1975 GMC 6500 dump truck with 366ci gas big block

[crazyal]

If your not going to be using it on the road much get yourself a set of chains for those rear tires. You'll be surprised just how well they work in the summertime. Congrats on the plaid interior. At least for you while driving the truck the 70s will be alive again.

 

[clemsonfor]

Just a comment from the cheap seats. This is an interesting forum to follow. On one side 650 foot pounds of torque aren't enough for a 3/4 ton diesel p/u. On the other, members see the merits of a vintage dump truck powered by en engine that today would be considered patheitc & weak for even a compact P/U. It makes you wonder how our parents & grandparents accomplished so much with the equipment they had at their disposal. I'm not trying to pick a fight, just amazed how capable our trucks, tractors, powertools etc.. have become

Like others have said is that wide open they go 55mph and get 5 mpg!

 

[clemsonfor]

The truck looks great, hope it serves you well.

The interior looks much like a 73 C30 I have. The steering wheel looks exactly the same, which leads me to a question.

My steering wheel is starting to get "tacky" or sticky to the touch over the past two years, almost like is it oozing some substance. Anyone have an idea what could be causing this and how to correct. The truck has always been kept inside. I tried cleaning with one of the orange cleaners but it didn't help.

My 1980 k10 is like that, but not as bad as my ranger is sometimes thats a 1990

 

[capt_met]

great buy, that truck looks like new. hope it serves you well.

 

[clemsonfor]

Dargo, thats a bad @$$ truck. I be hard for me not to drive it to lowes just to pick up a few things.

I guess the fuel reminds you though that you need to drive it for work.

 

[amscontr]

Anybody on here ever have one of these? I don't really need a dump truck right now, but this is a one owner a family friend owns and has never sat outside overnight and I can't find any rust anywhere on the truck. He had the bed removed, media blasted and painted with some hard enamel paint about every 5 years. It has average tires, new brake booster and wheel cylinders, original interior that doesn't even have a rip in the seat and has 29,XXX miles on it.

I really don't know anything about the old 366 truck engines (he says it's a big block), but it started right away after sitting for weeks, didn't smoke and idled just fine. I wouldn't even consider this thing except it's darn near in perfect condition and I think I can get it for a reasonable price.

My questions are; is that a decent truck? It's bed looks good and is a 6 yard bed and the engine, transmission and brakes are good. My next question is what really would be a "reasonable" price for something that old?? I can't really go out of a book, because it looks better than some 2009 trucks I've seen. Any thoughts or comments on that old truck? My use would really be moving dirt on my property and saving time and wear on my tractor moving dirt 1 yard at a time.

At the most $4000, $3000 would be what I'd offer. We have a couple of the same type of trucks and they're easy to work on and used parts are somewhat easy to find.

 

[Dargo]

At the most $4000, $3000 would be what I'd offer. We have a couple of the same type of trucks and they're easy to work on and used parts are somewhat easy to find.

Thanks for your input. I've been staying at a hotel for the last 10 days because my oldest daughter had to have brain surgery. I did end up buying the truck just before I left and got what I consider a super deal. Having nervous energy before I left, I washed and waxed it as well as doing all the maintenance. It's really nice! All I need to do is fix the rear brakes (still work but are original) and fix the leak from the lift cylinder. It isn't bad, but will leave what looks like 5 drips overnight. The original owner I bought it from is a close friend of the family. He's so close that he used to be over at our house so often back when I was a baby, I used to call him "Momma" until I was almost 4 years old because he got stuck carrying me around so much. He changed the front brakes an brake booster, which I can clearly see is brand new, but he just didn't get to the rear brakes (if you recall, it has very low miles - so he didn't use it much).

Since it starts, runs an idles so well, I wonder if I should even bother with plugs, wires etc.? I know they are old, but they still work fine and it purrs like a big kitten and doesn't smoke any. Remember, this truck has never sat outside since it was bought new. It was painted over a decade ago, but that was because it was the same color as one of his business competitor's trucks. It has no rust; not even any surface rust. So, change plugs, wires, cap etc., or not?

 

[Dargo]

One of the very best ways to remove decals and adhesive without harming the paint is with a rubber eraser wheel. Any autobody supply shop should have them. For an example check out this site. They call their product a "Wonder Wheel" but it's the same thing, eh?

That truck still has the shiney on it and I think you'll be very glad you bought it in a few more years. Definitely qualifies as a score in my books!:thumbsup:

Thanks, that is what I used. I bough one from a local body shop supply place. Half an hour and I was finished with both sides and that includes waxing the doors when I was finished.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would not mess with the wires unless they looked bad. I would not touch the cap and rotor either but would put a set of cheap, $1 each plugs in it. If for anything to set the gap and to take a look at each plug tip for clues on how each cylinder is behaving.

Hope all goes well with your daughter. You have her at one of if not the best facility in the U.S...

Chris

 

[75H2]

Thanks for your input. I've been staying at a hotel for the last 10 days because my oldest daughter had to have brain surgery.

I hope all is well with your daughter. We'll say a prayer tonight