71 C30 Dually 3/4 Drop - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JKarow08 · 12-07-2018, 11:59 AM

Hello fellow Action Line aficionados!

I finally found my dream truck, a 71 C30 Dually flatbed, and I'm starting the fun process of fixing her up and making her my own. I like to replace everything all at once while I have it torn apart so I'm starting with a brake and suspension overhaul. I'd like to lower it a little bit while I'm at it but I'm having some trouble figuring out the rear. This truck will be used on my farm (Organic hops) and for towing my rally car with a camper on the flatbed so I don't want to lower it too much or lose any payload (rated at 14k). I think I've settled on a 3/4 drop and the front is easy as 3" drop spindles are available for my year/model. The rear is where I'm having a little trouble. The simple solution would be a 4" hanger/shackle combo but I can only find them for 73 and newer trucks. Another option would be lowering leaf springs but I can only find them for c10's in that year and I'm assuming they wont fit and will be undersprung. Someday I would like to bag it but that is much pricier and I'd prefer to put that cash into other projects right now but still get my girl riding and driving how I want in the mean time. If anyone has a solution for my conundrum I would love to hear and would happily repay the favor with a fine WI microbrew if you're ever traveling through these parts. Thanks in advance for the help! Here is a pic of my new baby...

-Josh

hugger6933 · 12-07-2018, 06:36 PM

Welcome form all of us. Great truck I have in my shop right now a 71 C-30 that I bought back in 15 and have not yet worked on I bought it a charity auction and have just let it sit until this week. I am just gonna get it running and driving again replace the primered hood with the correct year[had a 69-70 with the emblem] and cowl panel I have them painted did that the other day. So I'm in there with ya. I would check into having your spring de-arched. I think there is a place that can re arch or in your case de arch them pretty resonable. Good luck Jim

demian5 · 12-07-2018, 08:22 PM

Check these out.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=659311

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=570136

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661888

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=642273

Sounds like you are in for a later model front cross member and front suspension swap.

**rustytruck50** · 12-07-2018, 09:19 PM

Welcome...Nice clean truck!!!
Tuned in!

**68bowtie** · 12-07-2018, 09:48 PM

Cool truck!

JKarow08 · 12-07-2018, 10:28 PM

Thanks for the welcome and info! I did a little more digging into dearching today and I think I found a couple of local shops that might be able to help. I'm going to call around on Monday. I had looked into dearching before but it definitely seems to be a dying art and good info and shops that still do it are hard to find. As far as the front is concerned, Switch and Western Chassis list 3" drop spindles for 71 and up c30's. I have also read that 73 and up spindles bolt on to 71-72 as long as you use the accompanying rotors and calipers (which I'm replacing anyway). I've got a long list of upgrades that I'm planning after the brake/suspension upgrade including a new pump for the dump bed, west coast seniors, wheel powder coating, new bench seat, replacement cab lights, and eventually an LS under the hood. I'll keep the pictures coming as she starts to take shape. Thanks again for the help!

12-07-2018, 11:59 AM	#1
JKarow08 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Adams WI Posts: 6	71 C30 Dually 3/4 Drop Hello fellow Action Line aficionados! I finally found my dream truck, a 71 C30 Dually flatbed, and I'm starting the fun process of fixing her up and making her my own. I like to replace everything all at once while I have it torn apart so I'm starting with a brake and suspension overhaul. I'd like to lower it a little bit while I'm at it but I'm having some trouble figuring out the rear. This truck will be used on my farm (Organic hops) and for towing my rally car with a camper on the flatbed so I don't want to lower it too much or lose any payload (rated at 14k). I think I've settled on a 3/4 drop and the front is easy as 3" drop spindles are available for my year/model. The rear is where I'm having a little trouble. The simple solution would be a 4" hanger/shackle combo but I can only find them for 73 and newer trucks. Another option would be lowering leaf springs but I can only find them for c10's in that year and I'm assuming they wont fit and will be undersprung. Someday I would like to bag it but that is much pricier and I'd prefer to put that cash into other projects right now but still get my girl riding and driving how I want in the mean time. If anyone has a solution for my conundrum I would love to hear and would happily repay the favor with a fine WI microbrew if you're ever traveling through these parts. Thanks in advance for the help! Here is a pic of my new baby... -Josh Attached Images

12-07-2018, 06:36 PM	#2
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: 71 C30 Dually 3/4 Drop Welcome form all of us. Great truck I have in my shop right now a 71 C-30 that I bought back in 15 and have not yet worked on I bought it a charity auction and have just let it sit until this week. I am just gonna get it running and driving again replace the primered hood with the correct year[had a 69-70 with the emblem] and cowl panel I have them painted did that the other day. So I'm in there with ya. I would check into having your spring de-arched. I think there is a place that can re arch or in your case de arch them pretty resonable. Good luck Jim

12-07-2018, 08:22 PM	#3
demian5 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,177	Re: 71 C30 Dually 3/4 Drop Check these out. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=659311 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=570136 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661888 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=642273 Sounds like you are in for a later model front cross member and front suspension swap. __________________ "Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC

12-07-2018, 09:19 PM	#4
rustytruck50 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Papillion, Ne Posts: 897	Re: 71 C30 Dually 3/4 Drop Welcome...Nice clean truck!!! Tuned in! __________________ -Doug '05 RCSB Sierra 2WD '71 Sierra 2WD Longbed '98 Silverado K1500 Xcab...sold '72 Highlander"Raymond"...sold

12-07-2018, 09:48 PM	#5
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,795	Re: 71 C30 Dually 3/4 Drop Cool truck! __________________ Please help my sister in law with her battle with cancer https://gofund.me/902f6fce Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) SOLD Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh) SOLD

12-07-2018, 10:28 PM	#6
JKarow08 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Adams WI Posts: 6	Re: 71 C30 Dually 3/4 Drop Thanks for the welcome and info! I did a little more digging into dearching today and I think I found a couple of local shops that might be able to help. I'm going to call around on Monday. I had looked into dearching before but it definitely seems to be a dying art and good info and shops that still do it are hard to find. As far as the front is concerned, Switch and Western Chassis list 3" drop spindles for 71 and up c30's. I have also read that 73 and up spindles bolt on to 71-72 as long as you use the accompanying rotors and calipers (which I'm replacing anyway). I've got a long list of upgrades that I'm planning after the brake/suspension upgrade including a new pump for the dump bed, west coast seniors, wheel powder coating, new bench seat, replacement cab lights, and eventually an LS under the hood. I'll keep the pictures coming as she starts to take shape. Thanks again for the help!



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