin Dickey in Lubbock, is the place to shop for one of those!!!

If you become a paying member, you can advertise a "Want to buy" ad in the 67-72 for sale section (you have to be a paying member to do such, even buying), there's parts around that you are looking for, unless you've got better potential sources. 3/4 ton stuff is a little harder to find.

Does it have front disc??? THe master cyl looks like a disc/drum cylinder...

Glad you saved another 68 Golden!!!

Yes, the 350 seems to run ok, really haven't driven it to be sure though. It is staying in for now. It does have a Holley double pumper which will be swapped out for a quadrajet down the road. Yes, somebody has all ready converted the front to disc brakes.

[northerngmc]

Welcome to the 50th C20 club.

I love mine. Mine has rear coils and is lowered 2" front and 4" rear using C10 coils. Rides great, drives great. I am using 265/65R18 rubber, which fills the wheel openings up nicely.

[bry593]

Congrats on your tow beast.

Guess what? I learned something from your dash pic. I always knew there was another spot under the wiper switch for an additional knob (cutout in the sheet metal). Turns out it is for a "Manual Throttle", whatever that is. What is it?

[northerngmc]

My 68 C20 has the wiper knob on the left side below the light switch. The knob on the upper right hand side was a manual choke.