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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: chevyman350_82 on February 06, 2009, 08:02:38 am

Title: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: chevyman350_82 on February 06, 2009, 08:02:38 am
Will post better pics as soon as I can get them up here this ones from my phone...

Picked up a 81 Dually 4 door 454 yesterday for 1,200, guy said tranny was shot so I paid the man went and got 4qts of fluid and drove it on the trailer. When I got home when to parts house got a filter and fluid change it and runs like a champ lol. Minor rust on rockers and firewall but overall good deal.


Some Ideas of What to do?

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u114/chevyman350_82/dually.jpg)
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: choptop on February 06, 2009, 08:08:52 am
Great deal, congradulations. As far as what to do, it depends on what you want to use it for. My 1 ton will be used to pull a gooseneck, so I dont want to slam it on the ground, but just a little lower than stock will still work. What are your plans for it?
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: chevyman350_82 on February 06, 2009, 08:11:52 am
Right now I think just fix the rust spots and clean up engine bay and inside...then lower it prob 2/4 or 3/5 not sure, wheels, and paint just gonna take it one thing at a time its going to be the daily so not going to tear it down like other project
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: 1983stepside on February 06, 2009, 10:04:16 am
thats a nice truck man and a nice score, if i had that truck id lower it 3/5 fix all rust and clean up the engine bay, maybe even paint the block if possible, repaint the whole truck, put a billet grill in, change the wheels, and clean up the interior, maybe re cover all seats or something, do somethig with the inside to make the truck stand out a little more then others but im sure what ever you decide to do will look killer keep us posted 8)
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: chevyman350_82 on February 06, 2009, 10:44:32 am
Thanks man! Will do...I got to buy a camera so I can take some pics
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on February 06, 2009, 12:00:11 pm
This is awesome on many levels:

1) it looks like the previous owner kept it stock---which is pretty amazing;  Most people can't.

2) that you got it so cheap;  Could the economy have something to do with it?

Personally, i would keep it stock.
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: cubicdollars on February 06, 2009, 07:13:27 pm
Great looking truck, and looks like a really good deal keep us informed on your plans.
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: oldwhity on February 06, 2009, 08:33:21 pm
Great find. It doesn't matter which direction you choose, these trucks look good either way!! ;)
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: Maintenanceman on February 06, 2009, 08:57:52 pm
cam, heads, blower, forged bottom end, bored .030 over..........OH WAIT...thats what im dreaming to do to min....my bad, lol get the rust spots out and clean her up real good,  a nice set of chrome wheels would go a long way and a nice exhaust.....
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: oldwhity on February 06, 2009, 09:03:05 pm
a nice set of chrome wheels would go a long way and a nice exhaust.....

Shoot, even those wheels painted black with chrome lugs.....or, with mid ninty's center caps only and no trim ring.
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: lazyal on February 06, 2009, 10:02:17 pm
Id door it on 24in Semi's!!!! My dream truck.
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: oldyeller on February 09, 2009, 11:27:46 am
Nice find. 
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: chevyman350_82 on February 12, 2009, 11:04:38 am
Thanks man! I really like it finally got everything sound where I can drive it just to see if I want to keep it or what but does anyone know what the 3+3 stands for? I cant find that info anywhere.
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: choptop on February 12, 2009, 11:12:29 am
I think its 3 passenger seating front, 3 passenger seating rear
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: Captkaos on February 12, 2009, 11:33:42 am
Chop is correct.
3+3 means it has a front and rear bench seat,
Bonus Cab means it has only a front seat
Keep in mind many conversion trucks were ordered Bonus because they put their own rear seats in them.
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: chevyman350_82 on February 12, 2009, 01:34:26 pm
Thanks guys I was looking all over for that but good info to know because everyone was asking and I didnt have that info lol
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: chevyman350_82 on March 10, 2009, 07:50:56 am
I just finally went through a tank of gas had to do few things so couldnt drive it much but it only gets about 8.7mpg from the other ones ive read they are about 10 and some 11 wonder why mine dont get that?
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: cubicdollars on March 10, 2009, 12:49:24 pm
Hey man dont feel too bad mine got less that 7 miles to a gallon :( when I towed a car home. But as soon as I finish gathering parts and take the time I'll put in a 5 speed and a projection system


Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: The dream on March 10, 2009, 01:13:50 pm
Chop is correct.
3+3 means it has a front and rear bench seat,
Bonus Cab means it has only a front seat
Keep in mind many conversion trucks were ordered Bonus because they put their own rear seats in them.

I have a regular cab with bench and will fit 4 people. Me and 3 girls !!! LOL
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: bake315 on March 11, 2009, 10:57:39 am
I just finally went through a tank of gas had to do few things so couldnt drive it much but it only gets about 8.7mpg from the other ones ive read they are about 10 and some 11 wonder why mine dont get that?

Nice truck, you got a steal.  Figure on 10 or 11 at the absolute most with that 454, especially if you have the 400 tranny and 410 rear.  You might get a little better than that if you have the 4-speed.  Maybe swapping out the rear gears for higher ones would help a little.  Mostly, just a good tune up and good tires will be the best bet on getting your best mileage.

Oh yeah - and more pics! :)
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: chevyman350_82 on March 11, 2009, 11:20:12 am
Im working on the pics. I dont have a camera, but it has 456 gears lol so not so good but it will pull all the stumps up. I got a guy wanting to trade me a newer one for it and if it works out I think I might and just find another one later and build it because I got to many things going on right now.
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: j250trxr on March 31, 2009, 12:22:46 am
nice truck,dont fel bad about the mileage i only get about 7-8 with mine and i dont have the dualley,but again great truck gotta love the 3+3.
Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: chevyman350_82 on April 06, 2009, 08:14:58 am
More Pics as promised...

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u114/chevyman350_82/Picture015.jpg)

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u114/chevyman350_82/Picture016.jpg)

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u114/chevyman350_82/Picture017.jpg)

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u114/chevyman350_82/Picture018.jpg)

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u114/chevyman350_82/Picture024.jpg)

Title: Re: 81 Dually 4 door 454
Post by: chevyman350_82 on April 06, 2009, 08:16:46 am
Havent had time to do anything much but make sure its safe for driving but next step is tear interior out and fix firewall thats the worst spot on the truck of rust