Factory 1/2 ton dually???

[Wulfaz]

I recently was given a 1970 Chevy pickup from a family member. I am trying to figure out exactly what I now have. It has a 350 motor and is a dually (with the extra wheels going under the bed, Not sticking out the side of the truck). But according to the VIN number it is a half ton. It also has a gooseneck ball in the bed.

Did chevy make a factory 1/2 dually or did somebody do this aftermarket? Also would a 1/2 ton frame even be able to handle a gooseneck trailer?

[El Dorado Jim]

pictures? and welcome to the forum...

[uncle]

Probably had a cab swap.

[special-K]

Welcome to the board! Yes, pictures would help. Is it a 6-lug or 8-lug? I wonder if the cab wasn't swapped from a 1/2t onto a 1t chassis. If the wheels don't stick out it must be a factory C/30 DRW cab & chassis model. Any other factory rear would put the extra tires out past the the other tire.

No, GM never made a 1/2t dual rear truck. But, they did make a 3/4t cab & chassis. You can't tell one from a 1t till you look at the VIN or take a closer look. Both are 8-lug

[Wulfaz]

Here are a few pictures. I haven't had a chance to clean the truck up yet.

[Ol Blue K20]

I would say someone built that. It looks to have 1 ton front end and the rear inner fenders have been widened. I'm not sure about which frame it has under it. More pics please. I like it, nice truck.

[yuccales]

That is one cool, beefy looking rig! Home made, yes. Well done,yes.

[67swb72klb]

Research the VIN# and the frame numbers too there is a partial number on the frame on top by the steering box... Nice truck!

[weq92f]

Didn't come from the factory like that! Very likely somebody built that specifically for some working purpose.

-klb

[custom10nut]

Cool truck!
Carefully pull that dent, shine it up, and run!
Sit it out in the sun sun, use suction cup pullers and a rubber mallet, and that dent should come out easy.

[El Dorado Jim]

definitely a custom built rig,very nice! all 1 ton running gear

[James the III]

Dig it..

if not going to use it as a dually..
put micky steam rollers on the back..

[RGT]

Very cool truck

[jondancer]

I want that , do you still own it ?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by jondancer

I want that , do you still own it ?

He hasn't been on the board since 2017, shortly after he posted this.

[Palf70Step]

It probably was a cab/chassis style frame and some one added the longhorn bed and cab setup. A few folks did that years ago on here. I almost bought one..

[tdangle]

My guess is that it was a cab/chassis model that had a camper/motorhome on it. Someone took it off and then swapped cabs since the back of the cab was cut open. I like the look, especially with the widened tubs in the back. You can verify if the cab vin matches the frame vin, the frame has the last few numbers of the vin on the drivers side top of the frame right behind the motor mounts

[factorystock]

Old thread, but interesting. It appears somebody had the big dually idea before 1973. Chevy toyed with the idea for the '72 model year, GM artist rendition shown, but it never materialized.

[CG]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Old thread, but interesting. It appears somebody had the big dually idea before 1973. Chevy toyed with the idea for the '72 model year, GM artist rendition shown, but it never materialized.

Right click ... save. Cant believe Ive never seen that pic before, thanks.

[hugger6933]

Not a longhorn bed werent they all wood floors?[ Floorboards] I thought all of the longhorns had a visible seam and wood floor I need on for my one ton sitting at my shop I have a pair of step side fenders I was gonna make a dually type bed for it but it hasnt happened yet. Oh by the way, nice four eyes. Jim

[special-K]

Either it's the whole 1/2t with the 1t axle and front end swapped under or it's a 1t chassis that was shortened to 127" WB. I think it's the first choice. Can you see evidence of the frame being cut and welded? EDIT: Oops. Forgot this is an old thread.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by special-K

they did make a 3/4t cab & chassis.

Yes, kind of a rare configuration, introduced in '63, disappeared somewhere after '68? Anyway, IMO, it is a regular C 20 which the previous owner added front adapter hub off a C 30, and threw some duals on back of the standard narrow C 20 axle, hence extra wide inner fender tubs for clearance. Wondering if it was done for show or if someone did it for extra stability when towing or hauling something. We'll never know, but it's an interesting concept, and not something you see everyday. Note photo is a '63 C 20 with coil rear end.

[CG]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Yes, kind of a rare configuration, introduced in '63, disappeared somewhere after '68? Anyway, IMO, it is a regular C 20 which the previous owner added front adapter hub off a C 30, and threw some duals on back of the standard narrow C 20 axle, hence extra wide inner fender tubs for clearance. Wondering if it was done for show or if someone did it for extra stability when towing or hauling something. We'll never know, but it's an interesting concept, and not something you see everyday. Note photo is a '63 C 20 with coil rear end.

On my 71 C30 factory duals if I wanted to put a box on it it will require widening the bed tubs and the outside tire will stick out just a tad past the fender lip.

[mr48chev]

It looks like the OP was only on here for 2 days in 2017.

I have to agree that it is a 1/2 ton long bed truck that someone hung 1 ton running gear under. The front end is just unbolt and bolt The rear axle would have to be narrowed to put the dual wheels inside the fenders.
I've seen guys go both ways between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton running gear under 67/72 trucks. The 3/4 to 1/2 ton because he had a great looking 3/4 ton and wanted to run 5 lug wheels and the 1/2 to 3/4 because he had a camper that was too heavy for the 1/2 ton and his buddy had a banged up 3/4 the same year with good running gear and springs.
They did that one in a weekend and it turned out pretty nice.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Yes, kind of a rare configuration, introduced in '63, disappeared somewhere after '68? Anyway, IMO, it is a regular C 20 which the previous owner added front adapter hub off a C 30, and threw some duals on back of the standard narrow C 20 axle, hence extra wide inner fender tubs for clearance. Wondering if it was done for show or if someone did it for extra stability when towing or hauling something. We'll never know, but it's an interesting concept, and not something you see everyday. Note photo is a '63 C 20 with coil rear end.

Now that is some good stuff; that’s the first I’ve ever seen this documented