1970 dually ID questions

[marknjamie]

I just bought this truck on Sunday. It has twin hydraulic two stage cylinder dump bed with a 250 6 cyl and top loader 4 speed. It's a 1970 one ton but has C10 emblems on the fenders and what looks to me like 1968 grille trim. It also has the cab roof lights with the raised sheet metal mounts stamped into it as a tonner would. Anybody know a sure fire way to i.d. the year and series of one of these trucks? I have had a half dozen 73 to 87 GMs but this is my first 67 to 72 and I' not sure what I have. I'm suspicious that someone has changed the body at one time but everything seems to fit as it should. At first glance I was suspicious that it was a 20 because of the front wheels but they stick out past the fender an inch or so. The door tag says 10000 GVW and the VIN tag matches the title. By the way, Anybody know what years of dually wheels will fit these trucks? Thanks in advance.

[67_C-30]

Welcome to the board! Nice 1 ton!

The best way to tell if its a '70 is to check the VIN. If the 5th digit is a "0" it will be 1970 model.

1967 - "7"
1968 - "8"
1969 - "9"
1970 - "0"
1971 - "1"
1972 - "2"

I would think it is a 1970 with a '68 clip. The raised roof marker lights didn't debut until 1969, and the steering wheel that is in it is correct for 1970. As far as the wheels, any GM dually from from the 60's to about 1999 will fit, However, any wheel after 1971 had bigger lug studs than your truck will have, They still work out fine, but the lug nut seats a deeper into the rim, if that makes sense. Your's will have 1/2" studs, '71 - mid 80's will have 9/16" and mid 80's up have 14mm. I have run 90's model 16 inch 1 piece wheels on my '69 C-30 ramp truck for many years with zero ploblems, and I've had some serious weight on the at times, so I'm not scared of the later rims without changing studs. The rims seat on the hub, not the studs.

[67_C-30]

After a double-take the cluster and E-brake is '69 - up as well.

[marknjamie]

The VIN deffinately shows it to be a 1970. I didn't know about the cab lights being introduced in '69, that's good to know. I ran the engine casting numbers and shows it to be a 64 to 74 250 but I'm not sure where to find the stamped pad with the VIN on a six. Thought maybe that would give me some info as to being original to the truck (or the VIN anyway).

My wheel studs are 1/2" for sure. I noticed that early on while wondering why it has the 3/4 ton wheels on the front (they gotta go soon). I have been thinking seriously about replacing the rockers, corners and lower door skins but I want to be able to use it hard so I can't spend the time and money to make it realy nice and I will probably use Asain panels. I'm still in the early stages of what I'm going to do but I figure I should know exactly what I have before dumping any money into it. Sure runs good and drives good, the hyd. cylinders, pump, etc are in great shape too.

Arent you the guy that's building the dually in Alabama? Looking good. I was checking out all your posts/pics earlier tonight.

[marknjamie]

I also noticed the steering wheel and column is an odd color for the rest of the interior. The seat is green under the seat cover too. Maybe the wheel, column, seat and drivers door are original to the truck. Title says orange but in Iowa all you have to do is go to the courthouse to change that.

[Skirkpat]

Don't spend alot of time looking for a VIN on the block, I doubt it will have one, only passener cars got 'em back then.

Nice truck, I like the heavy "ones" myself, I have a 70 that looks alot like yours. This is a great place to find out about them.

[marknjamie]

Another thing I'm curious about is I don't see a mount for a manual choke cable or for a automatic choke stove on the manifold. I thought the manual choke cables came through a hole in the cluster under the headlamp switch. This thing is cold blooded as hell and would like to put it back to original as far as the choke goes.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by marknjamie

Arent you the guy that's building the dually in Alabama? Looking good. I was checking out all your posts/pics earlier tonight.

Yes, that's me. Thanks! I've got a big side job that I'm working, but after I finish it, I am going to jump back on hard!

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by marknjamie

Another thing I'm curious about is I don't see a mount for a manual choke cable or for a automatic choke stove on the manifold. I thought the manual choke cables came through a hole in the cluster under the headlamp switch. This thing is cold blooded as hell and would like to put it back to original as far as the choke goes.

'70 would have been auto choke. '68 was the last year of the manual. It is possible to could be an older engine if it doesn't have it, or it cpuld have been removed. On 67 - 68's it would have been mounted where your wiper switch is. The H/L and wiper switches are both on the left side on them. You could always add a manual choke.

[marknjamie]

I'll bet it's a 68 or earlier engine than because there's no sign of an auto choke setup anywere on eigther manifold and the cluster is marked "wiper" instead of choke. I think I have a manual choke cable around here that I'll throw on it. I sure would like it to look original but it's probably not going to happen.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by marknjamie

I'll bet it's a 68 or earlier engine than because there's no sign of an auto choke setup anywere on eigther manifold and the cluster is marked "wiper" instead of choke. I think I have a manual choke cable around here that I'll throw on it. I sure would like it to look original but it's probably not going to happen.

It would be a little trouble, but you could get a 67 - '68 cluster and move the wiper switch to the left side of the cluster and put the choke where your wiper switch is now. It wouldn't be original to 1970, but it would match the '69 front clip.

[marknjamie]

Someone drilled a hole in the dash for a toggle switch to run the heater blower motor. I'll probably fix the heater switch and then run a choke cable through the existing hole. If I end up completely re-doing the truck I'll make it correct later on. Anyone know where to find roof lights that will closely match the originals? All five lenses are broken on this truck. I found the 73 and up "Signal Stat fireman helmet" style lights that will work but I would rather replace them with something more accurate for a 1970. Eighter way I plan to replace them soon.

By the way you guys are realy helpfull, I appreciate all your replies. It has been very interesting reading all the posts about these trucks and all the little things to look for to identify the year, model, etc. Thanks.

[nuke1]

welcome from saskatchewan canada, and it sure is nice to see those big haulers getting worked on also.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by marknjamie

Someone drilled a hole in the dash for a toggle switch to run the heater blower motor. I'll probably fix the heater switch and then run a choke cable through the existing hole. If I end up completely re-doing the truck I'll make it correct later on. Anyone know where to find roof lights that will closely match the originals? All five lenses are broken on this truck. I found the 73 and up "Signal Stat fireman helmet" style lights that will work but I would rather replace them with something more accurate for a 1970. Eighter way I plan to replace them soon.

The hockey puck lights aren't available reproduction at this time. The '71 - '72's came with "fireman helmet" style, so they really aren't out of place on this body style, but they aren't correct for '70. I gave up looking for them, and ended putting the later style on my '69, and they fit perfectly. Longhorn Man found some lights at some point he used and they looked very similiar to hockey puck lights. I forget what they were for, but you could PM him and he could tell what he used.

Originally Posted by marknjamie

By the way you guys are realy helpfull, I appreciate all your replies. It has been very interesting reading all the posts about these trucks and all the little things to look for to identify the year, model, etc. Thanks.

We're just a bunch of truck nuts, and the collective knowledge on this board is amazing. I have a fleet of these trucks, and I'm still learning new stuff all the time from these guys!

[marknjamie]

Hey guys, another question. After I brought this truck home I checked and replaced all the burned out bulbs and noticed the park lights on the front fenders were not lights, just reflectors. There is no place to insert a bulb socket and there's no wiring for any lights that used to exist. You can tell by looking at the lense that there is a spot for what looks like the traditional GM 194 bulb socket to fasten into but the hole was never punched out when they assembled it. Was a park light an option on the high end trucks and a reflector for the stripped down models? I thought this was kind of wierd and wanted to know more about it. Thanks again. (By the way, ordered rockers and cab corners for it Friday.)

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by marknjamie

Hey guys, another question. After I brought this truck home I checked and replaced all the burned out bulbs and noticed the park lights on the front fenders were not lights, just reflectors. There is no place to insert a bulb socket and there's no wiring for any lights that used to exist. You can tell by looking at the lense that there is a spot for what looks like the traditional GM 194 bulb socket to fasten into but the hole was never punched out when they assembled it. Was a park light an option on the high end trucks and a reflector for the stripped down models? I thought this was kind of wierd and wanted to know more about it. Thanks again. (By the way, ordered rockers and cab corners for it Friday.)

IIRC, The 68's just had reflectors and think functional lights were optional in '69 and '70. I know all '71 - 71's had lights in them. Most people just wire them into the parking light wiring, and get the lenses that have the place for a bulb. You are correct that they do use 194 bulbs.

Be sure to pics when you do the rockers and cab corners! (We're all pic whores around here!)

[marknjamie]

Hi fellers. Thought I would post a quick update pic. Rollin on buds with bias plys in front now (old school). Has anyone ever used the heater control rebuild kits and are they decent or junk? I'm also curious what is supposed to hold my dome light in place. I'ts now working but hanging by it's wires. Looks like it needs a couple togle bolts, something is definately missing.