Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Still slowly moving along. Misty got her a 97 Extended Cab Silverado. I will eventually get a few dings knocked out of it and get it to where she wants it to be. She looked at umerous cars and trucks and she likes the older body style of the Chevy trucks but still wants all the modern comforts. She does not want any holes drilled in her bed for a 5th wheel or anything like that. My truck is going to be the camper puller/hauler.


I am a little disappointed that the green Ford cab is not in the condition and that I have to do a full blown tear down and rebuild on what I want for my truck. I am wanting a Jade Green truck. I am so much happier with the condition of the blue cab. It is in so much better shape. I will need to replace the cab corners and a few spots in the floor board. It has been a time capsule. I have found some old cassette tapes inside it, a CB radio, and other 70s items that really bring back the 70s again.

Currently I am having a difficult time getting the cab off of the frame so that I can swap it to my other frame that has the dual tank set up that this truck does not have. I am going to have to do a whole wiring swap as the blue cab does not have factory Cruise Control and my green cab does have it. I will have to paint the interiors of the truck as well. Oh well when I get done it will be a new looking truck inside and out and what I want it to be. Currently I am lifting the complete truck and will lower the frame from the body. On Toyotas I could get enough people to help lift the cab off or had the equipment to do it myself. This is going to take some work.




Never thought I wanted a slide in camper but now I am really looking forward to using this. I have had pop up campers and pull behind campers but for weekend use and traveling around, they have been a little more difficult to use. I am looking forward to using this slide in for local travels and weekend use. This is a 77 model slide in. I do have some updating to do. I am going to install AC as this camper has the ability to add AC and modernize the toilet. It does not have a shower but I never used the showers in the previous campers. I always used the showers they have on the campsites as they have unlimited amount of water and plenty of room. Camper showers are cramped and usually limited to about 6 gallons of water.

I am building my Ford for retirement years. When I get to retirement I am going to buy a modern 5th wheel but that is still about 6 years away from now and I do not have the time to use a 5th wheel as I would like to at this time. Back in the day, you could order Camper Special trucks built for hauling campers. One guy showed me that my frame is already drilled for over load springs and is an easy and cheap upgrade.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Hello jakey poo. I am slowly but steady making some progress on the Ford. Now that I have a camper I am really trying to get my truck set up to haul it as loading it and loading it really a pain in the rear to do. I want to get it into my truck and use it. Now that I have the camper I am moving it up the priority list to get it done. There is a current fad of matching trucks with the same era of campers. My truck is a 76 and the camper is a 77. My replacement cab is actually a 77. The only difference between 76 and 77 cab is 76 has the F150 on the fender and the 77 has the F150 on the cowl. I like the looks of the badges on the fender instead of the cowl. I will fill in the holes on the cowl and keep mine a 76.

I like the fact that I do actually have both as a 77 setup. Just lucked out on that. Been having to work overtime and being on day shift now has really gotten into my free time that I had before for working on trucks but when I get the time to work on them it does make it more enjoyable.

jakey poo

With mechanical jacks they sure are a pain to take on/off. My inlaws have a camper that has electric jacks with a remote, sure makes it a lot easier. Your wife sure got a good looking chev!

habanero

Ah, good to see some updates. I've somehow missed a bunch on my favorite non-Toyota build thread.
Will you be changing the gold on the camper to match the eventually green truck?

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Making some progress. It has taken me a few months just to get the cab off. Finally a friend and me made it happen. This cab is heavy and the way we had to do it I would not recommend doing it. Had a few scary moments. Just hope nothing got out of whack while doing it. I am concerned about the lower rockers not lining up is the biggest reason.

Due to the difficulty of loading and unloading the camper in Mistys truck I have a fire under my butt to get my truck moving before next spring. Probably not going to be completed but I plan on having it driving by then. Will be taking a vacation soon to work around the house and get the cab stripped down. Actually looking forward to doing some body work.

Who ever did repair on the cab corners used bondo to make new cab corners. Left picture shows a piece of tin used to patch a hole. Right picture is where I removed a big chunk of bondo. I am not going to cut out the rust until I have new patch panels and will rent a sand blaster to get rid of the rust. Also got to finish get the cab to bare bones. Getting the harness out is a slow process. I could have a Toyota stripped down in about four hours. It took me that long just to get the dash pad, instrument cluster and a vent out.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Hello jakey poo... I am going to invest in electric jacks. Those mechanical jacks are a little dangerous. We have used this camper a lot this year but having to load and unload is a real pain.

Hello habanero... I will eventually paint the camper to match the truck. Would like for it to look like they were made for each other.

old87yota

Yay!

Another update!

Hopefully there is not too much more rust hiding behind the Bondo.

Matching the paint on the truck and the camper will look great!

RAD4Runner

Hey Terry,
Cyberhorn and I were just speaking on FB messenger and we were wondering how you've been because we haven't heard from you.
Cheers!
(sent from here)

old87yota

I have been wondering myself!

habanero

Sames!