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85 CrewCab build direction?

konajoe

konajoe

1/2 ton status
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Massachusetts, U.S.A.
I picked up this 85 C30 Bonus Cab awhile back with the intention of a "Cousin Willard" style build.

Strangely optioned truck...
Silverado option with a/c, power windows and rugs but no rear seat?The truck is in pretty decent shape for spending 25 years in the Northeast.

My dilemma is that lately i've been thinking of building the truck as more of a driver/light wheeler than a full on trail rig. Maybe a shortbed fleetside with a 6.0/4l80e or Cummins combo.

What do you think? What would you guys do?

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Pulled out most of the interior along with the rugs & padding and the floor is in good shape except for some light rust @ the front right/left foot areas.
85CC7.jpg
 
Stick a flatbed on it and make a more usable vehicle instead of a trail only rig. I'd love to have a crewcab as a project to make into an great all-round vehicle
 
Cornfield creations said:
Stick a flatbed on it and make a more usable vehicle instead of a trail only rig. I'd love to have a crewcab as a project to make into an great all-round vehicle
Click to expand...

Agreed.
I am doing just that, an all around vehicle since I don't do extreme wheeling anymore just enough to get to a nice camping or fishing spot.
:waytogo:
 
if it were me id go with like a kinda tow rig/ recovery rescue truck that is reliable and tough. put it on like 36's or something prolly go with a built 6.0l or maybe a 8.1 or duramax swap if i had unlimited funds lol for being such a big truck you need alot of power. also id make it capable of going to the interstate at like 65 or 70 with no problems so id put a 5 speed or 4l80 in it. but thats just me
 
I'd throw a bed on it, if a short bed if you can find one. And run it, do the front axle get steering worked out and driveable, then worry about drivetrain
 
Just my thoughts but "cousin willard" is a daily driver street type rig that can be driven on hard trails. Very good execution of said idea
 
I would like to take out some of the wheelbase, think it's at 164" now?

True Cousin Willard is a streetable/wheelable rig but instead of cutting it all up (rockers, doors etc) i was thinking more like a stock rebuild with a mild lift and some 37s.
 
My Crew cab is going to be remarkably similar to "cousin willard" with a few of my own personal touches thrown in.
 
Nothing more bitchen than a crew cab short box.

I have helped with a couple and seriously I may in the future undaully my dually and do that.

Although one of the reasons that that truck is so awesome is because of the cuts and stuff.

When Matt (boondock5) is done with his truck he won't have very big tires on it but he will be able to go alot of places due to his very well laid plans as far as cutting junk up goes
 
i purchased my crew cab with the "willard" idea also. but decided that a truck that can do everything well is better than a truck that only does 1 thing great.

keep the lift low, radial tires, good seals, good heater, upgrade the steering and brakes, make sure everything else works as it should.
then worry about how long the bed is, how much power it has, or how far down the trail it will go.

thats what i have been doing with my cc and i like it. it feels good when you can just hop in and drive it wherever comfortably and without worry.
 
The more i think about the more i like the shortbed crewcab idea. So far for parts i've collected... 60/70 dually axles, 350tbi, another set of 56" springs and 37"mtrs on 12 bolt beadlocks.


Edit:
just noticed... over 10yrs and finally hit 100 posts. :haha:
 
konajoe said:
The more i think about the more i like the shortbed crewcab idea. So far for parts i've collected... 60/70 dually axles, 350tbi, another set of 56" springs and 37"mtrs on 12 bolt beadlocks.


Edit:
just noticed... over 10yrs and finally hit 100 posts. :haha:
Click to expand...

If your gonna keep a bed and not make it a total shorty I like this one personally.

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Although if it were mine I would also bob the bed for better departure.
 
That one looks to be on a burb frame.

If I do it I will shorten the stock k30 frame to fit a normal shortbed box on it.

I like the way that looks alot better than the burb frame shortened (in the front) bed
 
79bonanza said:
i think im the only one who likes a long box on a crew cab lol
Click to expand...

I love the look, and everything else of a long bed crew cab that is why I have a collection of them.
I am now thinking about making a short bed because I have one that has rust in the back and by cutting off most of it I could end up with a real short bed.:thumb:
 
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