I had to smile when you talked about the old guy with the truck that he has had for 15-20 years. I am that guy. I needed a different truck because we are going to be towing a trailer in the mountains and off road. I also needed a truck my wife could ride in for 5,000 miles or more on our camping trips. So, I sold my beloved 1995 Chevy W/T, which I bought new, (128,000 actual miles) to the first guy I offered it to at the price I was asking. I sold it to my mechanic. He immediately offered full price for the truck without even inspecting it, because he knew that truck very well and he new how well I maintained it. He and his son had been eying my truck for over 10 years and now they have it. I am very happy that someone who will appreciate it as much as I did now has that old truck (BTW: I offered the truck free-of-charge it to each of my four grandchildren, but they all had newer vehicles than I did and only one of them could drive a stick shift -- and that was because I convinced my eldest grandson to let me teach him how to do it. He is a mechanical engineer, so he gets it. ) Times have, indeed, changed. If nothing else, growing up in a small farming community in an earlier century gives one perspective, does it not? I am looking forward to following you as you build this truck / camper. Thanks!
I can already tell that this will be an excellent series Blackie! I have a 2012 Ram 1500 4x4, with spray-on bedliner and a camper shell. Since I too have a beer budget, I built the interior myself. 1/5 inch plywood to cover fender wells for storage boxes, LED light strips, etc. I use it as a base camp with a tarp, bug net, and hammock. Its nothing fancy, just practical.
I am in the process of a build right now. My buddy is helping me to convert a ladder rack made out of 3" square tubing. I am putting an Army pioneer tool rack on the front left side with a Jerry can/mount to the right of it. On the left side is going to be 2 Army water cans in mounts. I am putting an awning on the top rail on one of the sides. A cargo basket on the roof overhang. I will put a tarp over it and sleep in the bed if I dont want to put a tent up. Last thing will be a GoLight mounted on the front top for some evening two tracking.
Hi Blackie- My first Nissan hardbody was a 1986 1/2, went to 300K and gave it to my daughter. The last one, 1994 was T-boned in 2016 with well over 300K. Those were workhorses with very little trouble. Used in construction, hauling lumber and crawling the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. Looking forward to your build.
I like this series idea of a cheep camper. I have used a suburban carryall and vans like this in my youth. Looking forward to seeing your setup Blackie.
Thanks, Blackie! Back in 1978, we converted a used Dodge van to a camper. Now I have an older Chevy Colorado which I have thought about turning into a camper, so I am eager to see the next installment.
I'm still driving my '81 C10 every day. Looks like I pulled her outta the crusher just in time, but she runs like a pissed off grizzly. Good ol' Truckenstein. That my girl. Great vid, Boss. Can't wait to see the rest!
Blackie, the truck reminds me of my old 4wd Nissan, approx 1990 to 96 as well. She was in the silver, and manual transmission. Same ext cab with the same pop out windows, and 4 cyl. I recall giving it up for transmission problems, and also had a particularly scary session - where I realized that it did not have enough torque, even in Low gear, to climb the hill that a chevy for ford V8 4wd would. It basically stalled on the hill. Still, it was a great running flatlander 4wd, and I do actually miss having it. Would have camped in it anytime. I'm in the north applachian here. Respectfully I agree with the Chevy or Ford chassis for a "grunt truck". Remember that in the north, 4wd isn't about getting out of the mud. It's about not getting into a ditch in the first place, if you must navigate slipperier snows. You can say that you can avoid snow, but in the north, sometimes you got to get home as safely as possible from work.
I drive a 96 f150 4x4 has an aluminum topper on it mainly it’s my dogs truck I made beds in back for them always kicked around ideas to camp out of it but I live in a 1983 24 ft travel trailer and camp full time have since 2004 . I’m total disabled for past 10 years full time camping isn’t for just anybody but I have my own little place in the woods with me and 4 dogs but the concrete is creeping up all around us here in north Texas so it’s gettin time to move the camp out of here . That’s why I chose trailer living in first place is to be able to load up and get down the road.
Great video. OMG, Blackie, for anyone that comments about how long they have had their vehicle you have put everyone to shame. I have had several trucks and concluded that an AWD is preferred in the upper North. But, I have fallen in love with front wheel drive vans, because they seem to last longer and offers a little more comfort. Also, a van avoids the "helper" syndrome that comes from owning a truck. A jeep is cool to have with a "jeep life" style, but they are limited and you have to be short to be comfortable. I do like what you have planned to show us. I may get another AWD truck with a bed cover just to use for outdoor activities. Good intro video.
Blackie , I got a water budget .I did buy me a new pickup last December . My old pickup is a 1993 Ford F-150 with a in line 6 cyc . with 384,000 miles on that I special order it in 1993 paid $ 10,000 for it. Great Video , You Are The Master Woodman and Buschcrafter . Keeping passing on the knowledge and craft. Tim L.
@@j.p.saverance8972 Yes they do . When I bought my new truck last December , the sales lady told me that they would not take it in on a trade in ,I told her I was not going to trade it in. Last July she called and ask me if I would sell it that I could make a lot of money. I said it's not for sale . My old F-150 is like me it has to run forever . Thanks , it sounds like you have one too .
We had a 1977 long wheel base chevy pick up with 70s tall boy camper on it dad had a queen size bed set up in it with power strip from outside source....we would drive to deer cabin in late sept and leave it till Jan i miss that camp 🤕
If you’re not going off-road (real off road), then by all means go with a 2WD. We have both 2 and 4 WD campers tourers. However, the reverse is true in Australia where more trucks are diesel and are 4WD. There are more spare parts for Japanese vehicles than for American vehicles. We are seeing more US trucks every year here and they’re getting cheaper.
I love your style Blackie. Your honest & didn't point names & name fingers on someone & I know ya ment😁 lmao. Great video sir ,looking forward to more .Thank ya sir. 👍👍👍👍👍
Cool video. I did the same thing with my old 88 Chevy. Packing blanket in the bed, then a futon mattress. Was super comfortable in the cold. Wool blankets and a sleeping bag. Plenty of room for my gear and cooler of food. Ran that truck till it was nickle and dimeing me to run. 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸
What a great series!! We think a lot alike. I am really excited for the rest of this series! I’ve been doing this since 1995, but I’m always learning new things, and new ideas to improve on my system. I honestly haven’t been this jacked up about a video series in a looong time! THANK YOU for sharing this!👍👍👌👏👏
1999 F350 diesel 129K with a massive wench and a trailer hitch with several height options. This beast can haul and has fantastic MPG. The communications company I worked for allowed the driver first bid to purchase when they got rid of vehicles as an incentive to keep them maintained. Oh she was maintained!! They looked at is as a gasoline engine and put it up for sale at 120K. An hour had not passed from the time I was informed and she was mine. Just in case someone at fleet realized their error. I got it for 14 thousand cheaper that Kelly BB. That was in 2005. It had a commercial tool box and I was going to get rid of it for a standard bed but did not. After thinking about it I realized that I had a lot of storage options with the toolbox. A full size 4X4 ATV fits perfectly on the bed. A bed rack with a tarp gives me cover for sleeping on the back and I can carry a canoe. If SHTF my first PU is a 1980 J10 Jeep that can easily be towed behind....In 4 Low Bucky can go where liberals won't follow.
Hello from Oklahoma! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Good Video! Never thought about some of this stuff. I've got a 2000 ranger with a camper shell I use for deer camp. being 6'3", the 6' beds a bit short. But I make it work. I agree, it's not about how much you spend. I look forward to this series. Thanks for all you do. God Bless!
Sweet! I just live up in the mountains and everyone around here will tell you 4WD baby! HA! However, a 4WD station wagon Subaru is just about the most common and will go anywhere, snow, ice, it don't matter, of course, there's no Baja going on in a wittle Subby:) HA!
Blackie I could've swore that I saw a Ford Ranger in one of your videos. Am I wrong ? Nissan's are great little trucks they last forever as you well know. Why not use one as your camping truck ? They don't wear out , therefore there's no need to replace engines , transmissions and so on. Here in Arkansas the junkyards are full of older Nissan's like yours. By the way , I love your truck and it's history. Keep the videos coming , I watch every one.
Hi Blackie, looking forward to this series. I have a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4-Door with over 120k miles on it. I would like to be able to use it as a camper and be able to sleep inside of it instead of on top of it. Maybe I can get some good ideas from your series.👍🛻
Completely off subject but I just bought a new Nissan Fronteir and one of the drawbacks for me was the availability of parts .. especially aftermarket parts.. Slept plenty of nights in my 05 Chevy Colorado but can't see that happening in a 5' bed in this new one. Hopefully the dependability outweighs the downfalls lol
'90s '91 I was camping in a pickup truck 3/4 ton full size did exactly what you did bad everything and late 2000s I did a Jeep Cherokee way too crowded with clothes and gear now I went back to a pickup still too small so now I'm in a big 14-ft by 10x8 box truck two and a half ton heavy lots of room I've got shower sink everything inside and outside boy in a snow storm I disappear kind of sucks my camo only works 3 months out of the year
Another great video! I just have one problem... who told you I had a super secret honey hole, 2 miles down the road? Somebody's got some answering to do! Lol
With an F 150 and a 30 ought six... Sorry, but you pointed the most obvious point and that's thinking long term. Very big in case things go off the rail, cos it will, and Casey is drivin the train. Trouble ahead, trouble behind.
I love the common sense approach you have ! I just moved to north central Florida and there is lots of sand roads. Do you think I need four wheel drive or can I get away with good all terrain tires ?
Yo yo blackie... Question... Just seen this was posted 5hrs ago sure oit of 48 comments this may seem quite odd... .457 cal pellet 200 grain hollow point for air rifles... Will ot work in my 1860 army precussion revolver?
this begins a new video series if you like it please hit the like button to help the channel. more videos to come safe journeys
Could u do a vid for preventing getting stuck , tips for getting unstuck? And driving in water ice and snow? 🤓
I plan to watch this entire "series" for my camper build in the very near future. Thank you.
I had to smile when you talked about the old guy with the truck that he has had for 15-20 years. I am that guy.
I needed a different truck because we are going to be towing a trailer in the mountains and off road. I also needed a truck my wife could ride in for 5,000 miles or more on our camping trips.
So, I sold my beloved 1995 Chevy W/T, which I bought new, (128,000 actual miles) to the first guy I offered it to at the price I was asking.
I sold it to my mechanic. He immediately offered full price for the truck without even inspecting it, because he knew that truck very well and he new how well I maintained it. He and his son had been eying my truck for over 10 years and now they have it. I am very happy that someone who will appreciate it as much as I did now has that old truck
(BTW: I offered the truck free-of-charge it to each of my four grandchildren, but they all had newer vehicles than I did and only one of them could drive a stick shift -- and that was because I convinced my eldest grandson to let me teach him how to do it. He is a mechanical engineer, so he gets it. )
Times have, indeed, changed. If nothing else, growing up in a small farming community in an earlier century gives one perspective, does it not?
I am looking forward to following you as you build this truck / camper.
Thanks!
I can already tell that this will be an excellent series Blackie!
I have a 2012 Ram 1500 4x4, with spray-on bedliner and a camper shell. Since I too have a beer budget, I built the interior myself.
1/5 inch plywood to cover fender wells for storage boxes, LED light strips, etc.
I use it as a base camp with a tarp, bug net, and hammock.
Its nothing fancy, just practical.
Looking forward to this series, Blackie! Thanks and God bless.
Hope you enjoy it!
I am in the process of a build right now. My buddy is helping me to convert a ladder rack made out of 3" square tubing. I am putting an Army pioneer tool rack on the front left side with a Jerry can/mount to the right of it. On the left side is going to be 2 Army water cans in mounts. I am putting an awning on the top rail on one of the sides. A cargo basket on the roof overhang. I will put a tarp over it and sleep in the bed if I dont want to put a tent up. Last thing will be a GoLight mounted on the front top for some evening two tracking.
Hi Blackie- My first Nissan hardbody was a 1986 1/2, went to 300K and gave it to my daughter. The last one, 1994 was T-boned in 2016 with well over 300K. Those were workhorses with very little trouble. Used in construction, hauling lumber and crawling the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. Looking forward to your build.
Thank you Blackie, I look forward to this series.
I like this series idea of a cheep camper. I have used a suburban carryall and vans like this in my youth. Looking forward to seeing your setup Blackie.
Blackie , this will be a interesting series , thanks for sharing , God bless !
You bet
Thanks, Blackie! Back in 1978, we converted a used Dodge van to a camper. Now I have an older Chevy Colorado which I have thought about turning into a camper, so I am eager to see the next installment.
Very cool!
You say many interesting thing. I like listen You. Greetings from Poland
welcome and greetings from alabama
I'm still driving my '81 C10 every day. Looks like I pulled her outta the crusher just in time, but she runs like a pissed off grizzly. Good ol' Truckenstein. That my girl.
Great vid, Boss. Can't wait to see the rest!
Great video Blackie. Can't wait to see the rest of the series. Maybe an expedition truck for poor folks after that!
Great idea
This is the series I've been waiting for. Thanks for doing this Blackie. ATB to you.
No problem 👍
Blackie, the truck reminds me of my old 4wd Nissan, approx 1990 to 96 as well. She was in the silver, and manual transmission. Same ext cab with the same pop out windows, and 4 cyl.
I recall giving it up for transmission problems, and also had a particularly scary session - where I realized that it did not have enough torque, even in Low gear, to climb the hill that a chevy for ford V8 4wd would. It basically stalled on the hill.
Still, it was a great running flatlander 4wd, and I do actually miss having it. Would have camped in it anytime. I'm in the north applachian here.
Respectfully I agree with the Chevy or Ford chassis for a "grunt truck". Remember that in the north, 4wd isn't about getting out of the mud. It's about not getting into a ditch in the first place, if you must navigate slipperier snows. You can say that you can avoid snow, but in the north, sometimes you got to get home as safely as possible from work.
Thanks Blackie. I think my new to me ‘01 Cherokee will be perfect for this.
This will be a very interesting series to me, thanks Blackie.
Hope you enjoy it!
I drive a 96 f150 4x4 has an aluminum topper on it mainly it’s my dogs truck I made beds in back for them always kicked around ideas to camp out of it but I live in a 1983 24 ft travel trailer and camp full time have since 2004 . I’m total disabled for past 10 years full time camping isn’t for just anybody but I have my own little place in the woods with me and 4 dogs but the concrete is creeping up all around us here in north Texas so it’s gettin time to move the camp out of here . That’s why I chose trailer living in first place is to be able to load up and get down the road.
Great video. OMG, Blackie, for anyone that comments about how long they have had their vehicle you have put everyone to shame. I have had several trucks and concluded that an AWD is preferred in the upper North. But, I have fallen in love with front wheel drive vans, because they seem to last longer and offers a little more comfort. Also, a van avoids the "helper" syndrome that comes from owning a truck. A jeep is cool to have with a "jeep life" style, but they are limited and you have to be short to be comfortable. I do like what you have planned to show us. I may get another AWD truck with a bed cover just to use for outdoor activities. Good intro video.
sounds good yes in the upper part of the country where snow is a thing all wheels is a big plus
Blackie , I got a water budget .I did buy me a new pickup last December . My old pickup is a 1993 Ford F-150 with a in line 6 cyc . with 384,000 miles on that I special order it in 1993 paid $ 10,000 for it. Great Video , You Are The Master Woodman and Buschcrafter . Keeping passing on the knowledge and craft. Tim L.
Man those old in-line 6 tractor motors run forever, don’t they?
@@j.p.saverance8972 Yes they do . When I bought my new truck last December , the sales lady told me that they would not take it in on a trade in ,I told her I was not going to trade it in. Last July she called and ask me if I would sell it that I could make a lot of money. I said it's not for sale . My old F-150 is like me it has to run forever . Thanks , it sounds like you have one too .
We had a 1977 long wheel base chevy pick up with 70s tall boy camper on it dad had a queen size bed set up in it with power strip from outside source....we would drive to deer cabin in late sept and leave it till Jan i miss that camp 🤕
Great video Blackie you are always full of good ideas.
I try
If you’re not going off-road (real off road), then by all means go with a 2WD. We have both 2 and 4 WD campers tourers. However, the reverse is true in Australia where more trucks are diesel and are 4WD. There are more spare parts for Japanese vehicles than for American vehicles. We are seeing more US trucks every year here and they’re getting cheaper.
Looking forward to your new series
I love your style Blackie. Your honest & didn't point names & name fingers on someone & I know ya ment😁 lmao. Great video sir ,looking forward to more .Thank ya sir. 👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you! 🤗
Blackie ,,, Another good video ,,keep'em coming !!!
Thanks, will do!
Heat,Fan,Shower And Toilet!
Alrighty Blackie
Now we Are Talking, I'm sure
This series Will be very Interesting!!!
I cant wait for this series
Perfect timing Blackie, I've been wanting to do this on a beer budget. Hope to gleem some good Ideas. Thanks
Go for it!
I'm excited about this series. Thanks Blackie!
Cool video. I did the same thing with my old 88 Chevy. Packing blanket in the bed, then a futon mattress. Was super comfortable in the cold. Wool blankets and a sleeping bag. Plenty of room for my gear and cooler of food. Ran that truck till it was nickle and dimeing me to run. 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸
Right on
What a great series!! We think a lot alike. I am really excited for the rest of this series! I’ve been doing this since 1995, but I’m always learning new things, and new ideas to improve on my system. I honestly haven’t been this jacked up about a video series in a looong time! THANK YOU for sharing this!👍👍👌👏👏
That's awesome!
Looking forward to this!!
1999 F350 diesel 129K with a massive wench and a trailer hitch with several height options. This beast can haul and has fantastic MPG. The communications company I worked for allowed the driver first bid to purchase when they got rid of vehicles as an incentive to keep them maintained. Oh she was maintained!! They looked at is as a gasoline engine and put it up for sale at 120K. An hour had not passed from the time I was informed and she was mine. Just in case someone at fleet realized their error. I got it for 14 thousand cheaper that Kelly BB. That was in 2005. It had a commercial tool box and I was going to get rid of it for a standard bed but did not. After thinking about it I realized that I had a lot of storage options with the toolbox. A full size 4X4 ATV fits perfectly on the bed. A bed rack with a tarp gives me cover for sleeping on the back and I can carry a canoe. If SHTF my first PU is a 1980 J10 Jeep that can easily be towed behind....In 4 Low Bucky can go where liberals won't follow.
solid choice sir
Campers are a sign of getting old is what I was told by my tent camping friends when I built my teardrop. LOL
This ought to be a fun and interesting series.
Looking forward to this series, Blackie.
Hello from Oklahoma! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Good Video! Never thought about some of this stuff. I've got a 2000 ranger with a camper shell I use for deer camp. being 6'3", the 6' beds a bit short. But I make it work. I agree, it's not about how much you spend. I look forward to this series. Thanks for all you do. God Bless!
Happy holidays!
Looking forward to this series, very nice nice my friend 🤠
Great video, Blackie
Thank you kindly
2:32 staring out right with that nissan king cab!
Those trucks are popular around here, west central mississippi, my old boss had a yard full of them. Great truck. Right about the parts though.
Right on love mine but ya got to hunt quality parts
I'm really looking forward to this series!! Awesome ideas!
Glad to hear it!
This should be a great series
Looking Forward. Thanks for Sharing. Stay Safe.
Thanks 👍
Can't wait to see where it goes!
Sweet! I just live up in the mountains and everyone around here will tell you 4WD baby! HA! However, a 4WD station wagon Subaru is just about the most common and will go anywhere, snow, ice, it don't matter, of course, there's no Baja going on in a wittle Subby:) HA!
Very cool!
Cool. Looking forward to seeing more of this.
More to come!
Superb, mate
Thank you! Cheers!
I had a set up like that before and loved it ! Can't wait to see how you set yours up ! Thanks Brother and Happy Thanksgiving !
Thanks, you too!
Blackie I could've swore that I saw a Ford Ranger in one of your videos. Am I wrong ? Nissan's are great little trucks they last forever as you well know. Why not use one as your camping truck ? They don't wear out , therefore there's no need to replace engines , transmissions and so on. Here in Arkansas the junkyards are full of older Nissan's like yours. By the way , I love your truck and it's history. Keep the videos coming , I watch every one.
Hi Blackie, looking forward to this series. I have a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4-Door with over 120k miles on it. I would like to be able to use it as a camper and be able to sleep inside of it instead of on top of it. Maybe I can get some good ideas from your series.👍🛻
Sounds great! hope i give you a few ideas to work with
Completely off subject but I just bought a new Nissan Fronteir and one of the drawbacks for me was the availability of parts .. especially aftermarket parts.. Slept plenty of nights in my 05 Chevy Colorado but can't see that happening in a 5' bed in this new one. Hopefully the dependability outweighs the downfalls lol
'90s '91 I was camping in a pickup truck 3/4 ton full size did exactly what you did bad everything and late 2000s I did a Jeep Cherokee way too crowded with clothes and gear now I went back to a pickup still too small so now I'm in a big 14-ft by 10x8 box truck two and a half ton heavy lots of room I've got shower sink everything inside and outside boy in a snow storm I disappear kind of sucks my camo only works 3 months out of the year
Hey Blackie! You'll remember my truck, same idea! Wanted a way I could boondock without screaming steal me first! LOL!
lol you got a good rig brother
Soon ill be converting my 98 chevy into a camping /overland rig 😎
sounds good
Really looking forward to this series, thank you.
Glad to hear it!
FYI
still see your plate at the back
may have to take the video down
great video BTW
My bad
Another great video! I just have one problem... who told you I had a super secret honey hole, 2 miles down the road? Somebody's got some answering to do! Lol
Oh wow! i hear ya lol
With an F 150 and a 30 ought six... Sorry, but you pointed the most obvious point and that's thinking long term. Very big in case things go off the rail, cos it will, and Casey is drivin the train. Trouble ahead, trouble behind.
I love the common sense approach you have ! I just moved to north central Florida and there is lots of sand roads. Do you think I need four wheel drive or can I get away with good all terrain tires ?
good tires and some traction boards will do the trick just remember when sand is dry its the worst when damp or wet it is great to dive on
Got a square body chevy addiction myself
loved mine a 1977 c 10 rebuilt it a bit at the time
At 18:22 I see a spider come down on its Webb to your camper.
i saw it lol it wasn't going to hurt me so i left it alone
NEW 45 Caliber (.457) Air Gun Pellets Big Bore Air Rifle 300 Grain, Swaged Lead Flat Nose, 50 Count
How long is the bed on that truck?
Looking forward to this series. How do you feel about toyota trucks?
i had one yrs ago they can be good trucks
I've been trying to look for a camper shell for my 1985 Toyota pickup and they are nowhere to be found
Yo yo blackie... Question... Just seen this was posted 5hrs ago sure oit of 48 comments this may seem quite odd... .457 cal pellet 200 grain hollow point for air rifles... Will ot work in my 1860 army precussion revolver?
bore size is right and 200 gr close i would start with a target load .. as long as the lead is soft enought it should work
Scottish battle flag from the MacDuff clan bottom right side of the back window, what is the affiliation to you?
i was doing Scottish games for yrs. we did a pre 1840 fashion show where we got on stage and told how and why our Scot ancestors came to America
A quart a month? LOL. Does it have compression? How's the power? My dad had a mid 80s Nissan PU. It ran forever.
yep runs fine
They are doing you a favor by stealing a gladiator!
just buy yourself a van..