1,390 mile test drive - 72 GMC K2500 Custom Camper Sierra Grande

[tev]

Just drove this from Vegas this June to Austin via Marfa. It's a Fremont built truck that lived around Sacramento before I got it. I'm third owner as far as I know. Story was that it was garaged by the second owner since 1976. I could at least verify the 76 date as it came with a 1976 CA. title - tiny thing. Anyway, it was always a dry Ca truck and now its in central Texas. Should stay dry for a long time.

I grew up with these truck in south Texas. Most were 4x4. I've owned a 69 C-10 stepside shortbed three-on-the-tree since 97, but the small bed, 1/2 ton payload and 250 kinda limited my ability to haul soil and gravel or tow much. I do agree with my friend, a retired mechanic, when he described that straight 6 as bulletproof. I dont think that engine has been rebuilt since it left the factory. Still going strong.

I wasn't looking to replace the C10, but when I saw this truck it's exactly what I've wanted since I was a boy. 3/4 ton, 4x4, 350, auto 350 trans, heavy duty front and rear leaf springs, Sierra Grande and Custom Camper. I like dark olive.

According to this review, Custom Camper 4x4 means 4:10 gears: http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/...972-gmc-k2500/

So when I picked it up in Vegas I bit the bullet and bought some Ford 16 inch 8 bolts and mounted BFG 285/75 on em, to keep rpms lower. Threw the 16.5" orig. wheels and 29.5" tires in the back and hauled em back down to Austin. We also added a softopper for camping. Camped in the back of the truck and there was plenty of room with the gate up for me and my wife. Huge bed on that thing, which is what I wanted.

Went through Flagstaff and camped there at the KOA. Next day, truck flooded in Quemada and I wasn't sure what the problem was, but didn't like gas pouring on the exhaust manifold so we waited that out and figured out it was altitude. Need to put a pressure regulator on it and replace rubber fuel hose with steel lines, among other things (I think the rear springs are tired). Other than that the trip was good, just added some fluids and lucas gear oil and we did fine. I think we hit 10 mpg regardless of terrain. Kept it at 60 most of the time.

PO made some mods that I can live with even if I'd prefer a totally original truck: replaced 350 with a 350 crate about 10 years ago, new stereo that I think involved a dash cut, speakers in doors, sliding rear window, and spray in bed liner. This is going to be a camping and work truck, so its all ok. Totally happy with the truck so far, but it seems a little underpowered even with new carb, new intake and headers.

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/f...mNSVWVtMVdBOGM