1972 military 1/2 ton step side,

[JQ-72]

Just drug in 4 trucks that had been sitting in a large building since 1993. The most interesting was this military issued step side that was used on the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL - an hour east of here. Redstone was built during WW2 and was used for chemical manufacturing and then missile research and development with German scientists who were brought here. Nicely equipped service truck with 350, automatic and power brakes. I always thought that the coolant recovery unit was only available as a dealer installed unit, but this one is listed on the SPID. Also, the SPID decal itself has original backing that was never peeled off, it was laying in the glovebox.

[JQ-72]

Under the hood

[jocko]

very cool - I love the old guvvie trucks Kinda surprised to see one with a 350, most I've seen were 6's or base V8.

[Ol Blue K20]

Nice find! I'd put that one back together.

[Joyridin]

My first 1967 C10 Stepside was a truck from the National Park Service. It was a total stripper, but did have a 292 with a 3 on the tree.

Very cool truck you have!

[72afr]

Nice find! Mine is '72 stepside that was also a military truck. Most of the same options as well. 350, pb, no ps, auto, markings/plates, rad tank, etc. Went down a small rabbit hole a while back and that radiator overflow tank is a pretty rare option. Mostly on gov trucks. Cool to see how mine looked back in the day as it was yellow when I bought it! Also, more pics, please!

[fun in dirt]

Cool find!

[tutone]

I like the truck. I worked at a paper mill in maintenance for years. 2 departments there worked outside mostly and we had service trucks. They were of course later model. In the wintertime, some of the guys let them idle all the time, so the heater would be warm when you got in for a call. I could see where the upgrade of a cooling overflow would be a good call if that was a factor. After all, taxpayers were buying the gas.

[vics stuff]

I had bought a government rig 30 years ago. short step side 1/2 ton , 350 V8 , PS , PB , 4 speed manual trans . It was a real solid truck and not many miles on it either.
Vic

[68 P.O.S.]

Very nice

[firedemon]

what is trans magnet plu?

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by firedemon

what is trans magnet plu?

Guessing a magnetic plug

Really like that stepper

[toms68cst]

Very cool cold war relic.

[JQ-72]

Thanks guys! I do plan on bringing this little rig back to life. It’s not much too much to look at now - not too rusty but lots of dents. Pass. door was replaced and driver’s was in the bed when I got it. This door has some paint over it, which I sanded off to find “contractor vehicle” stenciled. There are 2 more columns of numbers/letters under it, but are very hard to make out.

[68bowtie]

C H A R A C T E R

[indymachinist]

That is an awesome truck

[RenoKeene]

So cool! And has the mandatory GI cigarette lighter.

[JQ-72]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

So cool! And has the mandatory GI cigarette lighter.

Yes! And check out the SPID identified “lighter decal” - just a generic label ribbon type!

[raggedjim]

Cool truck, was the military nomenclature tag on the outside of the glove box door? Mine is mounted inside the glovebox, and has no spid.

[JQ-72]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Cool truck, was the military nomenclature tag on the outside of the glove box door? Mine is mounted inside the glovebox, and has no spid.

Plate is mounted to the inside of the glovebox door. Luckily, the SPID label was still inside the glove box - it had never been peeled off the wax paper!

[72afr]

Originally Posted by JQ-72

Plate is mounted to the inside of the glovebox door. Luckily, the SPID label was still inside the glove box - it had never been peeled off the wax paper!

Interesting! My nomenclature plate is on the outside of my glovebox. I've got another data plate on the radio delete plate too. I believe my cig label didn't last as long as yours tho.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Joyridin

My first 1967 C10 Stepside was a truck from the National Park Service. It was a total stripper, but did have a 292 with a 3 on the tree.

Very cool truck you have!

I snagged a 292 block out of a '67 3/4 ton Forest Service longbed stepsiide. That was in '77. I rebuilt it, and ran it for 25 years -- 250,000 miles -- until 2002. Pulled it and changed it out with another 292. That's in my '68 C/10 Stepside. Still have the core for another rebuild.