In a world of sparkly new adventure rigs, Jeraud Williams has created a vehicle apart. A 1985 Chevy K30 with a 6.2-lieter diesel engine, Lumberjack is a rig to be reckoned with, featuring a caravan camper shell and boatloads of DIY ingenuity to keep it rambling deep into the backcountry. Meet the latest addition to the HEST Rigs We Dig series—you won't want to miss this one.
Location: Sacramento, CA
Make & Model: 1985 Chevrolet K30 (6.2 diesel) + caravan camper shell
Nickname:Lumberjack (shoutout Humboldt State University!)
Bed dimensions: 75” long, 66" wide (at narrowest point) and 36" high
HEST products: Dually Wide
Is this your daily driver or getaway car?
What do you like most about your rig?
Out of the many places I've traveled and all the rigs I've come across on social media, I’ve never seen another truck that looks like mine! At almost 40 years old, the truck is relatively simple to maintain and build which has allowed me to DIY a lot of the modifications adding to the pride of ownership and joy of using it.On your average weekend adventure, what is the gear set up you bring with you? How did you navigate gear storage needs into your rig set up?
Fitting our gear into the bed and on the roof with practicality and ease of access in mind continues to be a matter of trial and error, but from the beginning of building to the present, progress has been exponential. Conservatively, 80% of the build has been DIY which has its pros and cons but has made the experience a lot more meaningful. My hope is that sharing this inspires others to get creative with their own rig.
Any custom details?
I recently installed a custom-fabricated skid plate underneath the truck, protecting almost 30 gallons of fresh water plumbed to a 12V water pump with quick-connect fittings for showers/clean-up.
Other modifications include: re-geared axles with an LSD in the front and locker in the rear, auxiliary overdrive bolted to the transfer case, LED running lights and off-road lights, aftermarket A/C, sound system and I recently acquired a turbo to be be installed following our upcoming Yosemite trip.
Coolest place you’ve taken your rig to?
The coolest place thus far has been the Southeastern Oregon backcountry—many places on the Oregon-Idaho and Oregon-Nevada border look extraterrestrial.
Any projects in the pipeline to get your rig even more adventure ready?
At the moment all of the seals and hoses are being replaced throughout the drivetrain, as well as a few other general maintenance items to keep this old rig on the road.Biggest challenge in your build out?
Tips for others looking to do the same to their vehicle?
Do not avoid the opportunity to learn, especially learning by doing. I personally am a hands-on learner and have accomplished far more from doing (despite the outcome) than I ever have from overthinking and letting fear of failure delay or deter me.
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