1972 Chevy C20 Longhorn "Factory Dually"

[BLAZERMAN]

Thats a good looking flare, who makes it?

[Bob B.]

Tell you something funny about '73-up dually pickups: The dually axle on the pickups is a wider track than the dually axle on MOST (there are exceptions) cab and chassis models. If you use a '67-'72 cab and chassis dually axle on a '67-'72 Fleetside, you can usually widen the inner fenders, and the outboard wheels will not be much past the quarter panels (look at the pictures). Use a '73-up dually pickup axle and you will find your inner wheels will clear the inner fenders, but your outer wheels will be well past the quarter panels and you will need dually fenders. Bottom line is measure the axles before you do this swap. Figure out which way you want to go, and find the axle that will work.

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by BLAZERMAN

Thats a good looking flare, who makes it?

Nobody anymore, but originally Bushwacker

I actually got them off the board here from a member

[SS Tim]

Since there was a lot of interest in chassis cab conversions I'm putting this link up. This truck has popped up several times over the past two years or so on CL and eBay. The interesting part is the fact that it has widened inner fenders and a steel bed floor. There have never been really good pictures, in fact these may be the best yet.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...195006717.html

[wilbilt]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Since there was a lot of interest in chassis cab conversions I'm putting this link up. This truck has popped up several times over the past two years or so on CL and eBay. The interesting part is the fact that it has widened inner fenders and a steel bed floor.

Definitely an interesting concept, but I am with you. I have to be able to load 4x8 sheet goods flat on the bed floor and close the tailgate.

I had a longbed S-15 once. Something like 40" between the wheelwells and a 7' 6" bed. It was irritating, to say the least.

[Bill72]

A few questions: Wanting to put a Cab & Chassis axle under a 72 C30 Longhorn. Wanting it to fit about like the yellow truck in this thread.

1. What axle is going to be my best fit?
2. What year trucks can I get one out of?
3. Is there an axle that will just bolt in without having to change anything including drive shaft and springs?
Thanks.

[SS Tim]

As you probably want to have the disc dually fronts to, I'd suggest finding a 71-72 motorhome and swap the front knuckles and the rear axle over. Like this: http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/pts/3300734339.html
It should give you just what you want. Be aware of the rear axle ratio as 4.57 and 5.14 were offered on dually HO72 axles. But then you should also be able to reuse your existing dropout with the dually housing and axles. Finally the stock bed does not have enough room inside the housings and they must be widened. This brings the inside bed width down to about 38-40". That means plywood and slide in campers won't fit. There was a C30 listed in the classified section last month that was a bedded chassis cab that might still be there.

[Bill72]

Tim- Thanks for the information. I was thinking about just getting adapters for the front from Arrowcraft. Is there a downside to that? When I make changes I like to make them so they are easiest to put back to stock in case I change my mind or if I ever sell and the next owner wants to return it to stock. This way I only need to keep the orig axle laying around and with a change of tubs and 2 bed boards its all back to stock. Also, this truck is a 402/4 spd and I was wondering what gears would have been stock? There is no indication on the SPID of an optional ratio. I'd love to put 3.73's in it (and I think that that wasn't available) but could probably live with 4.10's.
Thanks.

[SS Tim]

Depending on the deal it may be cheaper to swap the loaded knuckles. There is also a stud size change that I am not sure of the specifics on. Also it would temper my decision knowing intended use. If I were carrying a big overhead camper I'd be inclined to use factory parts. Adapters can be used on all four corners and would be the easiest save for the the fender issue. It will give a wider track as would a later dually axle. The fenders are the biggest sticking point for me. I kind of like the dual wheel look but I really don't need it. But I do need the stock 50" between the wells. There were people at one time making fenders for the '72 down truck. Arrow apparently was not one of them. The old Dodge fenders seem pretty close and fiberglass replacement fenders would be easy to fit up. The converted stepside fender is a look you like or don't, I don't.

The stock ratio on a 402/4 speed C30 Longhorn is 4.10 and as far as I can tell it does not get any higher. 3.54s were offered on C20 Longhorns with the 5500 Dana axle but they don't cross over to the Eaton axle. A GearVendors or a Dodge NV4500/AA swap might be in your future. As are tall tires!

[63chevyll]

Very cool trucks n this thread. Doesn anyone know of the aftermarket dually fenders from the 80s for 67-72 beds
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[SS Tim]

I'd like to find the fenders I posted a picture of in #59. If you find a source please let me know.

[quick60]

What I find funny is the lack of any serious towing gear in the back. Unless that bumper is tied in well why does it not have a tow hitch and related support devices and attaching points. Those slooted attachments points do not look functional.

[mcmlxix]

I would like to see some 2010 and newer Dodge Ram fender flares next to our wheel wells...

[NGN]

There's only one one thing I'll pick-on and that's the tailgate guard. I never get use to trim across the top of the gate. Maybe if painted the same color. Very nice truck.

[rsavage]

That is a beautiful truck. Saw a similar conversion at the Owl's Head Maine Truck show a few years ago. I was never able to find the owner to ask him more about it.

[CG]

Bringing this up to the top for those who werent around back then, I think the yellow truck is pretty cool. Add if you want to ...

[LockDoc]

-
Later...

LockDoc

[special-K]

This has always been my favorite owner converted 67-72 dually pickup. It was done 20 or more years ago. I wanted to buy it, but it didn't work out

[Dieselwrencher]

Here are a couple more I have saved. If I ever leave a Longhorn 2wd, I'll be doing this to it. Shoot, maybe it'll happen to a 4x4 one. Who knows.

[StingRay]

My factory original 69 GMC 920 Sierra Grande Longhorn had a black floor. Dad bought it new and it was my first vehicle.

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I believe that's because it's not original... all original wood beds were painted body color.

It looks like a nicely restored truck to me. I can't imagine a LONGHORN being bought back in the day "when a truck was a truck" and it was never used as a truck?

I also don't see any chalk numbers on the firewall.

It's a little fuzzy, but I also remember something about a lot of overspray being on the underside of original hoods (body color on the black.)

Even if you remove the "low miles unrestored" thing, that's easily a 20K truck. I'd love to have it.

[BLAZERMAN]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Here are a couple more I have saved. If I ever leave a Longhorn 2wd, I'll be doing this to it. Shoot, maybe it'll happen to a 4x4 one. Who knows.

My vote would be for a 4x4 version. This isn't a Longhorn but a little inspiration for ya Ryan.

[CG]

I love the look of these trucks. Too bad my C30 is the 157 inch WB instead of the 133. I have more than enough extra box sides and complete boxes to make a Long Horn length box. But I think a box that would fit 157 in WB would be a little excessive lol.

[BLAZERMAN]

Originally Posted by CG

I love the look of these trucks. Too bad my C30 is the 157 inch WB instead of the 133. I have more than enough extra box sides and complete boxes to make a Long Horn length box. But I think a box that would fit 157 in WB would be a little excessive lol.

The truck I posted above is a shortened 157" w.b. C/30