I welded a lugnut to the pan of a 100,000 plus mile 4.3 and used the regular drain plug on a repair.
Now with 300,000 miles and still not a problem.
Also in my experience parts that are chromed and inexpensive are usually junk before their time.
When I sold my 1988 1 ton with 14,700 miles after owning it 25 years it did not look that good.
And GM did a full warranty bed off repaint in 1994 for faded/peeling paint.
The Black wire ground problems throughout the "forward lamp harness" could be the result of a poorly done press crimp as most all those wires are crimped together in the wiring, dip soldered and then wrapped with duct tape. I have seen some crimps where a wire or 2 would be lucky to have even...
Hooks from my 1979 K30.
Same as the ones on my 1977 and 1980 K30.
The last new K30 I bought was an 88 2 dr regular cab 4x4 with the "twisted hooks.
All listed as V76 on the SPID.
I was buying Armstrong Tru Tracs back in 72-73.
1200/16.5's.
First real tires made for street that were also for off road use on civilian vehicles.
Great tires.
Hard to see them on one of the few pics saved from that era.
On the back of my 1969 3/4 ton Longhorn with factory 396.
I plowed 18 years with a pair of Western plows.
Mostly with a K10 Suburban mounted with a 8.5 Western Pro plow.
Best outfit I ever had.
The other was K10 pickup.
Never cracked any frames.
The solid aluminum steps I installed on my 77 K30 were super strong and fit well.
I bought them at an RV Sales and Service back in the day.
Never seen a set like them since.
Bought running boards for the 79 K30. through the 88 V30.
Running cab length tubes on my Duramax trucks.
GM 205 lubricant requirements.
My 1972 called for 80/90 gear oil in the case
My 1980 called for 30w motor oil in the case
My 1988 calls for ATF in the case.
Picture of my original 1988 V 30 Owners Manual.