Trekkerpaul 1985 build up
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trekkerpaul 1985 build up
I picked up this truck recently from a friend of a friend of a friend. I was told is was built by a local RV company as a walk through, but that may not be the case. After I got it home I started looking for parts like stock seats, rear seat and some interior trim pieces. I have found most of what I need so far in the last couple weeks.
There are many issues with this truck cosmetically, but it seems to be reasonably mechanically sound. I started by replacing the rear bumper and hatch window gasket. I used the same gasket I had found to retro fit the Trekker side windows with. I had decided not to use the gasket on the Trekker and as fate would have it it worked perfectly on this truck.
As fate would have it one of my friends just bought a 1982 Breaker-Breaker. He came by a couple days ago and looked at mine. He was in the process of removing his conversion kit and was able to tell me things about the construction of my conversion before we checked that matched his truck kit. I took it upon myself to remove some sealer and nuts on the kit to try and remove the top, thus verifying that this conversion was actually a Breaker-Breaker or whatever the 1985 version is called. He came back over and with his and my son's help we were able to completely remove the top.
And put it back on again
I am convinced that the walk through conversion on this truck is done by the same company that did the earlier Breaker-Breaker conversions. My truck appears to have had a small back seat in it, but no roll bar. Since the DOT regulations for having a back seat would have required a roll bar to protect the passengers, I am going to have to guess that the rear seat(now gone) would have had to be added after the conversion was done. It would not be safe to have passengers in the back without a roll bar of some kind.
More to come soon.
There are many issues with this truck cosmetically, but it seems to be reasonably mechanically sound. I started by replacing the rear bumper and hatch window gasket. I used the same gasket I had found to retro fit the Trekker side windows with. I had decided not to use the gasket on the Trekker and as fate would have it it worked perfectly on this truck.
As fate would have it one of my friends just bought a 1982 Breaker-Breaker. He came by a couple days ago and looked at mine. He was in the process of removing his conversion kit and was able to tell me things about the construction of my conversion before we checked that matched his truck kit. I took it upon myself to remove some sealer and nuts on the kit to try and remove the top, thus verifying that this conversion was actually a Breaker-Breaker or whatever the 1985 version is called. He came back over and with his and my son's help we were able to completely remove the top.
And put it back on again
I am convinced that the walk through conversion on this truck is done by the same company that did the earlier Breaker-Breaker conversions. My truck appears to have had a small back seat in it, but no roll bar. Since the DOT regulations for having a back seat would have required a roll bar to protect the passengers, I am going to have to guess that the rear seat(now gone) would have had to be added after the conversion was done. It would not be safe to have passengers in the back without a roll bar of some kind.
More to come soon.
#2
Super Moderator
Staff
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Anderson Missouri
Posts: 11,788
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes
on
19 Posts
That is something I havent seen before. Also really good conditon. You Northwest guys have some nice Toys running around up there. Great find. Looking forward to your build.
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This an oddball for sure. If I hadn't seen the breaker-Breaker kit and talked with my friend about it, I may have never know what it was. I will be doing some more verification on the history in the future. In the mean time it is going back to as close to stock as possible
#6
Super Moderator
Staff
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Anderson Missouri
Posts: 11,788
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes
on
19 Posts
I have been looking for information on the breaker breaker and so far have only been able to find a thread that you were on 2 or 3 years ago. Seen some other pics about them on it also. I always like rare vehicles and it has got my intrest.
You are very lucky to get something in such great condition as parts would be a bear to find.
You are very lucky to get something in such great condition as parts would be a bear to find.
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have been looking for information on the breaker breaker and so far have only been able to find a thread that you were on 2 or 3 years ago. Seen some other pics about them on it also. I always like rare vehicles and it has got my intrest.
You are very lucky to get something in such great condition as parts would be a bear to find.
You are very lucky to get something in such great condition as parts would be a bear to find.
Trending Topics
#9
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In truth the Trailblazer was more likely an adaptation of the Breaker-Breaker. The Breaker-Breaker was also refered to as a "mini-Trailblazer" in the original paperwork I have from the manufacturer.
#10
This truck is pretty cool in person.
With the long bed it has enough leg room in the back for an adult to sit comfortably and room for a ton of stuff behind the back seat.
It would be a coOl expedition style truck, lots of room to sleep and headroom.
The truck is going to be an easy fix for most of its interior.
With the long bed it has enough leg room in the back for an adult to sit comfortably and room for a ton of stuff behind the back seat.
It would be a coOl expedition style truck, lots of room to sleep and headroom.
The truck is going to be an easy fix for most of its interior.
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have been collecting parts mostly over the last few months. I sent out the hatch to get reinforced where it was floppy, get a few holes repaired and get it gel coated. The repairs were to take 1-2 weeks but instead took over a month and I had to insist that I could pick it up regardless of the stage of repair. When I got it back the gel coat was still tacky. When I dry fitted it the angle of the piece he reinforced was changed and wrong, the lower section was crooked, none of the fiberglass repairs were done and the gel coat was so thin it could hardly be sanded without showing the original fiberglass. Needless to say I will not recommend Crawford Boat Works in Mollala for anything fiberglass to anyone.
I will be doing a few things over the winter and will add some picture for progress.
I will be doing a few things over the winter and will add some picture for progress.
Last edited by trekkerpaul; 12-27-2012 at 10:32 AM.
#16
1985 Breaker Breaker
Hello all, I am new to this site. This site was highly recommended by TrekkerPual and as I have just purchased his Breaker breaker I figured to carry on with this project here.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post