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Bringin' it home... [message #112199]

Mon, 17 January 2011 00:32

pbrownsd

Messages: 56
Registered: December 2010
Location: Hayden,ID

Karma:

Member

A couple of days ago I headed out on a 400 mile trip to the Portland area to bring home my first GMC. I purchased a 1976 Glenbrook from DJ Eberhart. He bought it from the original owner back in 1987. It's been off the road for about two years now. I arrived Friday morning after picking up Dodge rims from Mike Miller (Thanks Mike!!) and dropped them off at Les Schwab for new tires.

Gotta say I loved it from several blocks away as we approached. Its definitely a project vehicle but has good potential. About an hour of looking it over and the deal was done. I pulled away, with my daughter as copilot, and got 15 miles down the road when the transmission blew!! Had reverse but no forward gears. Called DJ and Coachnet. After discussing options, DJ and I decided to have it towed back to his place where he would provide a used tranny and final drive. However, he indicated he was recovering from recent surgery and would not be able to install it. Luckily, my brother lives an hour away and the two of use provided the muscle under DJ's direction because we don't know didly about auto mechanics.

Saturday began about 10:00 am to begin removal. Tranny out by 1:30. New one in by 7:00 pm. Coach back on its own six new wheels and tires by 8:00pm. Trying to back up showed us the Dodge rims won't clear the 80mm front calipers DJ had on the Twinkie. So, the best of the old 16.5in wheels and tires replaced on the front. Now to put my jeep and trailer behind the GMC. Hooked the trailer up and drove my jeep up on it. My Jeep is modified with lift and very large offroad tires. It proved to be too wide for the trailer (riding up on a one foot tall railing). So off with the right side wheels and set down on the other four old 16.5in GMC wheels. Jeep is strapped down and we pull away at last at 10:45 pm from DJ's in a crazy downpouring rain. 11:45pm pull in at my brother's house absolutely covered in ATF and grease. Never been so sore and tired.

Today left Portland in heavy rain and I'm scared to death to drive this unfamiliar beast! Took our time towing our heavy load in an untested coach. Gary Berry was kind enough to provide a storage pod and is house is about 75 miles out of our way but worth it. Now unknown to me, he lives on a dead end gravel road. With the weight of the trailer, the coach's front wheels are unloaded unconsiderably. I tried to get turned around in his driveway and ended up in the ditch! Gary is headed to Quartzite but his great neighbor Mitch rescued us with a tug from his pickup. Ok, back on the road but now the wind is picking dramatically. Made it another 35 miles in high wind but the trailer and coach are buffeted badly. I gave up in Richland, Wa and got a hotel room for the night. Tomorrow is a new day and 4-5 hours to reach home!!

Overall, the GMC is great and as the day went by I relaxed and realized that it actually drives quite well considering the added weight.

Stay tuned for the remainder of the trip and pictures of The Big Twinkie!

Pete love my new GMC Brown

1976 Glenbrook Hayden, ID

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[Message index]

		Bringin' it home... By: pbrownsd on Mon, 17 January 2011 00:32
		Re: Bringin' it home... By: Dan Borlase on Mon, 17 January 2011 00:46
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: USAussie on Mon, 17 January 2011 02:06
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: James Hupy on Mon, 17 January 2011 08:23
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: USAussie on Mon, 17 January 2011 08:30
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: Ken Burton on Mon, 17 January 2011 13:04
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: USAussie on Mon, 17 January 2011 13:57
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: mike miller on Mon, 17 January 2011 12:40
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: cbwoodsr on Mon, 17 January 2011 12:59
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: mike miller on Mon, 17 January 2011 13:44
		Re: Bringin' it home... By: Carl S. on Mon, 17 January 2011 08:54
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: Gary Berry on Mon, 17 January 2011 08:59
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: tphipps on Mon, 17 January 2011 09:21
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: Mr ERFisher on Mon, 17 January 2011 09:44
		Re: Bringin' it home... By: Matt Colie on Mon, 17 January 2011 10:54
		Re: Bringin' it home... By: Jim Wagner on Mon, 17 January 2011 14:28
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: USAussie on Mon, 17 January 2011 17:32
		Re: Bringin' it home... By: Jim Wagner on Mon, 17 January 2011 20:07
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: GMC_LES on Mon, 17 January 2011 21:35
		Re: Bringin' it home... By: pbrownsd on Mon, 17 January 2011 20:21
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: Ken Henderson on Mon, 17 January 2011 21:03
		Re: Bringin' it home... By: Keith V on Mon, 17 January 2011 21:29
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: Byron Songer on Mon, 17 January 2011 21:50
		Re: Bringin' it home... By: mike miller on Mon, 17 January 2011 22:00
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: James Hupy on Mon, 17 January 2011 22:29
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: Ken Henderson on Mon, 17 January 2011 22:56
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: James Hupy on Mon, 17 January 2011 23:07
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: USAussie on Tue, 18 January 2011 04:02
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: USAussie on Tue, 18 January 2011 04:05
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: James Hupy on Tue, 18 January 2011 10:44
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: mike miller on Tue, 18 January 2011 12:35
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: USAussie on Tue, 18 January 2011 13:07
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: Don A on Tue, 18 January 2011 16:31
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: James Hupy on Tue, 18 January 2011 16:43
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: Don A on Tue, 18 January 2011 16:51
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: James Hupy on Tue, 18 January 2011 22:14
		Re: Bringin' it home... By: Matt Colie on Tue, 18 January 2011 08:42
		Re: Bringin' it home... By: pbrownsd on Tue, 18 January 2011 09:35
		Re: Bringin' it home... By: Dan Borlase on Tue, 18 January 2011 11:55
		Re: [GMCnet] Bringin' it home... By: 980 on Tue, 18 January 2011 12:25

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