1996 Chevrolet c3500HD CrewCab BEAST - Junkyard Rescue Take II

16Raptor said:

There's a guy on YouTube with a 98 5.9 Cummins 3500HD with 18spd it's aswome. I'm the odd ball I'm for some reason really wanting a 6.5 1500 Z71 but I don't think a 6.5 would be happy in a massive 3500HD.

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I saw that video a few years back!

Yes I owned a 94 6.5 z71 and it was actually a fast truck that blew too much coal. But I agree a 6.5 would be a terrible choice for this truck.


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Tavi said:

With a welder and a BFH. There are lots of transmissions that will bolt up to that. Just need the proper bell housing. I'd opt for less gears. Probably 6. In a truck that light you'd be skipping gears all the time with anything more than 9.

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I wouldn't know what I would do with that. But a 6 speed would be cool with me, I've never driven a semi before in my life and have never shifted more than 6 gears lol


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gstubbz said:

I wouldn't know what I would do with that. But a 6 speed would be cool with me, I've never driven a semi before in my life and have never shifted more than 6 gears lol


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It's super easy to drive a 18spd if you can drive a 5spd you can drive a 18spd I just got my C1A learner's once my broken leg heals doing my road test. I suggest if you have never driven a semi drive one nothing like a straight piped C15 Cat with 10" stacks and a 18spd going down a long hill with the Jake's in full bore makes me grin ear to ear every time. I'll shut up now I'm getting off topic.

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@gstubbz find any rims yet?

If worst comes to worst I got steelies.

No I haven't, there was a guy on the 6.5TD FB page that had some but he is going through surgery so I didn't really talk to him about it. What would you want for two of them? Shipping will probably be off the charts.

gstubbz said:

I've been trying to look for wheels these past two days, and it's all a shitton of money. To buy four out of Florida on ebay would be $645.80 which I think is a little excessive for rusted out rims (probably from a flood truck lol). Or $278 for two rusty rims from Illinois. I posted on a Reno Buy/Sell group so hopefully someone has some by happenchance.

I swear if there is one thing I dislike about this truck, it's the fact that it was missing the rear wheels. I wish I could just fit 16" ford rims on it but it is literally impossible to fit those on the front due to the rotors and calipers being super huge.

Didn't realize how much of a unicorn these things really are! 10 lug problems

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You'll find some at a decent price, just be patient. Hell a couple years ago I coulda made you a deal on some when I still had my salvage yard, or even later when I put those Alcoas on my '95 HD.

Just remember if you need to have any shipped, look into Greyhound bus, or Fedex ground - and create an online account with Fedex (free) as you will get their best rate that way, far better than if you just called them up or walked into a Fedex storefront location. I shipped a whole set of factory 20's across the country for about $160 total, after being quoted over $200 without the account.

As far as engines the Vortec 7.4 will move that truck around without breaking a sweat. The 8.1 even better though they have their issues with oil consumption and difficulty in finding some parts (only came in HD's for 2 years so hunting down harness etc. may be tricky.) But depending on how you plan on using the truck...if you're going to haul heavy loads, go straight to the 12V Cummins. More than a few have been swapped in and make plenty of power. It's a bit of work, but has definitely been done and a couple guys over on 3500hd.com can give you some tips.

Richard

Here's a dude in Redding selling a bucket lift bed off an HD chassis he is clearly parting out. Truck appears to have 5 wheels left on it; maybe you can get a couple from him... Redding is near you, right? https://redding.craigslist.org/pts/d/utility-bed-lift-boom/6233688416.html ad is nearly a month old so I'd go ahead and make contact w/him before it goes away. contact name: GARY call or text: (916) 589-0345 ext. 530

Richard

Saw some on ebay.. might have some good luck on there

someotherguy said:

Here's a dude in Redding selling a bucket lift bed off an HD chassis he is clearly parting out. Truck appears to have 5 wheels left on it; maybe you can get a couple from him... Redding is near you, right? https://redding.craigslist.org/pts/d/utility-bed-lift-boom/6233688416.html ad is nearly a month old so I'd go ahead and make contact w/him before it goes away. contact name: GARY call or text: (916) 589-0345 ext. 530

Richard

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Shoot, thanks for the link Richard! I usually hunt the Reno and Sacramento craigslist and it usually shows Redding ads in them as well. Shot him a text message just now and if that doesn't work I'll give him a call this weekend. Marysville isn't too far from me but is closer to @GarrettGmc interestingly enough!

GarrettGmc said:

Saw some on ebay.. might have some good luck on there

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I looked ebay up and down, all seemed expensive but I would prefer to buy localish if I could!

Ya I figured locally would be best but I've looked through sac to Medford and reno to Humboldt an coming up empty. Didn't see the one Richard pointed out but it's best shot for locally right now