New member / shopping question!

[55reasons]

I have a project in mind that has lead me here to start a build project.

I understand the C30 was a dually, and although I'm sure I could save a lot of steps by starting with a C30, they seem to be pretty hard to find.

So, has anyone successfully converted a C10 to a dually?

After prowling this, and other sites, I'm looking for a 8-lug bolt pattern. Most likely a 14-bolt 10.5 rear that I'll narrow to fit.

I don't want to spoil it with too much info as to why I want a dually or why I need an 8-bolt, but it will be primarily used as a tow vehicle to haul my 55 VW and 50 BMW to shows etc.

I have access to a whole row of rust-free 64 - 66 C10 and C20's (small back windows) in various stages of completion to choose from.

Any suggestions from the veterans as to the best starting point for a dually conversion?

[A.T. RockDriller]

Well, 55reasons, ...the C-30's were sold both with single rear wheels and dual rw's.
I am sure someone on here has the dealer literature showing capacities....I just can't find it myself.
I think because of the width of the chassis components....rear leaf springs and so on....you probably will have a hard time tucking dual rear's under or inside a fleet side bed if that is what your thinkin as far as narrowing the rear end. And, of course the frames on the ten and twenty series are lighter than the thirty...

If yer ok to go with a flat or custom bed you will have more options.
I have a 3800 series with a 14 bolt corp. rear end and with the duals mounted up I am right at 84" outside width with only a couple inches between rear leafs...spring hangers and inside of tires.
If you need anymore measurements...(or precise ones) I'd be pleased to take some for ya later.

[1963c-10]

Heres all the 63's. If you look at the 2nd block down on the right, you will see both single and dual wheel c-30's. There are still quite a few c-30's out there too. Might be easier to just start with one.

[padresag]

it is not only the axle that will do the job but the C30 has a longer w/b, heavier frame and beefier suspension. they do come with a 133 and a 157" W/B. They are not that difficult to find. if you ever get in an accident with a lighter modified truck hauling another vehicle, your insurance more than likely will never cover you.
a C10 or 20 would never qualify for that and even a C30will be even marginal by the time that you get a deck on there. you will need something with over a 10,000lb GVW.
to be safe to others on the road, do it the proper way. whatever you want to do to yourself is up to you.
other than that welcome to the board
ron

[BR3W CITY]

I'd check out the c50-c60's that came as rollbacks/dumptrucks/tugs

This thread has some medium duty love.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=3773601

[padresag]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

I'd check out the c50-c60's that came as rollbacks/dumptrucks/tugs

This thread has some medium duty love.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=3773601

they didn't have rollbacks back then. a C40 would more than likely do the job quite nicely hauling a Krauter
ron

[55reasons]

Thanks for the replies so far and welcoming me to the board as well.

Why would insurance issues be different than a modern 1/2 ton truck pulling a trailer with a car on it, or did I misunderstand? I had no issues using a Toyota Tacoma for this purpose up to this point and no issues with insurance or DMV legality.

Does a C10 cab and fleetside bed fit on a C30?

I want a c10 body with a GMC hood, short bed fleetside with a narrowed dually rear end that will allow all the rubber to fit inside the bed (no floor). 6" notches and airbags to get it to lay on the ground.

14 bolt rear ends are common for this purpose, so is it easier to start with a C30 if the suspension and frame work are going to be this extensive? Or can I just box in a C10 frame myself and save the cash vice starting with the C30?


I have a short bed fleetside 64 rust free on the hook for 1000. The spider senses are telling me I shouldn't pass on the opportunity.
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[padresag]

with a trailer no problem. I missed the word towing , saw hauling instead(perhaps misconstrued it) and by the way you didn't want to reveal to much info why you wanted the dually , I felt that perhaps you may have wanted to haul the vehicles on the truck itself. people do come up with a lot of weird ideas on how to get away with things.
ron

[55reasons]

BTW, the one I really want is the original coach built crew cab but the price is out of range for a starter chassis/body.

(there's one for sale in CO)

That bagged green crew (I think it is/was in PHX) I see on here is a wet dream. Totally bad @ss.

I would love to see that thing in person.
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[55reasons]

Haha! Understood!
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[Clyde65]

Just my thoughts but wouldnt a dually ride pretty rough and with the short wheelbase that would be an awful ride. also I dont think you would be able to tow as much because of that wheel base. I think it would be way cool though!

[55reasons]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Just my thoughts but wouldnt a dually ride pretty rough and with the short wheelbase that would be an awful ride. also I dont think you would be able to tow as much because of that wheel base. I think it would be way cool though!

Yeah, thought about this quite a bit. A good bag setup might help, but I don't think there's any real way to make it "comfortable". .

To add to the list, the reason I want the 8 lug is so I can run 10 lug adapters so I can use 22.5" semi truck wheels and tires all the way around. That will add even more injury to the insult.
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[Clyde65]

I know what you mean about the crews...my dad's 64 crew

[55reasons]

Looked, searched, googled, read threads and dedicated websites.

Is there a reference showing the dimensions (body and/or wheelbase) of the different models?

I would like to know if this truck is going to fit on the trailer between the wheel wells.

I know the length is good, but not too sure about the width.

[FreakyMalo]

There's some good info on the entire truck line here:
http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-h...tion-kits.html
If you click 'show' next to Chevrolet Trucks it'll show them by year.

Are you planning to run the rear semi wheels as singles or duals?

[55reasons]

Thanks for that link. Exactly what I was looking for.

Hoping to run rear 22.5 semi duals. Alcoas most likely.

I haven't ruled out running super singles for the back though.

Steel dually wheels are right around 86 lbs each.
Aluminum Alcoas are around 50.
A super single might be less, but the rubber and the ride is something I still have to massage.

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[55reasons]

Something like this is what I am looking to do....

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ptd/2913624276.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/pts/2913627174.html

Which would look like this, except without the dually fenders:

[70cst]

Hey 55reasons ...

and from Ohio Glad to have you on board

[55reasons]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Hey 55reasons ...

and from Ohio Glad to have you on board

Thanks! I grew up in Perry, Ohio.

Haven't been in the NorthEast for over 15 years though.
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[aerotruk63]

I'm trying to get a guy I know who has photo's of a 63 GMC mounted on a 83 Chevrolet 1 ton dually frame that's for sale in Ontario just above Buffalo NY. 454 with a 700R4. Asking $16,000 CND for it. All flat black with the period correct stepside fenders grafted onto a fleetside box. Plated and ready to go.

[55reasons]

Sounds cool.

I wish I stayed on my photoshop skills so I could visually graft some 10 lug 22.5" semi wheels onto a 64-66 short bed fleetside layed out on the ground..

[55reasons]

Just came across this truck on that same site.

Almost exactly what I was looking to do with the exception of the rear wheels extending outside of the fleetside bed.

Looking at the last photo, it appears the frame could be narrowed even more to get those outer wheels inside the bed. (with a little narrower wheel as well).

Thoughts?

[aerotruk63]

This is the truck that's for sale in the Province of Ontario. Says he'll bring it to Carlisle Pa. if it des not sell locally.

[ABX131]

In looking at the above photos, what about using a later model 1 ton dually chassis and putting a 60-66 body on it with the long bed and box fenders off a stepside? It would be more stable and more reliable for what you are looking to do. Not sure of the work involved to do it but I think the concept would work.

[tincan1966]

On the rear axle width concern- here is what I found out when working on my C-30.
Cab and chassis model trucks(sold with no bed) have about an 8" narrower axle than "dually" trucks(with a pickup bed) This only pertains to about 1976 and newer,I think, but thought it might help while searching for parts. Too bad I just got rid of a 14 bolt narrow with disc brakes.