c30 conversion? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Rick Barnes · 08-23-2003, 12:23 AM

I am new to this game. I have the oppertunity to pick up a 72 gmc c 30 flatbead dually. Is it possible to build a street truck with this model? What kind of modification/ hassles should I expect? Should I ditch the idea?
Thanks, any advice would be great

barn9 · 08-23-2003, 01:32 AM

Welcome to the board Rick! If you could post a picture of it, you might get some ideas. There are some guys here on the board that have flatbeds. By the way, like the last name, my name is Larry Barnes, lol! Don't be afraid to jump in and ask questions, that's why we're all here. There is a lot of combined knowledge about these old trucks on this board.

*Phillip Johnson* · 08-23-2003, 02:25 AM

Duellys are awsome trucks! Welcome to the board. Someday I would like to build a "Custom Duelly with the fiberglass aftermarket fenders off a stepside. I have done some drawings and I think it would be a graet trailer/boat puller! Go for it! Anything 67-72 is fair game to make what you want. I personally like trucks as stocl as possible but its also neat to make a stock looking truck that has things that were not stock back in the 60's and early 70's such as the truck I want to build.. Good luck!

Duallie · 08-23-2003, 04:33 AM

My nearly complete decade-long project is a 1972 C30 cab-n-chassis, so I also agree that a duallie can be cool!
One big hassle you will experience is the lack of highway gears for your rear axle, which is undoubtedly a 10.5" H-072 corporate axle, otherwise nicknamed on this board as an "Eaton". By far, the most common ratio will be 4.56:1, with a few 4.10:1 (the tallest stock ratio), and a very few 5.13:1. Aftermarket has a 3.90:1, but its supposed to be $400. So my recommendation, since you stated you wanted a duallie PICKUP, is to get a '73 or newer Chevy/GMC duallie PICKUP rear axle (Dana 70) and put 3.73:1 and a torquemonster under the hood. That way you can still have 4 feet of cargo space between the rear fenderwells, too.

Longhorn Man · 08-23-2003, 09:25 PM

Since you want a pick up, you need to find out if it is a 133 inch wheel base, or a 157. If it is a 133 inch, you can find a longhorn bed for it that'll have the 6 inch extention already in place for an 8 1/2 foot box. If you have the longer chassis, I would skip the bed idea and go for the flat bed on the back.

Rick Barnes · 08-24-2003, 12:23 PM

Thanks for the advice, good info. Think I'll skip this one (c30 flatbead) and look for a standard longbead to build up.
Rick

*gmtrucksaddict* · 08-31-2003, 02:04 PM

howmuch they want for the C30 ??

Rick Barnes · 09-07-2003, 10:26 PM

Dont know how much he wants for the c-30, he wanted to trade for my e-250 van. the truck is pretty much a basket case, too much rot in the cab,floorboards,rockers,fenders-not a pretty sight. not to mention the homemade bed out of fence post scrap

08-23-2003, 12:23 AM	#1
Rick Barnes Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: grand junction, co. Posts: 3	c30 conversion? I am new to this game. I have the oppertunity to pick up a 72 gmc c 30 flatbead dually. Is it possible to build a street truck with this model? What kind of modification/ hassles should I expect? Should I ditch the idea? Thanks, any advice would be great

08-23-2003, 01:32 AM	#2
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	Welcome to the board Rick! If you could post a picture of it, you might get some ideas. There are some guys here on the board that have flatbeds. By the way, like the last name, my name is Larry Barnes, lol! Don't be afraid to jump in and ask questions, that's why we're all here. There is a lot of combined knowledge about these old trucks on this board. __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

08-23-2003, 04:33 AM	#4
Duallie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nikiski, Alaska Posts: 477	My nearly complete decade-long project is a 1972 C30 cab-n-chassis, so I also agree that a duallie can be cool! One big hassle you will experience is the lack of highway gears for your rear axle, which is undoubtedly a 10.5" H-072 corporate axle, otherwise nicknamed on this board as an "Eaton". By far, the most common ratio will be 4.56:1, with a few 4.10:1 (the tallest stock ratio), and a very few 5.13:1. Aftermarket has a 3.90:1, but its supposed to be $400. So my recommendation, since you stated you wanted a duallie PICKUP, is to get a '73 or newer Chevy/GMC duallie PICKUP rear axle (Dana 70) and put 3.73:1 and a torquemonster under the hood. That way you can still have 4 feet of cargo space between the rear fenderwells, too. __________________ Just as if I knew what I was doin'

08-23-2003, 02:25 AM	#3
Phillip Johnson Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 1,579	Duellys are awsome trucks! Welcome to the board. Someday I would like to build a "Custom Duelly with the fiberglass aftermarket fenders off a stepside. I have done some drawings and I think it would be a graet trailer/boat puller! Go for it! Anything 67-72 is fair game to make what you want. I personally like trucks as stocl as possible but its also neat to make a stock looking truck that has things that were not stock back in the 60's and early 70's such as the truck I want to build.. Good luck!

08-23-2003, 09:25 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Since you want a pick up, you need to find out if it is a 133 inch wheel base, or a 157. If it is a 133 inch, you can find a longhorn bed for it that'll have the 6 inch extention already in place for an 8 1/2 foot box. If you have the longer chassis, I would skip the bed idea and go for the flat bed on the back.

08-24-2003, 12:23 PM	#6
Rick Barnes Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: grand junction, co. Posts: 3	Thanks for the advice, good info. Think I'll skip this one (c30 flatbead) and look for a standard longbead to build up. Rick

08-31-2003, 02:04 PM	#7
gmtrucksaddict Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: IL Posts: 60	howmuch they want for the C30 ??

09-07-2003, 10:26 PM	#8
Rick Barnes Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: grand junction, co. Posts: 3	Dont know how much he wants for the c-30, he wanted to trade for my e-250 van. the truck is pretty much a basket case, too much rot in the cab,floorboards,rockers,fenders-not a pretty sight. not to mention the homemade bed out of fence post scrap



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