1983 GMC Astro cabover restore and semi work

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by patrickb2007, May 15, 2016.

  1. patrickb2007

    patrickb2007 Bobtail Member

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    I have a 1983 GMC Astro cabover I had for a few years and slowly fixing it up when I have time to. It is a full size cab with a single axel. If I remember I bought it for only $2000 and was used just as a yard truck. so has very low miles. Company owners said should just have to put new batteries in and change the fluids and should start up. From what I can see someone in the yard backed a trailer into it just scuffing the driver side and breaking off the turn signal light and cracking the driver side windshield. That was the only damage and just parked it probably due to the windshield.

    So far I bought a brand new turn signal light and put it on and got all 4 GM factory manuals including the 6" thick GM parts catalog book where I can find all parts numbers for this truck. This truck also came with all original purchase papers and build order sheets. Replaced the elbow with a new one. Also just been cleaning it up, I even got out the factory GMC grill weather cover and put on. I am now in the process of ordering a driver side windshield and looking for 4 new batteries.

    Now I am trying to keep everything on this truck GM as much as possible, So I want to see if they make the large batteries from AC Delco still witch from my book shows they still used AC Delco in the heavy duty trucks too. I also need to find what type oil filter it uses and if that I can find one anymore. The place I bought it from said it has a Cummins big CAM 350 but the data sheets shows it has a NTC Cummins big CAM 300. The data plate on the engine looks to fallen off as they were riveted on. I called Cummins and said I can find a 8 letter serial on the block witch I still have to find and they will mail me a new data plate.
    I have been also looking for the original GMC Trucks white mud flaps witch is impossible to find online anywhere.

    I've been searching online trying to see what GM makes in trucks today and from what I remember GM discontinued the Astro, General and brigadier in 1989 fully. All I can find today from GM is just Medium duty trucks such as box trucks. http://www.gmfleet.com/chevrolet/low-cab-forward-trucks.html

    So when I get time to, have the money but need time I am going to drain the oil out and change it, drain and put in new anti freeze. Drain the old diesel fuel out and put in new fuel, been sitting for a few years. This truck is getting restored and will be used for temp work such as a gravel getter with a small dump trailer. I already tried to get classic plates for this but in PA I guess they said they don't make classic plates for big trucks, and a normal plate cost $1600, at least that's what the notary told me. Live in PA.

    Images: http://www.cherokeeforum.com/g/picture/4669215 | http://www.cherokeeforum.com/g/picture/4669202 | http://www.cherokeeforum.com/g/picture/4669191
     
    clausland Thanks this.
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  3. Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    GM sold the big truck division to Volvo. The trucks were WhiteGM until they changed the name to Volvo.
     
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
  4. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    There's a towing company in LaGrange Indiana that has one of those converted into a wrecker, he has a lot of cabovers sitting around, he may have parts.
    http://www.yelp.com/biz/grates-wrecker-service-lagrange

    Also SmokerCraft boats, in New Paris IN. has one that they use as a yard horse. It has the 318 Detroit in it, that truck sounds fantastic when they use it.
     
  5. Old school 362

    Old school 362 Medium Load Member

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    nothing better then cruising in the old cab over. You get a lot of looks. Getter done. Check on a farm tag in your state. Might have to plant some Vegs in the back yard.
     
  6. Russian Rabbit

    Russian Rabbit Road Train Member

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    Hmmmm........looks like gm is getting back into medium duty trucks, although it looks like a rebranded Isuzu?

    But does Gm still own Isuzu..........
     
  7. Russian Rabbit

    Russian Rabbit Road Train Member

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    i'm a big fan of the GM heavies (as well as Ford) as you can see by my Avatar.
     
    OLDSKOOLERnWV and bzinger Thank this.
  8. Lostkeys

    Lostkeys Heavy Load Member

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    http://www.aths.org/Chapters/List/UnitedStates
    Call your local chapter and ask how their members plate their trucks in PA. Ive known people in other states title old trucks as motor homes when antique/historical plates were not available.
     
    Lonesome Thanks this.
  9. lfod14

    lfod14 Road Train Member

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    Some hammering and bondo and that thing will look awesome! I love the old cabovers. I'm seeing a lot more of them lately.
     
  10. clausland

    clausland Road Train Member

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    Reading your post brings a smile to my face, outstanding, and all the best to you....The Cummins in 1983 was likely a Big Cam III, probably a 300, as these were pretty common back then.....The data plates on these always seem to be missing, but, look on the lower left rear side of the block, there you should find the 8 digit #....You can go to Cummins Quickserve, enter the #, and you'll find the info you're looking for....

    When you go to change the oil, do it warm/hot, punch a hole through the bottom of the filter and let that drain out first, save you a big mess.... Also, when you change the anti-freeze, use distilled water when mixing & refilling....Make sure you can get grease into all the fittings too....Also, don't forget the fittings on the shifter linkage, these are notoriously overlooked....I just had all the shifter linkage rebuilt by a local machine shop, couldn't get any replacement parts from Peterbilt, trucks too old.....

    Anyway, good luck on your project.....
     
    SheepDog Thanks this.
  11. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    That is cool ! , I learned to drive in a 74 Astro tandem axle sleeper , 318 Detroit 13 speed , reyco back beater suspension ...ahhh the memories ! ...keep us posted !....mine was a royal classic which was an upgraded interior
     
    Diesel Dave Thanks this.
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