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1985 k30 budget EarthRoamer project [Deleted]
- Thread starter 85k5witha6.2
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Many of you know the Escalade build, which can be seen covered in snow in the background. But instead of putting that back together we are here to add another project. So here we go...
Not sure if anyone remembers the c30 ramp truck I bought years ago with a 6.0/4l80, but it has sat for 5 years and finally decided to sell it, turns out it runs and drives great. my dad drove it 5 hours out to Denver and we sold it out here. Was supposed to be just a straight cash sale but he had offered a partial trade with a dually 1985 k30. We originally took the money, but I went back a few days ago and gave him some back for the k30.
CURRENT STATUS
It is a 1985 k30 with a 454,th400, 205, Dana 60 front and Dana 70 rear. I was told the motor was bad and needed replaced. I waited until there was 6 inches of snow on the ground and It was about 20 degrees out and went to get it yesterday planning on trying to tow it onto the trailer with another pickup. The plates say 2009 and he said he hadn’t tried to start it since he bought it a few months ago.
I put a battery in it, dumped a little gas in the carb, and then 3 minutes later drove it on the trailer.
Upon getting it to the shop I realized it was a bit nicer than I had thought. My dad came back out today and we messed with it a bit, drove it around a little, about everything seems to work, the engine does have a knock but the oil pressure gauge doesn’t work so it’s fine. The bed is extremely nice. The cab corners have surface rust, rockers are solid. Both doors have dents and rust at the bottom but can easily be replaced. It was optioned with cruise, A/C, electric windows and locks. The A/C compressor is gone but all the brackets were in the bed. All of the smog stuff is on and intact. It’s nice enough and complete enough I almost will feel bad taking it completely apart and building what I plan on building.
Not sure if anyone remembers the c30 ramp truck I bought years ago with a 6.0/4l80, but it has sat for 5 years and finally decided to sell it, turns out it runs and drives great. my dad drove it 5 hours out to Denver and we sold it out here. Was supposed to be just a straight cash sale but he had offered a partial trade with a dually 1985 k30. We originally took the money, but I went back a few days ago and gave him some back for the k30.
CURRENT STATUS
It is a 1985 k30 with a 454,th400, 205, Dana 60 front and Dana 70 rear. I was told the motor was bad and needed replaced. I waited until there was 6 inches of snow on the ground and It was about 20 degrees out and went to get it yesterday planning on trying to tow it onto the trailer with another pickup. The plates say 2009 and he said he hadn’t tried to start it since he bought it a few months ago.
I put a battery in it, dumped a little gas in the carb, and then 3 minutes later drove it on the trailer.
Upon getting it to the shop I realized it was a bit nicer than I had thought. My dad came back out today and we messed with it a bit, drove it around a little, about everything seems to work, the engine does have a knock but the oil pressure gauge doesn’t work so it’s fine. The bed is extremely nice. The cab corners have surface rust, rockers are solid. Both doors have dents and rust at the bottom but can easily be replaced. It was optioned with cruise, A/C, electric windows and locks. The A/C compressor is gone but all the brackets were in the bed. All of the smog stuff is on and intact. It’s nice enough and complete enough I almost will feel bad taking it completely apart and building what I plan on building.
FUTURE PLANS:
So the actual plans for it.
-LBZ
-4l85
-Lockers
-37s?
-Aluminum earthroamer style camper bed.
The first plans for it will be to pull the bed off, and try to sell it because it is beautiful and I do not need to damage it.
DRIVETRAIN:
Since the big block definitely needs rebuilt or replaced another newer big block like an 8.1 would be a great option. But, a few years ago I bought a 2007 chevy express van with 480k miles on copart(where I buy literally every vehicle I own) The van is completely rusted away but has a wonderful drivetrain in it. An LBZ duramax and 4l85 transmission. Both the engine and trans have been replaced previously, so miles are unknown. But for sure less than half a million on them
THE BED/CAMPER
For the bed of the truck I plan on building an aluminum framed camper similar in style to an EarthRoamer. I have found a donor camper on copart that I’m hoping won’t sell for a few months that I think will be the perfect setup. It will be around 8-9’ long behind the cab, with the bed being over the cab, 7ish’ wide, and 7ish’? Tall. And will have a slide out on the driver side.
This is the floor plan I’m going to be working with and this is how I plan on shortening it.
The slide out that’s outlined in red will be slide back to the light blue lines. Getting rid of the bunk bed. The kitchen side outlined in yellow will be slid back to the purple lines removing the pantry. And maybe even shortened more for room for the door. Then the bed itself will be above the cab. I’m not sure if I would want a tall roof so there’s room over the bed, or to have the roof flat on too of the bed and then have it pop up 2-3’ when camping. This would be better for driving and going Through tighter trails.
So the actual plans for it.
-LBZ
-4l85
-Lockers
-37s?
-Aluminum earthroamer style camper bed.
The first plans for it will be to pull the bed off, and try to sell it because it is beautiful and I do not need to damage it.
DRIVETRAIN:
Since the big block definitely needs rebuilt or replaced another newer big block like an 8.1 would be a great option. But, a few years ago I bought a 2007 chevy express van with 480k miles on copart(where I buy literally every vehicle I own) The van is completely rusted away but has a wonderful drivetrain in it. An LBZ duramax and 4l85 transmission. Both the engine and trans have been replaced previously, so miles are unknown. But for sure less than half a million on them
THE BED/CAMPER
For the bed of the truck I plan on building an aluminum framed camper similar in style to an EarthRoamer. I have found a donor camper on copart that I’m hoping won’t sell for a few months that I think will be the perfect setup. It will be around 8-9’ long behind the cab, with the bed being over the cab, 7ish’ wide, and 7ish’? Tall. And will have a slide out on the driver side.
This is the floor plan I’m going to be working with and this is how I plan on shortening it.
The slide out that’s outlined in red will be slide back to the light blue lines. Getting rid of the bunk bed. The kitchen side outlined in yellow will be slid back to the purple lines removing the pantry. And maybe even shortened more for room for the door. Then the bed itself will be above the cab. I’m not sure if I would want a tall roof so there’s room over the bed, or to have the roof flat on too of the bed and then have it pop up 2-3’ when camping. This would be better for driving and going Through tighter trails.
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I know that’s a lot of info all at once and a large plan, but I’ll throw one more thing in.
The van drivetrain has something like 200ft-lbs of torque less than a pickup because of the 4l85 instead of the allison. I think this would be completely fine and the transmission would be completely fine if I just drove it around as is with a stock tune. And never pulled a trailer.
But, should I plan now to find a 4wd allison and pickup TCM/ECM and then be able to eventually tow the Escalade behind? Or do I leave this completely separate for just camping and wheeling itself. The literal only downside to the Allison option is the added expense, as I already have the 4l85. I have a brand new in box allison to 205 adapter that helps the cost a little.
The van drivetrain has something like 200ft-lbs of torque less than a pickup because of the 4l85 instead of the allison. I think this would be completely fine and the transmission would be completely fine if I just drove it around as is with a stock tune. And never pulled a trailer.
But, should I plan now to find a 4wd allison and pickup TCM/ECM and then be able to eventually tow the Escalade behind? Or do I leave this completely separate for just camping and wheeling itself. The literal only downside to the Allison option is the added expense, as I already have the 4l85. I have a brand new in box allison to 205 adapter that helps the cost a little.
I saw this truck in person when it was at the yard! You had no idea how tempting it was to buy it but I already have too many projects here I have to finish. Three k5's, Ram 2500, GTO, S6 and a T-bucket. That truck was pretty clean and nice.
You must be close by then! My shop is only 3.5 miles from there
I was at the yard in commerce city last weekend pulling a few parts of some of Maxx's trucks when I saw it in person. When he first posted the pictures of it I was tempted. I'm in Parker.
You must’ve just missed me dropping off the ramp truck to him! Haha
Edit: Nevermind, I dropped it off on Thursday, I lose track of days. It was probably already there when you were there.
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That truck is cool af.
could you use a crew cab frame with the single cab to give you more room behind the cab to mount the camper?
So awesome. Can’t wait to see the progress.
I definitely could but I also think I can make the setup I plan to use work, and I’d like to keep it as short as possible. Also thought about if I need to extend the wheelbase just a little bit to go ahead and parallel 4 link the rear on air bags, just something similar to a newer ram truck, nothing crazy.
Im just worried this truck might actually be worth something to someone out there and I’m going to tear it apart
It's definitely worth more whole. But, the end is near so just build it. F it.
Don’t sweat it. Do what you want. I like the plan. Sticking with the 4L85 is fine. You could fortify it if you wanted but probably work fine if you keep it stock.
I think you officially have more projects than me. You should live closer so we could help each other buy more projects and not finish them.
I'll drink to that
The title says "budget build", but swapping out the stock T400 and 454 big block for a 4L85E and an 8.1 LS is not a budget build.
Price out an Earthroamer lately? Even used they are Six figure price tags. Pretty sure stuffing a Dmax and 4l85 still keeps the budget well out of the Earthroamer price range.
I’d guess the “budget” part of the title needs that perspective.
4l85E and LBZ duramax. Which I bought the running driving van for $1048. Budget is always relative. An earth roamer is a few hundred thousand. After I sell the box and drivetrain I will be into this truck for less than $1000. Hoping to buy the donor camper for less than $3000.
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