Chevrolet C60

[Dean Olson]

I'm considering buying a 1987 Chevrolet C60 with a 5 speed
trans, single speed rear end, 366 engine. It shows 4200 miles. I
was sure that it had turned over but after looking at it i believe it
is the correct mileage. It was a city truck that got very little use.
It drives great and everything works.

The only down side is no AC and it tops out at about 60mph. I
suspect that is must have a governor on it?? or is it just geared
that low? It didn't sound like the rpm's where too high at 60.

If it is geared too low how big a deal is it to add the 2 speed rear
end components?

Any insight on anything and everything about this truck would
be appreciated, good or bad.

 

[showcrop]

Dump trucks usually are geared fairly low. unless you have auxiliaries. The dump truck that I used to have was governed at 90 but it had an 18 speed. Dump trucks don't often travel enough miles to warrant spending serious money on higher MPG. You should be able to find a two speed that would bolt in through a salvage yard.

 

[ericlb]

the 2 speed rear will help with pulling a load a lot,but wont speed the truck up, for hiway speeds you'll need to get a rear end with a taller gear[ lower numericly] most c60's are not designed to be road trucks, there designed to operate in a local area at reduced speed, ie dump trucks lumber trucks construction trucks wreckers ect. they can be changed to run at road speed, but most arent ordered new that way

 

[Anonymous-0]

The two speed gives you a spare lower gear not a higher gear. it probably won't change your road speed appreciably.
You should have a Holley spreadbore carb on the 366. You can look at the side and tell if it has the governer option or not. Most municipal and school buses had governers. Most farm/landscaper trucks don't. My 87 has non, my space carb has it. It can be disconnected, but really these these things are 55mph trucks. The brakes needed to stop a fully loaded truck make them somewhat unsafe when unladen.
The only easy speed step up is a trans swap. You probably have the Clark 5-speed, there is a version that has overdrive 5th gear, that will bolt in. Otherwise, a Brownie or Gear Vendors 2-speed auxiliary unit would be your only choice. Again, I would be cautious due to braking ability.

Curiousity, what is the GVW? Mine's 24800, part o fth reason I bought it was that it was under 26k CDL limit. Mine appears to have been a Ryder truck, yellow inside, had a contractor dump (flat + low sides), 366 5 speed w/PTO, single speed rear, disc brakes on the rears.

If you lived near me in MI I'd sell you my parts machine cheap.... probably gonna haul its 4 tons to the scrap man, worth about 3x what I paid for it.

 

[mkirsch]

"Makes them somewhat unsafe when unladen..."

Are the brakes really touchy?

 

[Dean Olson]

GVWR is 19200. Brakes are fine empty. Didn't seem touchy.