My 78 K30

[GCncsuHD]

Well, since I never made a thread of my own for my 78, here it is. Not really a build thread per say, but eventually when I get around to it it will undergo some more changes, for now a history of it's progression.

My 78 K30, 350, 4speed, 4wd. It was the brush truck at my department for years until we retired it a few years ago.

Just after adopting it from the fire dept.

After a little cleaning, new wheels and tires, and respraying the bumpers.




Putting it to work hauling my other project: My great grandpa's c10 he bought new in 67.


The 78's replacement:

[IMG]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/GCncsuH...

[GCncsuHD]

Found a deal on craigslist for some used wheels, so I put 4 new 285/75R16 Buckshots on the rear with 1.5" spacers between the duals for clearance and 285/75R16 Michelins up front. Also removed the light bar for a toolbox and swapped to a 73/74 grille with a red bowtie.





I acquired a new co pilot

Man they grow up fast, rides just like me, one arm (paw) out the window


My little Mazda daily driver broke down and it served daily driver duty for about 6 months


A shot of the interior with the wife and one of the kids


Sometimes even haulers have problems, just kidding, actually just hauling it to get the windows tinted.


Drove it around like that for about a year, did a little work to the inside, new rubber mat, CD player, 6x9s (using bigblock73's brackets, thanks!) and a subwoofer behind the seat, 3.5" speakers in the stock center speaker location, and added a tachometer.

Wife and dogs helping me on the new floor


Steering column tach and radio install

Then put it to work.

[GCncsuHD]

Then my 01 2500HD was up for sale, and I knew I'd miss having a lifted truck so the search for new tires was on...

315/75R16 Kumhos, got a good deal on 5 50% tread tires. Bought two more new ones to match up front.

The shop help

Test fitting



Laughable comparison to the 205/80R16 tires that went on my DD Mazda.


They fit, but a little close for comfort




So I ordered up 2.5" spacers for between the duals, moved the 1.5"s up front for a wider stance, and 4" tough country springs.

Cleaned up and back together

I like big butts, I can not lie

[GCncsuHD]

Took it back home for a little reunion


What good is a one ton unless it's put to work?
Hauling my father in law's 69 K5



Hauling the 71 C10 we used for parts


All work and no play is no fun soo...

[rs74]

I have always liked the K30 duallies. Looking good. How many miles were on it when you got it from the FD. Hopefully one day I can get my 84 K30 on the road.

[mud.man.rj]

That sure is a nice truck, you have done a well thought out build. The other Gen's especially 67-72 get most of the attention but some like yours are a stand out.

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by rs74

I have always liked the K30 duallies. Looking good. How many miles were on it when you got it from the FD. Hopefully one day I can get my 84 K30 on the road.

It had 78k mi when I bought it, the dept bought it used in 80 or 81 I believe, with about 30k on it then. It holds a special place for me, the department was established in 78, my grandfather was one of the founding members, he died later that year in 78 which is the year of the truck, and also when I was a little kid I remember getting to go for rides in the truck when my dad would be there doing training exercises and maintenance.

Originally Posted by mud.man.rj

That sure is a nice truck, you have done a well thought out build. The other Gen's especially 67-72 get most of the attention but some like yours are a stand out.

Thanks, I wouldn't say it's well thought out, I just kinda tinker with it as I go along and it's seemed to fall together. Total including purchase price of the truck $1500, wheels $100, tires $1000, leaf springs $200, 73/74 grille $20, stereo $150, and various other maintenance etc. I've only got about $3000 in the truck. My only real future plans for it are to swap out the old 350 for a 6.0 LQ4 (keeping the 4 speed), recover the bench seat inside, and drive the wheels off it.

[bohmankid]

That's a sweeeeet rig! You got a killer deal.

[mud.man.rj]

Sometimes a well thought out truck comes naturally to some, to others no so. Yours just works. Nice you use it too.

[GCncsuHD]

Some more recent pictures of it after the "C10 Cruise In"


Big butt




Also threw a few goodies on it

Was actually pretty clean inside


The engine bay needs a major cleaning up, that will come with time, or may wait until after I swap engines in a couple years. Also, I have some ceramic coated headers ready to go on, just haven't had a chance yet.

[Geb58]

Looks great! work hard, play hard!

[Jwood70]

that is one cool truck. Its even better with a story behind it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[91V3500]

Nice truck! Looks like it has been well cared for!

[rs74]

Originally Posted by GCncsuHD

Big butt

Evidently they didn't have your truck in mind when they made this road. A little narow. lol I have been trying to find some rims like yours or similar for my K30. No luck yet. I like the way they look on your rig. Looks like you polished them too.

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by Geb58

Looks great! work hard, play hard!

Originally Posted by Jwood70

that is one cool truck. Its even better with a story behind it.
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by 91V3500

Nice truck! Looks like it has been well cared for!

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by rs74

Evidently they didn't have your truck in mind when they made this road. A little narow. lol I have been trying to find some rims like yours or similar for my K30. No luck yet. I like the way they look on your rig. Looks like you polished them too.

That's for sure lol, but to be honest, I don't think they had any truck in mind when they built our road, my bone stock SRW F250 touches both the yellow and the white lines.

I believe they were Ultra brand wheels, I got them off of craigslist for $100 for all four, they had been sitting in a guy's backyard for over 10 years and were pitted beyond belief. I did acid etch them, sand them, and sorta polish them. They need a lot more work to get the shine how I want them, I just haven't had the time. Eagle, Alcoa, and several others make similar wheels, though the holes are generally larger/fewer and the lip is shaped differently.

[Chevy@OK]

Can you give more details about the suspension on it

LOVE the truck btw

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by Chevy@OK

Can you give more details about the suspension on it

LOVE the truck btw

4" Tuff Country springs up front. Rear is unchanged, but I do plan on doing a shackle flip in the future to bring the rear up a bit.

[youngblood78]

Im in aww of this truck im glad I found the original posts of it this. It is my inspiration to find a late 70's one ton 4x4 and keep it mostly original (maybe)

[monte0185]

Very Nice looking dually. Love the upgrades!!

[mud.man.rj]

Great, I now too..."love big butts". cool pic with the right 6 tires on it too.

[Gregski]

you take some great glamour shots

[GCncsuHD]

Nothing new with the truck, it's been neglected with the new baby around. But I did make it out this weekend to take my oldest to her first cruise in.

IMAG0696 by wrfalcon75, on Flickr

IMAG0690 by wrfalcon75, on Flickr

[Chevy@OK]

what kind of mpg you get?

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by Chevy@OK

what kind of mpg you get?

To be honest, I don't check it. Last time I checked was when I picked up our 69 K5, it was around a 150mi round trip, empty trailer there, loaded back, mostly highway and it averaged about 10mpg on that trip.

[Chevy@OK]

K yeah not to bad considering.........Ahhh i want one lol