83 K30,Yet another one followed me home ...

[GM72K10]

Never had one of these. 83 K30 dually, 4:10 rears, 350 stick, 41,000 original miles, former state of Pa. truck. Now maybe I can convert my M1028a1 into a M1028a2!

[old Rusty C10]

nice truck but please dont tell me youre parting that out!

[GM72K10]

shhh.....OK I won't (has frame issues)

[K30_dump]

Hello,

Looks like it has decent tires, want to sell or trade? I am in the process of building an '80 K30 dump truck and could use a good set (preferably 235/8516's). Anyway, let me know.

Joe S.

[GM72K10]

This Truck has Goodyear 7:50X16LTs on it, bias ply. My 88 R30 Dump had LT215/85R16s, 235s tend to rub (the duals) under a heavy load.

[K30_dump]

Hello again,

Thanks for the reply. Do you want to part with them? I am in northcentral PA and have a lot of 73-87 Chevy truck parts. Trades?

Thanks,

Joe S.

[GM72K10]

Don't want to part with the tires at the moment. What are you making your dump out of?

[K30_dump]

Hello again,

Long story actually. It all started when I planned to swap my '78 K10 to 3/4 ton. I removed the bed and found the frame rotting in the rear and began to look for a good frame. I stumbled upon an '80 K30 dump sitting in the weeds and inquired about it (I always wanted a T-tag dump, but was only going with the 3/4 ton swap for now). The Dana 60 was missing and the owner wanted the 14 bolt back. He sold me the truck for $100 (complete with heavy duty Loadhandler dump bed, 7-10 ton scissor hoist, 350, SM465/205). I temporarily bolted another 14 bolt under the rear to drag it home. I was planning to use the drivetrain out of my K10 (350/TH350/205) and swap in a single wheel 14 bolt and Dana 44 HD up front (keeping it single wheel). It also had a nearly perfect frame.

I then found an '84 K30 ambulance chassis in the local paper for $1200 (only 38k miles; good running 454, TH400/205, Dana 60 and 14 bolt dually). I spoke with the owner and took it home for only $600! He wanted the Turbo 400 and 205 back, so I took it for half price. The Dana 60 and engine are in like new condition. Even with the low miles, I replaced the kingpins and bushings, u-joints, backing plates, and hubs. I also added a gov. lock to the 14 bolt. Both have 3.73 gears.

Long story short, it's a 1980 K30 frame w/ an '84 cab, engine, and axles. I'm running Rancho add-a-leafs in both the front and rear, for a total of 11 primary leaves and 5 overload/helper leaves on each side in the rear (main helper is also one of the later single leaf helpers, so it's extra thick). I am now planning to use a Turbo 400 (I recently found a TH400 version of the 205 for FREE (including the adaptor) and plan to use a TH400 I have already laying around). I will use a '79 front clip (always liked the round headlights better). I've replaced the entire cab floor in the last two weeks and plan to do the rockers and cab corners soon.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. Let me know if you change your mind about those tires.

Joe S.

[fun in dirt]

Cool find! Those trucks are super tough & can go anywhere they can squeeze in. We had one but had to make it 4wd ourself.

[GM72K10]

So Joe, would that mean that you have an extra good 84 K30 bare frame? If by some chance I parted with these tires and wheels I would need something to put back on it. What do you have? thanks
GM

[K30_dump]

Hello again,

I was planning to keep the extra frame (mine was broken in one spot and repaired; done well, but it still scares me some times). Anyway, the one I'm using is perfect otherwise. What's going on with the frame on yours (you said it has frame issues)? The frame from my '84 is about as good as you're going to find, and I would part with it if the deal was right. Anyway, back on track. I have a set of 6 General 235/85R16s with low tread (they're otherwise good; no patches, holes etc and they would still pass PA inspection). I just wanted something with a little better tread for plowing (I have a 7.5 foot Meyer power angle plow for the truck also). What kind of tread is left on those? What is the diameter of those tires? I also have my 6 dually rims with 215/85R16's on them. Two of those are Cooper Discoverer's and are nearly brand new. The other four are Goodyears, with only one not holding air. Anyway, I'm near Williamsport and would like to work something out if they are in really good shape. Let me know.

Joe S.

[GM72K10]

Turns out my yellow K30 was used to haul salt, and the frame is really deteriorated behind the trans cross support. Its a shame because it runs great, has all the meyer plow stuff except the blade, etc. And the tires on it are 80% or better and they all match. Cab and front end are in really good shape for the age too. Interior, seat,dash, door panels all in good shape. Truck cost a little too much to become a parts truck yet.

[68GMC454]

cool truck.. i would like to find a 4x4 dually...after working on my lowered one, and havign to jack it up just to get under it, i want a normal; truck to work under..lol

[trickyricky]

would you be interested in selling i have 84 k30 frame and would like to build another dually