Meet Homer

[junksaver]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

That was actually my first thoughts also. I really don't want to cut out any more than I have to. Like you are saying whether it's a 4" X 4" or a 40" X 40" same premise, just more weld.
Thought about the sleeper cab but it would probably just be used to throw junk in that I can do without.
Thinking to just shorten it back to 127" wheelbase and install a flat bed on it.

If you want a truck with 127" wheelbase why not just buy a 3/4 ton truck or a 3/4 ton chassis and swap your body on to it. Long wheelbase 1 tons are rare. Why don't you use the chassis like it is? Maybe make a long flatbed.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by nlped

Mine isn't a pushbar. It's a custom relief to house a crazy cool housing for the engine oil cooler, trans cooler and the p/s cooler...with 3 electric cooling fans.

Nice. You might have to post some closer shots. Might be some folks out there who want one on their trucks. Some of the old dudes who drove these trucks from new were ingenious.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by junksaver

If you want a truck with 127" wheelbase why not just buy a 3/4 ton truck or a 3/4 ton chassis and swap your body on to it. Long wheelbase 1 tons are rare. Why don't you use the chassis like it is? Maybe make a long flatbed.

This may be rare in that it is really, really long. I think they started out with the longest long frame Chevy made/sold. at their factory they sliced in an additional 18" section. The wheelbase is now 176" long. In this case I believe rare does not equal good, nice, or cool.
if the factory only made a few of something it is usually only because they could not sell any more or they would have.
I do not see any special attraction to having a long flat bed. I don't need one. "Your truck do what you want to it. I'll do the same".
If you are interested in buying it and preserving the longest frame with a Chevy logo on it let me know. I am sure there are some other campers out there as well. I am just trying to take lemons and make lemonade.

[nlped]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

This may be rare in that it is really, really long. I think they started out with the longest long frame Chevy made/sold. at their factory they sliced in an additional 18" section. The wheelbase is now 176" long. In this case I believe rare does not equal good, nice, or cool.
if the factory only made a few of something it is usually only because they could not sell any more or they would have.
I do not see any special attraction to having a long flat bed. I don't need one. "Your truck do what you want to it. I'll do the same".
If you are interested in buying it and preserving the longest frame with a Chevy logo on it let me know. I am sure there are some other campers out there as well. I am just trying to take lemons and make lemonade.

Amen Brotha!!!

[flashed]

At least youre making progress on yours and mine just sits ,hopefully soon I will get mine going again ,just too dang many toys to play with at once .I was going to sell my 1 ton but my wife had a fit so its not going anywhere .

[Possmguts]

You and your caucuses and warm weather make me sick lol
Ohio sucks!

I wouldnt shorten it at all... big long low rider flat bed all the way.

get-r-done

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by Possmguts

You and your caucuses and warm weather make me sick lol
Ohio sucks!

I wouldnt shorten it at all... big long low rider flat bed all the way.

get-r-done

Warm? I was outside working on a 63 GMC I am selling and was cold all day. Started out about 31* and the high was about 51* I think. Never did get warm till I came inside and got a hot shower about dark. I know for many of you this sounds warm but we get used to 100* to 115* weather during the summer months and are cold when it's less than 75*.
What in the world would I do with a 16' long flatbed?
I tried to measure the whole truck from front bumper to back bumper and my 25' tape measure ran out about two feet from the end. The P O had installed a framework to mount a box about 4 feet deep and 7 feet wide by 3 feet tall. I had never seen such a beast. Hope I never do again.
Kinda wish I had listened to the wife and not went and got it. But, as a rule, I don't EVER say Uncle.

[trac209]

Lol cold........how's minus 35 Celcius sound? Love the outside pics to your build as well cool to see something is being worked on outside someplace in the world. Before you ask idk why I live here either haha

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by trac209

Lol cold........how's minus 35 Celcius sound? Love the outside pics to your build as well cool to see something is being worked on outside someplace in the world. Before you ask idk why I live here either haha

I know why you live there. I hear you guys have awesome weather in the summer. When we are down here in 118* you guys are asking "why on earth would you live there"?

[trac209]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

I know why you live there. I hear you guys have awesome weather in the summer. When we are down here in 118* you guys are asking "why on earth would you live there"?

True enough lol

[empi1776]

What size car hauler did u carry that home on.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by empi1776

What size car hauler did u carry that home on.

My car trailer has an 18' deck on it. To answer your question specifically, "Too D*mm Short of One".
I had that truck all the way forward with the front bumper hanging over the front end (bent my winch handle) and the rear duals were barely on the trailer. I needed about a 30' trailer and 3 axles would have been nice. Never again.

[empi1776]

So it was a 7500lb 18 ft car hauler

[nlped]

You mean you needed one like this...? My Open Road weighed in right at 11k lbs.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by nlped

You mean you needed one like this...? My Open Road weighed in right at 11k lbs.

You Sir are 100% correct. That's "EXACTLY" the trailer I needed. Believe me when I say "Never Again". I mean it.

Years ago I had a gooseneck trailer like yours. It was too dang hard to get a car on so I sold it. Sure needed one like it for Homer.

[nlped]

I borrowed it from a buddy who does excavation work. It was a beast to load the camper on, but luckily it had a 12K lb winch on it.

[cooperhw]

Here are a few pics I took of Homer tonight getting the first of many cleanings. All I did was spray some cleaner on the interior and wipe away about 20 years of sitting dust. I am astounded at how nice the interior is. I am not even planning (at least for now) to paint it. Just keep cleaning for a while yet. Anybody ever found one with the original dash pad and sun visors perfect? I sure never have. Usually they are much worse upon closer examination. This dude is awesome. Sounds like I'm tooting my own horn, but really I did nothing here, this is all Homer. Seems that great big old motorhome was shading the entire interior which helped keep it in good shape.

[nlped]

Nice!!! My interior had so many things different it was crazy. But the dash pad and defrost vents in mine were perfect too. It killed me to sell them...I may have some hoarding tendencies.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by nlped

Nice!!! My interior had so many things different it was crazy. But the dash pad and defrost vents in mine were perfect too. It killed me to sell them...I may have some hoarding tendencies.

the only "crazy things" I found are the little bubble levels. there are three of them in the cab. I am sure they were installed by Open Road when they built the motorhome.

[nlped]

My crazy stuff is all the previous owner installed pieces/parts. There are 1 billion switches & knobs that I have no idea what they all did (brake line lock, cruise control, fuel pump were just a few that I figured out) and all the autometer guages (8) for example.

[trac209]

Looking good,looks like some kids used the windshield for BB gun target shooting. If those are stone chips that truck really saw some travel duty.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by trac209

Looking good,looks like some kids used the windshield for BB gun target shooting. If those are stone chips that truck really saw some travel duty.

Nope, your first guess of BB guns is correct. They nailed the windshield and the passenger door glass. Amazing enough I don't see any dings on the body so at least they hit the glass. Way easier fix.

[Rod Run]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

I am planning/hoping to be able to keep Homer as original as possible after sorting out. I will post more pictures as I go.

Huh?


Tearing off the body, altering the cab, changing the bed, cutting the frame AND changing the wheelbase..... I'd have to say that you are going as far away from original as you possibly can. LOL

Cool project though

[flashed]

I think he is taking it back to where it was originally before the motorhome company modified it to what it is now .

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by flashed

I think he is taking it back to where it was originally before the motorhome company modified it to what it is now .

That's exactly what I had in mind. No LS motor, no 6 speed, no air bags (I don't think), no lowered stance, etc.
Basically get the 2 ton motorhome off (decrepid, rotten, falling apart) and try my best to put it back on the road. Hoping to keep it one ton dually, etc.