Guess I'll finally post - searching for CCSB!

[mikev]

Um, hi. I'm Mike.

Yes, I know there were never CCSBs made. I grew up driving my Dad's 86 regular cab shortbed, and I always said if I had the chance I would love to have another one of my own. With a family of 4 the regular cab isn't exactly practical though, and after seeing the short bed crew cabs my mind was made up fairly quickly. I've been lurking here for awhile now and finally am getting serious about finding a square body to make my own.

I've been scouring searchtempest looking for the right crew cab to start with. Ideally I'd like to find a 73-75 (no smog!) 2 wheel drive SRW that doesn't need much bodywork.

The closest I've found so far is a 1991. 350, 2wd, auto, SRW, but the paint is in pretty bad shape. I've yet to find a 73-75 that isn't a dually, and the one that I found that was in nice condition had a 6.2 diesel and TH400 swap. It's interesting, but I don't know a thing about diesels -- I guess the mileage would be improved over a small block in a 1-ton though, huh?

Anyway I hope to have something relatively soon so that I can start a build thread of my own.

[Sillyoldman]

[mikev]

So anyway here are the trucks I'm looking at:

91 Crew Cab

1990 Dually

86 Dually

Of those, I tend to lean towards the 91.

Then there was this 74 that's intriguing, but it's the one that was swapped to the 6.2/TH400: 74 C30

I'm just not confident enough in my skills with a diesel and I'm pretty sure that isn't from the factory that way.

[gmech]

Welcome to the family!! Lucky and unlucky I quess being in Cali. Here in Michigan we dont have to worry about smog... Yet! But to get a decent truck you've got to travel far or get lucky. Looks like you've got alot to choose from. Short of being concerned about a diesel, I'd go back to the basics. Look for the best foundation to start with. Good luck.

[meter swinger]

Originally Posted by mikev

So anyway here are the trucks I'm looking at:

91 Crew Cab

1990 Dually

86 Dually

Of those, I tend to lean towards the 91.

Then there was this 74 that's intriguing, but it's the one that was swapped to the 6.2/TH400: 74 C30

I'm just not confident enough in my skills with a diesel and I'm pretty sure that isn't from the factory that way.

mechanically the dually sounds like the best deal. With a gear vendors on it id be looking at it real hard. Pick up a worn out half ton down the road and start swaping.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Corts60]

Gear Vendors are definitely worth a ton of money. I love mine!

[joe231]

6.2's are super basic...
easier than a carbed small block even and it will get better mileage...
I'm a bit biased though

[mikev]

Originally Posted by joe231

6.2's are super basic...
easier than a carbed small block even and it will get better mileage...
I'm a bit biased though

Yours is one of the trucks that convinced me to start my search

[joe231]

Originally Posted by mikev

Yours is one of the trucks that convinced me to start my search

my CCSB i assume?

[mikev]

Originally Posted by joe231

my CCSB i assume?

Yessir!

Granted I'm only in my early 30s but I still remember the day I turned 16 and got my license, and got to drive my dad's 86. I loved that friggin truck. Black on black, a 305/700r4, and a set of Enkei wheels with 31s

That dually with the 6.2 swap (I assume it's a swap, they didn't have the 6.2 available in 74 right?) -- even with the Banks setup it would get better mileage than a gasser?

[joe231]

My dad had a sweet shortbed K10 when I was in elementary school.
All I remember is how badass it was in the snow and I have been in love with the squares every since

Yeah, depending on gearing, in that truck I would guess a carb'd BBC would get less than 10mpg, a carb'd SBC might get @11-12mpg, and the 6.2 should get close to 18mpg or better. Diesel is higher but that is 50% better mileage with 15-20% higher fuel cost. So @30% less fuel costs...
And the power with the banks should be nice. Throw some propane on it and it will be even more efficient and most likely boost the mileage.

Just buy that one and pull the banks kit off and send it to me C.O.D.
I'll gladly pay shipping!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[mikev]

Hm.

AND it's a pre-smog year anyway.

I may have to get some more details on it and how many miles are on the motor

[cory d]

personally i would go with the 91 or the 74, tough choice. the 74 looks pretty dang good as is but the 91 looks like a fun project and it gives you 1,500 to put into it. or find some one to swap beds/axles with on the 74 (probably wouldnt take too long) and get the truck you want

[mikev]

The diesel was a swap though, right?

Wonder why he went with a turbo 400 and not something with overdrive.

[Pro Performance]

I would do the 74, plus you can always swap back to a big block or small block if you wanted. But personally, I think the Diesel is sweet, and it already has the Banks turbo kit on it. Originally, the 6.2's, were non turbo.

The 74 looks clean, and no worries on smog. You can do whatever you want with it. Seems like the best overall. No smog, clean body.

[joe231]

Yeah it had to be swapped in.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mikev]

Sounds good.

Is the swap a fairly bolt-in job? Anything in particular that one would look for to show it was done well or not?

[joe231]

Yeah it's pretty much a bolt in deal.
I'd make sure it has the extra wide diesel radiator.
Just look at the overall appearance. Are the wiring and fuel lines neat?
Does anything look sloppy?
I'd also check the title to make sure they didn't convert a newer truck over to the '74 styling.
And if you decide to swap to a gasser, keep me in mind for the banks turbo set up

Posted via Mobile Device

[SCOTI]

I'd go the 74 as the 1st choice in CA. No smog hassles....

[ghettoluxury]

I like the 74 but not a fan of diesels. It is the nicest one of them, but the 91 should have an over drive tranny and is closer to what you are looking for if you want a project. The 91 front end is hard to come by and can be sold easily or an even trade for a 70's clip. It is not that hard to back date to the 70's front end I just did it on my 88 crew the hardest part was gringing off the rivits for the core support mounts.

Here is my crew before and currently.

[mikev]

I've never been a diesel guy either, but the 74 being pre-smog is a really big deal for California.

[ghettoluxury]

In Ohio we don't have that problem. I could run open headers down the road and have the cops wave as I passed.

[customisaak]

Originally Posted by ghettoluxury

In Ohio we don't have that problem. I could run open headers down the road and have the cops wave as I passed.

so you do that too! lol here in alberta there are no smog rules, i even pull my cc 1 ton with my 1/2 ton. Can't overload a half ton lol

and i like the 74 too!

[mikev]

Here is another potential starter.

I'm really turned off by the 454/400 combo though. I might be a ninny or something, but 8mpg just isn't something I'm willing to accept for my daily driver.

and here is another pre-75 no smog required crew, but again it's a 454 and I'm guessing that "4 speed" = manual tranny.

[joe231]

Did you look at the diesel?