My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

[Bird_Reynolds]

So I am starting my latest project truck. I had acquired 2 crew cabs, and was hoping to get one runner out of the both of them. Well I didn't do anything on either for about 8 months and I wound up doing some horse trading and got this big brown 79. It was not running when I got it, but I liked the color and tires, plus all the doors opened and closed.

[Bird_Reynolds]

First order of business was getting it running. I pulled off the non-functioning electric boost pump and replaced it. I threw another filter in upstream and ran a long hose out to a bucket. I filled up one tank and drained it. It looked like iced tea, smelled like varnish. While doing this I went along replacing broken line and filters. Like an idiot, I thrashed the little filter housing threads in the q-jet. I think this happens a lot and I was no exception

[Bird_Reynolds]

I tried to find a repair housing at the parts store, but they were all too small. Rather than glue it on and rebuild the Rochester I went with the nuclear option and just replaced it with an edelbrock I pulled off my other truck. Fresh fuel and she fired right up. It was really easy. So I re-wired the boost pump and choke and now big brown is running. while fiddling around under the dash I figured out the radio, so now I have that going too! I have never owned a 4-speed truck but I really like how this one drives. And the motor is a total beast. I will start taking it on drives and see how she does. It turns out it is awesome at kicking up snow and dirt, so that is good

[MTCK]

Cool truck! What's the plan? I like the tires too.

[Bird_Reynolds]

Thanks. On this truck I just want to get it running reliably, and maybe change the trans or do one of those overdrive units. I have wanted to do that for a while. Here is a picture of the new carb

[Bird_Reynolds]

Some more pictures. I looked at the VIN and she had a 350 from the factory and was built in Baltimore. I cant complain about the 454. When you rev it the whole truck lurches.

[Bird_Reynolds]

Ultimately I will have it painted, but I will replace the rusted parts like the rocker and wheel wells myself. Also I will go whole hog cleaning up the ghetto wiring, POR-15 the undersides, linex the bed, replace all the mounts and bushings and stuff like that. Also the carpet and interior pieces that are missing. One thing I am sure is no lift kit and no crazy paint. I want it to look like it drove out of the brochure from that year.

[Bird_Reynolds]

So I took El Marron Grande to town to see how she drove and fill up the tanks. I think she has 4.56's or something because I was at 2500rpm at like 50 MPH. I felt like the motor was going to jump out of the engine compartment and run away screaming.
I will have to think this one out, even with an OD (if I could afford it) I would still need to go to smaller gears. I don't even know what gears were available for those axles. And I have 2 of em
Also I almost had a fire, when the power wire leading to the HEI got so hot it melted. The truck stalled out, so I popped the hood and that power wire going up to the junction was so hot it was glowing. This is why I always carry a fire extinguisher. Also I need to pull that loom apart and see what wires are going where.

[MTCK]

Exciting, nothing like a good fire. Don't give up on the short gears just yet. I have two trucks with 4.56's, and the one with overdrive and a lockup converter is a pleasure to drive, even at 65-70. I bet if you look at $$$ regearing two axles, an OD won't seam terrible.

[Bird_Reynolds]

Hey Marcus - what rpm's are you at when at 65mph? And you are right, around here everything 3/4 ton and above is super expensive

[MTCK]

I'm right over 2200 rpm at 65. My tires are 255/85r16 and measure 33" tall. My speedo is also spot on as compared to GPS. I really like the 4l80e.

[Bird_Reynolds]

So another update now that I got a day off - I sold Big Brown to my nephew. He is driving it all the time. He replaced the 4.56's with 3.42's and now it cruises at 65 easy. Maybe I'll get him to post about it