What would be an ideal old Mtb frame to build up for loaded touring? I have enough spare mtb components, a wheelset, a rear rack, etc, for an almost complete build. I think an old steel lugged frame with a long wheelbase like the Stumpjumper would be ideal. I've been visiting thrift stores and such, but no luck yet... Other frame suggestions would be much appreciated.

I think you have the right era identified. My '85 Rockhopper still rides great and amongst it's many incarnations, it still works extremely well for road and off-road touring, with a variety of loads. Most of those early mass-market frames had sufficient brazings and many are likely to have survived- the thick tubing was designed to endure our hopeless off-road skill levels, wasn't it?

good luck with the search.

oh......and did you fix one of those babies yet? (my Rockhopper handled the experience better than I did;-))

Ritchey. Pre-90's are mostly lugged. https://www.oldmountainbikes.com/bikes/

I thought ritheys were always filet-brazed?

https://www.oldmountainbikes.com/frames/

You're right..they do look like lugs though. I was mistakenly posted R, was thinking Bridgestone MB1 or 2.

A Ritchey clone, lugged and made with Ritchey proprietary Tange steel. Longer wheel base.

Later:
I've never ridden a Bridgestone, I live in Canada, Only seen one other Ritchey and one Bridgestone.
But..If they are basically a R design, they will ride nice, the lug dissapeared off Rockies etc after Tom went to Japan to instruct welders on Tig and brazing so I read.

The Tange Logic steels are nice. The R frameworks I run is racing, has no fancy brazing, but his ability to make a tensile and balanced bike is just sick.
Pre 90's Ritchey will have horizontal toptubes, more like a road geometry? The Bridgestones same I think.

Ritchey bla bla bla Ritchey bla bla... sorry.

HardRocks also make good tourers. Mine is a 1990 and for many years it was my do it all bike (tour, carry the children,...) Plain gauge chromoly main tubes and tough stays mean a stiff ride very adequate for heavy loads. 70º ht and 44 chainstays provide lots of stability and a long wheelbase. The bike as in the aatached image weighs around 13.5 kgs.

I have a 1985 Stumpjumper that I would like to adapt for touring one day. I got in new way back when. The thing is indestructible!

How would you like to become my new best friend?

Great suggestions so far, thanks. I'm looking to spend as little as possible, most likely on an entire garage sale or thrift store bike and strip it. Besides Specialized, early Treks and Fishers should be nice finds as well.

I'm a bit attached to ol' Stumpy. We've been through alot together.

Try pawn shops or campus police auctions.

I'm finding the old stumpjumpers hard to come buy (pun ha ha). The frames, in good shape, are going for 150-200. Add on new gear and your pushing 800-900, with a used frame. I still want one though... my 89? schwinn sieraa comp is beginning to show the results of salt air.
D

https://www.firstflightbikes.com/atb.htm Some good referece.

Fat Chance are very nice from what i've heard.

You may want to find a 1984 to 1986 Specialized Expedition. That was a great touring bike, built like a mountain bike with touring geometry, 700c wheels and drop bars. They may be hard to find, but gold if you can score one.

A cool thing about mountain bikes of that era is they take the same stem size as road bikes, so you can put drop bars or mustache handlebars on them, either of which you might more comfy than straight bars for all-day riding. Add narrow-ish slicks and you've got yourself a nice touring bike. That's what I've done with an old, old Giant Boulder. The frame isn't anything too special, but it is cromoly steel and it works.

Old Stumps are worth a lot of $$$??? Really! I've been riding a late 80's early90's stump, the one with the under crank brake. I haven't treated it very well as it is my everyday commuter....salt, snow, ice, rain. It is one tough SOB.