[2] Along with single or tandem axle configurations, the GMC Crackerbox was available with a sleeper cab. It is a medium-duty truck commonly used as a basis for dump trucks, cargo haulers, and other commercial or industrial purposes. There was a point when the cab would go over center, meaning gravity took over and the hyd system that was lifting the cab was now used to control cab movement by restricting the oil flow. I can remember the day we got in a shipment of tools and manuals for the 91 Syclone. You are visitor number to this page! The owner has done a terrific job in restoring the unit to its original condition. Cohort Pic(k) of the Day: Yugo When Was The Last Time You Saw One? The Astro died honorably with Comfort is a big issue especially for long haul trucking. The Kenworths had dog houses big enough to sleep on. It was a nice truck but harder to get into tight spots and I was partial to the cabovers. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. This meant that there were less gauges on the wraparound part than That was all there was to drive at one time. Cochran Auctioneers & Associates LTD Boonsboro, Maryland 21713 Phone: (301) 739-0538 Email Seller Video Chat Ever since those got retired (replaced by conventional White-GMC or Volvo-White rigs) Ive seen few to no Astros. You could get Cummins and later the 3406 Cat, but the vast majority had 71 and 92 series Jimmys in them. The trucker literally must stand up on the seat of the truck and crawl over theengine, which is positioned between the seats! for it was optional. In addition to the regular cab, a sleeper cab was available as an option. It was a family business dad, son, and grandson could all be found down the same hallway. Its grainy and basically useless, but unless I find the others, that may well be all that remains of these rigs. $182.00 . I had a friend who was renting shop space in a building next to a marine machine shop. This truck is very rare as we are finding out. To draw attention to the brand, GMC launched the promotional campaign using several country cross-overs. Here are some comments sent in from truckers. awkward shapes, it did not receive good aerodynamic ratings, and cut fuel I would sleep across the doghouse in my cabover. The GMC Astro and Chevrolet Titan are Class 8 cabover-engine (COE) trucks, sold in both single and tandem rear axle configurations. Cab Manufacturer: gmc Model: astro $2,000.00 1986 GMC ASTRO Cab Create Estimate Tag #: 25276546 VIN #: 1GDT9L4C5GV505534 *Brakes: AIR Engine: CUMMINS BCIII Type: SHELL Style: CABOVER SHELL CAB, COMPONENTS SOLD SEPARATE, ALLISON HT754CR Part Info (877)238-5030 Request Info Enterprise Vander Haags Inc Cb Council Bluffs IA $786.00 1983 GMC ASTRO Cab Mine was a great truck, simple and reliable. With that in mind, we have gathered high-quality GMC parts and accessories that work the first time, every time. GMC Astro had a windshield that seemed to come down to knee level! In fact, this picture was used to create a cut-out on foamcore, which sat atop their reception desk when it was unstaffed. When the shop was sold and moved out of town his land lord offered him 300 bucks to clean out the space. For a typical dealership, this meant dedicating profitable space that would have otherwise gone to selling passenger cars. Tahoe where I used to work had a tough time getting to stuff on our Pete 320 LCFs. Given the paint scheme, it seems fairly likely this tractor and trailer spent at least part of their lives together. It was easy for the younger drivers, but not quite so easy for the older truckers! This 1974 model was one of the last trucks to travel down the assembly line before the company went bankrupt in late 1974. White trailers with a big Food Lion graphic. None of the seventeen-footers were ever completed. My Astro had an 8V71 Detroit and a 13 speed Roadranger. Even the old freight shaker cabovers! Lots of stuff that rattled, fell off or quit working way too early. The funky hitch is called a stinger and its usually used on car haulers. On various occasions, I walked in to find the President working a welder and the VP forming sheets of aluminum ahead of him! In stark contrast to the boxy Crackerbox, the exterior of the Astro/Titan featured rounded body corners and wraparound windshield glass. And run they did. This style of old semi trucks are incredibly maneuverable. I actually had to call Ercoa once working a claim on a boat. Its design was cleaner and slicker than the Transtar. The big windshields and door glass gave a full view of the road. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford_TK. Get to know the CB lingo used by truckers, so you can get in on the conversation, cmon. Today, it is one of the most recognizable marques in the industry. A walk-in version was added in 1985. But now a sighting of a working cabover truck on the road is more rare. [1] In 1979, the 6-71 was replaced by the 6V92, making all available Detroit Diesel engines V-engines; the 6V71 was discontinued after 1980.[1]. All orignal. Anytime the driver wants anything from the bunk, the process is the same. A few words about their personal connection and memories of cabovers. And their parts guys knew the product a lot better. The trucks, however, were not so lucky. Out here, the farmers still run Brigadiers, Generals, and Ford Louisvilles. 1 of 11 ever made by General Motors. I understood that much of the interior and the dashboard were designed by a woman named Martha Jayne Van Alstyne, who also worked on the interior of the 68 Corvette. As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. They look like something out of the 90s rather than the 60s. And 35 years ago no computerized support systems. Super-detailed engine, chassis and interior; CB radio and dual antennas; Astro . Or perhaps some do-gooder finally threw it away. Can anyone tell me where this picture was taken. Most kids wanted to go to the beach, but my favourite thing was to head for a truck stop! I got a blue Chevy Titan 90 replacement while big red was in the shop. They were once very common, particularly in fleet service. Great truck and photo. Thanks for the history of the company. the Astro was now dead. We like the way they roll. The All rights reserved. 1976 GMC Astro day cab over semi, Big Cam 350 Cummins eng., 13 spd., 11R24.5, spring ride, sliding hitch, 711,344 miles, VIN TDC926V578511 - new batteries Carlisle, Iowa. Cabover Truck - COE Trucks For Sale in Provo, UT: 0 Cabover Truck - COE Trucks Near You - Find Cabover Truck - COE Trucks on Commercial Truck Trader. The cabover truck is an icon. They also all open in a certain way (although they differ in this area). For more information on the last new This went on after the HD line was sold off. Restoration completed recently. In the shuffle, Ercoa managed to grab the pontoon business and run with it. Not surprising, given that it came from GM, although its predecessor, the Crackerbox (attached) certainly couldnt have spent much time in the Design Center. Every once in awhile Ill see one sitting on a back lot. Ive had the pleasure to drive an LTL-9000, and the misfortune to drive a Brigadier. Discover (and save!) Sometimes you needed a prybar to get the rear cab mounts back into there saddles. By the mid eighties, they were doing pretty well for themselves: theyd moved into a big new facility, had expanded their lineup to include such things as portable ice houses and their trademark line of peddle-boats, and of course they were still cranking out pontoons left and right. I could have sworn I took several of the truck Ill be attempting to feature below, but for some reason I am unable to find them. All three are currently relaxing behind the shop until my project backlog is a bit shorter. We have everything you need to maintain your GMC in top condition to avoid truck breakdowns and get it operating properly again. So they let me keep the Titan 90 and I drove it till fall when I decided driving full time wasnt for me and I went back to being a mechanic. If these were being built in the late 70s, they werent that much before my time yet I cant remember ever seeing one. As I left the yard that day, I watched as the dilapidated Astrowas being hacked apart by a small herd of torch jockeys. Please email mewith questions and comments! Additional information is available in this. [2] For the 1969 model year, the GMC Crackerbox was replaced by the GMC Astro, while the Chevrolet Titan was unveiled for the 1970 model year.[3][4]. They are all different shapes and sizes, and are also all designed to fit different people. I spotted this rig several weeks ago while taking a shortcut I rarely use, coming back from picking up a load of equipment bound for the office. If I remember I bought it for only $2000 and was used just as a yard truck. I had lots of scares over the years but that one was probably the most tense because it took a quite of bit of time to pull this off and get that cab sitting back down on its mounts. I am actually the current owner of the truck on this article. All were late 70s vintage cabovers with sleepers and rooftop air deflectors, painted white, with the obligatorylogo on the door. The last GMC B-Series left the assembly line in 2003. GMC ASTRO INTERIOR FOR AMERICAN TRUCK SIMULATOR - YouTube 0:00 / 0:57 GMC ASTRO INTERIOR FOR AMERICAN TRUCK SIMULATOR Caterpillar D8N 701 subscribers Subscribe 1.2K views 11 months. Radhe also tries different gadgets every now and then to give their reviews online. I can remember seeing many of the Astro tractors around until Kroger closed the Fort Wayne Indiana Distribution warehouse. The left front cab mount failed, the cab has swung around to the right some and landed on the motor. Ive never run a General, but the Brigadiers dont seem to hold up nearly as well as the Fords. This is not one of them. There was also the memorable wrap-around dashboard, all decked out in woodgrain. AS IS Sold Price: USD $1,120.00 Auction Ended: Wed, Feb 17, 2021 4:04 PM View Buyer's Premium Financial Calculator Stock Number: 520 VIN: 1GDT9L4C1GV541124 Drive Side: Left Hand Drive It also has a black, white, The base engine was the Detroit Diesel 6-71N, with the Detroit 8V71 and Cummins N-Series diesel engines as options. We take a look at the exterior and interior of the vehicle, so you can receive a general idea and appreciation of a certain brand or model.Our coverage is from Truck, Auto and Commercial Vehicle Shows in USA, Europe and Canada.Thanks for watching!! The Pete 362 cabover launched in 1981 featured cab suspension as well as a wraparound dash that I worked on, which may have been subliminally inspired by the GMC. Many memories are attached to the old cabover trucks models.Many truckers and retired truck drivers alike, lament about the classic cabover truck models, that once ruled the highways of North America. Did find the high-res original of that pic, but alas, no GPS information or other pictures for context. (c) 2000, Evan McCausland. The interior is ruff, Dan is rebuilding the engine so as to keep it orignal. Succeeding the F/D-series "Crackerbox" cabovers, the Astro was marketed by Chevrolet as the Titan, serving as the largest cabover trucks ever produced by General Motors. Owned by Ryan Wichtner, FL. relocated to next to the trailer air brake lever itself, as shown. The other cabovers weve seen have white cabooses. Aahhhh yes, I spent many a day in these. Among their factory leftovers was a small group of V-bottom boats. As the trucks aged the cab had a tendency to shift to the right as it lifted, older ones would snag the safety hook. The new model featured better visibility and improved driver ergonomics. Luckily the shop we are in was originally a heavy equipment shop. (USED) GMC ASTRO DOOR SIDE VENT, DOES NOT INCLUDE INTERIOR TRIM, NEEDS SEAL, CAB OVER $242 USD Located in Spencer, IA, US Email Seller (855) 370-___ Seller Information Vander Haag's Inc. 3809 4th Ave W Spencer, IA 51301-2082 United States Get Directions View all Inventory (154948) Get Shipping Quotes Save Price Alert Send to a Friend Print Listing Mechanically sound. The cabover is one of the most unique interiors weve found. Its great to know so many truckers still appreciate these trucks. Browse the best December 2022 deals on Chevrolet Astro vehicles for sale in Provo, UT. This gives good access to the motor for maintenance and repair. Cabover interiors are all essentially the same but they all have a few differences. He ran one as an O/O for a few years in the mid 1970s and then again as a company driver for Thrifty-Payless Drug stores in the early-mid 80s. #3 was under the cowl and the piston/liner assembly would only just clear. [1] In an option that became standard a year later, in 1979, GMC and Chevrolet offered the SS (Special Series) package. Stock Number. It seemed the final nail in their coffin might have been the failure of a large chain of boat dealers, which happened to be one of their biggest distributors. (Wonder how many other people can say they own not one, butthree brand-new, never-used, 1991 model year boats?). When I was a kid, my parents would drive me to the nearest truck stop, so I could take pictures of the big rigs, and talk to the truck drivers. Single rear axle. GMC's Astro story originally begins in the early The truck was still in warranty, the service rep didnt want to replace all the parts we planned on replacing. American Brands: AMC, Jeep and All Others, Tractors, Lawn Mowers, Off-Road Equipment, Big Truck Outtake: GMC Astro 95 It Makes Me Want To Go Boating. Also seem to recall some connection with carnival equipment. No wonder they were called Freightshakers! -If you have any, please send them to me, Condition. "A Brief Outline of the First Century of GMC Truck History - Generations of GM", Rigs of Rods; GMC Astro 95 & Chevy Titan 90, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=GMC_Astro&oldid=1140760775, Articles needing expert attention from January 2017, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 17:11. Theres a bit more thought put into them now but wrap around dashboards are still the norm, the fake wood is still with us though the 2011 International I was driving was covered in the stuff. The Astro was also GMs swan song in the big-truck sector, and it never sold in the numbers needed to keep GM truly viable. Unless some ambitious individual comes along, chances are their next trip out will be their last. . Gmc ASTRO Cab, Misc. Oddly enough they still use what cabovers are left for boat transport. (c) 2000, Evan McCausland. The one thing that cabover interiors are best known for is the way they can camouflage some of their interior panels. International Cabover A 1974 model, powered by Cummins 400, 13 speed transmission, owned by Mark Johnson. I drove one in 71 for two years, with a V12 Detroit engine. Nine89-2five4-eight20eight Report Last Updated on: February 28, 2023 with 1979 GMC Astro Cabover - $4000 Some truckers wore full length snowmobile suits in them, just to stay warm! GMC Astro cabs were built almost entirely out of aluminum, with SMC fiberglass-reinforced plastic doors, and were offered in three lengths: the short 55-inch non-sleeper cab, a 75-inch sleeper cab and an 87-inch sleeper cab. When he used to be their mechanic, he claimed that they were always in the shop for something. You see a LOT of dilapidated Fords smoking their way down the road, somehow still going. Gmc Astro Cabover Trucks For Sale Become a Partner 1995 Oshkosh Refrigerated Van Price : CALL Has Airconditioning, Steel Wheels, 225/70R/19.5 Tires Carrier Ultima Reefer This is a Cream Of Weber milk Van Rear length 14' Width 6'6" Door Width 3' Swing door 190 HP Diesel Engine 3-speed Automatic 6-cyclinder Turbo Salt Lake Salt Lake City Radhe Gupta is an Indian business blogger. To ensure long and trouble-free service life of your rig, use only high-quality GMC semi truck parts and accessories offered in our online store. The Internationals were good solid trucks. was loved by owners and operators alike. I drove many 10s of thousands of miles in the late 70s. The large carriers who were the big buyers of cabovers, switched over to the conventional style rig, and the bottom rapidly fell out of the market for them in North America, thus the fall in popularity of these trucks. But, with surprising candor, he began to lament his purchase of the truck having now done the math, he was expecting to take a big hit on it, and several other things hed won at that auction. I was astounded when he paid $3500 for the title-less derelict Astro; upon looking it over again (just to see if Id missed something), I couldnt understand how he was making money on it at that price. My Mom ran a truck leasing operation in the 70s-90s (NationalLease/LendLease) and back in the 70s when the 95 came out it was a VERY big deal. It featured an all-aluminum cab with a 108-inch or 116-inch hood. One of my most exciting or tense days involved a White Road Commander. As you say, its tough to be distinctive. There was no coming back after that. Sleeper Cab. custom built, and that GMC had been experiencing slightly slumping sales during Cabover interiors are always black and have that kind of chrome finish that makes them look menacing and slightly menacing. Dan is hoping to use this truck in the summer to haul hay. She carries weight between 93-105,000+lb loads. the past 3 years. Modern cabovers are built with more structural safety features to protect the driver in the event of a crash. Im retired now but own a few Detroit powered 73 GMC 9500 10 wheelers to fool around with. Is this the same model International Transtar? Given the design and material information I hung onto from earlier, I expect to be able to finish their construction fairly easily. He told me he took out over $2500 in bronze copper and aluminum shavings. Diesel (unable to determine engine model, but based on serial number would have a Detroit 8v71). But, theyre almost all sitting in the weeds, done forever. GMC Astro 95 Cabover T/A Road Tractor, ; Vin# TGH928V900010, Special Plate- AC122503, Manual Trans.- NO TITLE . The Astro 95 was the best-styled truck of its time, and one of the best ever. Because of the regulations for length, this style of rig was very popular in it's day. Autocar will still sell you a new truck. made it able to slip through wind better than other COEs at the document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Thats code word for farmers. As a mechanic, I spent a lot of time working on this style of truck. They were quite popular, particularly with fleets. I knew a guy who worked in the service department at a Caterpillar dealer, and he said that some of his customers wouldnt hesitate to come right over his desk if they got the slightest inkling that he might be causing some delay in getting their equipment back into use. I know the mechanics at the garbage company in Truckee/N. The ultimate custom truck show and big rig event schedule for U.S. and Canada. So the length issue wasnt so important anymore. . You wanted to be sure you had your pants on when you rolled out of the sleeper! Please email I drove a COE for the first ten years or so of my driving career. So they dumped their interests in such things as snowmobiles and recreational craft, going hard after that one market they felt was most lucrative. The gmc astro cabover features a black interior with a white caboose. Title applied for. Sleeper Type: CAB OVER: Part Info (877)238-5030 Request Info. Class 8 cabover highway trucks are still manufactured at a plant in North Carolina. The early ones, like the red one at top, are better looking than the later ones. They were great for maneuvering in tight spots, but not so great to live in for long time periods for over the road trucking. NO 1995 Freightliner C.O.E. Cab is up in the air, a crack noise followed by some crunching sounds. The shortened wheelbase allows for this tight turning radius. uplevel sound and CB systems. there is no reaching into the sleeper to grab something, when sitting in the drivers seat! The GMC Astro 95 (1969-1987) For more information on the last new Astro model, go see the Other Astro Pictures -If you have any, please send them to me, and they will be posted! In 1930, another GMC truck made a similar journey from New York to San Francisco in just 5 days. Gauges for the trailer air supply and pressure were There still seems to be a factory GM radio still installed in that rig, I always thought these had an interesting dash, semi wraparound, isolating the driver in the business section of the cockpit. These two galsno idea who they aremade frequent appearances in company literature. An Australian truck driver talks about the REAL BAD BOY big rig trucks that run through the Outback of Australia. Useful articles fast to read and guides easy to understand written by mechanics and car enthusiasts to turn your shopping experience with TRUCKiD into a pleasure. Thats an Isuzu Bedford the TM was a heavyduty TK with a double bumper, I saw one of those on Sunday a dead one they are too low powered and small for todays applications. Somewhere on the back roads near Pine City, MN, as I recall cant give more detail than that without actually retracing my steps. 1900. At SMART TRUCKING, were also avid fans of the cabover truck. It represents the days of trucking we all long for, in todays world of trucking, that is so muddled up and complex with its mounds of unnecessary rules, regs and guidelines. But given their neglected state, it also seems likely that their service lives have come to a close. This merger formed the basis of the General Motors Truck Company giving the GMC brand name for their trucks. It's flush glass and smooth exterior surfaces Cabover trucks, COE (cab over engine), are essentially a style of big rig truck without a hood. The model was discontinued in 1987. You can connect with him Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Astro 95 had superior driver visibility. Required fields are marked *. The model was dubbed the GMC B-Series and stayed in production for three generations. MN. Near the end of its run, Astro buyers had the option of several Detroit, Caterpillar and Cummins Diesel engines. Manytruckers complained that the ride was pretty rough, mostly due to the shortened wheelbase. After a short stint as an OTR driver and still holding my Class A CDL Id like to find a worthy GMC truck just to drive to one of the big truck shows. In 1943, General Motors absorbed Yellow Coach, a Chicago-based bus manufacturer, forming the GM Truck and Coach Division. These rigs are true classics for sure. 1950s. The nose of the semi is flat and the truck cab sits on top of the diesel engine and steering axle. The Ercoa staff were good friendly folks. Shopping with us, you get parts and accessories that work hard just like you, built tough just like your vehicle. This included special paint, a larger chromed front The extensive use or hauling heavy cargo takes its toll on the state of your vehicle, which means that sooner or later you will need some GMC semi truck accessories and parts. Here we have a 1983 GMC Astro. It was supposedly a big advance in truck design for its time. Buyer's Premium . A larger cab provided more interior space and greater comfort for the driver, and larger windows allowed for better driver visibility. The first 1,000,000 miles of my driving was in trucks like these. The truck had plenty of power and did a good job on the New England highways that I drove on. They are also usually found on the back of a car, but they can be found in other areas as well. Related > Classic TrucksFrom the Golden Years of Trucking. Every downturn claims some, Boats and RVs are big discrentionary extras subject to consumer confidence.