FNG with a 1981 C30 Dually

[HFolb23]

Recently acquired a 1981 Chevy C30 Regular Cab Dually and I know the power of the internet forums so I’m here to pick the experts brains and hopefully reach a point where I can answer other’s questions some day.

Truck has a 454 with a mild cam and a TH400 behind it. Previous owner drove it 40 miles to my home without issue, leaks at the steering box and needs some exhaust work starting with the manifold gaskets but other than that it seems like a really solid truck.

Truck seems to want to take awhile to turn over and then stumble around at low idle after first turning over, not sure if that’s a weak battery or because of the cam or not but once it warms up for a minute or so it’ll idle fine.

Once the truck is mechanically sound I want to put a small lowering kit in it, thinking western chassis 3in front 4 or 5in rear. I also want to swap out the OEM wheels with an Alcoa-style wheel.

I’ll keep all those issues to a separate topic, looking forward to researching and learning from you all.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Terry Wilkerson]

Good looking truck!
Welcome from KC

 

[animal]

 

[78C10BigTen]

Great truck! Welcome from PA

 

[Old77]

Well, I guess I’ll be a copycat and also say ‘Welcome from KC’ since I’m from there too

 

[HFolb23]

Well, I guess I’ll be a copycat and also say ‘Welcome from KC’ since I’m from there too

Thank you! I was actually just browsing your older thread about your 91 R3500. In that topic you posted about installing Ion Alloy 167 wheels, will those work on my 81? All of the fitment checkers on the sites selling those wheels say that they wont but I think most don’t recognize that I’m looking for a DRW truck when their fitment calculator (I believe) assumes I have a SRW.

Also did you wind up putting the lowering kit in that truck? I’d love to see a photo if you did.

 

[HFolb23]

Great truck! Welcome from PA

Thank you! I’m from NY myself, this truck has some northeast cancer but it’s significantly better than most unrestored trucks of its vintage that I’ve seen

 

[bucket]

Howdy from Ohio! Sounds like you have good plans for the truck!

 

[Old77]

Thank you! I was actually just browsing your older thread about your 91 R3500. In that topic you posted about installing Ion Alloy 167 wheels, will those work on my 81? All of the fitment checkers on the sites selling those wheels say that they wont but I think most don’t recognize that I’m looking for a DRW truck when their fitment calculator (I believe) assumes I have a SRW.

Also did you wind up putting the lowering kit in that truck? I’d love to see a photo if you did.

I’m about 95% sure that they will work on your truck, yes. I’d be very surprised if they didn’t.

I have not had a chance to order the lowering kit yet. I fail at life is my only excuse lol

 

[bucket]

I’m about 95% sure that they will work on your truck, yes. I’d be very surprised if they didn’t.

I have not had a chance to order the lowering kit yet. I fail at life is my only excuse lol

Well at least you finally admit it

 

[Soundmound]

Welcome from the PNW!

 

[Jimbarry]

Welcome from CA, also picked up a single cab C30 recently and like it a lot! Yours looks good!

 

[WFO]

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.
That's a good lookin truck, and I like the stance just the way it is now.

 

[Corvette Ed]

Welcome aboard from East Tennessee.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Welcome from Ga! That's a good looking truck! Manifold gaskets seem to be super common on these 454s, not a terrible job either. Just start spraying them with deep creep or something similar a few days before so you don't break a bolt off in the head.

For the starting issue, it's hard to say, that could be multiple things. Could be a weak battery, could be the carb needs to be rebuilt/fuel is draining out of the bowls when it sits, could just be the nature of the beast with the cam.

Also, just FYI, you've got '83/84 headlight bezels and an '85-88 Silverado grille but you do have the correct '81 bumper. Definitely a good start to a cool truck!