Rear end and transmission for 72' C30 with Holmes 480

[Sam Atkinson]

Hello all, I recently bought a 72' C30 with a Holmes 480 I believe. I was with him when he bought it off a guy in New Mexico. My brother didn't really do any work on it although my dad had to fix something in the rear end for him. I'm trying to get some info if anyone knows. I would like to swap out the rear end so I can get the truck much lower than it sits currently and would also like to change out the transmission. It has a granny 4 speed in it currently. If its not too much trouble I'd keep the PTO and all hooked up as the winch and boom is fully functional. However the truck is purely for enjoyment (I have my Dodge 4500 with an autoloader that I drive everyday lol) so if just a regular ole 5 speed will be easier and a hell of a lot cheaper I may just take that route. If anyone could give me some info on the transmission and rear end I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

[GRUMPS The Towman]

If memory serves right, there were quite a few different 4 speed transmissions available In the second gen C30's so its impossible to know without doing a vin check or running the numbers off the trans itself. as far as the rear end and lowering the trucks height,  it may be easier to lower the truck with a custom set of leaf springs and shackles. I would discuss that option with a local truck spring shop. A good spring shop would be able to build you a set of springs in house.  

[Turbo4whl]

Information you should know about PTO's and transmissions is that they are matched to each other. Yes many transmissions have the same mounting for the PTO but the PTO drive gear needs to match the different trans. Also the assembly arrangement can be different form one trans to the next. There are many different model PTO's as well. If you want to keep the boom operational with a PTO, a later model GM 5 speed would work. Look for one that has a PTO already mated. There would also be clutch modifications needed to use the 5 speed.

Edited January 21, 2020 by Turbo4whl