Project: 83 C30 Crew Cab Big Brown Turd

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OldFatBald

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Posts
85
Reaction score
102
Location
Northern California
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
454
Figured that I would get off of the “Welcome” thread and start my suspension build thread.

I used to run around Northern California doing custom home foundations including the Oakland hills after the fire (yes we had them back then also).
Used to buy a new C30 crew cab 2wd running a 454 and TH400 every year, install a lumber rack and abuse the hell out of them.

Now I purchased my latest project, an 83 C30 Crew Cab with a 454 and the SM465, a roached interior, bent bed and in slightly better shape than myself (setting the bar low).

Plans call for a set of (6) 22" Alcoas and adapters from Texas Extreme. I want the tires tucking under the factory fenders.
Installation of a 14B SRW rear end along with a front and rear static kit from Todd at Lowboys in AZ.
The bed is off and I already have a set of AMD 4" wider inner fender wheel wells sitting around taking up space.

Eventually I'd like to switch out the SM465 to an NV4500

I have some interior parts coming from USA1 which is about 10 - 12 weeks :( out!

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
 

OldFatBald

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Posts
85
Reaction score
102
Location
Northern California
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
454
Since I needed the SRW rear end and wanted to upgrade to PW/PL plus the C30's dash pad is totally roached (that's an engineering term kids...) along with the door panels being is pretty sad shape.

I picked up this 90 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban over the weekend - Parts, Parts, Parts!!!

You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 

OldFatBald

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Posts
85
Reaction score
102
Location
Northern California
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
454
AMD 4" wider fenders.

Including nice dent -thank you shippers!!

You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 

OldFatBald

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Posts
85
Reaction score
102
Location
Northern California
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
454
Most of the parts places list front end parts as either - "Heavy Duty" or "Non-Heavy Duty"

So I Went and checked my truck. It has the U-bolts for the lower control arms, so it is the standard duty 1-ton (non Heavy Duty).

Took awhile as parts stores don't answer the phones around here due to the world shutting down, so I found an online (eBay) retailer.

What I ordered is listed here all Moog except the Pitman arm;

RK622888 Front Left Upper - Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly
RK622887 Front Right Upper - Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly
RK620036 Front Left Lower- Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly
RK620037 Front Right Lower - Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly

ES409LT Tie Rod End (needs 2) Inner
ES409RT Tie Rod End (needs 2) Outer
ES2004S Tie Rod End Adjusting Sleeve (req 2)

K6247T Idler Arm (1)
K6142 Pitman Arm (1) - Replaced with Mevtech
 

Scott91370

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2018
Posts
924
Reaction score
899
Location
Burleson, Tx
First Name
Scott
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Sierra1500
Engine Size
350
Nice start.

You guys with fork lifts and front end loaders sure do make me jealous. You know how hard it is removing and replacing a cab on one of these is without something like that?
 

Big Chip

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2017
Posts
4,656
Reaction score
6,728
Location
Michigan
First Name
Kevin
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C35
Engine Size
454
When you get your lowering kit can you post a picture of the front spindles? I’m getting some real deja vu going too from 67-72 forum but I was thinking that was a regular cab C30. That’s not you is it?
 

OldFatBald

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Posts
85
Reaction score
102
Location
Northern California
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
454
When you get your lowering kit can you post a picture of the front spindles? I’m getting some real deja vu going too from 67-72 forum but I was thinking that was a regular cab C30. That’s not you is it?

I do have a build thread going over there also, but no, mine is the crew cab pictured above.
 

Big Chip

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2017
Posts
4,656
Reaction score
6,728
Location
Michigan
First Name
Kevin
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C35
Engine Size
454
I do have a build thread going over there also, but no, mine is the crew cab pictured above.
Maybe I’m confusing the lowered dually and towing thread with yours. I guess that other truck is orange now that I put more thought into it.
 

TotalyHucked

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2020
Posts
2,552
Reaction score
8,272
Location
Auburn, Georgia
First Name
Zach
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Sierra 1500
Engine Size
5.3
Excited to see the progress, that’s a sweet truck you’ve got there!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

Catbox

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2018
Posts
3,968
Reaction score
14,481
Location
Just Outside of Portland Oregon
First Name
Peter
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C20 Silverado Camper Special
Engine Size
461
Cool plans for the truck.
It will be fun to see unfold.
 

OldFatBald

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Posts
85
Reaction score
102
Location
Northern California
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
454
Wellllllll, things change. I was going to use the rear end out of the Suburban parts truck, then I found an old school junk yard that had a real 14B SRW rear end in great condition with 3.42 gear ratio.

So I loaded up the little woman and drove on up there - I know "How romantic, what a guy!"

While up there I also picked up a front bench seat out of an '84 single cab to replace the broken one in my C30 (last photo)

You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
 

OldFatBald

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Posts
85
Reaction score
102
Location
Northern California
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
454
Still collecting parts:

Got my front springs, drop spindles. My C-notch & Flip kit should be here tomorrow.

Got most of my front end parts sitting on the desk, tie rod ends, ball joints, pitman arm etc.

Ordered some new front disks from Rock Auto

Still waiting on my 22" Alcoas and 8x10 adapters.
 

Big Chip

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2017
Posts
4,656
Reaction score
6,728
Location
Michigan
First Name
Kevin
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C35
Engine Size
454
Still collecting parts:

Got my front springs, drop spindles. My C-notch & Flip kit should be here tomorrow.

Got most of my front end parts sitting on the desk, tie rod ends, ball joints, pitman arm etc.

Ordered some new front disks from Rock Auto

Still waiting on my 22" Alcoas and 8x10 adapters.
Can you post a picture of the front spindles?
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
5,882
Reaction score
9,623
Location
Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
What’s the srw rear end for?
Narrower axle width to make room for the wider tire setup and keeping them inside the fender wells?
What is the width difference between 14bolt srw/drw?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
41,858
Posts
903,636
Members
33,371
Latest member
Linemanjl
Top