1960 C30 Apache

[559Apache]

I'm new to the board, and have the usual beginner questions. I've gotten some great info thus far from countless threads, I've experience that eyeburn from staring at my monitor like a mental patient trying to read and absorb.

Here's a few pics I snapped unloading, and pic of differential #'s.

Hoping to give it a good cleaning this weekend so I can get better look at everything. Small spot driver side floor, but nothing bad. From the searching I've done it seems getting tires in 8x17.5 is doable with $$$. This my first dually so I'm going to be learning as I go. Any suggestions?.

I'm not going to use it as a hauler, hoping to make a daily driver.I couldn't pass up this deal and didn't want to see it sold for scrap.

[jtrichard]

NOT bad looks like a nice start WELCOME to the NUT HOUSE

[Softpatch]

cool truck thanks for saving it
it's only original once but in the end it's your truck
I've wanted another 60 to do a S10 AWD conversion

[HappyHooligan]

Nice Save Man, Gotta love that 60 Snout!

Hooligan

[1963c-10]

Welcome and great looking project. Nice to see the original hood, hood emblem and grill in place. These are commonly removed.

Looking forward to more pics and future updates on the progress!!!

[HappyHooligan]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Welcome and great looking project. Nice to see the original hood, hood emblem and grill in place. These are commonly removed.

This is very true, I didn't realize how lucky I was to find mine until I started looking for others!!

Call me crazy but I like the look of the painted front better than all the Chrome on mine, but cant bring myself to cover it up.

Here is a Pic in case you need a little inspiration

Hooligan

[OldGMJon]

C30's are cool but if you want to go over 50 MPH you will need to get a later model donor truck for the drivetrain to make it a daily driver.
The change should give you freeway speeds from the rear end and trans, plus the highly needed power steering and disk brakes to make the ride easier on you.

[Jeff La]

Welcome. Truck looks like a cool project, have fun.

[doobiebro]

Nice score! Luv them 60-61 hoods..

[flashed]

Welcome ,nice truck ,more pics please .

[559Apache]

i appreciate the replies and encouragement.

HappyHooligan: It would be tough for me as well to paint over your chrome. My plan is to keep paint as is and just spot fix small areas that need it. I have another vehicle with to much chrome to keep up as it is.

I'm inclined to find a donor truck 73-87 and swap out suspension as it seems the way to go in terms of access to parts. I was just at the yard this past SAT right before I got this truck and saw plenty of parts available and craigslist seems to have some decently priced items.

I have access to a low miles 2000 reg cab gmc sierra with 4.3 v6 and manual trans. Since I'm not going to be hauling and just want as a highway cruiser to and from work (20 mile roundtrip) this may work. Any input on my idea appreciated. From my searching it seems even the seat out of the truck would work.

[559Apache]

How rare is the dually set up? I'm kind of thinking I should keep the rear as is and just get some different rims since finding 6 tires in 8-17.5 is problematic. Will 8 lug 16' rims work on the rear? I'm getting ready to start taking apart and feeling a little overwhelmed. I'm going to use as a daily driver (drive to work 20 miles roundtrip) so I want to make sure tires and other suspension components won't be hard to find later.
I've done some searches but not many examples of dually, and what I do find they have taken rear end from 73-87. Any suggestions? I'm learning as I go. Here's a few pics I snapped.

[OldGMJon]

C30's aren't that rare...just not so desirable as most want the little swb. I got two...Paid $500 for the first one and "over"paid $1500 for the 2nd one. Both were rust buckets but one was repairable.
The thing is, both had a wealth of parts overlooked by those narrowly focused on the little ones. The 73'-87' years are even cheaper still and more plentiful for the parts you want to switch over.
Any other cosmetic parts are usually available readily on CL, e-bay, or on the forum with an assortment of re-pop dealers to fill the margins so you're golden with what you want to do so drive it daily man!
Mine will be a driver...I had the suspensions and drive train from an 80' Chevy C30. Switched out for better gearing in the trans and rear end plus the hydro-boost power steering set-up since
you gotta have arms like Arnold Swartzenegger to be able to turn these beasts...here's some pix...almost done. Found that Bed on CL for $200 bucks
Check out "Black 30" on the forum for more!

[Captainfab]

The reason most switch their Eaton HO52/72 out for a 14 bolt or a Dana 70 is less expensive repair parts, better availability and the choice of a more highway friendly gear ratio. Most of those Eatons had 4.57 gears and some even had 5.13's. If you are lucky yours have the 4.10's

[urmyboyblue]

Welcome. I have a 1966 C30 that I acquired back in February and am working on it finally along with all the household projects. Mine had the back brakes locked up when I bought it so I got to looking around at availability of parts for the HO72- not very many replacement parts, mostly retrofits to convert to something else (like using disk brakes on it instead of the original drums- which aren't available any more). Anyway, I pulled the rear cover to see what the gears looked like and found massive rust pits in them, so out it comes and in goes a 14 bolt. I plan on using mine as a hauler, so the 4.10's in this rear will be ok. I am also going to switch over to disk brakes all around and single rear wheels so that tire costs don't eat me up.

As for your tire issue, I think that later model wheels should fit fine. That way, you can get away from the 2 piece rims, run tires that are mover available, and run the tires tubeless.

Your truck is going to be way cool. Post all the pictures you can and start a project thread please. I have one that is titled "1 ton revival".