Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

We are still waiting for pics from last weekend! Foley let me know they got to Huron, SD yesterday.

DAC

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Well, Fetch and DAC -- I'm afraid you'll have to wait until at least next Tuesday for any of my pictures. I was in Wichita for the last week, staying at my folks' house with no internet access. I finally have internet access here tonight at my motel in Limon, CO. Tomorrow night I'll be in Rock Springs, WY, then Battle Mountain, NV, Sunday night. Back home Monday night.

When Dad and I got back to his house after the mini-meet Sunday, he and Mom surprised me by asking me if I wanted to drive his '65 one ton Suburban back home instead of flying. I told them they didn't have to ask me twice!

So I spent the last few days getting the truck roadworthy for the trip home. I changed the oil & filter, checked the trans, Watson box, and rear end, and read through Dad's meticulous maintenance records to see what else it might need. Although he had only driven it about 2500 miles in the last 15 years, there were few miles on the belts, hoses, chassis lube, spark plug wires, wheel bearings grease, etc., etc. I made a Harbor Freight run too, to stock up on tools, just in case. I figured if I had them, I wouldn't need them. But if I didn't have them, I probably would!

The main thing I had to do was buy two new 33x12.50x16.5 tires to replace two really old ones. The other two only have 2500 miles on them. The fact that they're 15 years old makes me a little nervous, but so far so good. At least they've been garaged the whole time, out of the sun and temperature extremes.

With 40 gallon fuel capacity, I've only had to fill up once so far. Got over 12 mpg, which I thought was pretty good for a truck Dad thinks weighs about 7000 pounds. If the 351C continues to run as well as it has so far, I shouldn't have any trouble making it all the way home. I debated whether to do three 600 mile days or four 450 mile days, and decided on the latter so as not to push it too hard. At 60 to 65 mph in 75 mph zones, about 98% of the traffic is passing me. Good thing I'm not in a hurry!

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

I am looking forward to pics of that rig. Have a safe trip.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Barry -- the first post on page 5 of this thread, dated May 1st, has one photo of the one ton Suburban. I'll post more when I get back home. I wasn't the only one there at the meet taking photos, though. Since Foley's probably still traveling, he may not have internet access. Dave, Nate, David -- any photos to share?

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Cool old rig. I have some 15x10 and 16.5 x9.75 8 lug slot wheels. But I never used them on a 60-66 because tires rub in the back. Safe travels.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

The tires would have rubbed on the rear fender lips on the one ton Suburban if Dad hadn't had Darryl Starbird radius the openings to match the front fender openings. He had ordered it originally with the biggest wheels and tires available fromm the factory, 8.00x17.5. When towing the 24' Avion trailer, however, he experienced many blowouts. So when the 12x16.5 tires became available (about 1969 I think) he got rid of the originals. For some reason, the Avion (Airstream clone) only had a single axle even though it weighed about 5000 pounds. So we had lots of blowouts with those tires too. Don't remember the size, 7.00x15 maybe. So around the same time Dad installed the 12x16.5 tires on the 9.75x16.5 wheels on the truck, he modified the trailer to fit 10x16.5 tires on 8.25x16.5 wheels. That eliminated the blowouts on both truck and trailer.

I had a 1963 GMC Suburban in 1971 that I installed 10x16.5 tires and 8.25x16.5 wheels on. The fronts fit fine, but I had to use a crescent wrench to bend up the inner lips on the rear wheel openings to clear the tires. Next I bought a new half ton 4x4 pickup in 1972 and installed 12x16.5 tires and 9.75x16.5 wheels on it. All four fit with no clearance problems.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

That's fantastic Ed! Congrats! That's great you get to keep it in the family. Good luck on getting her home.

Once again, I enjoyed visiting with you and your old man. It was also nice to finally meet Bob, Dave and Nate. Dave did an awesome job on the brats!


Safe travels,

David

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

I only took a few photos (with my flip phone), so they're probably not that good compared to what others took.

There was a total of two trucks; my '62 3/4 ton and Ed's old man (Bob) '65 1 ton.

I was impressed with the '65... It sat in a garage for three years with a trickle charger (nine year old battery), fuel had stabilizer in it, and Bob drove it to the get together. :thumbsup:

Now Ed is driving it cross-country...

Re: 12" Dia Hubcaps
 

Foley is also looking for a set of these 12" dia hubcaps... Please let him know if you have any extras or see any on the web for sale.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Ed, that is an amazing GMC! Your Dad is very lucky to have a family like yours that will take care of this truck. Darryl Starbird----Wow! Owning an old GMC is cool but owning an old FAMILY GMC makes them priceless. I have a GMC my Mom drove for 30 years. Have a great trip!

Your pics look great as well as your truck. Thanks for posting! More pics of your '62 would be cool!

Foley and I just had a mini-meet here in Rapid City, SD! Their trip is going well and he told me about how much he enjoyed the Wichita meet and his tractor meet. We swapped stories for a couple of hours! He's a great guy and I'm thankful for the chance to meet him!

Here's a couple of pics from an hour or so ago.

DAC

Re: 12" Dia Hubcaps
 

Hi Clarke, Foley told me today that he has some located in Springfield, MO that he is going to buy but I will let him tell the story when he can. He got a chuckle when I showed him these on my 3/4 ton, but even in the condition they are in he had to look close. They are "bowtie" caps but I couldn't stand to put them on a GMC so about 10 years ago I made stickers to cover it up, even though this truck is a '72 with a smallblock! Looks like it's time to make some more stickers.

Thanks for that pic, I wasn't sure how that outer black was painted on them since it is gone on these.

DAC

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Let's see some pics of that truck and camper David.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Dave Clarke's neat engine
http://i58.tinypic.com/9kp44j.jpg
Bob's Suburban
http://i59.tinypic.com/21m5c83.jpg
Dave's GMC and trailer
http://i58.tinypic.com/345ezvn.jpg

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

I am not so good at the above photo posting with comments but I have more pics if you folks would like to see more

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Great pics nate! More please! The picture beast is hungry today :lolsmack2:

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Sorry took so long to post.

Sorry I have no pics to share, I found out the morning I left St Louis my camera was kaput. Son used it last on his worldwind tour of the east coast a couple of months ago.

In my opinion, things went well.....

Great setting: The gazebo was a definate plus!!!!! Beat the **** out of standing on an asphalt parking lot all day with NO shade (Did that the day before at the Car Show in St Charles). Oh by the way my '78 GMC took 1st place in the truck division!!!!

Weather: No rain!!!!! Sunny & warm but the gazebo and the breeze made things very tolerable.

Good Food: Maybe bratwurst and salsizza's are just a Midwest thing. Either folks liked them or was just being polite when they said they liked them. The sausages, slaw, veggie tray, chips, brownies & watermelon (sorry if I forgot anything) made for a perfect Sunday afternoon picnic/lunch. Not overwhelming but noone went hungry. Minimal leftovers were taken by attendees so nothing went to waste.

Trucks: It was great to see a true survivor like Bob (now Ed's 'burb). And Dave's (?) truck and camper was very cool. I am sure they both get looks & thumb's up when they drive these trucks down the highway.

I am sorry, but I am terrible @ names but I want to thank everyone that made the effort to attend this meet. And thanks to all that brought food for the meal. Special shout out to Ed's brother for renting the gazebo and going back home to get a grill. Wasn't sure how I was gonna grill the meat when I showed up and there was no grill......

It was nice to see Ed again, and a pleasure to meet his dad and brothers. It was also great to meet new folks. Like I have stated numerous time everyone truly seemed to be "Good People".


EVERYONE here should make an attempt to organize one of these "Mini-Meets". You never know who might show up. This one in south Kansas brought folks from California, Oregon, Kansas & Missouri.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Here are a few pictures for Fetch's "picture beast".

#1 shows Dave "Rusty Nut" Schlager and Nate (sorry -- didn't get your last name) standing in the rear, David Clarke, Pete Snyder, and Bob Currie aka "Foley" seated looking at photos of Ed's 62 Suburban and Nate's big winch truck

#2 left to right: David Clarke, Nate, Bob Snyder, Bob Currie, Dave Schlager, Ed Snyder

#3 Bob Snyder watching David trying to take a photo of Bob's hand throttle linkage

#4 David's awesome travel trailer

When you get ambitious, David, you'll have to start a thread telling everybody about the details of your trailer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I heard you say you started with a 1953 chassis, did 25 CAD drawings, and have done nearly all the construction yourself. I think somebody in Missouri made the siding for you, and you found a few old trim items on eBay. It's self-contained with black and grey holding tanks. Let me know when it's done so I can come and take a closer look and more photos!

I also took lots of photos of the one ton Suburban. When I get time I should start a separate thread with descriptions too.

I'm sure you all know that you can click on any of these "thumbnails" to see an enlarged version of the photo.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Dave I need to see some more of the camper. That's cool.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Together - Camper Before Pics
 

Hello Barry...

I've been looking for an old camper to pull behind the GMC for about 3 or 4 years. I was having a hard time finding an interior floor plan and wood finish that I liked, so I decided to design my own. Well... except for the exterior, I gotta a little help from a cartoon sketch on a beer bottle label.

I was on a motorcycle trip last fall in northern MO and looked at a '63 Winne (see attached pictures), but I only wanted the frame, axle and bathroom door knob (which had a bronze like finish, so I had it chromed). I paid $500 for the frame and axle (he threw in the bathroom door knob for free; LOL). And, no... I didn't tow it back with my two wheeler. :)

I'll post pictures of the nearly completed camper on the next thread.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Together - Camper After Pictures
 

I took these pictures before I installed the baby moon hub caps and the alum door and windows rain gutters.

Notice the wheel well matches the rear GMC cutout; except for Bob's (Ed's) burb, he didn't like the stick cut out, so he cut his out to match the front (for bigger tires). I also added a 3" lift to the rear leaf spring shackles to lift the whole camper up, so I could run larger tires and gain more ground clearance.

For the most part, the creases in the siding match on all four sides. Even the creases in the front window chip guard align. No creases were added where the painted stripes are... I figured this would give it more of a custom look.

I just had it weighed the other day and the empty weight is 2,600 lbs. I did install an electric brake controller under the column and it works good; I can lock those camper tires up. I also installed repro backup lights on the truck and a hidden set under the camper bumper to light up the ground, for setting up a night.

The rear camper bumper also has a custom built in 2" X 2" receiver in the center of the 3" bumper channel.

I'll post some interior pictures on the next thread.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Together - In-process Interior Pics
 

Still working on the inside... My orig plan was to just put in a porta-pot, but my wife 'should I say' challenged me to put in a flushing toilet. So, we have a flushing toilet. I was able to snake the pipe (I mean many connectors) around the wheel well and to the inside of the frame before going through the floor into the black holding tank.

It has AC, fridge/freezer, heater, stove with hood, microwave, tankless water heater, outdoor shower, surround stereo system, soon to have DVD and TV on pivot arm (for those rainy nights).

Most all the vents are through the floor, in attempt to keep the exterior period correct.

The exterior grab handle, porch light, and tag light are all orig pieces from from different model campers, but they play well together. I had the pieces rechromed. I did not install any of the exterior badges from the orig camper to the outside; I installed them to the side of one of the cabinet doors. I did have one rechromed and installed above the bed as decor.

Hopefully, it will be done in a few months (just in time to winterize). I'll post a few more pics when it's finished. I'm waiting on awning fabric samples, so I can order that. We need shade in KS!

Re: 12" Dia Hubcaps
 

Thanks for the update DAC.

Hey, my wife and I will be in the Hill City area on our bike over the weekend and early next week, then we'll be moving north to the Spearfish area to finish the week.

If you want to hook up for dinner somewhere, let me know. I'll send you my phone number, as I don't have a data plan on my phone so I can't check this stuff while I'm traveling.

Take care,

Clarke

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

As you all have probably surmised, I made it home from Wichita in the one ton Suburban yesterday evening. I drove 1778 miles and used 151 gallons of gas for an average of 11.8 mpg. I kept it between 60 and 65 mph for the entire trip which was mostly on interstates until I got to Winnemucca, NV, after which it was two lanes the rest of the way home. I can't remember right now what the overdrive ratio in the Watson box is, but I was probably turning somewhere around 2400 rpm at those speeds. The truck has a tach, but it's not working right now.

About 50 miles outside of Medford there was a truck scales, so I pulled over. The front "axle" weighs 2900 pounds and the rear weighs 3500 for a total of 6400 pounds. I was surprised that the rear weighs that much more than the front.

Until a few years ago when Dad installed lap belts for the driver and right front passenger, the Suburban had no seatbelts. I don't know how the 11 of us survived all those years and thousands of miles without them! Rusty Nut said that if the truck were painted yellow it would look like a school bus. Since school buses have no seatbelts, I guess we were OK without them. I'd feel better now, though, if I could install some 3 point belts at least for the driver and right front seat. And maybe some lap belts for all those rear seats later.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Nice to hear your trip was uneventful. As far as your Watson ratio it depends on the model. It is either. 75 or .83. If you don't mind I would love to hear more about it and see how it was installed. Barry

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Barry -- the tag on the Watson says it's a model 2021. Does that tell you what the ratio is?

I took a couple of photos of it while I was in Wichita. You can see some angle brackets bolted to the frame rails. Looks like some smaller angles on top of them supporting the box.

You can also see some of the "plumbing" Dad ran for filling the 20 gallon saddle tank he installed on the right side of the truck to match the stock tank on the left. Both tanks fill from the left side. Dad had to retrofit a check valve in that crossover hose after experiencing fuel sloshing out the filler neck while driving around a sweeping right hand curve. The fuel in the right side tank was running back into the left tank. There's a selector valve so you can draw fuel from either tank and a toggle switch so you can see the level of the float in either tank too.

Re: 12" Dia Hubcaps
 

Hello Clarke, you're welcome for the update on Foley's hub caps. Thanks for the PM, response is sent. I'm on call at work for a week so that may be a problem, then we leave for Denver that weekend.

Your GMC is a beauty and the camper you built is amazing! Thanks for the pics and story.

Have a great trip to the Hills!

DAC

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Congrats Ed! Glad you made it home safely. Now you have something else to tinker with. :)

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Two things. Dave that trailer has me thinking. Dangerous. I think I may have a good winter project.
Ed that Watson should be .83.. I have had a few of those and have one in my 60. They are the coolest of the Watsons. But they are the hardest to find. I would love to hear the story on its way under the suburban. My info leads me to believe they had been out of production for a while when the 65 was new. Cool indeed. Barry

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Hello everyone, David and Carla Clarke's visit to the Black Hills is going well. They were able to make time to come out to our place for a few hours this afternoon, since I am tied to the house pretty much due to being on call at work. My wife grilled some burgers and we had a very enjoyable time! They are great folks and very interesting to converse with. This has been very cool meeting a couple of members from this forum in 7 days!

DAC

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Barry -- When Dad passed the Suburban on to me, he also gave me all his data on it: one 3-ring binder about 2" thick, another about 3" thick, and an expandable folder about 3" thick. He saved every brochure, every receipt, every quote, every drawing he did, etc., during the planning stage, purchase, conversion, and maintenance/repair for the last 49 years.

While I haven't looked at every page yet, I did find the original invoice for purchase of the truck from Sauder-Lygrisse GMC in Wichita. It shows that the Watson overdrive was installed at the dealer when the truck was new for $370.05. At the same time the 305E was swapped for the 351C for $300.54. Total price for truck with all options selected was $4,483.96. Truck was ordered on March 9, 1965, and delivered on May 28, 1965.

There is a "Watson Brownie" brochure in one of the 3-ring binders, but it has no date on it. It does show the Model 2021 has a .82 ratio. I Googled "H. S. Watson Company" to try to find more info, but didn't come up with much. This was interesting, though: http://forums.aths.org/PrintTopic31310.aspx.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

A Great Meet and Greet with awesome people and photos as well.

* Nice pic of Clark and Carla there DAC!

Question for Ed on the rear seating; are they all bolt down or sliders?

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

You are a lucky guy! Your Dad passed you a true "keepsake". With all the documentation, but more valuable is the family memories attached makes it priceless. I've enjoyed following your thread. Thanks for posting.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Thank-you sir, they are both great folks! We are glad we got to meet them and Foley.

Agreed! That Snyder family GMC deserves a "sticky" in this forum, with the long family history, original alterations, documentation and the use it will get in the future!

DAC

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Henry J -- Regarding whether the rear seats are bolt-down or sliders, they are bolt-down. If I'm not mistaken, the 60 and 61 Suburbans used the oval-shaped bolt-down plates that limited the seat positions to the factory layout. The 62 to 66 Suburbans used longitudinal channels which allowed the seats to be placed anywhere along them, even turned around 180 degrees. The 63 Suburban I had in the early 70s had the middle seat turned facing the rear with a little table between it and the rear seat, kind of like a dinette in a travel trailer.

Since Dad started with a panel truck which did not have the built-in seat channels, he opted for the easier-to-install oval plates, so the seat locations are fixed.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Those of you who attended the Wichita mini-meet in June probably remember my brother Pete. He's the one who reserved the park for us and provided the barbecue grille. He lives near the park which is just west of the Wichita Airport. Pete works as an electronics technician for Flight Safety in a building about a quarter mile north of the airport, about halfway between the terminal and US-54. His job is to help maintain the flight simulators.

Yesterday a plane taking off crashed into the roof of Pete's building, killing four people -- the pilot and three people inside the building. Thankfully, Pete was not injured. You can read about it here:

http://www.kansas.com/news/business/...le3483455.html

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

I'm glad your brother was not hurt Ed; how traumatic that must have been for all. Prayers to the families of those that perished.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Thanks for the update Ed. I couldn't remember if Pete worked at the International one on the east side of the runway or the one west of the runway.

I work across the street at the service center. It was horrible watching all that black smoke coming from there not knowing how many people were hurt, or worse yet, deceased. Thankfully, the daycare next door was okay.

Please let Pete know we're thinking about him and his coworkers and their families during this difficult time.

Clarke

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Glad to hear that Ed the Super Scrounger is OK. Tell him hello for me and best wishes..

Foley

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

I heard about this too when it happened. Thank goodness that your brother is ok and that only 4 people (including the pilot) were lost. That building is full of people almost all the time. It could have been much, much worse (and we thought it was at the time). We'll have their families in our prayers too.

Re: Mini-Meets/Get-Togethers
 

Glad to hear God has more work for him here.