Thread: 1972 C30 Longhorn Conversion to K30

Tweet

Okay, here it is. This truck is a very clean California truck with 77,000 miles on it. It used to be a water delivery truck. (Similar to Hinkley and Schmit I think) The current owner lives in New Mexico and bought this truck a few years ago and used it to check cattle on his ranch. Well, they had a very long dry spell and he hardly ever needed 4wd. They started getting rain more frequently and he decided he wanted a couple trucks converted to 4x4. Why you may ask? GM never built a Longhorn truck in a 4x4, and this man loves the 133" wheel base and 67-72 chevy trucks. They only could be had if GM sent them to a conversion company like Napco when new.

The plan as of right now is for me to remove the big block, find out if the block is cracked or a freeze plug is leaking. Remove the front and rear suspension. Install leaf springs and a D60 up front. Install 4x4 leaf spring hangers in the rear, remove the bed and install steel diamond plate. The drive train will be done to look as if GM built this truck from the factory. (Other than using rivets to retain the hangers to the frame) He wants the truck painted but I am having one heck of a time getting anyone to do it. I might just do it myself. He just wants a work type truck and has exclaimed he doesn't need perfection. It would be a good one to learn on and get paid to do it too. We'll see how it goes.

This morning I got the truck home and even used it to move an Excursion on to my trailer so it can go rest out of the way. (notice I had to borrow a truck to haul my trailer since my truck is broken) This truck cracks me up. It hasn't been driven in for ever. The gas in the tank is 3 years old at least. You go out, push the clutch in, pump the gas several times while cranking the engine, and it will fire up. It doesn't care if it's cold or not. It will run like an old big block for the first few minutes. Coughing and sputtering. But it starts every time. What a good old truck. (If you needed it, it probably wouldn't act this way) Haha I wouldn't mind finding one just like this to have again. Tear down will begin on Monday.

Man I love those trucks I've had at least 6 over the years. I'll be watching over your shoulder have fun, oh yea they are easy to paint

Awsome. What is different about a longhorn versus the normal Chevys that they didn't make the Longhorn in four wheel drive. Is the box longer ?

I'll be watchin' Ryan! Can't wait..

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

Awsome. What is different about a longhorn versus the normal Chevys that they didn't make the Longhorn in four wheel drive. Is the box longer ?

Longhorn box is 8.5" with the extra length visable with a seam near the bed front

https://www.rtechfabrications.com/

Thought of you right away. You better get busy

Originally Posted by Matt167

Longhorn box is 8.5" with the extra length visable with a seam near the bed front

Matt's close. The Longhorn is based off a 133" 1 ton frame and the bed is 8' 6" long. GM basically lopped off the front of the bed and added in a new section with a seam between them. Longhorns were only offered with the wood floor too. Why they didn't fill in the seam, IDK. The seam is kind of janky for a production vehicle. Since GM wasn't building 4x4 1 tons back then, that is why none of the Longhorns were available with 4x4.

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

https://www.rtechfabrications.com/

Thought of you right away. You better get busy

I've called Randall and inquired about a cab before. He's up to $25k for a cab not in primer and no glass. I can ruin a lot of welding wire for that. Some day I'll just build one. (Probably when the kids are in high school)