Jim's 1970 Custom Camper

[jimbosprint]

I bought this truck today. 1970 C20 Custom Camper. It runs and drives, and it needs a lot of help inside and out. Not sure what I'm gonna do with it yet, but it's mine. First step is to clean it up and see what I've really gotten into.

350 engine / TH350 transmission
Power steering, power brakes, AC (system mostly abandoned and removed)
HD rear leaf springs

The cab appears to be in good shape, no major rust, dash is cut. Body and interior are beat up - as usual for an old work truck.

[cooperhw]

Very nice. You are quite possibly saving that trucks life.

[jimbosprint]

I think the engine is a 350 from a 76 Camaro. (engine code expert care to confirm?)

[jimbosprint]

Alright, here is some of the ugly stuff.

Thick bondo on front fender (makes me worry about other repairs).
Dent in passenger bedside. Super ugly stupid wide rear wheels/tires.
Busted up steering wheel and cut dash (I wonder what's under that wood panel?)

[Saclandman]

Congrats on the newest acquisition.

[Torpex]

It looks good! If it wasnt in a collision thats even better. That looks like a good truck to slowly wrench your way through, congrats!

[jimbosprint]

Thanks guys! This one's not as nice as my '72, but I think it's still worth saving. Fun times ahead!

[summitflier]

Lots of potential.

[jimbosprint]

It runs well enough to drive 100 yards, and I got it into my driveway. It's officially a collection!




(even with one back tire about to blow)

[Xeen]

Looks like fun to me, at the very least it's a truck you can beat on and not have to worry about tearing up your nice one.

[jimbosprint]

It is registered non-op, so it can't go on the road. A truck to wrench on for now.

[jimbosprint]

Cleaned up the cobwebs and some rat turds in the engine compartment, and put the air cleaner back on (sorta). Some scary wiring and interesting plumbing going on, but nothing that can't be fixed.

[jimbosprint]

Cleaned out the interior a bit. The saddle blanket seat cover someone put in had disintegrated into a billion little fibers that were everywhere (huge mess to clean up). Cab floor is rusty by the kick panels. Heater/AC ducts are trashed under the dash. Found the original owners manual in glove box, so that's cool. Also found $2.34 in change.

[summitflier]

I was wondering where I lost that $2.34.

I love the pouch on the lower doors. I remember when those were popular.

[jimbosprint]

I got the dash, cluster, and steering column cleaned up this morning. Amazing what some water and a rag can do.

I also pulled out the junk homemade battery tray and copper pipe wire looms. I found that the fried wire is between the battery and alternator, so I'm going to replace that and try to figure out the problem. I'm also going to replace the battery cables with side post terminals so I can easily swap in the battery from my other truck (this truck didn't come with a battery).

[jimbosprint]

I also re-checked out the vital fluids this morning. Oil looked pretty good for sitting for the last year or more. Radiator was full of green water. It started and ran off the gas tank, and the fuel filter before carb looks okay. I did add a little brake fluid to the back reservoir of the master cylinder, but it wasn't empty.

[jimbosprint]

I replaced the really bad wire between the battery and alternator this morning, and fixed the incorrect wiring (fusible link missing). I also replaced the battery cables so I can swap in the battery from my other truck. Now I can start it more easily, and fix any other electrical problems.

I found a pair of side marker lenses on craigslist for cheap, so I replaced them. The passenger side was broken, and the driver side was so faded that it was not amber colored any more.

[jimbosprint]

I took out the junk radio and wood faceplate. I knew the dash had to be hacked up behind it.

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

I took out the junk radio and wood faceplate. I knew the dash had to be hacked up behind it.

At least you have the welding skills to fix it, while you are at it you can delete the ash tray, smooth it all out and fit it for a double din and fix the center AC vent.

[71Sleeper]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

Thanks guys! This one's not as nice as my '72, but I think it's still worth saving. Fun times ahead!

Nothing that time and money can't fix.

[jimbosprint]

I found some chrome wheels with tires on Craigslist. Two of the tires are bad, but still a good deal for $150. I know these will look nice on the truck - they are the same wheels as my '72!

[jimbosprint]

What a difference! It looks more like a sport truck and less like a tweeker truck.

I replaced the wide ugly mag rims in back with the new chrome wheels. It will look even better when I get the matching front ones on there. I also took off the lumber rack, which I will keep and use when I need it.

[jimbosprint]

Ugh, more electrical to work on. No taillights, brake lights, marker lights, license plate light, dash lights, cargo light, or interior light. Turn signals, back up lights, and one headlight are working. The other headlight has high beam but no low beam.

[jimbosprint]

Okay, I think I got the lights sorted out mostly. Turn signals and backup were working, but everything else needed some attention. If I have any problems, I'll probably take a closer look at the dash switch.

Headlights - Both high and low beam work after wiggling connection at dash switch.
Taillights - worked after wiggling connection at dash switch.
Brake lights - Brake light switch at pedal was dirty, loose, and not adjusted properly.
Marker lights - Bulbs out all around. Worked after wiggling connection at dash switch. Passenger rear still has no power for some reason.
License plate light - Old one was junk. Installed a new one from Napa.
Interior dome light - Bulb was not in. Works now.
Cargo light - Works with dome light on.

[jimbosprint]

I was thinking about putting some new R45TS AC Delco plugs that I have in the truck, so I pulled one and found that it has older style gasket-seat plugs. I wonder if the block was replaced and these might be the original heads?