1980 GMC General- Many Questions- Restoration Project

Kadingers in downing wi has a heavy truck parts yard. Its in western wi I've gone there for parts before. Or look online there's one in mn and Iowa

 

I see you're not getting much feedback, so here's what I think. I will try to be as positive as I can, but realistic also. I'll start with what I think are the down points, and finish with the good ones. Firstly, a 34 year old truck, that's been sitting for who knows how long, is likely to be a money pit. If you were to go through it from one end to the other to make it road ready and reliable, your $2500 purchase price is going to seem like pocket change compared to everything else it's probably going to need. You've indicated you don't have a lot of money to put in it. Unless you can find someone willing to donate parts, tires, brake shoes, drums, air valves, s cams, pots, etc. the list could go on and on, well, these things add up. Ask me how I know You said you are a high school student? Nothing wrong with that, and good for you for having an interest in diesel mechanics. But unless your dad or uncle, or cousin has a trucking company where you can get started, and get some experience, I don't know how you would just simply get work at your age, with no experience, and a patched up 34 year old General? I just can't quite wrap my head around that. But here's what might work. You could buy the truck, and have it as a project to work on and learn, as you work through your heavy duty courses. There's a lot of young guys would rather have a fast car or a jacked up 4x4 to pour money into. As far as actually getting it road ready, and putting it to work, I think you are looking at years, and lots of dollars. It's up to you to figure out if it's worth pursuing. Good luck!

 

50 gallon tanks are plenty for intrastate trucking, which is all you can do the next three years anyway.

Green antifreeze will work. 50/50 is fine. Should be somewhere between 8 and 15 gallons. Start off filling it with water when it gets back above freezing and start looking for leaks, since it's a bit cheaper to cover your driveway in water than in coolant.

A 5th wheel just bolts on. Assuming you have a hoist, it's easy. There might already be bolt holes, but if not, you're in for a hell of a drilling job.

I feel I also should note that you're going to need 4 batteries, not one, just to get it to crank without bricking your batteries.

I bought a 1979 Kenworth K100 when I was 22 for $7500. It took about $6000 to get road legal just to the point it'd pass a DOT annual inspection. That didn't include getting it running right (another $3500), putting decent tires on it (another $3000+), and redoing the interior (??? I just drove it gutted).

Unless you're sitting on top of $10,000 with a spot open for you at your uncle's trucking business where his shop will give you a labor discount, I honestly think you're in over your head.

 

Was this truck ever a tractor? If not, the brake system is not set up for hauling a trailer, and will need quite a few additional bits. There's also the trailer light wiring, and wheels. It's hard to tell in the pics but it looks to have Daytons, which will be fun to find tires for and someone to work on them. If it has Budd wheels then it'll be the same as any modern truck as far as tires go. Leaf springs or walking beam suspension out back most likely too, not exactly built for comfort.
It's going to take a lot to get it roadworthy, at that age most seals will be shot, universals, kingpins, brake hoses, etc. It may be an attractive truck to you, but I wouldn't expect to make money with it. Dump trucks are rarely treated well, and are generally kept until it costs more to keep them patched together than they can make. It may well have a bent frame, I've seen more than a few of those from where the front of the bed hits the frame or it's been overloaded.

 

The fuel economy might not be that good, but those abandoned old trucks can be very pricy in some places

View attachment 74558
View attachment 74557


This truck 1975 is worth more than 50k ( more than 2003 truck from newer brand)in Dubai and G.C.C because of reliability and ease of repair