1979 Camper Special Dually Flatbed

[bagged81]

This truck belonged to my uncle since the mid-2000's maybe, but he abandoned it around 2008 and it's been sitting ever since at his sister's house (my aunt). I planted the bug several years back that I wanted it. She called me one day and said I could have it! Unfortunately, it was not taken very good care of when it was running and driving OR when it was abandoned. There are two bullet holes in the windshield and one in the front of the hood. So it needs glass, haha.

I am sucker for projects and have been really trying not to take on EVERYTHING I find, BUT that has not worked too good. I have been putting off messing with it too much trying to buy time to convince my wife that the dually NEEDS us and we NEED it! Also, I don't want her thinking I'm taking on another project. My plan is to rescue it and make a good, solid work truck. I'd like it to pull a gooseneck for my A model JD one day. It's not going to be a show truck so I'm not worried about the body rust right now. I'll probably just spray paint over it anyway. Other than that, I really don't have specific plans for it. My dad and brother were trying to convince me to swap a better cab but I'm not up for that much work...yet.

[flashed]

That's not a bad looking truck ,Im in to see what you do with it.

[bagged81]

Got a few more photos of what I'm starting with. I'm not even worried about whether it runs or not...yet. My focus is everything else like pressure washing it, the dent in the driver door, cleaning the interior, removing the ONE fender on the driverside rear, replacing the cab lights, etc. You know...the important stuff! Oh, and it needs the glass still too. I'm looking forward to sitting in those caddy seats!

It did have spare so I need to get it on the from pass side as you can see. This tire should still be good cause I believe it just came off the bead.

[bagged81]

Looks like I have a motor mount problem.

[bagged81]

Got the bed cleaned up but still want to remove the toolboxes.

[flashed]

A lot of that door dent may pop right out .

[bagged81]

That's what I was thinking too. Its a soft fluffy dent with no hard edges.

[bagged81]

Can someone school me on this brake master cylinder? Its different than my C10.

[Eraser475]

Originally Posted by bagged81

Can someone school me on this brake master cylinder? Its different than my C10.

That is what is called a hydroboost brake system. It was used on one tons and diesels. Instead of using vacuum, they use pressure from the power steering pump to assist in braking

[bagged81]

So the truck is at my folks place so I don't get much time to just tinker on due to other projects. I did get to tinker yesterday between building a new pole barn with my dad and brother. We're actually building the pole barn around the my truck. Things I got done yesterday:

- Bullet hole in windshield Gorilla taped
- Shattered back window removed Gorilla taped with plastic bag
- Front left tire on that actually holds air
- Determined the motor mounts definitely are shot
- Tool boxes remove
- Cleaned a bunch of leaves off the cowl (surprisingly it was not rusted)
- Grill practically fell out it was so predesignated (I'm going to build one out of expanded metal)

I really want to get the mounts remove and repaired/replaced next, and I really need to work on starting it because I still don't know the condition of the motor.

[bagged81]

The pole barn rafters are now complete and ready for sheeting. We also got all the sheeting done on the back and right side. I am sure once it gets done my truck will be kicked out. The truck has made a good scaffolding though.