Longhorn trucks - what were the options

[C10_crazy]

I recently read that the Longhorn trucks were available in either 3/4 ton or 1 ton versions. What are the differences between the two options from a chassis and suspension perspective? Are they both 8 lug? What is the differences between the 3/4 ton and 1 ton rear suspensions and differentials?

I'm curious because I recently bought a 1967 C30 dually truck so that made me curious about what variations were available. The Longhorns weren't built as a dually (as far as I know anyway). I've seen some Longhorns and I'm just wanting to learn as much as I can about what Chevrolet offered from 1967 to 1972 (I don't think the Longhorns were available until 1968).

Thanks for your help.

[jocko]

You are correct, Longhorns started in 68 and there were no drw's. They were available as 8 lug C20 and C30 only (no Ks and no 10s) and had the 133" wheelbase rather than 127" - and, of course, were 6" longer in wheelbase and be length. Generally speaking, the 20 had an HO52 rear whereas the 30 had an HO72. Some may have come with D60 (20s or 30s) - but I'm not certain about that (*See update in post 6). Chevs were called Longhorns, GMCs were just "a truck with 133" wheelbase" - i.e. they didn't get the bedside "Longhorn" script even though identical to the 133" Chevs. Trim options were totally independent of Longhorn status, you could have a base or a CST or Cheyenne Super, didn't matter.

[Mike C]

My 70 GMC Longhorn with small block and 4 speed had a Dana 60 in it. There is a 69 Chevy Longhorn for sale here locally with a big block and 4 speed and it has 3.54 geared Dana 60 in it. Obviously both C20's. The HO52 is 5200# GVWR and the Dana 60 is 5500# GVWR and the HO71 is 7200# GVWR. So GVWR of the truck would dictate which axle was installed as well.

[Steeveedee]

From what I've read around here, and I may have part of it wrong, the Longhorn doesn't necessarily have the D60. I think that that comes with the Custom Camper equipment, which also gives a 1T frame, even on the 3/4T. Here is the SPID from my truck for reference. It isn't just a Longhorn (though it it never got the "Longhorn" scripts, for some reason, probably alcohol-related), it's also a Custom Camper, so maybe that muddies the water a little as far as the rear axle goes.

[kwmech]

I've come across 3 longhorns over the years everyone had a dana 60 in it. The 68 I kept cuz' it had a 396 big block. Dana 60 came with 3.54 gearing and a powerloc. Also had PS, PB, AC, dual batt. and buddy buckets. I installed a tilt, tach. Converted the rear diff to a 14 bolt dually and 3.42 gearing, front end got disc

[jocko]

here's the 68 info for reference:

[LockDoc]

-
If your C30 is a 133" wheelbase model a longhorn bed will fit on it. All you have to do is add the front bed mount brackets on the frame and widen the wheel tubs for the dual wheels.

Here are a couple of threads member "72freak" posted when he built his.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=260748

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=307114

LockDoc

[jocko]

I believe having a D60 was dependent on having a big block or leaf springs. Big block required the 3.54 ratio D60. Since Longhorn came standard with leafs, I'd expect most, if not all, had D60s. Anyone had one that WASN'T a D60?

[ElKotze]

Originally Posted by jocko

Anyone had one that WASN'T a D60?

My '69 Longhorn C20 came factory with a HO72. It is a Custom Camper with the 1-ton frame, rear leafs, 350 engine and 4-speed. I wished it had a DANA (more parts, better gears), so I swapped in a 14-bolt semi-floater with 3.54 gears.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by jocko

I believe having a D60 was dependent on having a big block or leaf springs. Big block required the 3.54 ratio D60. Since Longhorn came standard with leafs, I'd expect most, if not all, had D60s. Anyone had one that WASN'T a D60?

I have a 70 Longhorn with a 396/ 400 BBC TH400 and Dana 60 rear.

[special-K]

They all had leaf springs because they were all on the 1t frame. The Dana60 in a 3/4t (only) would be due to big block/TH400. That is the only ratio that combination was offered with. The truck the Dana60 3.54/posi I posted about last week came out of was a dual rear wheel option cab & chassis 3/4t with 396/TH400... and factory stake body. It was the pickup width rear with dual wheels all around (1/2" studs), all factory. I have seen BBC/4spd trucks get the Dana60 3.54 as well. These are exceptions, but were possible.

[dozerbill72]

It has to do with leafs vs. coils. Leaf spring 3/4t got the D60 no matter what engine combo, just different gearing. I have a 71 C20 with a 350/350 turbo with a D60 and 4.10 gears.

[muley]

My 69 was a C20, 350/SM465 4 speed with leafs and HO52 with 4.10 gears.
( I've since sold the pickup to another enthusiastic young lad.)

[special-K]

Originally Posted by dozerbill72

It has to do with leafs vs. coils. Leaf spring 3/4t got the D60 no matter what engine combo, just different gearing. I have a 71 C20 with a 350/350 turbo with a D60 and 4.10 gears.

Originally Posted by muley

My 69 was a C20, 350/SM465 4 speed with leafs and HO52 with 4.10 gears.
( I've since sold the pickup to another enthusiastic young lad.)

Yeah, most C/20s were leaf spring, the exception is coil springs on those. It could be that the Dana60 came with the automatic transmission, just a hunch. I know the Custom Camper/20s with 4.10/leaf/350/TH350 got a Dana60. They were rated at slightly more payload than the HO52 (for some reason), so might have to do with that on Custom Campers. But I wouldn't be surprised if there were HO52 leaf spring Custom Campers, too. But maybe only manual trans?

[davepl]

My '70 Longhorn has the D60 and leaf springs with the Custom Camper option (1T frame). I welded up my bed seams to hide 'em though.

[Killer Bee]

both of my 71 C20 CE21034 Longhorns have leaf spring HO52 axles..

both small block 350, one manual trans, one auto..

both 'Custom Camper C20' badged / Z81 Camper Specials..

ochre is Z84 Custom Sport Truck, red is base model with customer ordered moldings..

both farm finds, unmodified / unmolested original equipment..

see SPIDs for other options, hope that helps

[C10_crazy]

I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to get back on here and read all the posts... I really appreciate all of your responses to this thread. I bought this '67 1 ton not really knowing anything about the extent of what the General offered in 1 ton trucks.

I had a 1 ton single rear wheel stepside truck once (it was a City of Phoenix work truck) and everytime I mentioned to a friend of mine that it was a 133 in wheelbase truck, he said it was a Longhorn. Well, I didn't think he was right, but truthfully, he knows a lot more about cars and trucks than I probably ever will. Anyway, when I bought this truck I became more curious about the Longhorns (which I originally thought were all 1 tons) and the dually 1 tons.

Thanks again for all the truck information.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by C10_crazy

I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to get back on here and read all the posts... I really appreciate all of your responses to this thread. I bought this '67 1 ton not really knowing anything about the extent of what the General offered in 1 ton trucks.

I had a 1 ton single rear wheel stepside truck once (it was a City of Phoenix work truck) and everytime I mentioned to a friend of mine that it was a 133 in wheelbase truck, he said it was a Longhorn. Well, I didn't think he was right, but truthfully, he knows a lot more about cars and trucks than I probably ever will. Anyway, when I bought this truck I became more curious about the Longhorns (which I originally thought were all 1 tons) and the dually 1 tons.

Thanks again for all the truck information.

You were right - the 133 stepside is indeed a 1 ton, but not a Longhorn (a fleetside thing).

[blue 72 gmc 4x4]

Mine has an HO52 with a "no spin" diff.

[blue 72 gmc 4x4]

Forgot a pic of the SPID.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by davepl

My '70 Longhorn has the D60 and leaf springs with the Custom Camper option (1T frame). I welded up my bed seams to hide 'em though.

Is yours a C2500 or C3500?

Originally Posted by C10_crazy

I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to get back on here and read all the posts... I really appreciate all of your responses to this thread. I bought this '67 1 ton not really knowing anything about the extent of what the General offered in 1 ton trucks.

I had a 1 ton single rear wheel stepside truck once (it was a City of Phoenix work truck) and everytime I mentioned to a friend of mine that it was a 133 in wheelbase truck, he said it was a Longhorn. Well, I didn't think he was right, but truthfully, he knows a lot more about cars and trucks than I probably ever will. Anyway, when I bought this truck I became more curious about the Longhorns (which I originally thought were all 1 tons) and the dually 1 tons.

Thanks again for all the truck information.

Here's the deal. That '67 was a C30 "pickup", or "Stepside Pickup". A GMC would be a C3500 Fenderside. Up through '67, that was the only 1t pickup available.

This was the short 1t chassis at 133", just 6" longer than the 127" long beds. The cab & chassis wheelbase you saw tow trucks, 8' dump bodies, 10' stake beads, and 9" utility bodies on. The long 1t chassis was 157".

In '68 GM started offering wide bed pickups on the short 1t single rear chassis in 3/4t or 1t. The long bedside got an extension and wood floor with extension pieces, but their own 1pc steel strips. Chevy named theirs the "Longhorn"

[WIDESIDE72]

unable to upload photos...

[Stagerunner]

I have a 71 c30 longhorn 400BB Turbo 400 and an HO72 rear end

[jku72]

I had a ‘70 Custom Camper 30 CST Longhorn with 402/th400, and a no-spin HO-72, leaf springs of course.

[Mike C]

Interesting on the big block HO axled trucks. IME, only rear axle available with the big block was the 3.54 geared Dana 60.