Echo the brake sentiment. Every single part of the system needs rebuilt/replaced. Also add to that the trans brake. Get it relined and ensure it is working proper, it will be your only hope if the main system has any kind of problem.
You didn't mention what rear axle you have which will govern your top speed. If its a two speed axle, your limit is 55-58mph max. Its not worth re-gearing, so if you want a better top speed, an axle swap is cheaper.
Check the kingpins for play and all the steering components. Bump steer is a heck of a thing on loose steering. Assume that your front wheel bearings/wheel seals need replaced and verify that the rears are in good condition. Check universals for play and replace as necessary. Check every last grease fitting and replace any that are malfunctioning. There is no such thing as too much grease on these old girls. I hit all the major zerks with a pump or two before every 100+ mile trip on top of routine 3000 mile maintenance and keep a grease gun in the toolbox on the truck. I also suggest keeping a fire extinguisher mounted in the cab ready to go. These old girls can be finicky, I had my oil bath filter catch fire on the highway from a backfire once.
You will need to wire in the necessary harness for lights on the camper so use it as an opportunity to overhaul the wiring of the truck. Depending on the amp draw, the stock fusing for brake/tail/marker lights may not support the added electric load from the trailer so you may need to bypass the system and run fresh lower AWG wire on a standalone fuse. Get some fresh grounds and primary wire under the hood. If not already, ensure that the truck is fused before the firewall. They didn't come from the factory as such and if your primary wire shorts out you can wreck most of the harness, the ignition switch, and even start a fire. Mouse like to get up in the roof and can chew on the marker light wires. Check those for good continuity and then take the time to reseal them to the roof. You can almost guarantee that after 60 years they are leaking and this can rust out the top side of the windshield.
I also suggest hard wiring grounds to all your major lights. All the lights ground thru the body from factory. 60 years of rust and rot ensures that those grounds can be troublesome and unless you are doing a cab-off resto, you will be forever chasing your tail as the lights come and go with each bump on the road.
These trucks did not come with reverse lights. Depending on you local laws/DOT regs you may want/need to wire in reverse lights. Someone once did a writeup of adding the sensor to the SM420 to make them automatic, but the simple method is to just use a manual toggle switch on the dash. You didn't state what type of trailer brakes you are using either, so you will need to ensure to wire in that system as well.
3B already mentioned wheels. That will be your biggest hurdle. I wont bother with engine, that's pretty self explanatory. Do flush the radiator and check the upper and lower hoses though. I would think pulling a camper means driving long distances, and you cant find easy replacement parts for these trucks should you break down.
Depending on the distance, it may be worth getting an undermount toolbox or two from tractor supply and mounting them to the frame just behind the cab. Then you can carry all the fluids, filters, spare parts, and tools you may need to service/repair the truck should you experience any issues. For reference, I keep 1 of every filter, a gallon of every fluid, a complete toolset, and a full list of parts on the truck at all times. Parts include: rad hoses, spare 1bbl carburetor, spare HEI pickup coil/module/rotator, complete points dizzy with spare points/condenser/coil/cap/resistor, spare plugs/plug wires, spare universals, spare bulbs, spare stators (for hazard flashers), spare drive belt, and a few other odds and ends. Beyond basic tools, I keep a timing light, feeler gauges, a multimeter, and a bottle jack on hand.
You also need to understand that no matter how well you build it and/or maintain it, she will be a maintenance hog. I've spent untold hours on the side of the road, at truck stops, in parking lots, etc, quickly running maintenance and solving occasional problems. Its very much a labor of love.
Last edited by HFfarms; 01/27/2022 3:27 PM.
