Question for my US friends!

[Want2]

If you’re lucky it will have the duel fuel tank option.$$$. Truck has nice added options front bumper push bar, wind deflector, full length running boards and mirrors can be swung out flipped over for wide load hauling. My brother in law had one and the ride was harsh when not loaded. The weight of the topper should help with that.

 

[cyclemike4]

During that time period the big three made light and heavy duty trucks in each size. Not sure why they did that. I guess people used them for trucks then. I had a 1974 Dodge D200 that was the heavy duty 3/4 ton not a standard 3/4 ton truck. It had a dana 80 under the rear and ran on 16 inch split rims. It was no issue at all to turn that into a dualy. it was basically a one ton single wheel truck even though it was labeled as a 3/4. They also sold single wheel one tons that were exactly like my 3/4 ton but had different badging. I had another buddy who drove a Ford super duty. it was a 3/4 truck too but the rear axle was way back towards the tail gate and it had a huge axle under it as well. I had another buddy that drove a Chevy big 10. It was a half ton truck but was way stronger than a standard half ton Chevy of the time. You really have to pay attention during that time period on the American trucks. I know parts for a standard 3/4 would not fit my heavy 3/4 ton truck.
On another note my father in law was a self employed building contractor. He had a topper on his truck that the sides opened as well as the back. similar to the one in the pictures of that truck. He built his own rack system for the back of that truck and every single tool he had he could get out of that truck with out ever getting in it. Including his concrete finishing machine. it was a beautiful lay out. Of course it was a single wheel truck so no big fenders to reach over. In any case if that truck he is looking at is a one ton with C20 on it or it is actually a C20 with one ton fenders and dual wheels it is nice. I still like it.

 

[StefanOnHisS10]

Update:

Went there yesterday unannounced so they couldn’t get it ready. Told the guys I came for the ‘78 and they took me to the warehouse it had been sitting for a while now. Beautiful interior that was redone some time ago. Took a booster (external battery) and some accelerator pumping to get her going but when fired up ran perfect. Checked the fluids before that and were good to. There are 2 videos on YouTube that show the car in detail so I know how it was in WA. Think transportation and storage were not good for it since it is now not as pretty anymore. For instance a big handprint in the hood-paint from some mechanic with brakefluid on the hands. Not gonna polish out. Lots of dents and al around rough unfortunately. The drive was good but bouncy because of the rear ofcourse. Still a lot of money needs to be spent to make it roadworthy for Dutch legislation. It has 2 gastanks, new brakelines, bushings were good, electronics mostly work
Needs a LPG kit definitely, filling the 40 Gallon tanks would cost me €320! But spending another 3/4K on top of the 20K purchase price is a bit steep.
Think I’ll let it go.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[cyclemike4]

During that time period the big three made light and heavy duty trucks in each size. Not sure why they did that. I guess people used them for trucks then. I had a 1974 Dodge D200 that was the heavy duty 3/4 ton not a standard 3/4 ton truck. It had a dana 80 under the rear and ran on 16 inch split rims. It was no issue at all to turn that into a dualy. it was basically a one ton single wheel truck even though it was labeled as a 3/4. They also sold single wheel one tons that were exactly like my 3/4 ton but had different badging. I had another buddy who drove a Ford super duty. it was a 3/4 truck too but the rear axle was way back towards the tail gate and it had a huge axle under it as well. I had another buddy that drove a Chevy big 10. It was a half ton truck but was way stronger than a standard half ton Chevy of the time. You really have to pay attention during that time period on the American trucks. I know parts for a standard 3/4 would not fit my heavy 3/4 ton truck.
On another note my father in law was a self employed building contractor. He had a topper on his truck that the sides opened as well as the back. similar to the one in the pictures of that truck. He built his own rack system for the back of that truck and every single tool he had he could get out of that truck with out ever getting in it. Including his concrete finishing machine. it was a beautiful lay out. Of course it was a single wheel truck so no big fenders to reach over. In any case if that truck he is looking at is a one ton with C20 on it or it is actually a C20 with one ton fenders and dual wheels it is nice. I still like it.

Not that it matters too much but i didn't get the tire size right on my old truck. It had 16.5 inch split rim wheels.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Update:

Went there yesterday unannounced so they couldn’t get it ready. Told the guys I came for the ‘78 and they took me to the warehouse it had been sitting for a while now. Beautiful interior that was redone some time ago. Took a booster (external battery) and some accelerator pumping to get her going but when fired up ran perfect. Checked the fluids before that and were good to. There are 2 videos on YouTube that show the car in detail so I know how it was in WA. Think transportation and storage were not good for it since it is now not as pretty anymore. For instance a big handprint in the hood-paint from some mechanic with brakefluid on the hands. Not gonna polish out. Lots of dents and al around rough unfortunately. The drive was good but bouncy because of the rear ofcourse. Still a lot of money needs to be spent to make it roadworthy for Dutch legislation. It has 2 gastanks, new brakelines, bushings were good, electronics mostly work
Needs a LPG kit definitely, filling the 40 Gallon tanks would cost me €320! But spending another 3/4K on top of the 20K purchase price is a bit steep.
Think I’ll let it go.

Thanks for all the help!

Good decision!

 

[TenereGUY]

A tad bit of information on the '78 Chevrolet.

454 CID V8

Optional for: C10 Big Ten C20

LF8

240 hp @ 3,800 RPM

370 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM

C20	K10	K20
GVWR			6,400-8,200 pounds
Drivetrain			RWD
Axle Ratio			4.10:1
Front Brakes			12.5" Rotor
Rear Brakes			11.15" x 2.75" Drum Brakes

A tad bit of information on the '78 Chevrolet.

454 CID V8

Optional for: C10 Big Ten C20

LF8

240 hp @ 3,800 RPM

370 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM

C20	K10	K20
GVWR			6,400-8,200 pounds
Drivetrain			RWD
Axle Ratio			4.10:1
Front Brakes			12.5" Rotor
Rear Brakes			11.15" x 2.75" Drum Brakes

This is one reason you will get between 7 to 10 mpg. The 4:10 rear end. If you are not towing you can put a different rear end in it (gearing of 3:73) and get better mpg. My friends just sold a 1986 454 Suburban that towed their camper. Never had a problem with it.

 

[TenereGUY]

Update:

Went there yesterday unannounced so they couldn’t get it ready. Told the guys I came for the ‘78 and they took me to the warehouse it had been sitting for a while now. Beautiful interior that was redone some time ago. Took a booster (external battery) and some accelerator pumping to get her going but when fired up ran perfect. Checked the fluids before that and were good to. There are 2 videos on YouTube that show the car in detail so I know how it was in WA. Think transportation and storage were not good for it since it is now not as pretty anymore. For instance a big handprint in the hood-paint from some mechanic with brakefluid on the hands. Not gonna polish out. Lots of dents and al around rough unfortunately. The drive was good but bouncy because of the rear ofcourse. Still a lot of money needs to be spent to make it roadworthy for Dutch legislation. It has 2 gastanks, new brakelines, bushings were good, electronics mostly work
Needs a LPG kit definitely, filling the 40 Gallon tanks would cost me €320! But spending another 3/4K on top of the 20K purchase price is a bit steep.
Think I’ll let it go.

Thanks for all the help!

Sounds like a good decision...but 320 euros for 40 gallons! Dang... I just filled my 60 gallon diesel up. Scored $2.95 per gallon diesel. 51 gallons was $150.

 

[StefanOnHisS10]

Sounds like a good decision...but 320 euros for 40 gallons! Dang... I just filled my 60 gallon diesel up. Scored $2.95 per gallon diesel. 51 gallons was $150.

Wow, much better pricing!

 

[SkunkWorks]

A tad bit of information on the '78 Chevrolet.

454 CID V8

Optional for: C10 Big Ten C20

LF8

240 hp @ 3,800 RPM

370 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM

C20	K10	K20
GVWR			6,400-8,200 pounds
Drivetrain			RWD
Axle Ratio			4.10:1
Front Brakes			12.5" Rotor
Rear Brakes			11.15" x 2.75" Drum Brakes

For reference, my "Tow Rig" 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited (360-ci)
3.73:1 Axle ratios
46RE (4-spd) Transmission
NP249 (full-time AWD) Transfer Case with "Viscous Coupler" and 2.72:1 low-range





When I'm towing the Camper and fully-loaded I typically average around 12.5-13.5 mpg (US-gallons)

In "Daily-driver" configuration I normally get 13-14 mpg City commuting, and 18-19 mpg Highway cruising.

(yes, the "Hood Vents" are factory, and functional. These were only found on the one-year-only 5.9 Limited, as was the Grille, Bumper-covers, and rocker-cladding.)

The one thing that annoys me about this vehicle, is that I'm forced to use "premium" fuel (91-up octane)
Although the 5.9 engine is not very high compression (9.0:1) Chrysler programmed in an extremely aggressive ignition timing-curve for this specific vehicle, in order to eek out every last bit of power and torque they could, and lay claim to the "Worlds Fastest SUV" title when it was released.......................
Timing is non-adjustable, and would need to have the computer re-flashed with the 5.2 V8 program in order to be able to use regular fuel. (nicknamed the "Death-Flash", cause apparently it makes the engine feel super sluggish) If I use anything other than premium fuel, it Pings/Knocks like crazy!

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . (yes, the "Hood Vents" are factory, and functional. These were only found on the one-year-only 5.9 Limited, as was the Grille . . . .

That's the only way to tell them from the "regular" ones. Dead giveaway if you knew what to look for.