My 97 1500

[Seajatt]

With the van deal having fallen through, I'll start preparing the truck this week.

 

[GntlStone]

I've always loved that color!

 

[GntlStone]

Don't know if you're interested in a (small) bus but I came across this 2003 GMC Savana for $12k with less than 6,000 miles.

You can easily register it in Vermont (online) as an RV which can run much less $$ on insurance.

I have no idea/assosciation with the seller. Due diligence is a must.

 

[Seajatt]

Don't know if you're interested in a (small) bus but I came across this 2003 GMC Savana for $12k with less than 6,000 miles.

You can easily register it in Vermont (online) as an RV which can run much less $$ on insurance.

I have no idea/assosciation with the seller. Due diligence is a must.

I appreciate the plug. At this point I'll just stick with the truck. I know that 5.9 pretty well and for a 97, its holding up well. It's only got 130k on it. Hoping to get a good solid couple years before anything serious happens.

 

[user 22017]

With the van deal having fallen through, I'll start preparing the truck this week.

That is a pretty truck, Tango.

 

[Seajatt]

That is a pretty truck, Tango.

Thank you

 

[Seajatt]

Making some progress. I scrubbed the inside of the topper of mold and mildew. That part actually took a solid three hours and it could use another pass through. Treated a couple surface rust areas on my truck with rust converter and undercoated with fluid film. I started working on the rack sitting on top of the topper. I got most of the rust off today, and will be treating with rust converter tomorrow, and then black rustoleum to top it off.

 

[user 22017]

Making some progress. I scrubbed the inside of the topper of mold and mildew. That part actually took a solid three hours and it could use another pass through. Treated a couple surface rust areas on my truck with rust converter and undercoated with fluid film. I started working on the rack sitting on top of the topper. I got most of the rust off today, and will be treating with rust converter tomorrow, and then black rustoleum to top it off.

I'd love a rack on top. Haven't found one yet, though. I found a mid-rise topper for $180 & if it is still available on the 1st, I'll get it. It is old & ugly, but I know I want at least a mid-rise.

In many pictures of used toppers I see black drip marks directly under the windows. How do we know if that is from condensation versus leaks?

 

[Seajatt]

I'd love a rack on top. Haven't found one yet, though. I found a mid-rise topper for $180 & if it is still available on the 1st, I'll get it. It is old & ugly, but I know I want at least a mid-rise.

In many pictures of used toppers I see black drip marks directly under the windows. How do we know if that is from condensation versus leaks?

Well a really simple, down and dirty way would be to ensure its dry on the inside, and then take a garden hose and run water over the top of it. If it gets at all wet on the inside, odds are very good you need to change out the window/storm sealing, which is a simple job. Condensation would just be a matter of adding ventilation. Both things are imo, no cause for alarm. Do you have concerns about moisture in your topper?

 

[user 22017]

Haven't bought one yet. Almost bought a cab height one for $75, but realized I need something taller. Plus, I had my insurance switched from the truck being parked to driving it again. I have to find cheaper insurance. It was $174 for one month. It keeps going up, even though I have never had a claim, and never a ticket in many years with this company. That includes homeowners which is about $35 of it.

 

[Seajatt]

Came out alright, may go back over it with a clear coat.

 

[Seajatt]

I'll have the topper back on tomorrow. Next step will be removing all the seats and dealing with the carpeting.

 

[Calypso]

With the van deal having fallen through, I'll start preparing the truck this week.

I’m interested to see your progress, I had a very similar truck ( but with a homemade rack ) which I camped in a lot but just for a few nights and bare bed. I can’t wait to see this done up.

 

[Seajatt]

I’m interested to see your progress, I had a very similar truck ( but with a homemade rack ) which I camped in a lot but just for a few nights and bare bed. I can’t wait to see this done up.

Thanks for the interest, I'll be sure to take some pics as I progress.

 

[Seajatt]

Just an update for those interested, I'm still in Florida atm. I had finished my heavy equipment program, but I ran into a limitation of the GI Bill. I basically had a year left and if I didn't use it soon, I would lose it, so I decided to learn how to weld. So a welding I am! I'm looking at finishing in August of next year. I hope you're all well!

 

[Happy Camper]

Welding travels well. If you can find a decent small unit, or engine run welder, that could be a decent source of income. At the very least you can do some upgrades and repairs you would have had to pay for.

 

[Seajatt]

Welding travels well. If you can find a decent small unit, or engine run welder, that could be a decent source of income. At the very least you can do some upgrades and repairs you would have had to pay for.

Thank you for affirming my hope! I was really thinking on how well I could make welding travel and work for me. Are you a welder??

 

[Happy Camper]

No but I have a lot of people I know that weld. Sometimes people need a welder to fix something or make something.

Years ago on my G20 350 the plate that held all of the accessories cracked and caused a lot of issues. Ended up buying a welder to fix it as it was a hard to find part. One plate for everything attached to the engine lol.

I forget how much I paid, but he did well for the time spent.

 

[Seajatt]

Well, just a quick update for those that care. I finish my welding program in a few months and have started to explore options. I have an application in with the merchant marines right now, I should find out in a few weeks if I've been accepted or not. If that fails, not sure what I'll do just yet.

 

[LargeMarge]

With the van deal [gone TU], I'll start preparing the truck this week.

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My neighbor Donald runs the popular YouTube channel 'softroadingthewest'.
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He has a similar vehicle and canopy.
He documents fabricating a tilting roof for his canopy, giving:
* standing space, plus
* a sleeping deck.
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With the tilt top lowered, the canopy resembles factory-stock.
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This might give you some ideas: