4wd conversion on 76 dually

[Dually]

Hi, new to the forum. I have a 1976 camper special gmc dually. Looking around on search engines I couldn't get a real strait answer. My truck being a dually if I've read right I need a dually rear axle for the correct width, what about the front is dually specific? Is it easier to convert my truck or swap my body. Thanks

 

[Georgeb]

Most will say myself included that a body swap is easier.

 

[donmateo]

Most will say myself included that a body swap is easier.

X2.

 

[Dually]

What years can I go for. Having a hard time finding any 4wd dually at all

 

[PrairieDrifter]

What years can I go for. Having a hard time finding any 4wd dually at all

What are you trying to accomplish exactly? You want the dually from what i understand, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to find an original dually frame.

 

[hatzie]

The rear frame will not be different between the K30 SRW & a C30 dually... as long as the dually donor isn't a cab n chassis truck. Your C30 isn't a C&C so...

The K30 (1 ton 4x4) was not available till 1977. On the plus side intermittent wipers, power lock and, power window upgrades are possible on the 78+ chassis. The 79 and up chassis have the ATC fuse panels instead of American Glass Cartridge fuses with low capacity wiring.

You can probably just do a bed and Dana 70 dually rear axle swap to the K30 truck. Swap over all the best parts from your 76 C30, Install the 14bolt SRW axle in the C30, and then sell the 76 C30 SRW truck or keep it as a donor.

The other option is to find a rolling 77-80 K30 frame and swap the 76 parts over including the Dana 70 dually axle. You'll have to look out for the transmission tunnel. It may need to be modified. The Dana60 front axles are sought after so this option may be harder to find than a whole K30 donor...

 

[yevgenievich]

73-91 4x4 dually frame/axles .
Edit: corrected above

 

[Dually]

What are you trying to accomplish exactly? You want the dually from what i understand, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to find an original dually frame.

Is there a difference in frames. I'll already be making the front end of the frame reinforced as I'm throwing this fuel hog 454 in the trash and putting my Cummins in it. The truck will be heavily used, and paired with heavy trailers. I just keep getting stuck and need 4wd. I would much rather not have it at all and save the headache but no go

 

[Dually]

The rear frame will not be different between the K30 SRW & a C30 dually... as long as the dually donor isn't a cab n chassis truck. Your C30 isn't a C&C so...

The K30 (1 ton 4x4) was not available till 1977. On the plus side intermittent wipers, power lock and, power window upgrades are possible on the 78+ chassis. The 79 and up chassis have the ATC fuse panels instead of American Glass Cartridge fuses with low capacity wiring.

You can probably just do a bed and Dana 70 dually rear axle swap to the K30 truck. Swap over all the best parts from your 76 C30, Install the 14bolt SRW axle in the C30, and then sell the 76 C30 SRW truck or keep it as a donor.

The other option is to find a rolling 77-80 K30 frame and swap all the 76 bits over including the Dana 70 dually axle.

I would have to swap my whole body as it's 100% restored and flawless. But if it's still easier I guess that's what I'll need to do

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Is there a difference in frames. I'll already be making the front end of the frame reinforced as I'm throwing this fuel hog 454 in the trash and putting my Cummins in it. The truck will be heavily used, and paired with heavy trailers. I just keep getting stuck and need 4wd. I would much rather not have it at all and save the headache but no go

I don't believe there is much difference, the main thing is that on a dually the spring perches on the axle are closer to the diff housing, so they can fit duals. With that, the leaf spring spring hangers are closer to the frame also. So if you end up not being able to find a dually frame, spring hangers might be the biggest problem you have to deal with to make it work. And i believe the 1 tons have a thicker frame

 

[bucket]

ALL the 1-tons have the narrow perch spacing, not just the duallys. However, most K30's have taller spring perches than a C30.\

I'll go the other way, I'd say swapping everything to your current frame would be easier. Then all you need to locate is brackets and an axle, rather than finding an uncommon rolling frame. But I'm not afraid of cutting frame rivets and drilling holes.

 

[Georgeb]

ALL the 1-tons have the narrow perch spacing, not just the duallys. However, most K30's have taller spring perches than a C30.\

I'll go the other way, I'd say swapping everything to your current frame would be easier. Then all you need to locate is brackets and an axle, rather than finding an uncommon rolling frame. But I'm not afraid of cutting frame rivets and drilling holes.

I suppose this wouldn't be too bad of an option since the plan is a motor swap. Take the clip off and have at it. Chances are with the motor swap the crossmember for the trans is getting replaced anyway so an engine trans and t-case package could be aquired.

 

[bucket]

I suppose this wouldn't be too bad of an option since the plan is a motor swap. Take the clip off and have at it. Chances are with the motor swap the crossmember for the trans is getting replaced anyway so an engine trans and t-case package could be aquired.

Yep, those were my thoughts. Plus if heavy duty is the goal, stronger than factory springs/hangers/shackles/shackle mounts/etc can all be purchased new. Same goes for the engine crossmember. Only thing that would have to be sourced used (in most cases) would be the front diff.