It begged me to bring it home: '69 C30 Dump Truck

[arkracing]

So after some debating in my mind, I decided I couldn't live without this thing.

Problem is that now that I have it, I'm not sure what route I want to take it in. Maybe you guys can help me decide.

Cab is pretty rough - well really rough, but it has factory raised cab light mounts (might save to roof for a K20)

Dump body isn't too bad, other than the floor. The truck was on a dairy farm for a while, and the cow crap & other farm stuff wasn't to kind. I can replace the floor, as I've replaced them before (living in New England, we have that sort of problem)

Currently it is a 307/4speed, not sure on the rear end. Option sheet is pretty faded.


So the dilemma - has to have disc brakes (so 73+ crossmember etc.)
But I really want to do a K30 conversion with it - problem is I don't really NEED a K30 dump truck. Problem #2, I have to drive up a lot of hills @ speeds of 50ish mph, so power is needed.

So, I also have an '99 (iron headed....yeh I have some 317's I can swap onto it) 6.0 truck and a couple of 4l80e's (2wd & 4wd). 4x4 becomes a problem because it is not that easy to get a passenger drop t.case that fits a 4L80. If I go that route, I would have to change the dump to electric/hyd.


To many options/decisions can make a guy crazy. What would you do?

oh yeah suppose you want to see my junk. I love the profile on this thing, the way the head board side match the back of the cab

[flashed]

I like it .

[LockDoc]

-
Good deal! I use my C-30 flatbed a lot, unfortunately it doesn't have a hoist on it. If any of the cab light lenses need replaced on it here is a thread I posted on substitutes for them.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=598129

Original hockey puck lenses are very hard to find.

LockDoc

[Alex V.]

I can see why you wantes to save it, even if it is kinda homely. I hate to say it, but with the desire for 4WD and disk brakes are you better off to put the bodies and all other equipment on a 90's/2000's K2500 chassis? Vortec 454 would have that thing well under control.

[68panelman]

I like it, right up my alley. There's a guy back home on LI with a identical truck in 505 green restored.

[D.PASSMORE]

I did the same thing recently '70 C30 dump truck, but I need to move some dirt and other landscape material. Unfortunately, this one needs a major mechanical and electrical overhaul. Collected just about every thing I need, gonna start next month...

Good luck!

[midniteblues]

It is a good looking dump bed.
i looked at a few of them for mine but cant say i saw one excatly like that.
i decided too keep the oe(trashed)bed with the twin dump cly.for now and eventually put a 8' stepper on it.

Seems that the 4x4 converstion is pretty popular swap on the 1tons anymore. I dig them all.

Congrates on your purchase.

[arkracing]

Thanks for all the responses (especially locdoc with the cab light lens idea)


Anyway, still not sure what direction to go with it. - Choices Choices, maybe I'll work on restoring the dump floor while I decide. I'm not keen on the chassis swap idea, I would rather disc brake this one with either 2wd or convert to 4x4 (which I believe is the only correct way to do it...and I think specialK along with others would agree)


I found a couple tags on the dumpbody. one was on the dump itself and it said "PROBCO" = providence body company. which would make sense as the truck was in CT and now it's back at my shop in Rhode Island.

The other tag was "Garwood" and that tag was on the dump frame. Possible that Garwood made the frame structure, with the piston & hyd. & PROBCO built & installed the body?

Or did maybe Garwood built the whole thing and PROBCO was just the dealer/installer?

PS - Digging DPassmore's truck. Wish the sheetmetal on this one was that good - I'd much rather deal with mechanical & electrical issues than rot.

I was also reading a thread last week on someone doing a 4x4 conversion to a dually flatbed (he bought a brand new aluminum bed) I think he also had some cummins swap project. I lost the thread and can't seem to find it, if anyway knows where it is, a link would be greatly appreciated

[old Chevy guy]

Cool truck. Yea lots of options. If you keep it 2 wheel the disk brake swap is easy. You can just swap the spindles and stuff from a 73 and up c30 or even a g30. I did mine and it was simple no need to swap the crossmember and you can bolt the rotors for the bud wheels direct on to the newer spindle and they are still available new from the zone and advanced. Jeffs Bow tie was doing that conversation tread you asked about. I don't know how to post links but search for " just picked up this 68 c30 and you will find it. That what I would like to to do is stock with the 4x4 conversion and you get the disk brakes too. Where are you located ,If you have a shop in RI and live in Ct you must be fairly close to me in Foster RI. Hey D.Passmore I saw your truck picture and thought I posted my truck in this thread.

[davepl]

How are the hydraulics powered on these units? I can't imagine the power steering pump has enough flow/pressure to run a big ram, but maybe it does, I have no idea.

Separate belt-driven pump? PTO-driven pump?

[57Suburb]

If OPs is like mine, it uses a electric servo powered hydro pump mounted at the fluid tank. Pretty common for this era trucks.

[arkracing]

My shop is in Coventry, RI. Yes we are very close, drive through foster daily for my commute.

Dump body on mine is driven by a PTO pump ( works off the transmission)
I'll convert it over to elect over hyd if I do the automatic route.

[old Chevy guy]

I didn't see your avatar before. Yea I've been to your shop and I think you came to my house before to look at a square body cab is was selling. My son and his buddy bought that s10 cab from you a few years back. Let me know if you decide to get rid of that truck instead of fixing it I might be interest.

[arkracing]

Originally Posted by old Chevy guy

I didn't see your avatar before. Yea I've been to your shop and I think you came to my house before to look at a square body cab is was selling. My son and his buddy bought that s10 cab from you a few years back. Let me know if you decide to get rid of that truck instead of fixing it I might be interest.

Yep I remember....the barn/garage in your picture did look familiar to me. That was quite a while ago, probably about 8 years or so. I've moved from that old mill building a couple miles down the road closer to town, with a much bigger garage. Actually it was on the news about 1.5 months ago (the big structure fire where the asbestos dumpster caught on fire). I lost several vehicles. Luckily it wasn't my main shop, but a storage building.

Anyway as for right now I actually plan to try to do something with this truck. I kind of dig it for some crazy reason, and have some stupid ideas for it. Hopefully I can make it happen.

I might be interested in a cab for this one that is a little better than mine. I have rot issues high on the kick panels where the vents are. If you know of any guys around with parts for these trucks, let me know.


Did you use '73+ cab clearance lights on yours?