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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 389
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1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Hey everyone. I was on here a while back with a 1980 c10, but the project was too big for me while I was in school and working.
Finally picked up a truck I’ve been trying to find for a long time. It’s a 1979 crew cab dually. It’s rust free from California (I’m in MA, everything is rusty) and it seems to be all or mostly original and unmolested. My plans are pretty simple, being such a nice example I want to leave it mostly alone but clean it up (especially interior), fix the dents, AC, paint the fender etc. then lower it (maybe 6/8?) and put it on 22” semi wheels. I’ll have some questions for sure, but figured it should go in the project section. My first question is how to tell what’s original, what the truck came with, paint code, etc. can that all be accessed somewhere with the VIN? I want to check my rear end gears, make sure I get the right grille, etc. and find out any cool info - like what makes it a camper special and that kind of stuff. On to the pics:
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1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 389
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Ugh sorry some of them posted sideways. Not sure why lol
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1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC |
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#3 |
Just here to tinker
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Location: Holland, MI
Posts: 3,692
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Beautiful! There should be a spid label in your glovebox or on the fender well under the hood that will label all options. If that is missing, then it will be hard to know all the original options. But You might be able to give the GM heritage center your VIN and maybe they can get you a build sheet.
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78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(winter unit)https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...25#post8900725 |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Looks like a decent start. Check the glove box for the SPID info. The label was there for my dually.
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 389
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Dang, no label in the glovebox. Ill see what I can find from the VIN. I'll need the paint code at least to paint the new fender.
What're you guys doing for highway speeds? I assume they all came with 4:10s? 60MPH is pretty high RPM....not great for around here when 80 is normal cruising speed. If I change the gears will it get out of its own way around town? Ordered some interior parts I needed from Brothers. Of course the dash pad I really need is on backorder. Next phone call will be for semi wheels and a drop....anyone to stay away from? I've heard good things about lowboy so far.
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1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 389
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
does anyone sell the fender trim? havent seen it online anywhere.
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1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC |
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#7 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Quote:
3" spindles & drop coil up front get's your 6" drop. The front x-member gusset bars will be creeping in close to the tarmac on decent size dips on the road w/the stock stuff that low. Flip kit for the rear is 8" (+/- depending on the spring-pack count). At 8" drop you'll be bumpin' the bottom side of the bed floor w/the differential (they're porky). Nothing should hang below the rails @ 6/8. They'll high center around town. I think 4.10's is the most common for the HD rears. Mine does around 2800-3k @ 65-70 w/31.7" rear tires. Some guys will do 3.73's & there are also 3.54's available but like you mentioned it could impact the ability to get a load moving. I search C-list weekly for a 4l80e.
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#8 |
Senior Member
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Location: Colfax-California
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
They came with 3.73, 4.10 or 4.56. Tires came as a 215/75r-16 or a 235/85r-16. 235s are preferred as they are 31.5'' tall. Lowered dually in MA will be fun in the winter
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 389
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Quote:
He also set me up with the semi wheels so I'm real excited to get this stuff in and transform this truck! I definitely need to decide on something to make it more highway speed friendly. Whats needed on the 4l80e swap? I would assume swapping gears is easier but maybe not?
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1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC |
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#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 389
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Quote:
Lol, this truck is too nice underneath (and 2wd) to be driving around here in the salt and snow....itll be a 3 season truck only. Ill keep my f250 for winter duty.
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1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC |
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#11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Quote:
225/75-16 @ 29.3" w/4.10's 1:1 final drive gear @ 65mph = 3056rpm 225/75-16 w/3.73's & th400 1:1 final drive gear @ 65mph = 2780 265/35-22 w/4.10's & th400 1:1 final drive gear @ 65mph = 3056 265/40-22 @ 30.3" w/4.10's 1:1 final drive gear @ 65mph = 2955rpm 265/40-22 w/3.73's & th400 1:1 final drive gear @ 65mph = 2689 265/45-22 @ 31.3" w/4.10's 1:1 final drive gear @ 65mph = 2861rpm 265/45-22 w/3.73's & th400 1:1 final drive gear @ 65mph = 2603 29.3" tire w/4.10's & 4l80e .75 final driver gear @ 65mph = 2292rpm 29.3" tire w/3.73's & 4l80e .75 final driver gear @ 65mph = 2085 30.3" tire w/4.10's & 4l80e .75 final driver gear @ 65mph = 2216rpm 30.3" tire w/3.73's & 4l80e .75 final driver gear @ 65mph = 2016 31.3" tire w/4.10's & 4l80e .75 final driver gear @ 65mph = 2146rpm 31.3" tire w/3.73's & 4l80e .75 final driver gear @ 65mph = 1952 A Gear Vendors OD set-up would be similar gearing behind a Th400 @ .78 vs .75 final drive ratio (the GV would be slightly higher rpm's vs the 4l80e).
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#12 |
Just here to tinker
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Location: Holland, MI
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
I daily drove my swb with T400 and gear vendors for the better part of a decade. Loved that combo.
Also your dark brown is most likely cordovan brown. Light tan might be Sante fe tan.
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78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(winter unit)https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...25#post8900725 |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Quote:
For the cost of each, I'd do a 4l80e in a CC lowered dually.
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. Last edited by SCOTI; 02-04-2022 at 07:54 PM. |
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#14 | |
Just here to tinker
![]() Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Holland, MI
Posts: 3,692
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Quote:
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78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(winter unit)https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...25#post8900725 |
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#15 | |
Senior Member
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Location: Ann Arbor, MI
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Quote:
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 389
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
yes, 454
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1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 389
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
I haven’t been on here in a while so I have some updates.
I finished this truck and it was awesome. Then my garage burnt down and took the truck with it. Not awesome. So today I bought another crew cab dually. Here are pics:
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1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Oh man!! That sucks in a big way. I hope the new one runs & has 'as good' of bones as the one you lost.
Same game plan or making changes?
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#19 |
Senior Member
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Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 517
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Geez that sucks about the fire. New one looks pretty sweet tho.
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Kitsbeach (Ken) 1967 C10 LWB (now SWB) Fleetside 6cyl Saginaw three-on-the-tree "No Frills" 1980 C20 Long to short & static drop "Square One" |
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#20 |
Senior Member
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Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 370
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
That's devastating but glad you got another one in the works!
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#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 389
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Re: 1979 3+3 GMC Dually
Quote:
Pretty much the same plan...Im going to see if I can save the 22" alcoas. Same drop. My plan was to 6.0/4l80e but this 454 runs so good I'm having second thoughts. It does need some sort of overdrive though. I'm going to see if the Gearvendors OD from the brown truck can be saved.
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