Newb questions

[UKNOWME]

Although I will be new to the 60-66 world I am not at all new to this forum. I’m am 99% certain I’m have acquired a 1961 c30 dually. I’m having a hard time finding the info I’m looking for...
Does anyone manufacture replacement dually fenders?
Does anyone manufacture lowering kits?
I have searched and don’t seem to find anything.
I’m excited to begin working on this truck! Thanks for any advice and direction!

[UKNOWME]

I would like to bag it but not sure how feasible that will be.

[PGSigns]

Post some pictures so we can see what you are working with.
Jimmy

[andyh1956]

Yeah a C30 should be a Cab & Chassis with a work body of some type on it. That I know of they didn't build Dually trucks for about 15 more years.

[UKNOWME]

Be warned, it’s rough!

[Lil Loafer]

What are your plans, other than lowering it?

[UKNOWME]

Not sure yet. So many ideas....
The engine doesn’t run right now. No idea about the trans.
1 idea was to leave it ratted out but lower or bag it on 20” 8 lugs or even 22” semis. Get the 6 cylinder running. Reupholster the seat. Make a stake flat bed.
Option 2 includes a dually bed and maybe some bodywork.
Option 3 is to do any LS swap
Option 4 is make it a shortbed possibly try to convert to 1/2 suspension.
It really is endless

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by andyh1956

Yeah a C30 should be a Cab & Chassis with a work body of some type on it. That I know of they didn't build Dually trucks for about 15 more years.

Cab and chassis with a dual rear wheel? Or are you saying CHEVROLET didn’t use dual rear wheels at all until around 75?

[Captainfab]

The factory dually bed with the fender extensions did not happen until '73. Prior to that a C30 was either a cab and chassis with duals on the rear or single rear wheels with a stepside or fleetside bed

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Cab and chassis with a dual rear wheel? Or are you saying CHEVROLET didn’t use dual rear wheels at all until around 75?

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The factory dually bed with the fender extensions did not happen until '73. Prior to that a C30 was either a cab and chassis with duals on the rear or single rear wheels with a stepside or fleetside bed

Ok that makes sense. So it was for sure a cab and chassis. Do you know if the cab and chassis has the same wheelbase as a longbed?

[UKNOWME]

I’m looking at doing a 73-87 front crossmember swap to gain the newer suspension, disc brakes and power steering. Anyone see any issues with that?

[Captainfab]

No, nothing wrong with that. That is what I started doing back in the early '80's. Now days most people want dropped spindles and springs and don't want to change the crossmember. There are more options now than back when I started doing the swap, but those options do cost more money.

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

I’m looking at doing a 73-87 front crossmember swap to gain the newer suspension, disc brakes and power steering. Anyone see any issues with that?

[UKNOWME]

I’m ok with that too but where do I get spindles and springs? This c30 has torsion bars also.

[Captainfab]

Sorry I didn't go back and look at what you are working on. A crossmember swap would be the best IMO. I don't think you can put the '60-'62 dropped spindles on a '61 C30. I was mainly talking about other people in general that want dropped spindles and springs for their trucks..

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

I’m ok with that too but where do I get spindles and springs? This c30 has torsion bars also.

[UKNOWME]

Anyone know if the 61 apache 30 frame is the same specs on the rear as a 1963-66 c30? I was looking at some 4 link setups and they start at 1963.

[duallydude63]

if U want to do a stepside U will have to have the fenders extended out( on mine i had them extended out four inches) am doing a 63 dually if U google 6o/66 dually there a guy that did a blue one some yrs ago!!

[UKNOWME]

Here’s kinda what I’m looking at if I do a fleetside.

[UKNOWME]

Kinda put the cart ahead of the horse considering I still have to file for a lost title and have it towed from my friends house but I picked up a pair of these yesterday.

[joe dirt]

nice score, that grill looks to be in near perfect shape...the 61 insert is hard to come by in good shape...hood looks good too

[Clyde65]

Before I spend a dime, get the title worked out. Then go for it!

[raidmagic]

You posted my idea before I saw the thread. Fleetside bed with stepside fenders for dually action.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by raidmagic

You posted my idea before I saw the thread. Fleetside bed with stepside fenders for dually action.

I’m sure it’s gonna be way harder than it looks

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by joe dirt

nice score, that grill looks to be in near perfect shape...the 61 insert is hard to come by in good shape...hood looks good too

Thanks! Hood is my least favorite part of the truck.

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Before I spend a dime, get the title worked out. Then go for it!

Yeah I need to work on that this week.

[Captainfab]

Since your truck is a C30 with leaf springs, and in looking at the pics, I would say that the frame should be about 34" wide from a little behind the back of the cab rearward. So yes the frame should be basically the same width as a '63-'72 frame. Bit at the same time yours will have a different profile since it is designed for leaf springs. So any rear suspension 'kit' for a '63-'73 will not be an exact bolt in. I'm not sure if a kit for a '73-'87 would be a better fit or not. Some measuring would be necessary.

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Anyone know if the 61 apache 30 frame is the same specs on the rear as a 1963-66 c30? I was looking at some 4 link setups and they start at 1963.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Since your truck is a C30 with leaf springs, and in looking at the pics, I would say that the frame should be about 34" wide from a little behind the back of the cab rearward. So yes the frame should be basically the same width as a '63-'72 frame. Bit at the same time yours will have a different profile since it is designed for leaf springs. So any rear suspension 'kit' for a '63-'73 will not be an exact bolt in. I'm not sure if a kit for a '73-'87 would be a better fit or not. Some measuring would be necessary.

Thanks for the suggestions Captainfab! I may try an inexpensive option first and use a flip kit for a 73-87 c30 first.
And actually that 4 link I was looking at will fit all the way to the end of the squarebody so it would probably be the same.