Cabovers

I've pretty much had to custom build every cab panel I've needed so far. Everything else I've been able to find with a little searching.

 

I am intimate with every single nut and bolt and part on my Cummins Big Cam 4 powered 62. We have a good facebook group too.

Great truck but keeping any truck great while working it has always been a challenge and just a little more so with a old truck.

 

The only cabover worth buying IMO

 

To get to the original post.
Any truck 35 years old mechanically is going to have the same challenges as listed in prior posts. You are not going to just stroll into the dealer, give them a vin# and order some parts. Even formerly common mechanical stuff is going to have to be sourced carefully and with some difficulty.

You are clearly intrigued with the cabover mystique. I drove them for my entire 45 year career, wouldn't drive anything else.
As far as keeping the cabover unique portions of the vehicle in tact, that depends on how you intend to use the truck.
Expect to do some fabricating, onsite re-engineering. How close you want to keep it so OEM looks and specs has a bearing.
Full time, 100,000 miles plus per year all 48 states? Hard
Seasonal trucking within a 500 mile (towable ) radius? Easier
Mostly show, occasional real load? Easier still

Good luck

 

I wanna add that anything you ever need you need to find yourself before you need it and have it in your garage.

Don't rely on anyone anywhere other that yourself and other 362 owners. Not that shops and techs can't find stuff its just that it may take a lot hour$ for them.

 

You need to be able to fix anything and everything yourself or it won't work as a full time truck. Some parts need to be custom made if they go.

 

My cousin has one about that year. He gets to take some forced vacations waiting for parts. I think that's a bonus to him though, he doesn't like working.

 

I think cabovers are great and have quite a bit of time in a mid-80's 362 in my younger years. Beyond that, it wouldn't be much fun as an OTR workhorse. Emptying the cab on the side of the road to fully bring the cab up, no fun. Climbing thru the tunnel to access the bunk, no fun. Can't stand in the sleeper, no fun. Even if it were air ride, the ride is no fun. I used to have a plastic cup on the end of a stick to pay tolls, no fun.

All that being said, I wouldn't mind driving one a short while just to reminisce.

 

I drove a 1978 GMC Astro in the early 80’s for 3 years locally
It had an 8VA92 at 435hp with a 10 speed fuller don’t really remember the rear ratio but man would that truck pull for that time
It was also a very short wheelbase with spring ride suspension and I swear that truck started my lifetime back issues that plague me to this day
I just don’t understand why anyone would want to subject themselves to a truck that rides so bad, but maybe the air ride cabover’s were better but still the access issues to get in the truck and the limited space inside can actually be a real pita