73 c20 camper special

[popsthebuilder]

I have a couple of questions. My truck has not been delivered yet so I can't really look for myself.

1)  It is a 73 so it shouldn't have a catalytic converter right?
2)  If it doesn't have a converter does that mean that I can run diesel in it if I so choose?
3) I'm sure someone here is familiar with the original exhaust on this model, Is it a true duel exhaust, and do the tailpipes protrude from the sides before the rear wheels.

 

[Blazin]

It shouldn't have a cat. no.
Only way you can run diesel in it, is if someone has swapped in a diesel motor.
I have never seen a stock dual exhaust except later years on the factory installed 6.2 diesels. They went all the way behind the rear wheels.

Whats the motor / transmission in it? Should have a TH400 trans, but could have come with a small or big block motor.
 
Does it have the front camper special wheels ( same as rear wheels ) with it? Those look like they  are off a 88 or newer 3/4 ton.
Nice looking truck though.

[popsthebuilder]

Thanks. I read somewhere that the reason that you can't run leaded fuel in a gas engine is because of the cat. I more than likely misinterpreted it though.

[mehunter1]

I don't think you can find leaded gas anymore.  The last time I seen a gas station with leaded gas was in the late 80's.  You should be able to run unleaded gas just fine if it is a gas motor...cat or no cat. 

[bake315]

Nice looking truck.  Always happy to see another Cheyenne Super!

[bake74]

I have a couple of questions. My truck has not been delivered yet so I can't really look for myself.

1)  It is a 73 so it shouldn't have a catalytic converter right?
2)  If it doesn't have a converter does that mean that I can run diesel in it if I so choose?
3) I'm sure someone here is familiar with the original exhaust on this model, Is it a true duel exhaust, and do the tailpipes protrude from the sides before the rear wheels.

     As far as exhaust, no it should not have exited in front of wheels, looks like someone has redone the exhaust.
     The diesel question is a interesting one.  My dad, when he had his 66 chevy pick up used to run 1 gallon of diesel with every 3 tank full.  He said all the old guys ( that were hot rodding in the 50's and 60's ) did that to " keep the internal engine " clean.
     Now growing up, I had many a late school night working on that truck so he could get to work the next day.  And I never remember working on anything internal on the engine.  In fact he kept that 283 in the truck from when it was new until my sister ended up wrecking it some 18 years later or so, and like I said never had to do anything internal in the engine.

[popsthebuilder]

Might try that trick with the diesel. I think I'll keep the tail pipes where they are. I like the look. Kinda reminiscent of an old stingray.

[popsthebuilder]

My 40yr old new truck came in tonight. It was too late to really take good pictures. It does run, and for the most part it looks mostly original. I do have a couple of questions though. Its' two toned lime green/ white. Shouldn't the roof be body color (lime green). It's a single cab fleet-side. What is the part name/# for a left side  tailgate hinge? Is this hinge interchangeable through 87. I read that the casting numbers are behind the alternator for the 350ci. I saw a 42, but I think that was on the intake manifold. I'm trying to see if it's a #s' matching vehicle but don't even know what I'm looking for. I know I'm looking for numbers, but are they supposed to match the vin or what? Also, I was looking down the truck  and it seemed as though the bed was twisted in relationship to the cab/ front of the truck. It's hard to tell exactly how much with the beat up trim on it, but if I had to guess I would say roughly an inch out. Is there some way to shim the bed or something? One more thing. It's a Camper Special with the camper tie-downs/ supports. Would it be useful to anchor a lumber rack to these points?  Thank everyone in advance for any insight/ input. I will try to post a couple of pics tomorrow. 

[Jason S]

That looks like a pretty good truck and complete.

For your earlier questions, there were some late 80's gasoline trucks that did have true dual exhaust. However, these exhaust systems exited from behind the rear wheels.  I know of many people that ran Marvel Mystery Oil, automatic transmission fluid and other thin oils with their gasoline (in addition to but not instead of gasoline) and said they had great results from such. I'm sure diesel would do similar things.  In general, if your engine cylinder heads have not been rebuilt with hardened valve seats, it would be beneficial to the valve seats to run leaded gasoline.  As leaded gasoline is extremely rare anymore, you can run lead substitute additives with your gasoline. If you're not sure about the heads, as long as you don't have catalytic convertors, you can still run lead substitute to be on the safe side. 

I do have a couple of questions though. Its' two toned lime green/ white. Shouldn't the roof be body color (lime green).

No, not necessarily.  It depends upon the trim option the truck originally came with.  It is very likely the roof color is correct.

What is the part name/# for a left side  tailgate hinge? Is this hinge interchangeable through 87.

 
I can't look up the part number right now, but the drivers side hinge pivot on the bed portion (at bottom of tailgate) should be identical through 1987 (1991).  The tailgate support straps are specific to '73-'74.

I'm trying to see if it's a #s' matching vehicle but don't even know what I'm looking for.

On front of block ahead of #2 cylinder (passenger side) the last numbers of the VIN would be stamped unless the block has been machined/decked.

Also, I was looking down the truck  and it seemed as though the bed was twisted in relationship to the cab/ front of the truck.

Check the cab mounts.  I'm thinking they're probably shot.  Check with the site administrator, Capt Kaos to see about replacements.

It's a Camper Special with the camper tie-downs/ supports. Would it be useful to anchor a lumber rack to these points?

I'm not sure what you're asking.  The camper tie downs were to attach braces and supports for a slide-in camper that hung out past the bed on both sides. They are very rigid attachment points. When you say lumber rack,  I can only picture something like an overhead ladder rack that would mount to the top of the bedside.

I will try to post a couple of pics tomorrow.

Definitely post more photos.

[bake74]

Also, I was looking down the truck  and it seemed as though the bed was twisted in relationship to the cab/ front of the truck.

Check the cab mounts.  I'm thinking they're probably shot.  Check with the site administrator, Capt Kaos to see about replacements.

     If the cab mounts are not completely shot, I would check the bed mounts, and then the frame itself.
      If the P.O. used it to haul around a big enough camper for long enough, the bed mounts might have sagged over time.  Good luck and keep us informed.
     I second the pictures.

[Sinister.454]

Looking to purchase a 74 camper special.
Im interested in what type of rear end comes with the package,14 bolt?
I have photos of the truck,but with the hubcaps installed,cant determine the wheel bolt pattern.
Truck has the 454,thanks.

[zieg85]

Looking to purchase a 74 camper special.
Im interested in what type of rear end comes with the package,14 bolt?
I have photos of the truck,but with the hubcaps installed,cant determine the wheel bolt pattern.
Truck has the 454,thanks.

The 1974 rolled out with a corporate 14 bolt full float

[Captkaos]

What is the part name/# for a left side  tailgate hinge? Is this hinge interchangeable through 87.

 
I can't look up the part number right now, but the drivers side hinge pivot on the bed portion (at bottom of tailgate) should be identical through 1987 (1991).  The tailgate support straps are specific to '73-'74.

Depending on what piece you are actually talking about there were more than on version of tailgate and the lift and "hinge".
See here: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=15684.0

[Sinister.454]

Great looking truck.
Both paint schemes were available,mine is the opposite.
Look under the hood and post your vin sticker.

[75gmck25]

I have a '75 GMC Camper Special, and I think the '73 version was very similar.   Look for an option sticker on the glove compartment door, which will give you more detail about what the truck had from the factory.  For example, mine has the Camper Special package, HD cooling and heater, A/C, Silverado trim, Gov-lok (G80 axle), etc.

- The camper special 8200 lb GVW package is what makes it an HD truck that does not require catalytic converters.   I think all trucks with a GVW that exceeded about 6500 lbs did not need converters.  The full one ton Camper Special was rated at 10,000 lbs.
- Dual exhaust was an option, but very uncommon on pickups.  Stock exhaust ran a single pipe down the driver's side and exited behind the rear wheel.
- Stock axle was the 14 bolt full-float axle, in most trucks with 4.10 gears.
- Camper Special package had a higher GVW, HD front anti-sway bar, and special wiring for a 2nd battery on the driver's side.   It also had special brackets in front that connected to the cab and the bed to support a camper.  The 2nd battery was connected to a relay that allowed you to charge it while driving, but automatically disconnected it from the other battery when parked so you could power the camper.  The relay should be mounted on the driver's side fender inside the engine compartment.
- Stock wheels for this size truck were 16.5" split rims, probably size 9.50x16.5.  Many folks have swapped them for 16" one-piece 8 bolt rims from newer trucks, since split rims and 16.5" tires are both harder to find and get serviced.  Split rims are down right dangerous if you don't know how to properly mount tires.   I am running 245/75R16 10 ply tires on my truck and they are about the same diameter as the old tires that came on the truck.

Let me know if you have other questions.  Mine has the same paint scheme (white roof), but the main color is a yellow gold.

Bruce