First Gen with 1968 Alaskan Camper & Wildernest

[KEENO]

Just getting started here on ExPo... Here's my rig in Alaskan Camper (8 ft. non-cabover) mode
KEENO

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[haven]

Welcome, KEENO!

Those old Alaskan Camper models are heavy, but nearly indestructible.
What sorts of maintenance were needed to keep the camper in working
condition? Have you had any problems with leaks?

[UHAULER]

Nice rig. Post some more pics when you can.

Sean

[DaveInDenver]

Where does the WilderNest part come in? Just curious.

[KEENO]

Sorry for the confusion on my Campers...

I've had a Wildernest on the truck since 1992 and love to use it in the warmer months. The Alaskan was just purchased this Christmas out in Ventura California and then Skied & Snowboarded it's way back to Nashville for a month long road trip.

Here's a shot of the Wildernest:
KEENO
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[theMec]

Nice setup! I love those 1st gens. The Alaskan fits it well.

[Carlyle]

Welcome to the forum, nice camper!

[truck mechanic]

watcha do with the wildernest, hint, hint, If its for sale pm .
Thanx Paul

[kcowyo]

Boss set up!

Love that shot on 101. What a great drive.


Welcome to ExPo - :beer:
.

[KEENO]

Great to be part of the family...

Yes... I thought twice about posting the pic of the GF (titled: "Picking up Hitchhikers on HWY 1"), but did anyways. You always seem to get a better response to your post that way!:Wow1:

I scored the Alaskan for an incredible price of $400 and it came almost color matched to the old First Gen. It does however need a new 4' x 8' sheet of 3/4" Marine Plywood for the floor after all of these years. Other than that, it's in awesome condition and the solid Maple Plywood interior just makes my giggle! They just don't make wood like that anymore in campers (or much else). Also came with a beautiful mellow-yellow Wedgewood 3 burner LP stove, genuine Ice Box & copper plumbing....

I've fab'ed & welded up (out of aluminum & stainless) a roof rack that attaches to the sides for the vertical uprights & also made a short ladder for the back. (Just to the left of the hitchhiker). Now, having thoughts of the 3' x 6' rack for the cab to hold the 35" full size spare & 3' x 2' box for the grill & junk.

I plan to do a mini-Alaskan build/modification post as it all comes together!

Planning on keeping the WilderNest at the moment. Currently suspended from the garage ceiling with (4) cam straps.

More to come...

TIA... KEENO

[KEENO]

Besides always thinking the Alaskan Campers were Classic... This photo greatly inspired my quest!

KEENO:)

From http://www.alaskancamper.com/4x4.htm
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[Metcalf]

Sweet 1st gen you have there....

I am just starting the buildup of mine. I snagged a 92 W250 that is a little/lot rough around the edges. Its a little slow but I will be building it up into a do everything truck with a good deal of expedition flavor.

Thanks for the inspiration!

[KEENO]

Metcalf...

You can't go wrong with snagging a First Gen.... The sum of the parts under the truck is often of more value, than the truck as a whole.

Tell me where you can find: A Cummins Turbo Diesel, Dana 70 (rear), Dana 60 (front) & a gear-driven/cast iron NP205 Transfer Case in any to the new trucks today? Besides.... Leaf Springs (qty. 4) are cool!

Hey... to smooth out the rough edges & mechanical bits, spending $35 over on the TDR site is almost manditory. :)

http://turbodieselregister.com/

Just my $.02...

KEENO

[Prybry]

I'm wondering how the bed works without a cab over? Runs down one side?
Some interior pics would be great!

I love the old campers, they seem to have features over looked on modern camper designs...

Prybry

[KEENO]

Hey Prybar....

I don't have any pics of interior at the moment, but will try to verbialize. The layout is pretty simple with only 8' of length. The bed is basically this... The dinette is in front part of the camper and consisting of two benches arranged in the fore/aft direction. To make into the bed: The table is placed between the benches and supported by a lip. The cushions are then folded flat across the table to make a bed that is 50" wide & and about 6'6' in length. (you sleep 'cross-vehicle' direction) Actually very comfy & you dont have to worry about flipping up (3) walls to enclose the cab-over in the newer Alaskans. (Not much fun in the rain &/or snow)

The rest of the layout is equally simple: Galley (stove & sink) are on the left as you enter & the closet & Icebox are on the right. This layout is fairly common in both the 8 ft model & the 10ft. model from this era.

Hey... I found some pics of the Interior: (Note: this is a 10' cabover, but if you delete the cabover bed & 2' feet of counter & closet space... it's the same layout)
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It's all the room I need at the moment.... But, then again, when I was younger all I needed was a tent & sleeping bag strapped to the back of a motorcycle. :bike_rider:

KEENO:)

[Marc1]

Gotta love the oldies.

[KEENO]

Great shot Marc1.... Where did you find that one? Off of the Alaskan website?

KEENO:)

[kcowyo]

I'm pretty sure that's Marc's previous Ford and Alaskan.

Marc doesn't build ugly rigs. He's knows what he's doing!


:smiley_drive:
.

[Marc1]

Great shot Marc1.... Where did you find that one? Off of the Alaskan website?

KEENO:)

Keeno,

Yes I found this 8 ft. NCO in Alaska's classifieds about 8 years ago. Paid $400.00 for it and put about another $600.00 into it. It was a great old rig, (1972) and some day I will have another one.

marc

[Funrover]

Welcome, I love your set up... All of it, both camp styles and the Dodge...Way to go!

[KEENO]

Marc1 & Kcowyo...

Thanks for the clarification.... Sweet rig indeed!

It seems like we might be on a parallel path.... $400 purchase price & I'm sure I have over $600 worth of modifications & thought as I type. I plan to rewire and install LED Lighting & a couple of those solar powered fans that "Carlyle" has brought to our attention in his Alaskan build. Also, a dual deep-cycle battery setup w/ isolator.

I really want to go Diesel heat, but having trouble justifying the cost at 4 x the purchase price of the camper ($1600 approx).

We'll see...

Thanks for the compliment & welcome Funrover!

KEENO:)