Car camping while spotting GMCs

[pvfjr]

I had a great weekend of traveling around the Oregon Outback and Central Oregon. We did about 720 miles of driving for the Gambler 500 event (look it up if you haven't heard of it yet). My 16 year old tires gave out on my Pathfinder, so I was running 30" tires up front instead of the regular 35".






I promise this is GMC relevant...
I got some great scouting done during this trip. There are SOOO many places I want to bring the family in the GMC now. There is a lot of great boondocking to be done in Oregon. Not only that, I spotted another GMC in the lovely town of Sisters.




A little further out, I spotted one up on blocks way out in Christmas Valley in the middle of nowhere! The front end was lifted way up--I think maybe they were working on the engine. Hopefully it finds its way back onto the road someday. I'll have to review my dashcam footage and see if it was captured.

 

[1976GMC]

OMG, how is it possible that I live in the PNW for 20+ years and have NOT heard of this event? This sounds amazing. $500 is exactly what my Craigslist purchase cap is (self imposed). The only glitch is - at this time my road car (daily driver) was picked up for that price, while my 4x4 is actually good and proper off-road beast that we bought years ago new. Sounds like I got to go shopping...

 

[jjdebarros]

Better gas mileage with 30" up front and 35" in the back, you are always going downhill!

 

[Russell]

That's a good looking '78 E2. Interesting location for Eleganza II decal.

 

[JSanford]

That's a good looking '78 E2. Interesting location for Eleganza II decal.

Its not a '78, just been painted with '78 style stripes. That big ugly refrigerator access door is the giveaway, the '78s have sleek integrated louvers stamped in the skin.

 

[JSanford]

We were supposed to be at Diamond Lake a couple of weeks ago but got cancelled out because of extended COVID closure. Did get to send a couple nights at Susan Creek BLM Campground on the North Umpqua which was really nice. Heading back up in August to do the OR coast, hopefully we can get into Cape Blanco.

 

[pvfjr]

We were supposed to be at Diamond Lake a couple of weeks ago but got cancelled out because of extended COVID closure. Did get to send a couple nights at Susan Creek BLM Campground on the North Umpqua which was really nice. Heading back up in August to do the OR coast, hopefully we can get into Cape Blanco.

That's not too far from where we were, you can see Mt Theilsen in one of the pics. Hopefully you can get back out there!

 

[pvfjr]

OMG, how is it possible that I live in the PNW for 20+ years and have NOT heard of this event? This sounds amazing. $500 is exactly what my Craigslist purchase cap is (self imposed). The only glitch is - at this time my road car (daily driver) was picked up for that price, while my 4x4 is actually good and proper off-road beast that we bought years ago new. Sounds like I got to go shopping...

Well it was still a pretty small event still when I started in 2016. It's really blown up since then, and there are spin-off events all over the country now.

 

[Russell]

Its not a '78, just been painted with '78 style stripes. That big ugly refrigerator access door is the giveaway, the '78s have sleek integrated louvers stamped in the skin.

Hi JSanford,
They did a good job simulating a '78 E2. Our '78 (TZE168V101491) also has a refrigerator access door.

 

[JSanford]

Hi JSanford,
They did a good job simulating a '78 E2. Our '78 (TZE168V101491) also has a refrigerator access door.
View attachment 3309

Gorgeous '78

Yeah, I have seen a number of '78s that got cut so a gas fridge could be installed, necessary evil I guess.

 

[PeteSr]

I agree about the evil. I didn't want that ugly plastic panel with my new paint job. So I had this aluminum panel made and am in the process of finishing the hinges for it. When completed and painted later this summer, my goal is for it to look like it was designed that way. It's held in with tape now, but will be installed using aviation solid flush rivets (there is a backing plate already made). As I said I am working on the hidden hinges now. I will be able to open it for access to the area behind the refrigerator. It's also allowing me to install a 110 AC outlet. I am also considering a removable outside TV on an arm that would swing out from that space.