Project Mothertruck

[Camino LS6]

For now, this link to an old thread is all you get. I plan to finish this one after the wagon is done.

http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...;hl=Mothertruck

[gmpartsgirl]

So much fun!! I'm excited to see more pics. It's cool to see somebody doing one of these old big ass trucks, kinda tired of seeing all the perfect shortwide regular cabs running around. At least this truck could actually be useful and hold more butts besides just being pretty.

[Camino LS6]

So much fun!! I'm excited to see more pics. It's cool to see somebody doing one of these old big ass trucks, kinda tired of seeing all the perfect shortwide regular cabs running around. At least this truck could actually be useful and hold more butts besides just being pretty.

Thanks!

I'll add to this when the project reaches the top of the list. (pics too)

[XP715]

It's cool to see somebody doing one of these old big ass trucks, kinda tired of seeing all the perfect shortwide regular cabs running around.

Totally agree. Not often you see a crew cab fleetside done up nice; it's a very uncommon configuration. What year is it again?

[Camino LS6]

It's an '88.

It started life as a medic unit.

There's a pic you can download back a ways in the thread of what it looked like then.

[Camino LS6]

I'm toying with the idea of just putting this one back together and selling it as is.

[gmpartsgirl]

I'm toying with the idea of just putting this one back together and selling it as is.

Awww, how come?

[Camino LS6]

Well, because I'd like to get down to a smaller number of projects at the same time generally.

And because I keep seeing cars I'd like to have and don't have the cash. :AH-HA_wink:

This truck could be on the road and street legal with very little work, the engine has all of 2 miles on it, the frame has been blasted and painted, and I have tons of new GM stuff ready to bolt on.

The holdup, as usual, is finding an affordable and reliable bodyshop to get the paint done. That's the only reason it wasn't finished a couple of years ago. The bodyshop "never got to it" and lost a pair of doors I had for it as well as the body hardware.

Not a done deal yet, but I may bail out of this one to move other things forward. I have too much in it to give it away though, so we'll see what happens.

[gmpartsgirl]

I understand the body shop problem believe me. I have to deal with them all the time since the dealer I work for doesn't have one. I found one good reliable shop that actually is pretty damn fast, but they are expensive, because they are so damn good. They mostly only do resto work, custom paint, hot rods, that sort of thing. But they do quite a bit of work for us, mostly small stuff. Finding a good machine shop around here is a much much bigger problem. They are all slow and do crappy work. We basically gave up, and we found a place that sells reman heads for super cheap and they do REALLY good work, but they are in Texas. For bigger stuff, like engines, we just sell the crate motors, it's much easier and faster.

[Camino LS6]

I really want to have my own setup for painting so I can avoid this huge hassle with every project.

But that isn't realistic for me right now, so...

[gmpartsgirl]

Yeah if you do that many, it would be a great help. But expensive to get setup. I have a friend who has done just that, and does work for other people on the side. It's helping to pay for the intial setup.

[GMTruckGuy74]

Well, because I'd like to get down to a smaller number of projects at the same time generally.

And because I keep seeing cars I'd like to have and don't have the cash. :AH-HA_wink:

This truck could be on the road and street legal with very little work, the engine has all of 2 miles on it, the frame has been blasted and painted, and I have tons of new GM stuff ready to bolt on.

The holdup, as usual, is finding an affordable and reliable bodyshop to get the paint done. That's the only reason it wasn't finished a couple of years ago. The bodyshop "never got to it" and lost a pair of doors I had for it as well as the body hardware.

Not a done deal yet, but I may bail out of this one to move other things forward. I have too much in it to give it away though, so we'll see what happens.

Well, how about giving it away free to a dedicated GM truck fan that will care for it for a long time?

. . .

. . .

. . .

Okay, stop laughing now!

[GMTruckGuy74]

For the lazy here...

It's an '88.

It started life as a medic unit.

There's a pic you can download back a ways in the thread of what it looked like then.

[Camino LS6]

The Mothertruck project is safe... for the moment.

I decided against this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...A:IT&ih=016

[XP715]

Good decision. Hold out for a '70 like you used to have. Those double headlights really make the vehicle; a '71-'72 just isn't as cool.

[Camino LS6]

Yeah, but any factory 4spd. Camino gets my instant attention.

But nothing will really replace the Spacetruck but another fat block with a manual. Especially wrapped in 1970 sheetmetal.

I get the feeling that when I get another one, it won't require me to restore it.

I could be wrong about that though.

[Camino LS6]

Looks like I'll need to add some money to the budget for this project.

While working on the wagon a few days ago, I looked over at The Mothertruck to see that its rear window had spontaneously exploded! Weird since the truck has been completely still and untouched for a very long time.

The worst part is that I had at least one spare window hanging around for years, now it seems I must have given it away at some point.

[z28luvr01]

Ilch. You'll be removing glass shards forever.

I'm almost certain you could find a decent rear glass for one of these at a junkyard.

[Camino LS6]

Ilch. You'll be removing glass shards forever.

I'm almost certain you could find a decent rear glass for one of these at a junkyard.

The window is "cubed" top to bottom and side to side, but is still in place so far. I think I'll cover it in and out with contact paper or something before removing it to minimize the glass shards.

I know this window should be an easy find, but it galls me that I had at least one in stock for years - and now that I need it , it appears to be gone.

[Camino LS6]

OFF WITH HIS HEAD!!!

err, bed, I mean.

[XP715]

Dude, seriously, who owned this place before you moved in? Look at that beautiful old rugged stone and timber barn with nice modern structural steel, smooth concrete floors, high ceilings, new doors and windows that look old, new floor joists; it's brightly lit and everything. I tell ya, the things I'd be doing with a space like that.....

[Camino LS6]

Dude, seriously, who owned this place before you moved in? Look at that beautiful old rugged stone and timber barn with nice modern structural steel, smooth concrete floors, high ceilings, new doors and windows that look old, new floor joists; it's brightly lit and everything. I tell ya, the things I'd be doing with a space like that.....

The only thing original about the barn is the twelve feet of stone wall on three sides. The rest is new, rebuilt after burning to the ground after a lightning strike a few years ago. I was here then and it scared the crap out of me!

Maybe someday I'll post the whole story.

[A Horse With No Name]

Still a beautiful place to work. I like the Jag in the background also!

Chris

[Intrepidation]

The bed looks cruddy but the rest looks pretty good from those photos. I agree that I'd love a place like that to work in. You should share that story sometime Camino.

[Camino LS6]

What's up with the frosted rear window? Was it that cold in the shop?

Not frosted. It shattered a few months ago for no apparant reason while sitting still in the same spot it had been in for several years. I don't know why it happened.

[Camino LS6]

The bed looks cruddy but the rest looks pretty good from those photos. I agree that I'd love a place like that to work in. You should share that story sometime Camino.

The bed really isn't all that bad, most of what you see is dirt and debris. The bedsides are a bit rusty at a few spots on the bottom, but I have new GM bedsides for it. The rest of the truck is nearly rust free, there is one small spot on a rocker panel and some surface rust in small spots. The floor is perfect as are the cab corners and other spots where these trucks usually rust. For most of the last ten years, this truck has been inside.

I'll type up the story of the barn someday, it's a pretty good story.

[Intrepidation]

You should definitely finish it, I think it'll look pretty sweet when it's done. Most of those trucks are in the scrapyard or beat to hell by now.

[Camino LS6]

You should definitely finish it, I think it'll look pretty sweet when it's done. Most of those trucks are in the scrapyard or beat to hell by now.

I know, I know.

I really want to finish it, but financial reality says no.

I just cleaned the dust and dirt from the frame, and the new paint still looks good - got me to thinking about all I've already put into this truck.

I hate having to bail on the project when It is so close.

[Camino LS6]

Alright, this one is turning into a bit of a mystery. I did the fuel pump for the left hand tank, but it won't power-up. The right hand tank will power-up and pump gas, but then there is an immediate leak. So, I isolated the leak, and it isn't coming from any of the fuel lines or their connections. It is coming from what looks like a breather in the unit that switches the tanks. All of the fuel lines go into this unit as well as the electrical harness. This tiny, slant-cut, plastic tube comes out of the unit and spews fuel when the right hand pump is energized.

I'm thinking that either the unit is bad and causing both the leak and the left hand pump not powering-up. Or there is an obstruction in the line (clogged filter maybe) and that the small tube is a pressure relief for the system. I need to pick the brains of the guys at the local Chevy shop tomorrow.

Fuel pump pics:

Test fit of new pump, the old one is off to the right

new pump, O-ring,strainer,and lock ring ready to go

Installed

[knightfan26917]

I'll type up the story of the barn someday, it's a pretty good story.

I sure hope you do type that story up. IIRC, you told me at least part of it when I visited you earlier this year.

These are 2 closeup shots I took of the stonework:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200808/020...mino12_jpg.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200808/021...mino13_jpg.html

Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...Chitown #2 = 07/25/09

Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Every song, another scene" ... Dierks Bently ... 'Every Mile A Memory'

[Camino LS6]

After a powow with the techs at the Chevy shop, we were all in agreement that the unit that switches from one tank to the other is likely the source of the trouble. I ordered a new one (expensive).

Meanwhile, I have the truck about ready for ebay:

[Camino LS6]

more:

[Camino LS6]

Another batch (I have more):

[Camino LS6]

Mothertruck Lives!

I replaced the tank switching unit and fired the monster up today.

Purrs like a kitten, err... roars like a lion?

Anyway, it runs great.

So tomorrow it should hit ebay.

But I still want to finish it.

[Intrepidation]

I want to see it finished.

[Camino LS6]

*sigh*

Me too.

[Camino LS6]

The Mothertruck sees the light of day!

For the first time in ages, the truck left the barn - under its own power!

I drove it around "the ranch" a bit to give all of the systems a little workout. While it was out, I snapped a few pics.

I also removed what was left of the rear window. That stupid thing survived all of the moving around I did with the truck in the barn, removing the bed, and me wrenching on the switching unit, only to fall out when I shut the driver's door while getting it started!

Figures.

So, I taped-up the remains and have now removed them (no pics). The mess wasn't too bad.

Pics:

[Camino LS6]

Well, it's listed now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...E:IT&ih=014

[knightfan26917]

Good luck with the sale, Camino. Glad to see that the Mothertruck saw the light of day .

[Camino LS6]

Thanks, Knightfan.

[Camino LS6]

After just one day being listed, there have been over 300 views and 17 people are watching the auction. Not a bad start, I guess.

The truck will probably meet reserve and sell because I really want to finish it.

That's just the way things tend to go for me. I don't really know what to hope for: that it sells?... or that it doesn't.

[z28luvr01]

$4K is a steal. The parts alone should fetch that much.

You do have the right to end the auction early if you change your mind. What if you unloaded some of the parts you don't need, and used that money to finish it off?

[Camino LS6]

$4K is a steal. The parts alone should fetch that much.

You do have the right to end the auction early if you change your mind. What if you unloaded some of the parts you don't need, and used that money to finish it off?

I know.

I really need the cash, but even though it would net me alot more money to part it out - I just can't do that. I'll be taking a 50% loss at 4k, but I had to balance the immediate need vs. my tolerance for taking a hit. I arrived at the 4k number that way.

What it comes down to is that the truck will either leave as it is, or leave after I finish it. I'm in a "get on with it" sort of mood these days. And, I'd like to be able to get back to the Camino sooner rather than later.

Short of winning the lottery I can't see cancelling the listing if the reserve is met - I've already accepted that level of loss.

[Camino LS6]

It's funny how these auctions run, just a handful of low bids but almost 900 views, 34 watchers, and the offer of a Mustang convertible so far.

You just never know how things will end up.

[A Horse With No Name]

It would be an awesome tow vehicle done. If it doesn't sell on Ebay, you might join the SCCA and list it with the local SCCA folks, or the local roundy-round or drag folks, if they have a newsletter.

Although fewer people are racing because of the economy, there is still a demand for cheap tow vehicles. I'm going to mention this to a couple friends of mine, and see if I can drum up some interest for it.

Chris

[Camino LS6]

It would be an awesome tow vehicle done. If it doesn't sell on Ebay, you might join the SCCA and list it with the local SCCA folks, or the local roundy-round or drag folks, if they have a newsletter.

Although fewer people are racing because of the economy, there is still a demand for cheap tow vehicles. I'm going to mention this to a couple friends of mine, and see if I can drum up some interest for it.

Chris

Funny you should say that, the Mustang guy is looking for a tow vehicle.

BTW: I love SCCA-style racing, and thanks for spreading the word!

[Camino LS6]

I should know pretty soon now if the truck is leaving or I have to get back into project mode.

Either one will be better than waiting.

[BigPontiac]

So, what color are you going to paint it while you're finishing it :AH-HA_wink:

[Camino LS6]

Looks like I had better get back to work on this one: the bidding didn't even reach a reasonable level.

[Camino LS6]

So, what color are you going to paint it while you're finishing it :AH-HA_wink:

Yeah, yeah.

White it is.