My Alaskan Camper

[Rot Box]

When my buddy told me their family had an Alaskan Camper a few months ago I spent every day hitting him up about selling it ever since. A few days ago he finally said they had no use for it and would sell it with one condition... I had to take the truck too. When he said they would let both go for well under 1k I knew it had to be a total pile or they were crazy.

Long story short an uncle bought it and the truck brand new and it was passed down to my friends dad. He drove it to Alaska many times and to Pittsburg many times as well. He ordered the truck custom and it has every option (including AC) avalible expcept for power windows. Reciepts, records a million gizmo's and gadgets--I can tell that this was really cared for at one time.

It is not in perfect shape but it is much better condition than any Alaskan I've ever seen these years. It is the very rare fiberglass model, and everything inside works with no leaks or water damage at all. The hydrolic rams are leaking a bit from old age but it still raises and lowers great!

Anyway I have wanted one of these forever. I plan to put it on my crew cab, but I'm not quite sure how I'm going to get it on there yet--its HEAVY! These are so cool and functional and I hope to get a lot of uses out of it this summer

I'll post up pics as I get it cleaned out and upgraded.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Leave it on the truck and bring it on the Relic Run!

 

[Tacoma]

^^^ that.

Where do you sleep in that? across the seats?

 

[Corban_White]

So, excuse my ignorance, but why is this more desirable than any other kind of camper?

 

[Spork]

So, excuse my ignorance, but why is this more desirable than any other kind of camper?

I believe the top can come down allowing a lower profile when you are going down the road...

 

[Rot Box]

I started cleaning it and I found a gold mine. All the factory sales receipts and brochures for the truck and the camper are all here along with the factory service/repair manuals for the truck $$$. It is really cool going through all the old stuff inside--its like a time warp

Leave it on the truck and bring it on the Relic Run!

It would be very appropriate for the theme that's for sure Not 4wd but it does have the posi trac rear end.

So, excuse my ignorance, but why is this more desirable than any other kind of camper?

Mostly because of this (see pic below) And they are built like a brick s&%t house so they are well suited for offroad use and other situations where you would likely damage a normal camper.

 

[Thursty]

The Ford looks like it's in pretty good shape. How is it outfitted?
Looks like you scored a sweet deal. :thumbs:

 

[Rot Box]

The Ford looks like it's in pretty good shape. How is it outfitted?
Looks like you scored a sweet deal. :thumbs:

The truck was custom ordered with every available option (including cruise control that works and AC) except power windows. The dash says 20,233 miles so I'm betting that it has 120,233 total. It's a FE460 big block (I'm not sure if this engine was offered in 77 so it may have been swapped at some point) backed by a C6 auto and a posi in what looks like a Dana 60. It is the camper special so it has TON's of upgrades like two batteries, big radiator and transcooler and a few more. The interior is unbelievable. It has a ton of vintage aftermarket gauges like an altimeter, vacuum, volts, compass, clock and other things like a very old Cobra CB radio :greg:

I'm blown away at how well it goes down the road... It's like driving a new 77 Ford

 

[BCGPER]

The 460 was an option on that truck.

Look on KSL for some old cable style camper jacks, that will get it on and off slick.

 

[Rot Box]

The 460 was an option on that truck.

Look on KSL for some old cable style camper jacks, that will get it on and off slick.

Cool good to know. The 460 isn't great (or even close to good) on gas, but it gets up and scoots pretty good for an old truck. Not like the legendary 390, but much better than the anemic 360

I need jacks for sure. Because of the design it has to raise over the wheel humps which is going to be down right scary even with jacks. I'll have to get creative and use a stand of some sort.

 

[sixb]

built like a brick s&%t house

My wife always gets offended when I say that to her

I can see using that for some fishing in the high Uintas

 

[Corban_White]

I believe the top can come down allowing a lower profile when you are going down the road...

Mostly because of this (see pic below) And they are built like a brick s&%t house so they are well suited for offroad use and other situations where you would likely damage a normal camper.

Makes sense. Great find!

 

[Paudrhound]

Great find!

 

[Rot Box]

Well I put it on the crew cab over the weekend and I'm really happy with the way it turned out

The HUGE ac unit is going to go for sure!

 

[1adam12]

I want one! looks like alot of fun.

 

[Rot Box]

I pulled off the MASSIVE ac unit from up top and replaced it with this 14"x14" vent that filled the whole left behind prefectly. Now I have much more clearance than I did before

 

[Paudrhound]

That does look much cleaner.....no snag for tree limbs

 

[rholbrook]

Mask off the wood grain and paint it. It would modernize the looks a ton.

 

[turbohaulic]

Ya!! AKC club member 6 When we gonna put that thing to some good use?!

 

[Rot Box]

New 255/85 KM2's and a roof rack that I made out of old scrap lying around :greg: Hopefully I don't sink this huge pig in the swell next week!