79' C30 Camper Special build thoughts

[fourfiftyfour]

Nice truck! I want your parts truck as a project!

[Anchorism]

Originally Posted by fourfiftyfour

Nice truck! I want your parts truck as a project!

If you are willing to get it it can be sold! I'm sure my dad is ready to get it off the property lol.

[Anchorism]

There isn't a front mounted spare. And yeah this thing has pulled a lot of gooseneck horse trailers all over te southwest. When it does it might as well speed up the earths rotation with its takeoff!!
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[ladderback66]

Keep the original decals and go with it! Great truck!!

[johnnyclack]

I can't wait to see the next phase

Thanks for keeping us safe; happy returns to ya"

[Eyegore]

Originally Posted by ladderback66

Keep the original decals and go with it! Great truck!!

I agree the original decals give it a historical type of look, preservation of the past. Thank you for sharing.

[Anchorism]

Soooo i have FINALLY returned! I now live in Tucson and the truck will be arriving around Thanksgiving this year as long as my dad is able to come down for it. I have also located a 12v cummins for it w/turbo, intercooler, radiator, and some custom parts. It would cost around 2K for all the bits but im contemplating the idea.... what do you guys think??? It would be a winter project for me if i go through with it. Also, if i do, the 454 (that runs like a champ) and the propane conversion would be up for grabs.

[Brockwaykid]

Originally Posted by Anchorism

Soooo i have FINALLY returned! I now live in Tucson and the truck will be arriving around Thanksgiving this year as long as my dad is able to come down for it. I have also located a 12v cummins for it w/turbo, intercooler, radiator, and some custom parts. It would cost around 2K for all the bits but im contemplating the idea.... what do you guys think??? It would be a winter project for me if i go through with it. Also, if i do, the 454 (that runs like a champ) and the propane conversion would be up for grabs.

Nice, i'd much rather have the 12V than the 454..
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[79Betty]

While yea a 12V is... Badass to say the least... Practicality kicks in for me. 454 already runs good, direct swap, and if ya only drive it rarely i'd leave it that way... But if ya wana drive it a lot i'd 12V it all the way with a strong 6 speed... Have your cake and eat it too.
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[Truck Guy99]

Originally Posted by 79Betty

Have your cake and eat it too.
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Ya but why have the cake if you aren't gonna eat it? When I get cake, I don't just look at it because I can. I eat it.
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[Anchorism]

So the truck arrives tonight!!!

79Betty-

I am still entirely up in the air about it as i do have a built 12v available for 2K with all parts and an aftermarket turbo.


Willet-

The truck was in a clipping head on with an 82 scottsdale 30 with a big custom steel bumper. (which was also my grandfathers) I really tried to pick this one up as well cause its basically the same truck just 4x4 with a flatbed and built bumper. Love that truck!

Tx Firefighter-

I am really looking into re-gearing the rear end anyhow. I wont be pulling too much with the truck, maybe a bumper pull on occasion so a different ratio is in order. Just dont know which i should go with.

[mrolds88]

Glad to hear all is on schedule. Have a good holiday.... and pictures, pictures, pictures!!

[willett]

what the heck did he hit?

[meatwagon83]

Originally Posted by willett

what the heck did he hit?

From the looks of it, rosie o'donnall
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[Jwood70]

Originally Posted by meatwagon83

From the looks of it, rosie o'donnall
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Oh snap!
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[Tx Firefighter]

I'd think an overdrive trans would be high on the priority list if you keep the big block. I also have a big block dually, 4 speed, and 4.56 gears. It's ridiculously slow with those gears. Strong, yes, but 60 miles per hour is getting wound up. 70 miles per hour is white knuckle hoping the engine doesn't scatter speed.

If you do the Cummins, you're gonna want to re-gear the rearend. Even with an overdrive, 4.56 isn't ideal for a Cummins. I've had 5 Dodge Cummins trucks. They really like 3.54 gears and overdrive the best. Even the Cummins guys with factory 4.10 gears and overdrives often swap the gears for something milder.
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[nekkidhillbilly]

parts truck looks to be much better than that.

[Anchorism]

To cowl or not to cowl.....??? Ive got a family member who is interested in getting rid of his 6" fiberglass cowl hood to go back to original. I was thinking about trading him.... any thoughts?

[nekkidhillbilly]

i hate hoods like that but its your truck

[meatwagon83]

trade him

[mrolds88]

If you are gong to do the Cummins swap, then maybe, maybe. I honestly like that truck with the flat hood myself.

[Your41Plague12]

Paint that baby the original colors and run it! That's how a truck should look.

[Anchorism]

So at this moment i need to get the brakes and radiator situation fixed before it is street worthy. As far as the radiator goes, it was new prior to the accident which caused it to be hit by the fan. It hit it and made a pinkie sized hole. Is this repairable or do i need to be looking for a new radiator? Ill try and get a picture of the damage either tonight or sometime this week.

[cal30_sniper]

I'd stay with the 454. The cummins is going to end up running you far more than 2k when you figure out all the odds and ends needed to put it in. It's the nickel and dime stuff that gets you every time. Plus the dang thing weighs far more than a 454, which is going to make it quite nose-heavy.

Keeping the 454, I'd look into 3.73 gears. An NV4500 swap shouldn't be too difficult either if you source the parts relatively cheap. That'll give you overdrive and much lower overall engine RPMs. That's the exact combo I'm running in my C20 Suburban. Headers and intake on that 454 really woke it up, and the NV4500 was just the connecting bit I needed to really get that torque to the ground. I just got through moving 8000+ lbs of stuff from TX to FL (including a dual axle trailer) and averaged 10.7mpg doing it on 32" all terrain tires. Haven't got mpg figures yet unloaded, but I'd be willing to bet I'm getting real close to the 15mpg mark. I was over 14 on occasion before the NV4500.

Best of luck, that's a great looking truck!

[Anchorism]

Originally Posted by cal30_sniper

I'd stay with the 454. The cummins is going to end up running you far more than 2k when you figure out all the odds and ends needed to put it in. It's the nickel and dime stuff that gets you every time. Plus the dang thing weighs far more than a 454, which is going to make it quite nose-heavy.

Keeping the 454, I'd look into 3.73 gears. An NV4500 swap shouldn't be too difficult either if you source the parts relatively cheap. That'll give you overdrive and much lower overall engine RPMs. That's the exact combo I'm running in my C20 Suburban. Headers and intake on that 454 really woke it up, and the NV4500 was just the connecting bit I needed to really get that torque to the ground. I just got through moving 8000+ lbs of stuff from TX to FL (including a dual axle trailer) and averaged 10.7mpg doing it on 32" all terrain tires. Haven't got mpg figures yet unloaded, but I'd be willing to bet I'm getting real close to the 15mpg mark. I was over 14 on occasion before the NV4500.

Best of luck, that's a great looking truck!

Yeah I have the nv4500 in my scope its just a matter of finding one for the right price. I'm curious to see what you are getting mileage as well.