GMC Topkick Dump truck

[fatjay]

Looking at a single axle dump truck. I'm mechanically minded, but thought I would ask for suggestions on what to look out for. Obviously rust, patch jobs, hydraulics, engine, brakes, tires. Ad says it has a cat motor. Says new tires and brakes. I'll be asking if it has air brakes. front axle is rated at 6k, rear at 15k, so i should be in the clear as far as no CDL but correct me if I'm wrong on that one. Truck looks solid, I'll be calling tomorrow to try and set up an appointment.

 

[4570Man]

I’m not a big fan of the cat motors in those trucks. They’re hard to work on and weak. I’m not a fan of the hydraulic brakes either. They work but I’d rather have air. My biggest concern would be a good bed. A lot of those trucks were salt trucks and complete junk. I’ve got a Topkick with a 366 with a 5-2. I wouldn’t have one without the 2 speed rear either. The 366 ain’t a bad motor and moves along better than you’d expect but it’s thirsty. My suggestion if you’re going to work it very much is to find a truck with a Cummins.

 

[fatjay]

This won't be a work truck, more like a weekend warrior truck. I move dirt, stone, tree's, things like that around my house, for my parents, and other family members. Mostly it would be on my property, but on occasion within a 20 mile radius of my house. Stone is cheaper from the quarry, mulch yard, etc.

Other thing I wouldn't mind is the 5-2 trans. They don't say what transmission it has, but if it's the cat diesel i'm hoping it's the bigger one. I'm also hoping for air brakes, so I can watch the meters. I'm a firm believer that the driver should be an active participant of the driving process, not a bystander while hte vehicle does everything for you. More buttons and dials and knobs the better.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Air brakes or 26k lbs plus, if its private use only, there my be a way around CDL requirements. 'Not For Hire' decal on the drivers door, for example... check your local laws, but if there is proof it's for personal use only, you may get around CDL issues.

 

[ruffdog]

I’m not a big fan of the cat motors in those trucks. They’re hard to work on and weak. I’m not a fan of the hydraulic brakes either. They work but I’d rather have air. My biggest concern would be a good bed. A lot of those trucks were salt trucks and complete junk. I’ve got a Topkick with a 366 with a 5-2. I wouldn’t have one without the 2 speed rear either. The 366 ain’t a bad motor and moves along better than you’d expect but it’s thirsty. My suggestion if you’re going to work it very much is to find a truck with a Cummins.

I worked on lots of c60,c65,c70 trucks in the 70's with the 366 gasser.

Here is a gasser on CL:
1992 gmc dump truck - farm & garden - by owner - sale

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Looking at a single axle dump truck. I'm mechanically minded, but thought I would ask for suggestions on what to look out for. Obviously rust, patch jobs, hydraulics, engine, brakes, tires. Ad says it has a cat motor. Says new tires and brakes. I'll be asking if it has air brakes. front axle is rated at 6k, rear at 15k, so i should be in the clear as far as no CDL but correct me if I'm wrong on that one. Truck looks solid, I'll be calling tomorrow to try and set up an appointment.

Air brakes are good on these vehicles. Like you said, no CDL required. Stay away from liberty engines especially the turbo liberty engine as they go through head gaskets. Navistar engines are good.

 

[Hay Dude]

Looking at a single axle dump truck. I'm mechanically minded, but thought I would ask for suggestions on what to look out for. Obviously rust, patch jobs, hydraulics, engine, brakes, tires. Ad says it has a cat motor. Says new tires and brakes. I'll be asking if it has air brakes. front axle is rated at 6k, rear at 15k, so i should be in the clear as far as no CDL but correct me if I'm wrong on that one. Truck looks solid, I'll be calling tomorrow to try and set up an appointment.

Which CAT motor? They built some junky Diesel engines, too.
What brand of truck is it?

In a single axle 26-38k dump, I’d say a DT466A or an 8.3L Cummins would be the best in the smaller vocational truck diesels. If I were buying another single axle diesel dump, I’d start looking for one with the 8.3L Cummins. A really nice, bigger small displacement engine with millions of hours of use in agricultural tractors and trucks.
Youll love it.
If you want big power, just get a single axle road tractor with an M-11, N-14, bigger CAT or Detroit diesel with about 350-450HP and put a 9 or 10 foot dump box on it. Lots of fun to drive, pull anything, but loves fuel :laughing:

 

[4570Man]

My Topkick is gas. It drinks plenty of it but it’s not that bad for an occasional use truck. The 366 has proved reliable and cheap to work on. It’s still a pretty cheap way of getting work done. It’s way better than 3 trips on my ton truck.

 

[RickB]

Probably a Cat 3116 and hydraulic brakes. I’m not sure I’d want that Cat and I know for certain I don’t want hydraulic brakes on anything that size.

 

[4570Man]

Probably a Cat 3116 and hydraulic brakes. I’m not sure I’d want that Cat and I know for certain I don’t want hydraulic brakes on anything that size.

I’ve only seen a handful of non tandem GMCs with air brakes. The vast majority of them are hydraulic.

 

[Hay Dude]

Probably a Cat 3116 and hydraulic brakes. I知 not sure I壇 want that Cat and I know for certain I don稚 want hydraulic brakes on anything that size.

Affirmative. Especially those Lucas Girling hydraulic brakes. They were awful to work on..

 

[4570Man]

Affirmative. Especially those Lucas Girling hydraulic brakes. They were awful to work on..

I’ve never heard that term. What makes them worse than regular hydraulic brakes. My truck brakes are a real pain to work on because of the Dayton wheels. Having to pull the Dayton hub to change the rotors is even worse. But that’s no fault of the hydraulics and I haven’t had much hassle from them. I’d still rather have air.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’ve never heard that term. What makes them worse than regular hydraulic brakes. My truck brakes are a real pain to work on because of the Dayton wheels. Having to pull the Dayton hub to change the rotors is even worse. But that’s no fault of the hydraulics and I haven’t had much hassle from them. I’d still rather have air.

Never heard what term

 

[4570Man]

Lucus girling.

 

[Hay Dude]

Lucas Girling is a company that makes hydraulic brakes. Had some less than stellar experience with them on some of my older Ford dump trucks

 

[caver]

Funny I sold a single axle Top Kick dump with a Cat 311(?) diesel turbo to some young guy in PA. It had air brakes. He wanted to drive it back from MO. I said good luck, it's geared very low. His buddy was going to haul it. One of those items I bought that I regretted a year or two later.

 

[RickB]

I’ve only seen a handful of non tandem GMCs with air brakes. The vast majority of them are hydraulic.

Might be true but doesn’t change my preferences. Juice brakes suck on old 6 wheelers. Stupid expensive and often difficult to source parts.

 

[Peter 315]

Air brakes are way better you can change a 30/30 maxi can in about 10 minutes ,Dayton spokes I have a hate/ love relationship with them.....

 

[Hay Dude]

Air brakes are why better you can change a 30/30 maxi can in about 10 minutes ,Dayton spokes I have a hate/ love relationship with them.....

Yep! I keep my air brake adjustment wrench for the slack adjusters in the truck. Such a simple concept. Always wondered why they don’t make a more simple consumer friendly version for smaller trucks.

 

[Peter 315]

Yep! I keep my air brake adjustment wrench for the slack adjusters in the truck. Such a simple concept. Always wondered why they don稚 make a more simple consumer friendly version for smaller trucks.

Do you really want everybody adjusting their own brakes...... That's why the have automatic slack adjusters that you still have to adjust sometimes......