Dodge camper abandoned 25 years, will it run part 2 updates & fixes

Part 2 of reviving the 73 dodge camper special to be road worthy. Cleaning out the dual fuel tanks. Electric choke, selling some things , chasing electrical problems and more.
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/ @theetravisb
Send dad and me junk to our P.O. Box
P.O. Box 1772
Cortaro, Az
85652-1772
Business inquiries and if you have an abandoned vehicle you think dad and me might be interested in email us here
[e-mail]
Interested in pre 1980 abandoned cars or trucks/ barn finds. (Not interested in foreign cars) and 1st and 2nd gen Cummins (89-98) diesels only

[@jeffhutchins7048]

I NEED that hair dryer! Been a gunsmith for 30 years.

[@noahingram8052]

I looked at your comment like what the heck until like 46 minutes in

[@bobbyadams7556]

These trucks ground the electrical system thru the housing of the taillights and signal lights it’s not entirely uncommon to have lights that don’t work then start working on their own . If you remove the taillight and parking light housings and clean where they attach to the truck they will be nice and bright and work well . I just recently had to do this to mine

[@billywird]

Yes sir that's a good truck to work with. When I cut those rubber hoses, I take them and squeeze them in the vise and take a hacksaw (you can use a fine-tooth blade if you wish) and I cut the hose that way. With practice you can make a pretty clean and square cut. Trying to use a cutoff wheel with a straight die grinder is time consuming and just clogs up the cutoff wheel. On a fresh piece of hose squeezing, it together will not harm it and you can get a pretty good cut. Years ago, I acquired a Hobart welder gasoline powered (Ford inline six) and the gasoline tank was varnished up like the main tank in this Dodge. Well, I took it to a radiator shop to see about having it cleaned out and the woman told me that they tried to get it clean and used Tide to try and break that varnish up. Well, I took it back to the shop and poured some old carburetor cleaner (the good stuff but you better use gloves with it) and let it set some and then sloshed it around and sure enough it cleaned that varnish out. If carburetor cleaner is good enough for carburetors, then it obviously should work on fuel tanks. Of course, cleaning out that varnish revealed all of the pinhole leaks in the tank but that is another show. When I reinstall hoses on water pumps and radiators and of course these rubber fuel line hoses I either put a rubber lubricant (tire mounting compound will work) grease (my father did this all of the time) or petroleum jelly on the inside of the hose. What this does is to allow easier installation of the hose and it allows the hose to seat better and naturally take out any twisting. And we have used this method for years and when a hose has to be removed there is a tool MAC SW70 that allows one to get in between the hose and fitting and helps to break the hose loose. Of course, if the hose is old and dry it's going to be replaced anyway but a reusable hose can be saved. I've never had any problems with any hose deterioration using this method and any tire man will tell you that you lubricate the bead on a tire for seating purposes. Same holds true for rubber hoses.🥸🥸🥸🥸🥸👍

[@frankdenardo8684]

That particular truck started production around March or April of 1971. Made its debut at the 1971 Indy 500 classic as a support vehicle. Went on sale June 1st, 1971. This truck was in production until 1993. One thing I recommend is getting rid of the cab mounted gas tank. That is dangerous to have. The cab mounted gas tank was gone after 1976 or 1977.

[@richsmith6952]

Sometimes when I need a certain color wire (brown), I use a colored fat Sharpie to colorize a white wire. ❤️😎

[@brentford9066]

Man, i love that truck! Its just like one my dad had when i was a kid

[@user-rd1mk7dz9u]

Travis, hello. I am watching your videos in Russia, Krasnoyarsk. I like your work, when you makes these old cars running. Your English is good, i am understanding most part of content. Thank you.

[@theetravisb]

Glad you can follow along

[@williamwhite9767]

Those 440s are awesome. A friend back in 1968 bought a new Dodge RT with the 440 engine and he took me for a ride, something I never forgot! It seemed to have so much power/torque!

[@smarthome2660]

Hey Travis, glad you are getting it done with little trouble & good to see you overcome the issues with the choke. I had some issues when I rebuilt my Mustang 2.3L with a progressive 2 barrel Holly. I added a header and deleted the EGR so I had to modify the choke. I ended up with six diaphragms in total. A lot of work modifying a little carburetor to make it run with the added horsepower I created when I over jetted it and adding a distributor mod and a larger cam. Before all the carb mods the engine fell flat when I stepped on the throttle but took off when I let up a bit on the petal. After the mods it ran perfect and took off like a rocket. Note: make sure to replace the vacuum line to the in dash fuel economy gauge. Also check all vacuum lines to your doors for heat & air under dash for mice damage, and nests at the doors. Run a bore scope up / down the vents. Glad Gunner gets a sweet ride (my favorite car ever).

[@OldCarAlley]

Thats awesome a young guy purchased the 60 Impala. The Dodge truck is coming along nicely. Super nice you and your dad work on your projects. My dad always helped me with my projects to.... he passed three years ago. It's just not the same working on cars without him.

[@jasonwatzka702]

Travis, you won't believe it, but a regular hacksaw is the BEST for cutting that hose

[@GAPS67]

I had that exact hair dryer growing up ! Crazy cool!

[@DependableAutoTruck]

if you really want to improve the cranking of the truck install like a 1994 ram 1500 360 starter on it will start twice as fast spins so much faster

[@artieb997]

You’re making an actual road worthy nicely done reasonable restore. Much respect! 😎 The “old vehicle’s devil” is in the details like blinkers and power windows. And fixing those makes all the difference! I’d love to buy one of your vehicles someday!

[@EricB-somejibberish]

Your patience on those lights was legendary

[@harleyshihtzu5558]

Great video Travis. Luv watching them. I think the hose the mice chew on is they can smell the anti freeze. It smells sweet to them. And I did find out the reason mice chew on wires is they use soy bean oil to make the wire coating. Keep videos comin can’t wait for next one.

[@mikestone7692]

Nice attention to detail on the digitals…

[@oldodger]

It's nice to see someone doing a vehicle rehab rather than re-inventing the wheel. No suspension modifications, no engine swaps, no lowering the truck etc. Some you tubers figure they are smarter than the automotive engineers that put them together in the first place and then, pushed out a million just like the first one ! BRAVO Subscribing to this one !

[@hansosl]

I always cut thick rubber and rubber hoses with the big Beverly shear works fine and fast

[@wiltonsspeedshop6850]

Glad to see you pass these vehicles on for others to enjoy!

[@kbschulze]

Love your attention to the details. It makes all the difference.

[@davidgriffin6724]

Ok, that heat gun is cool.

[@georgejsalomskasiii3048]

" what am I missing?" Uhhhh the key for the gas cap 😂😂

[@craigbowley6783]

That's a sick rig and you're doing it justice. Nice work man 👌

[@Flamefuels]

Right on Travis and pops , thanks for keeping em on the road , thanks for sharing all your hard work . Thanks man 💪🏻

[@phildunne2632]

Old American cars & Trucks are so cool....thanks for sharing them with us across the pond😎

[@Lucas_Tulic]

Great content, as always. No bullshit, straight to the point and solving even the smallest of issues. You guys could do 2 hour long videos and they'd feel like they're just 15 minutes long! Looking forward to your next video and project. Cheers from Buenos Aires!

[@theetravisb]

Thank you 🙏

[@daviduglem3213]

I like your common sense approach. Also I like your haircut and I'm 73 years old lol.

[@xozindustries7451]

It’s all the little things like in this video that make them good running and driving trucks, not just get it running on a boat tank and drive it home just to throw it in a row with the last 12 cars you did the same thing with on the last videos like a lot of other you tube guys, I’m glad that you’re getting them together and selling them so people can enjoy them

[@jstar1000]

Personally, if it was my truck, I would have done a delete on the inside tank for some storage room behind the seat and just went with the one below.

[@DavidsOutdoors-of1vs]

I love the restores you do as compared to the just getting it started videos. It really makes getting an old vehicle back going seem approachable. Cant wait for the next one!

[@GreyRockOne]

Nice! Those fender turn signals ARE serviceable, you unscrew the the bulb holder and there is a bulb in here! And do it right, take the window out!

[@theetravisb]

I tired to unscrew it and was scared I was about to break it

[@corydriver7634]

Why did you modify the carburetor to an electric choke? Seems like you added another possible point of failure and complicated a simple system. That running light/tail light situation was crazy, I guess it was one man’s idea of a quick fix? Nice work getting it flushed out. I remember when Dodge/Pymouth and Chrysler were putting those fender turn signal indicators on everything, I’d bet you can find replacements for them online or get them from a pull-a-part. OBTW they are serviceable, you had to be able to replace the bulb somehow…right?

[@arthuradderley5872]

You've got tons of patience. I don't think there's a inch of that truck you didn't touch 👍🇬🇧

[@user-vj4iq6ji1y]

You are hard worker and it pays off. I like that you know what you do. You are master. I have one old car '73 , opel rekord ... They were built in Antwerpen (Belgique). I love just like you these oldies. Wish you best!

[@theetravisb]

Thank you for the compliment

[@mtrgv]

The under-dash wiring from hell. Great job fixing that electrical spaghetti !!!!

[@TheTrooper777]

Good to see you get them running

[@thecharleylee]

31:36 “does this bolt not the same size?” Very relatable moment for me. Love the truck, love watching you work. It’s inspiring, and yet at the same time if I’m being honest seeing all this makes me grateful for my job and that I don’t work on cars as much as you do. It’s always awesome to see people doing what they enjoy, no matter if it’s hard or easy. Thanks for sharing all these videos and experiences with us.

[@Kevin_D1]

26! With the amount of mechanical knowledge you have I thought you were in your late 30's. Nice video, thanks for sharing.

[@theetravisb]

Thanks for the compliment

[@toddfrazier3844]

I wish I was a fuel pump 😂. Great video. Love those old dodges. My dad had a 75 powerwagon, ext cab, 4x4, with a 440. I loved it and have been searching since

[@Jstme303]

That old truck came a long way.

[@ForSunday]

I would have used a heat gun on that hose and bent it with that being careful not to melt it.

[@madmanmechanic8847]

Dude while you had it out pull out all your sending units and haul it down to the car wash and wash all the chunks out and varnish with hot soapy water the tank will be spotless rinse and let dry in the sun easy peasy

[@Bellyupandbored]

Travis that Pickup use to have steel wheels and moon hub caps that matched the body color, Originaly came from Superior.

[@BryantandSMTC]

I'll Miss The 60'Impala Ao Much♥: 14:00, It Was A Great Car Just Like The 60 El Camino's Front End Side. But Sadly to See It Go, And I'll Never Forget That, Since I Helped You Find Parts For The 60'Impala.

[@Mariano.Bernacki]

When cutting rubber, a hand saw with large teeth will do the job faster than any power tool.

[@flynnwatts805]

Hey man I just want you to know me and my sons enjoy your videos and keep up the good work your the man from New zealand God bless

[@theetravisb]

Thank you God bless

[@americanrambler4972]

FYI. a 400 is a B block, a 440 is the RB block. The 400 is an enlarged version of the 383.

[@mavision6525]

Great progress, always fun to see all little details get done.

[@terryeustice5399]

Travis you put some hours in on this old Truck. Think you’re very good at the small details. Thank you for sharing your work. Thank you for sharing! 💯👍👊

[@theetravisb]

Appreciate the support terry

[@davidjustice5805]

I like that truck I was born in 73 it's 50 years old just like me

[@davidbohner692]

Thanks!

[@theetravisb]

Thank YOU 🤙🏻

[@mwilliamshs]

Protect your 50ft roll investment with a decent hose cutter. Every bad cut you make is affecting your current project and your next project now that you own the roll.

[@Gazza152hull]

I'm from England and very rarely see these types of old vehicles but it's great to see your putting in the work for other generations to enjoy, great interesting job.

[@steeliewheelies]

That heat gun is somethin else. Them mice really drank up on radiator fluid didn’t they. Love how your videos still give me the same excitement as when I first discovered the channel. Ran out of old videos to go through and now I appreciate the fresh posts even more. Sweet truck and it’s getting better every day, lucked out on the tanks being usable. Wiring hack jobs are a pet peeve of mine I was so happy to see all of that get cleaned up lol

[@theetravisb]

I’m glad to hear that man. Appreciate the support. Yes wiring i like the least.

[@billtodd6509]

Great content. You and your dad have better videos than the (will it start) (10 minute burnout) shows that get reruns for 15 years. Keep it coming.

[@mohawk2185]

Travis, Pop, when you all rewire, build a motor, or a transmission, do you all provide the work description you did( in depth) for the next buyer....since 90% of the build sheets , wiring diagrams, mechanical are missing.....giving the car or truck a clean bill of health....IT IS A QUESTIOÑ, BECAUSE ALOT OF PEOPLE SELL A CAR "BY AD AND 10 WORDS OR LESS"

[@foxstrangler]

Love that hairdryer. So good to see old school mechanics and equipment. You can keep your modern electronic junk. Keep up the good work.

[@theetravisb]

Thank you 🙏

[@terrytye6497]

Awesome dryer and truck

[@rich-mp6dm]

Really glad i found your channel a few months ago . Really enjoy you and Chris from NNKH..

[@theetravisb]

Yeah he’s a cool dude

[@arthurmccarron4379]

You are. Real. Trooper. Won’t take. No. For answer. Solve. The. Problem. Thanks

[@MM-mn2tu]

Sure do enjoy your videos and your Dad. Careful with those clear plastic fuel filters. They make great flame throwers.

[@clydepodvin5026]

Great video, getting very close to road ready and a new owner. 😀

[@darrenhawken9766]

Great work , no corners cut 👌, thanks for sharing your invaluable knowledge and skill 👍💨💨

[@theetravisb]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@redredmane5544]

You must always remove the STARTER before you try to start it. One of the most important pieces of external machinery on a car, it can really REALLY rust, particularly the wires inside!!! If the gears within it rust, cranking it can cause those gears to strip out ( lose their teeth )!!! This happens a LOT with starters that have sat rusting for at least 40 years!!! With THOSE starters, you have to have a lot of patience, good quality wires, parts ( even the ability to RE-MAKE certain parts ( cog wheels and sprockets that are too rusty will strip right OUT when given a good heavy duty “spin!” ). You also need to check the “windings.” The “windings” are basically the “muscle” of the motor. If those are rusted, it will overheat and burn up FAST!!! In many videos, I will hear them cranking an old 1930s International with the starters being “AS IS!!!” That poor old rusted out machine has to crank ( turn over ) an engine that hasn’t moved since my GRANDFATHER was a teenager!!! And since they probably haven’t MADE that type of starter since 1945, you will HAVE to take it all apart and do everything you CAN to make it fit for USE once more. This requires dedication and often MacGyver type innovation. Squirting some oil down the main shaft will also help lubricate the spinning gear in the middle. Then, all you can do is “test” it to see how well it spins, put it in and hope for the best! I saw someone go through TWO starters on one of those old 1930s cars because they failed to understand that, 1. That old engine was particularly TOUGH to turn over and 2. Those starters were like two tired 86 year old men with herniated discs ( RUST UP THE WAZOO )!!! If you don’t restore those first, you’ll BURN THEM RIGHT UP! Eventually, those old starters will become completely obsolete, because they haven’t made those in TENS of decades!!! Of course I suppose companies can create blueprints ( based on how the old ones were built ) and start making them again. This is actually a very good idea, because if it’s been rusting in the DIRT since about a year after the “Wizard of Oz” hit the big screen, it would be STUPID to put 12 volts of electricity to it and force it to turn over a big rusty old ( improperly oiled, no doubt ) ENGINE. I’ve seen this COUNTLESS times, and it’s “cringeworthy.” The starter is probably the most overlooked piece of machinery in the car. You can NOT take a 90 year old starter and run it without “dissecting” it first and replacing all the rusty, crusty crumbling old PARTS! I did this with an old starter like that, and I was able to replace ( HAD to replace ) a whole SLEW of rusted wires, gears and sprockets. ). Then I had to replace rusted “windings!” Once done, that old International starter worked like a charm. It STILL works like a charm!!! Is that easy to do? Yes and no. In the case of the starter I renewed, I had to “drill out” the old screws and bolts. They were rusted 200 percent solid!!! I then replaced those bolts and screws with slightly bigger bolts and screws!!! It was a total B!1CH to do!!! But so far, so good. Restoring old 1920s-1940s cars has become big business. They need to start re-producing those old starters again. The fact that they even WORK “as is” is quite remarkable in and of itself. They were built SO well that they even work old and RUSTY. But that usually doesn’t last very long. If they can be re-created exactly like the originals, that would be perfect. They are definitely re-creating a lot of the old automobile parts again. So it shouldn’t be too hard for companies to re-produce all the old different types of starters. There would be great PROFIT in that. Many people are tired of computerized ( geeked up ) vehicles. They just want cars that RUN and are relatively easy to WORK ON!!!

[@n8rm]

Great video! Love the "heat GUN" nice

[@fire48pw]

Great job Travis! You have come a long way since you first started this chanel. 👍👍

[@theetravisb]

Yeah very exciting to see it growing and actually earning enough to live on. I love it.

[@The-Deadbolt-Deputy]

Coolest hair dryer ever !

[@johnlydon533]

Great video. Enjoyed watching 👍🏼

[@ThanksDad817]

So glad I found your channel. As a fellow DIY guy, I really enjoy your projects. Keep up the great work.

[@jasonatkin6787]

When you were checking the fuel sending unit for the aux. tank, I think your meter might've been influenced by your skin resistance from your hands touching the probes. The resistance should be much lower, like 100 Ohms empty and 25 Ohms full.

[@bobtucker8875]

Very interesting 🤔 content. Thanks for sharing. You make my time 😉 in the recliner much nicer. Thanks 👍 for sharing.

[@thechillhacker]

For future reference, abrasives suck on rubber. For thick hoses, saws are best. Hack saw, panel saw with or without mitre box, or good ol' sawzall. Much faster and cleaner.

[@depot1858]

1969 Satelite/Roadrunner fender mounted turn signal part# MD326 will work. Classic Industries Mopar catalog

[@shawnsparks-qk7sf]

Marvels Mystery oil works awesome in air tools.

[@toothytube]

The "some other way" you're looking for is called a "bi-metal" automatic choke. The Holly 2 barrel carburetor on the LA 360 V8 in my 1977 D200 Adventurer uses that type of choke. The nice thing about the electric chokes is that it takes a lot less time to "come off the choke" and deliver proper driveability for vehicle equipped with automatic transmissions.

[@jasonpetrich4141]

Hell ya dude your doing awesome she's a good runner

[@daviddamico4288]

Nice work Travis , you do great work on everything.love your work and videos…

[@theetravisb]

Thank you for the compliment

[@kraigcochran9995]

Those fender top indicators are probably off of a 69~71dodge charger and the bulbs are replaceable but they are a bear to get out sometimes without breaking the amber lens. I think the bulb part number is a 330? But it’s been awhile since I’ve done it.

[@allenwolfkill2781]

Maaan, hearing that engin turn over gave me goose bumps! ❤❤❤

[@louisschaferjr.9623]

the fender turn indicators have a replaceable bulb just unscrew the small knurled end [carefully] .

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

that hair dryer reminded me that when my dad was a kid he had a tooh brush shaped like gun it even had a little holster to go with it after seeing that i suspect the dryer and tooth brush mightve been part of a set or at the very least sold in the same department store

[@somerandomguy3868]

I always liked the big Mopar, sadly they're as hard on fuel as any other big blocks, but if fuel economy is not an issue it will produce torque all day, fill it up and do it again

[@chriscampbell8149]

What are you missing? A decent haircut.😂🤣😂🤣

[@corydriver7634]

I want to ask if he did that himself or paid for it. 😂

[@chriscampbell8149]

@@corydriver7634 🤣😂🤣😂

[@fdholley]

Your attention to detail is spot on...was great watching your work 👍🏼

[@danswartwood4580]

Congratulations on your 130,000 subscribers Travis, I'm happy for you and your dad.

[@rodneyprimm5984]

Awesome work, thank you for sharing. God Bless 🙏

[@sourshoes6768]

Love your videos! Look forward to them all week. Ready for another “will it make it home”. Great stuff!!

[@theetravisb]

Always looking. Once I find the right deal I will 👍🏻

[@reddog6429]

I look forward to ya'lls videos...... never disappointed !

[@theetravisb]

🤙🏻 thank you

[@ronaldvanhorn9558]

Nice truck. Great job sorting things out and getting it running!

[@waynec9931]

When cutting rubber wet the cutter with water or oil.

[@victorthecarguy3126]

You should try adding a bit of heat when forming hoses. A heat gun will help.

[@danclancy6535]

Travis replace the coil pick up you were right there when replacing the vacuum advance. They fail when they get warm and then you loose spark. Let it cool down it will have spark again.

[@captainamerica7300]

scrapimg that window trac laying on his leg ouch if you missed.

[@patrickshaffer2252]

I think when you get this truck up and running you and your dad should take it out camping. That would be a cool video. Maybe a short. Great job Travis.

[@supernovaVII]

Another great channel episode. Could not tell for sure but it looked like you connected the 12v power source for the electric choke to the ignition switch side of the coil. If the truck has an ignition ballast resister connecting the choke there will cause problems because that connection is not 12v and the choke power load will cause ignition issues.

[@davidbaldwin2729]

yes I agree with above, you want to run a wire from the ignition switch directly to the electric choke so that it has switched 12v, great job with the camper special. I have a '64 F-250 camper special that is a great truck

[@mick00000000002]

Test that fuel line. Put a peace into some fuel. Let it sit for a while 👍 if rubber comes of fuel will be black. Hydraulic line not made for petrol 🤫 God bless mate. Good to see sold )))

[@genemorgan939]

Next time.use a hack saw

[@robertlacob8831]

Travis, that truck is really looking great and will make someone a Happy Camper when completed! I watch with anticipation!

[@chrisflaws6763]

Enjoy your style and attention to detail. Love the camper. Cant wait to see what it looks like finished.