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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: detroitmachine on April 11, 2018, 10:16:51 am
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Hey guys,
I got a 78 C10, I'm not sure if it is a big 10. It has 8 leaf springs in the rear, its definitely the camper special at the very least, but I'm wondering if there are any other tell-tale signs that it is a big 10?
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I think you can figure it out from the VIN. According to this VIN decoding sheet, if the 4th digit of the VIN is a 4, the truck is a 1/2 ton with heavy duty suspension. But who knows what kind of modifications have been done over the last 40 years. Unless you have the history of the truck documented, you don't know if those leaf springs are original.
http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/techinfo/73-91VIN/1978truck.pdf (http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/techinfo/73-91VIN/1978truck.pdf)
http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/VIN.htm (http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/VIN.htm)
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dont hold me to it but i dont think a big 10 and camper special came in the same package
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=28217.0
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How do you know its a camper special? Does it have it on the option list, and does it have Camper Special emblems on the cab? I've never seen a Camper Special half ton, since its usually with the 8400 lb GVW package. Are you sure your truck is not a C20?
Bruce
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hes right 1/2 ton didnt have camper special RPO. BIG 10 and F44 would be 44 vin code. larger brakes and heavier springs and frame braces and such.
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Hi Detroitmachine:
What makes you think your truck is a camper special?...I agree with others that I dont think a C-10 or heavy half has same options as camper special...for a start I think the camper special has to have a C-20/30 full floating5700 Lb rear axle or larger. I also think the GVWR of the truck needed to be at least 8200Lb...what is the GVWR on your ID plate? Do you still have your RPO sheet?...heavy half is option code F44. Camper Special option codes were Z81 and Z83. Here is what I think the factory heavy half options were for 1978:
1. 1550 Lb each capacity springs on front (larger than C-10, could be same as some C-20 options)
2. 2000 Lb each capacity rear leaf springs (larger than C-10, could be same as some C-20 options, and yes should be 8 leafs).
3. 3.40 rear axle ratio on same 3750 Lb semi-floater as C-10.
4. Wider rear brake shoes than C-10...2 inch vs 2.75 inch.
5. Dual diaphragm vacuum brake booster.
6. Heavier capacity tires (more than C-10 but less than C-20 options).
Do you see any remnants of "Heavy Half" decals on the back of the bed?...I remember seeing these in the day.
But, as Monkey Uncle has said, after all this time all this stuff could have changed on your truck considering all the interchangable parts available for these trucks.
Regards,
Henry
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