Has anyone seen these add-ons before ?

[Already Gone]

The truck in the link is for sale on EBay now. Has anyone ever seen a cylinder hooked up like this one between the cab and box. I guess the truck pulled a 5th wheel at some time and thats maybe why its mounted like that. Also is the block on the brake pedal a trailer brake or block cause the driver was short. Noticing above the windshield inside the cab does anyone think a potential rust problem is looming?


http://www.ebay.com/itm/252675601767...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[hugger6933]

Thats a cool 68 GMC IDK what those things are for. It looks like a 4X4 steering stabilizer

[special-K]

I've seen those dampeners used for hauling slide-in campers. Also seen them mounted at overhang on camper down to cowl on truck. Kinda silly when you think about it since the bed is rigid mounted to the frame. What do they stabilize?

If you only see rust seepage at the window there is probably rust between the gasket and flange, not down from the drip rail. I'd have to look closer. Often they first leak at the body seam in the drip rail right above the windshield post. I see seepage on the passenger post

[Already Gone]

I'm really curious about the brake pedal thing, anyone ?

[weq92f]

The add-on there between cab/bed doesn't look very useful.

Re: the brake switch or whatever: improvised brake light switch or safety during startup? Maybe a gear lockout in park?

-klb

[LONGHORN1962]

Possibly a trailer brake controller. If memory serves I believe Tekonsha made one like that.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I'm really curious about the brake pedal thing, anyone ?

Short driver - precursor to adjustable pedals.

As for the struts or shocks or whatever they are - have seen before, but not many. Could one of several purposes, none of which I'd imagine it accomplished very well.

[James the III]

They stop the spring action of the unsupported frame c section ,when a heavy load is placed with bias at the frame center not over the wheels..
most slide in campers are nose heavy, putting the load on the frame between the cab and bed..

[SS Tim]

The horizontal shocks are dampers intended to reduce cab bounce by tying the bed (hard mounted) and cab (rubber mounted) together. On this truck they were an aftermarket offering.
In 73 Chevrolet introduced them (inside the bed through the front panel) as well as verticle camper to cowl shocks as the Elimpitch system included in the Z83 Camper Special Deluxe Camper Group on C30 Fleetsides.

How effective they would be towing a fifth wheel is purely speculative. But like so many add-ons, once you drill the holes you tended to become a believer.

[TheCougarine]

The 73 C30 I just picked up has those mounted inside the bed as Tim said. It spent 90% of its life with a slide in camper in the bed. I can grab a picture of them tomorrow if anyone wants to see how they're set up.

[Steeveedee]

The bed is mounted to the frame with eight carriage bolts. It is separated from the cab for a reason (frame flexing). I'd consider these "shock absorbers" to be a sales pitch, along with dealer-added paint or parking lot protection strips. If a truck is a Custom Camper, it has been designed to carry the load. It has a heavier frame, leaf springs, and a Dana 60 axle (at least mine does). Maybe I'm missing something?

[TheCougarine]

I'd imagine the exterior stabilizers have a lot more to do with stabilizing the weight hanging over the sides of the truck rather than actually increasing any load carrying abilities. Carrying a load and keeping it from shifting around are two different things.

[geunther]

Grew up with a 73 Camper Special. Had them inside the bed as previously mentioned. The brake pedal thing is a trailer brake controller, also as mentioned.

Shocks did perform function for campers, but for a 5th wheel, the hitch should be secured to the frame, so any functionality would be negated.