71 1310 Camper Special-Whaddaya think?

M

MadMel6t2

New member
I just joined to get an opinion about a '71 1310 camper special out of sunnyvale. The truck will have a salvage title, and it most likely will be priced at $1100-$1200. I placed a battery in it, put some gas in the one tank, hooked jumpers to a running car and it cranked, but wouldn't start. I poured gas in the carb and then engine started and ran really well until the gas ran out. The body is solid, only has a small rust spot at the bottom left of the windshield. It is missing the driver's side headlight, bucket and retainer, the spare tire and under bed carrier (long bolts are there), the passenger vent window lever and door and glove box key as well as aux gas tank cap key. Other than the missing headlight, all lights, marker lights, turn signals, backup lamps work. It has the 392 v8 (I think), dual wheels in back, dual exhaust, automatic, a/c, power steering, power brakes, had a factory radio (old aftermarket now), the Travelall steering wheel, and the two small seats with the folding seat/center console. The wheel wells have an extended rubber lip. It has a steel rack that hooks to the front bumper, goes over the cab, then connects to the bed (I'd like to remove it). It looks like it was originally all flame red, but now has yellow on the cab and hood, plus a weird black stripe with white buffalos. I have the previous owner's info and plan on contacting him about the truck. My concern, as a fellow of limited income, is that parts are hard to come by, and being an "orphan" vehicle, pricey and difficult to repair. I really like the truck and need a truck to haul things once in a while. I would want this to be my daily driver especially since I only drive 10 miles to and from work mon-fri. The engine power shown on the serial number shows "217.5 @3800 rpm, and 235.6 @ 4000 rpm." I think this indicates a 392 v8. Also shows max gvw 9000lbs, carrying capacity of 4000lbs and 131" wheelbase. Shows 11411 miles. See pics at flickr, I'm under madmel001. www.flickr.com/photos/69395161@n08/
9161395743
 
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A '71 'binder is about as good as it gets.

Almost all of the consumable parts are available at napa or carquest.

The biggest issue with almost all older vehicles is the fuel systems have been compromised by the ethanol blended gas we have to purchase these days. The tank(s) will have all of the crud and corruption created by many years of use and abuse floating around inside waiting to plug up filters, block tank selector valves, destroy pumps, and clog up carbs.

I think you will find that once that truck is cleaned up it will become a very reliable and relatively "cheap-to-keep" daily driver.

That vintage light line had two different steering wheels that were determined by trim level and not by model. The simple wheel with a little round cover in the center was the standard. The more elaborate horn/wheel center was the "custom" or up optioned wheel.

You didn't mention which transmission the truck has. If it has an automatic it most likely is a mopar sourced torqueflight (mopar guts but ihc specific bellhousing--guts will interchange but bellhousing won't).

It will have the 8-lug wheels which will make sourcing replacement wheels, drums, and brake parts relatively easy (easy=less expensive) as compared to the '68 and older big 6-lug wheels.

Your gvw will be limited to the amount of weight your tires can handle. I have seen 1/2-ton 'binders loaded to well over 9000 lbs. Without any long term issues.

Since it is a 1310 series it most likely has a Dana 70 rear end or the hd version of the Dana 60. Both are fairly common and parts are easy to find. In either case, loading to or above 9000 gvw won't hurt should not be a problem.

What will limit loading that heavy outside of the limits of the tires will be the braking ability. Some 'binders of that vintage had power brakes and some had power front disc brakes. Standard non-power four wheel drum brakes are adequate. Power four wheel drum brakes are better. Power front disc brakes really stop well. Regardless of what is on the truck, upgrades with the 8-lug wheels are comparatively easy.

If it does have the sv392 it should have a 4-bbl carb. Don't be upset if the best fuel mileage you get will be in the 9 mpg range.

If it has a 2-bbl carb it might be a sv304 or sv345 and won't be a sv392. The sv304 and sv345 will get 2-4 mpg better.

I had a '74 with the sv392 and averaged 8.5 mpg regardless of the load. I currently have a '65 with the sv304 and get 13 mpg bobtail and 9-10 pulling my 26' travel trailer.

Good luck and have fun.
 
Thanks for the advice. I don't plan on getting anywhere near the weight limits, but its good to know. I currently drive another orphan, a 1981 checker and I get maybe 12 mpg, so I'm used to poor gas milage. It does have the automatic, column shift. I'm pleased to know that it won't be so difficult to source parts. I'll have to save and or sell some stuff in order to buy it. I'll post when or if, I was able to purchase it. On a related note, my father owned a '66 International, so I've been fond of the Mark since I was a kid. It would be nice to be a part of the bab once I buy it, looking forward to it.
Thanks again,
merrill
 
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Well, I wasn't able to raise the funds to buy it. Someone else bought it for $1300. It did turn out to have a 4 barrel cab, so it probably was the 392 v8. I guess it better this way, I wouldn't have been able to fix it right away anyways. Thanks all for your advice.
 
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