Quote:
Originally Posted by IronGutsSpeedShop
Hey everyone, new to this site and new to big trucks as well.
I had been casually looking for an early 80's topkick but i thought they seemed expensive for what they were and decided to hold off on the idea for a while.
I was rewarded for my patience with finding an old farm with a couple rusted out junkers and also what looks like a 60-63 GMC 4000 that is certainly weather beaten but the interior looks ok and it just caught my eye.
Of course, I have to have it haha. So i get a price and it was good, but i can't get it quite yet because:
1. It is huge
2. I need to rent or borrow a tractor trailer to tow it home (I think?)
3. I don't have room at my house so i have to store it close by at a lot for a small fee.
Not extraordinarily large hurdles, just speed bumps. I will definitely be picking it up. I think about it all day haha.
I had some questions, it has been parked for at least 20-25 years, do you think that the hubs will turn if there were aired up tires?
It seems like it either has a 351 or 305, but i didnt check closely because the sun was setting. Do you folks get most of them to be able to run after doing the usual fixings?
What sort of mpg do people get in these with the V6? i know MPG and 1963 and Huge Truck aren't synonymous, but I'm just curious.
thanks a lot for any help that you can give! I'm sure I will have a bunch more questions. and great site!  |
I was fortunate to be able to get a 1963 4000 a couple years back, it had sat for a while but airing up the only flat tire was all it needed to get rolling. Mine had the "wrong" motor in it, was a v-6 just bigger than it came with. 305s were very common, 351 (ie. non magnum) would be an expected option. Haven't looked at the data plate in a while to see which was supposed to be in the truck.
On a truck this size, don't expect fuel economy. In the pickups a 305 can get 10, all day long, regardless of load. Something this size I would certainly expect less. The 305 is a stout motor though, so it will pull just about anything. Oddly the only motor I've had trouble with was a 351E, which I have been trying to replace for a couple years now (I have a correct '63 305 with plaid covers, Holley carb, and electronic ignition sitting on the ground waiting to go in my '63 2500 hauler). Time and money, always time and money.
I notice Charon mentions torsion bars... I know this to be true on the 1000 and 1500 series (1/2 - 3/4 ton) but could not say the same for a 4000. I'd have to check the manuals to see what they say was offered on a big truck.
Depending on how yours is equipped, the GVW can vary a bit for that series. 20,000 GVW is common (I used to have 2 - 5500 series which were 20,000s) and the '63 4000 I still have is rated at 24,000 GVW. Around here truck driver's license isn't required until it goes to 26,001 so I'm good with a standard driver's license IF/When mine ever goes on the road. Mine has a little over a 20' deck on it, 2 speed rear and at one time it had been fitted for an air compressor for air brakes (for the trailer).
Can't tell you though from experience the mpg, I didn't buy the truck rather I stored it, pulled the engine for the buyer, and got the truck for my labor. I was a bit more active in those days.
I know where there is a '60 4000 with tool boxes and man-lift, had a chance at it years ago but something happened (for some reason he stopped replying to my emails), I keep thinking I need it though and since I know where it is I may take my life in my own hands and ask him about it again (then the wife will kill me, but oh well...
)