4 hours ago
Origins and Purpose
Grizzly trucks were a rare breed of custom-built logging vehicles designed and assembled in North Vancouver during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Unlike mass-produced rigs from Kenworth or Western Star, Grizzly trucks were hand-crafted with the logging industry in mind—built tough, simple to repair, and tailored for the rugged terrain of British Columbia’s forestry roads. Only about 13 or 14 units were ever produced, making them one of the most elusive and storied truck lines in Canadian logging history.
The trucks were commissioned by Geoff Buck, a visionary fabricator who sought to create a vehicle that could withstand the abuse of logging operations without relying on plastic components or complex electronics. The design emphasized durability, modularity, and ease of repair. If a fender bent, it could be welded back into shape. If a door failed, it could be replaced with a standard aluminum panel.
Terminology Notes
Each Grizzly truck was unique. Some were built with four-wheel drive, others with two-wheel drive and a transfer case but no front axle. The smallest known model was a 1990 unit with automatic transmission and 2WD, featuring a hand-built 2x5 steel frame and Kenworth-style suspension. The cab and front end were fabricated by Grizzly, while the doors were sourced from other manufacturers—possibly Kenworth or Pacific—then modified with embossed Grizzly panels.
The trucks were not built on Dodge chassis, despite internet rumors. Instead, they were entirely custom, with no off-the-shelf frame components. The rear suspension used 3-inch wide leaf springs supported by oversized airbags, allowing for heavy payloads and off-road articulation.
Survivors and Restoration Stories
Many surviving Grizzly trucks are found on Vancouver Island, particularly in Qualicum and Nanaimo. One notable unit, truck #1, was owned by Geoff Buck’s widow and later acquired by a machine fitter who pledged to restore it. With only 53,000 miles on the odometer, the truck was in surprisingly good condition. Plans included converting it to 4x4, installing a 5-speed manual transmission, and fabricating new aluminum fenders and tailgate.
In Ladysmith, a retired trucker recalled seeing Grizzlies at the Truck Loggers show in the early 1990s. He climbed aboard one and was struck by its simplicity and ruggedness. “No plastic, no computers—just steel and diesel,” he said. “If you bent something, you welded it back.”
Challenges and Modifications
Grizzly trucks represent a lost chapter in Canadian logging history—a fusion of craftsmanship, practicality, and regional pride. Built by loggers for loggers, they defied the conventions of commercial truck manufacturing. Today, they are cherished by collectors and restorers who see them not just as machines, but as symbols of an era when durability and simplicity ruled the forest roads. Their legacy lives on in the hands of those who remember what it meant to build something that could take a beating and keep on hauling.
Grizzly trucks were a rare breed of custom-built logging vehicles designed and assembled in North Vancouver during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Unlike mass-produced rigs from Kenworth or Western Star, Grizzly trucks were hand-crafted with the logging industry in mind—built tough, simple to repair, and tailored for the rugged terrain of British Columbia’s forestry roads. Only about 13 or 14 units were ever produced, making them one of the most elusive and storied truck lines in Canadian logging history.
The trucks were commissioned by Geoff Buck, a visionary fabricator who sought to create a vehicle that could withstand the abuse of logging operations without relying on plastic components or complex electronics. The design emphasized durability, modularity, and ease of repair. If a fender bent, it could be welded back into shape. If a door failed, it could be replaced with a standard aluminum panel.
Terminology Notes
- 12V Cummins: A mechanically injected diesel engine known for its reliability and torque, often used in heavy-duty applications.
- Kenworth-style suspension: A leaf spring and airbag combination system offering both load capacity and ride comfort.
- Westcoast mirrors: Large, rectangular side mirrors commonly used on logging trucks for maximum rear visibility.
- Hand-built frame: A custom-welded chassis using rectangular steel tubing, often stronger than factory frames.
Each Grizzly truck was unique. Some were built with four-wheel drive, others with two-wheel drive and a transfer case but no front axle. The smallest known model was a 1990 unit with automatic transmission and 2WD, featuring a hand-built 2x5 steel frame and Kenworth-style suspension. The cab and front end were fabricated by Grizzly, while the doors were sourced from other manufacturers—possibly Kenworth or Pacific—then modified with embossed Grizzly panels.
The trucks were not built on Dodge chassis, despite internet rumors. Instead, they were entirely custom, with no off-the-shelf frame components. The rear suspension used 3-inch wide leaf springs supported by oversized airbags, allowing for heavy payloads and off-road articulation.
Survivors and Restoration Stories
Many surviving Grizzly trucks are found on Vancouver Island, particularly in Qualicum and Nanaimo. One notable unit, truck #1, was owned by Geoff Buck’s widow and later acquired by a machine fitter who pledged to restore it. With only 53,000 miles on the odometer, the truck was in surprisingly good condition. Plans included converting it to 4x4, installing a 5-speed manual transmission, and fabricating new aluminum fenders and tailgate.
In Ladysmith, a retired trucker recalled seeing Grizzlies at the Truck Loggers show in the early 1990s. He climbed aboard one and was struck by its simplicity and ruggedness. “No plastic, no computers—just steel and diesel,” he said. “If you bent something, you welded it back.”
Challenges and Modifications
- Mirror Replacement: Original units used Jeep-style mirrors, which were too small. Most restorers opt for Westcoast mirrors for better visibility.
- Door Sourcing: Kenworth doors were used until Paccar reportedly objected. Later units used aluminum doors from waste management trucks or other sources.
- Engine Swaps: Some enthusiasts dream of fitting massive Detroit Diesel 16V71TT engines, though space constraints make this a challenge.
Grizzly trucks represent a lost chapter in Canadian logging history—a fusion of craftsmanship, practicality, and regional pride. Built by loggers for loggers, they defied the conventions of commercial truck manufacturing. Today, they are cherished by collectors and restorers who see them not just as machines, but as symbols of an era when durability and simplicity ruled the forest roads. Their legacy lives on in the hands of those who remember what it meant to build something that could take a beating and keep on hauling.
