big 10's anyone?

[kris's66lwb]

im buying a 1980 big 10 long bed fleet in a few weeks after i make her road worthy i was wondering if anyone had any info on them

[78 Big10 454]

I've had one for almost 32 years. What do you need to know?

[flamingbig10]

mines a big 10

[big10ratrod77]

well first things first a big 10 was in my opionion the best truck ever made becouse
1.they had no cats(i know in 77 it didnt)
2.they had 3/4 ton springs
3. they had that "stance" low in front high in rear(i think it looks great)
4.power brakes standard
5.gwv rating of 6200 pounds (it will pull it to)
6.5 lug wheels(easy to find rims)
its just the best truck ever made
yea dad has had a big ten for 32 years also and now he has passed it on to me so we both know alot bout them if you need some help

[bitchin85]

how do i know if im runnin a big 10? probly a dumb question just curious

[78 Big10 454]

Unfortunately, 1978 was the first year of cats....

[big10ratrod77]

heres what i know in 77 they did have cats but i think it was only on the c-10, big 10 through the c30 didnt have cats i know this becouse they try to fail me every year when i go to get inspected for no cats, but now i just show my truck has the hole for leaded gas and they pass me.

[mingoman]

My first truck was a '78 454 big 10 & it didn't have cats on it. It had the styled white spoke rims too, you don't see those around much these days. What model is yours? Silverado, Cheyenne or?????????

[78 Big10 454]

My Big 10 is a shortbed Cheyenne.

[bluex]

Originally Posted by 78 Big10 454

Unfortunately, 1978 was the first year of cats....

Did you buy your truck in Cali?

My '78 also never had cats. It was stock as could be when my father purchased it about 15 yrs ago. From what I've been told the Big 10 / Heavy Half package was the Generals way of getting around the smog equipment on the C10's which was based on the GVW. Could be that Cali had there own regs that were different from the feds and that why your truck has them?

Before the GMC he also had a 77 Chevy Big 10, I was very young, but I doubt it had cats either. The 77 was purchased in SC, and as far as I know my '78 spent its life in NC until we got it. The 77 was two tone, with all the trim and a/c, but I dont remember the trim level. My 78 is a bare bones, heat only, am radio and rubber floor truck.

This might be something we need to get Keith Seymores input on?

[dswancutt]

Originally Posted by 78 Big10 454

Unfortunately, 1978 was the first year of cats....

79 was the first year of cats on big 10, at least on Federal emission trucks. Have two 78 big 10's, no cats on either one.

[6772fan]

My 78 Big 10 came with true factory dual exhaust and NO cats, always a Texas truck. It has the Trailering Special package. When I saw the 2 build sheets (because of the many options)in the glove box, it caught my attention. Has the 454, TH400. bucket seats, tilt, tach, cruise, intermittent wipers etc., and it even has the headlamp warning sensor that reminds you to turn the lights off. Strangely enough it has what appears to be either factory or dealer installed console with a built-in cooler. Both bumpers are the "Deluxe" bumpers with a pad built in.

[78 Big10 454]

I bought my 1978 Big 10 on Christmas Eve of 1977. At least in California, the 78 model year was the first year that half-ton P/U's had to have cats. I'm open to any corrections/additions from our knowlegable board members.

[78 Big10 454]

Originally Posted by 78 Big10 454

I bought my 1978 Big 10 on Christmas Eve of 1977. At least in California, the 78 model year was the first year that half-ton P/U's had to have cats. I'm open to any corrections/additions from our knowlegable board members.

I'm glad to know that other Big 10 owners didn't have to suffer through the emissions BS.

[463]

1980 gm had a turbo 350 with a lock up converter as a option. at apx 42 mph it would lock up for a 1 to1 ratio. when going up a small incline at hiway speed the lock up converter it would cut in and out of the lockup . a light gust of wind would do the same. this was a poor idea in a lot of owners eyes. in mid run of the 82 truck gm offered a MXO trans a full 3 with tho O/D (like a 700r4). the 80 truck has front disk rear drum brakes. and most parts from 73 to 87 are the same.

[kelgar50]

In 82 it was a 700r4.....I had a 82 I also went threw plenty of them also.
I know on the camper special 3/4 ton they did not have cats in 84 aswell that is what I have now.

[79gmcc15]

something you might not know is that the trailering special has many of the same things that the big 10/heavy half. 3/4 springs,5 lug rims, wagon wheel rims, no cats, higher GVW, also, raked look and came from the factory with a hitch and wired for a trailer, Power brakes and cool little badges next to the doors *good luck finding them!*!

[463]

Originally Posted by 79gmcc15

something you might not know is that the trailering special has many of the same things that the big 10/heavy half. 3/4 springs,5 lug rims, wagon wheel rims, no cats, higher GVW, also, raked look and came from the factory with a hitch and wired for a trailer, Power brakes and cool little badges next to the doors *good luck finding them!*!

in Canada the regulators had cats on 1/2 tons 78 and up that included trailering special package as well. the 3/4 tons 1980 up had cats.

[79gmcc15]

Originally Posted by 463

in Canada the regulators had cats on 1/2 tons 78 and up that included trailering special package as well. the 3/4 tons 1980 up had cats.

That sucks. I am 99% sure mine did not have cats on them.

[Pyrotechnic]

You can tell by the transmission crossmember. If it's double hump and looks symetrical on both the driver and passenger side, then your truck didn't come with a catalytic converter. If it has a hump on the passenger side, but dips down and wraps around the outside of the frame on the drivers side, it's a catalytic converter crossmember.

I feel that the double hump crossmember makes the frame more rigid, because it attaches the same way on both side and has the upper support on both sides. Also maked true dual exhaust with long tube headers easy.

[watahyahknow]

there was sumtin about the big 10s think it was california legislation a loophole not sure anymore wat it was about though think it was sumtin with smog law

[big10ratrod77]

still best truck ever made tho

[3r!c84]

is it a higher package then the silverado?

No?

[6772fan]

Don't think so. My Big 10 is a Silverado.

[bluex]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

is it a higher package then the silverado?

No?

No it was just a suspension option, like the trailering package and was avaible on any trim level. Look in my last post, the two trucks my father had, one a '77 probably a silverado I cant remember and my '78 which is as basic as it gets...