66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

So hopefully this can stay here. I was posting in the Heavy Haulers section but I’m guessing not many people frequent that as hardly anyone responds to posts.

Here’s my 1966 C50 I picked up last summer. The back story is I had planned on building a C50 over 2 years ago. I actually bought a 62 C50 with plans of building it but realized I didn’t have the funds or budget so I decided to sell it. About 6-8months later I see pics of Dino’s white C50. It drove me nuts because that’s what I was originally going to build. I have a 63 C30 panel (link in signature) that I was driving a lot until I started my CNC Plasma cutting side business. Since the business started I’m always delivering signs, picking up metal, etc. I decided I needed a work truck.

I picked up this 1966 C50 with 30K miles running and driving with a 292 and 4speed. I call it Big Orange. My soon to be wife calls it Big Stupid (at the time she told me if I bought another project before she got a ring she was leaving me. I called her bluff and bought the truck. 6 months later she got her ring. )

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Good luck with both your new project and the girlfriend :metal:

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Sorry for not posting a pic.. I'm not sure why but it isn't giving me the advanced option on my iPad to post pics.. anyone know why?

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Got it. Here she is

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Truck handles 4.5 tons of sand to add to a lake property I have access to. Worst part was having to shovel it off. Guess the previous owner removed the dump bed.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Tear down began. The plan was to use a K member from a 1992 G30 Short bus that was given to me. I also planned on using the rear end.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Got the front end mocked up in place and the rear end set in place. The 22” Alcoas looked cool. Definitely got me excited.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

This is where things went south. I know I want the truck to sit low, possibly going to bag it. The factory C50 top frame rail is completely straight from the engine back. Unless I wanted to do a manly Z or notch in the front frame rail I didn’t see how the truck was going to sit low enough for my liking. I know I could make it work but it decided time wise it wasn’t worth all the effort to keep the C50 frame. I know the tires are rubber bands ( I got a good deal on the package) but I still needed to make up the 1’ wheel well gap.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Decided to pick up a donor frame. My C50 has s 175” wheelbase so I purchased a 1978 C30 frame for $300. Notice how the frame drops down where the cab will go. The C30 frame has a 161” wheel base which is fine. Figured a little shorter would make it easier to drive and find parking spots.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Managed to get the cab swapped over onto the c30 frame. That lowered the body roughly 6”. I also plan on putting 3” drop spindles on it.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Was able to remove the 12V Cummins from the donor. It came out of a 1994 dodge so it’s a P-pump motor that’s inter cooled.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Cummins mock up. I made engine mounts out of 1/2” and 1/4” plating. Plasma table makes quick work of it.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Couldn’t deal with the tires on the 22’s. Decided it didn’t make sense to spend money on new tires when I could use that to jump to 24’s. Going to make a huge difference. Going from a 265/35/22 at 29” overlall height to a 295/40/24 at 33” height. Factory wheels and tires were 36” tall.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Ready to start mounting the cab.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Awesome rig! Digging the motor swap. Curious how you will make it all come together. I’m still plugging away at my swap. Your body looks to be in much better shape. Good to see you back at it!!

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Made some more progress tonight. 24’s are going to fit great!

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Very cool project! If I were you I'd be getting some poly type engine mounts for this. Your trans is a 47RH if it came from the same truck. Very good trans and can be operated with toggle switches if you'd like.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Very kool project. I will enjoy watching this one.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Great stuff!

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Yes sir! Did the energy suspension engine mounts already. Also put a new tranny mount on it as well. When you do the toggle switch thing do you still run the factory computer with the 47re? I was also going to order up a Lokar 727 shifter for it.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Front end. Bumper is about 10” from the ground. Debating cutting it up and making it about 3” taller (by taller I mean overall height, basically 3" on the bottom end) to match the height of the side steps. Personal pet peeve is cabs being lower than front bumpers.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

What year is your trans from? Does it have 3 pins on the valve body connector? I never run the dodge pcm to control any of the dodge transmisisons. The shift points are never right and you can't really change them. You can get a compushift mini for 47rh transmissions though. Yes, you can use a shifter for a 727.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Going to follow this one. I have my eyes on a C50/60 that my cousin has...

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

The donor truck was a 1994. I’ll have to take a better look at the connectors.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Your transmission is a 47RH then. Not a 47re. It should have a 3 pin connector on the left side of the trans behind the shift arm and throttle pressure lever.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Not much updates just yet. Been busy finishing out my end of the year teaching and getting ready for my wedding. I did get my seat back from upholstery but I'm not going to post pics of it just yet. I am hoping to make some progress in the next couple of days. Ill be sure to post pics

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Knowing you are a teacher, just makes you forum name that much more hilarious!

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Made a couple of wheel stands the other night so I could hang the 24’s. These things aren’t light.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Lol. That was mainly because of my panel truck I built. I was going to get that license plate but I figured that would be frowned upon at school.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

I powder coated my wheels in mirror white. Didn’t want the polished look that everyone has.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Got my wheels mounted today and just enough time to put one on. Super stoked. This is on factory C30 suspension. Not even sure it would turn with drop spindles.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Good choice on the white wheels. Looks awesome. Gonna be a sweet truck, keep it up!

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

I like the wheel color. Works well with the factory patina...

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

The white looks good. At that angle those things look HUGE.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

They are 24" wheels with 295/40/R24 tires which are 33" tall overall so they are pretty damn big!

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

The 14 bolt that was in the C30 wasn’t wide enough and the tires hit the leaf springs so I swapped it out for a Dana 80 that’s 10” wider.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Looking good.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Haven’t made much progress and behind on schedule. Got married and went on a 10 day honeymoon so that pretty much ate up the month of June. I started working on mounting the cab and came up with these bolt on cab mounts. Goal is to have the truck done in the next 2 weeks.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Took a few minutes to tear down the front of the Cummins engine to check on the “killer dowl pin” that they use during assembly to align the front gear cover to the engine block. The dowl pin can come out and fall into the gear drive and ruin the whole motor. I found mine had backed out about 3/8” so it was well on its way to destruction. I knocked it back in and made a hold down tab for it so it won’t be an issue in the future.

Re: 66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid
 

Neat build!

Will you go back to a flatbed?