61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Hey guys - long time no see! So I always envied you Western guys for having all the cool K model trucks but looks like I am finally going to own one too. I am buying this 61 K1000 and it is a former Montana State Forestry Service truck. Thankfully all original and not messed with aside from some hack body work that was started I have to re-do. Aside from that, the 305A runs and operates perfectly, clutch, brakes and transfer case the same. No windshield in it and no passenger side door but I can make short work of those problems.

So, this truck is not in my possession yet, but I have already noticed some strange things. It has a green vinyl armrest pad, and the current owner says the original seats had factory green vinyl on them too. It has two interior visors and chrome framed door and vent glasses, and had the wide stainless around the windshield - all of which I relate to the "Custom Cab" option package, yet it strangely has a white grille and front bumper. It has a dealer installed roof mounted spotlight, and the rarely seen optional 1960-61 Hood mounted window washer setup on it. Has all four slider windows and barn doors in back.

So, of any year I probably know the least about a 1961 as far as any changes from 1960 or things that were about to be well known on 62's about to come down the line, and I don't have any GMC literature (that I know of) that can tell me anything about this odd-ball Green vinyl on the seats and armrest - so does anyone have any pictures or literature to back up special colored vinyl being available in 1961? I am aware of GMC's "Color Harmonized" interior option but I thought that came out in 1962 and included Green, dark Blue or Terrace Blue dash top paint. I have never known of a 61 GMC of any sort to have anything but standard Silver vinyl on the armrests or seats....Anyone got any info to share?

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Holy cow GMCNut! :goodjob:

Now that's an awesome step up into K-Town! She's going to be a fun one to play with. How soon until you get to lay hands on her?

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Congrats and subscribed to find out about this unique purchase.

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

My guy Randy has left headed to Idaho to fetch it so he'll call in about a week headed back I'd guess - can't wait to get my hands on it and see how well the drivetrain operates - said to be a runner driver and I heard the engine running which sounded great, so if all that is in good order, the body work and some reassembly won't bother me a bit

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Thanks Funky61! I am interested to see what this old bird can do in 4WD when I get her here....should be a fun project

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Here are a few other shots of the burb. Only cab rust seems to be the small floor hole you see here, and the rear quarters are super solid with beautiful undersides where they are usually rotted badly. You can see the rare hood mounted Window washer nozzles and rubber lines hanging from the back of the hood in the last shot. Window washer stuff appears complete and foot pump is still in it but don't know if the washer bag is present - if not I have one though

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Hoping someone on here can tell me how many of these K model suburbans or trucks were made in 1961 - also wondering if any 6066'rs on here happen to have a 60 or 61 K1000 Suburban? love to see any others

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

I think bpmcgee has one. That's the only one I found rootin around. Pm Jeannie and see if she has a list or something somewhere. I know she was looking for a 61 (or 60?) for a while.

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

The question of how many K models were produced comes up on our forum every few years. Although K model production figures for Chevy are readily available (roughly 1000 K model Suburbans every year from '60 to '66), the corresponding numbers for GMC are not available. Production records were either lost in a fire or are buried in one of thousands of unmarked boxes in GM archives, depending on which story you want to believe. In any case, since Chevy outsold GMC about 4 or 5 to 1 back in those days, a rough estimate for GMC production of K model Suburbans would be about 200 per year, half with barn doors and half with liftgate/tailgate.

Clyde in SC is on our forum and has a '61 K Suburban.

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

I have a 1961 K1000 Suburban I've had for nine years or so. It had rusty fenders and quarters when I got it, but a local shop fixed me up good.

I really need to get some more pictures taken, but here are some before it was finished...

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/a...awkzjeep/3.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/a...awkzjeep/2.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/a...kzjeep/1-1.jpg

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Holy cow Hawkz! That 61 burb you have looks amazing - hope mine comes out half that nice after it goes to the shop in a week or two.

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Thanks.

Some of the parts were easy to find, but I'm still looking for a few. Good luck and let me know if you are having trouble locating any parts.

Nick

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Thanks - I'll know in a few days what has to be found and acquired to get her back going again. What parts are you still looking for?

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

I need the arms for the rear lift gate. And a new steering gearbox would be nice.

It runs and drives just fine as is. These projects are never really 100%, or least mine never seem to get past 98% because of hard to find parts...

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

liftgate supports are exceedingly hard to get and expensive - last set I sold was 400 bucks. Rebuit steering boxes are available for half tons on Ebay, but I doubt for 4x4's....

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Yeah, 2wd steering gears are everywhere. Best I've found for my 4x4 is to get mine rebuilt. It isn't cheap tho, and mine isn't completely worn out, so I'm still driving it...

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Hey Ed - Jon Krogh and I were talking yesterday on this GMC K model Suburban production figure debate, and I was wondering if you have a document source for any 60-63 Chevy K model production figures? If not, I guess if they only made 1000 +/- in 64, 65 & 66 then it stands to reason Chevy obviously didn't make MORE than those figures in the 60-63 earlier years, but I wanted to ask because Jon only has 64 65 & 66 K model Chevy production figures but some early ones were said to have been printed many years ago so wondering what you might have document-wise to share on that?

Re: 61 K1000 - Got a new toy and now I got some questions
 

Nice project Steve. The Forest Service tie in would explain the green variation from standard vinyl choices. One line to research would be the states and USFS archives from this era. There are archives in each state and regional US Archives (southeast archives are in Morrow, Atlanta). You can search online and visit them to research GMC and vehicle records. Plenty of untapped pictures and info exists, just in need of finding. Any production numbers info you can find may or may not include fleet vehicles such as this cool truck. If you can find out the USFS vehicle numbers, you will have some idea of the overall number built for the year. I would imagine that USFS and power companies attest for a big swath of these particular vehicles. Good luck with the project, GM