One Ton questions

[CG]

I dont know a lot about the one tons although I have a 71 C30 157 inch wheelbase. I do know I can stack a lot of junk on it while it languishes in my shop ha!

A buddy and I were talking about one tons in general and he said that Long Horns were one tons. I had never heard that before.

I'm just guessing here but I was thinking a Long Horn chassis is basically the same shape (maybe thicker metal?) as the rest of the truck chassis. I'm talking only two wheel drives. I was thinking there had to me more to a one ton upgrade than just suspension components and possibly thicker steel for the frame rails.

I think my long wheel base C30 is more of a "one of" type chassis. It has a pretty big kick up in the rear, and the rails seem to be larger than a standard chassis. But he said all my suspension from front to rear is exactly the same as any other one ton, spring hangers and all.

Neither of us has a Long Horn laying around to prove either points. Anyone have more info on these than I do?

[special-K]

Hmmm... that doesn't seem like a ton of questions (har har har)

The Longhorns are built, C/20 and C/30 on the short (133") C/30 chassis. Those frames are heavier built than a C/20 chassis. Standard C/30 suspension is the same on either wheelbase single or dual wheel. There are suspension and even rear axles options for heavier rating. There was the 11,000# axle option, which is the HO110 normally used in medium duties. Those have 10-lugs in the rear and 5 up front in the same pattern. I assume the coils up front were a bit beefier, too, but can't say for sure. Until 1977 all GM one tons were 2wd. Yes, the 157" chassis is only found under a 1t and only as a cab & chassis

[CG]

Thanks Tim, I know I should have just seeked you out when it comes to the big boys =)

[special-K]

You probably knew you'd have to deal with my poor humor.

[CG]

Haha, Im good with your humor.

My buddy is lamenting he let the C30 go (now mine) and we were just talking about other ways he could go and were wondering the differences.

He told me he had considered moving the suspension in the rear of the 157 in wb forward and making a one ton regular 127 in long box. I told him you know there was no way that would have worked because of the shape of the frame, and the box wouldn't have fit either. The dually tires stick out just a smidge past the lip of the boxes wheel arches (among other things).

[57taskforce]

Where there’s a will, a welder, and some time, there’s a way!

[special-K]

I always say when there's a wheel there's a way

When I bought the '70 157" cab & chassis I had, before pulling the plug on ordering the utility body, I considered creating a 1t dually pickup out of it. But I looked at the big dip frame and decided it wouldn't work out. I ended up having the truck equipment shop install the body. I knew the owner pretty well. I had done business with them before, the shop was in my town, and we used to run into each other. I'll say he seemed to appreciate my young man's interest in truck building. Great guy. Anyway, he told me mounting the utility body on that frame presented unexpected challenges. Granted, they were used to plunking bodies down on brand new trucks for dealerships, not retrofitting restored old trucks. But it was mostly that big dip chassis. Up near the cab they had to build a subframe/support up to meet the floor from the frame.

I can't wait to see what you do with that truck

[CG]

Originally Posted by special-K

I always say when there's a wheel there's a way

When I bought the '70 157" cab & chassis I had, before pulling the plug on ordering the utility body, I considered creating a 1t dually pickup out of it. But I looked at the big dip frame and decided it wouldn't work out. I ended up having the truck equipment shop install the body. I knew the owner pretty well. I had done business with them before, the shop was in my town, and we used to run into each other. I'll say he seemed to appreciate my young man's interest in truck building. Great guy. Anyway, he told me mounting the utility body on that frame presented unexpected challenges. Granted, they were used to plunking bodies down on brand new trucks for dealerships, not retrofitting restored old trucks. But it was mostly that big dip chassis. Up near the cab they had to build a subframe/support up to meet the floor from the frame.

I can't wait to see what you do with that truck

I dont know why I didn't remember your cool work truck was 157in wb. It was a looker for sure.

Don't hold your breath waiting for me to do anything more with mine. I've gone into a different mode with my life. I've turned my mountain of truck parts in to just a hill and it really feels good. A bunch of local folks have gotten smoking good deals since I dealt in cash and didn't have to mess with shipping. I hope to be at zero by the end of 2021 ... zero might include my 71.

[special-K]

Do whatever pleases you. That's just plain unimaginable for me. I reduced my mountain to a mound and can't imagine going any further. I kept two trucks, one running to restore later and a ground-up project. I'm keeping spare parts for those. I want to get into some older stuff still.

[71meangreenc10]

I have two of them. A 69 Chevy and 72 GMC. Both were motorhomes. The 69 is getting made into a flatbed and I am fixing the cab and adding a 12ft flat bed. The 72 is being rebuilt as a motorhome. They are unique and I also picked up a 71 C-20 Longhorn. Got me a nice group at the moment. I got to fix my signature again...

Smitty