C50 conversion to K50 Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

vlco_ken · 03-07-2012, 06:28 PM

Has any body done this?
I have a 67 C50 and A 91 Dodge Cummins 4x4, I am just starting on this project so I am collecting parts and ideas right now. I am thinking about converting the C50 to 4x4. I am wondering about a front axle for the C50. To put the dodge axle under the 50, I would need 9" of wheel spacers on EACH side, and I dont think that is safe at all!! So that leaves a rockwell, or unimog. unless there is an Axle I haven thought of that is wide enough.
I even thought of taking 2 dana 60s and replacing the short side with a long tube from a diff axle.
I am building the truck for looks and a driver, gravel rds, getting my trailer to a hunting spot, i dont expect to load it up like it was built for, or wheeling it.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

dubds10 · 03-07-2012, 07:08 PM

Why not put the C50 body on the '91 Dodge or am I missing something here? That's what I'd do unless there's something wrong with the Dodge chassis. Then you'd just run whatever offset rims you wanted and make sure the tires are in line with the fenders.

Nate

hugger6933 · 03-07-2012, 07:11 PM

There are some of those k40-50-60 around, although they are rare. Try to find out where the rural electric companys sell their surplus . All of the light company truck around here are front end equipped. Also you might lookinto a newer truck axle I know the newer c4500 5500 chevrolets are available in that configuration. Also look on heavy truck .net [I think] it has a search for both make year and part. I am hoping to go to look at a c60 soon the guy has a bunch of them [close to 60 or so] and I'll see if he has one

BLAZERMAN · 03-07-2012, 07:31 PM

If your wanting to keep the same weight rating you have then find yourself a Marmon Herrington front axle. They've been in business since the 30s and are still building the big 4x4s for Ford, Chevy and others. They have a bunch of different configurations tho so keep in mind things like drivers or passenger side drop, ratio, wheel lugs and size to match your rear and brakes. Sounds like a cool project!

**special-K** · 03-08-2012, 09:26 AM

There aren't "any" K/50s. They are all converted C/50s. The newer 4500-5500s use a Dana 70. I'd think maybe they could be wide enough. Or,as mentioned find yourself the parts from another converted truck. I think you might look into a military deuce and a quarter. It may be easier to do a cab swap,but you could rig the drivetrain up under the C/50

OldCreek · 03-09-2012, 06:03 AM

I've seen the Marmon's come up for sale on occasion over at Pirate4x4.

oldspowered67C10 · 03-11-2012, 05:19 AM

Is the 91 dodge a dually? If not maybe you could convert the front axle to dually type brakes, the rotors are much taller.

84rzv500r · 10-07-2013, 11:41 AM

Napco did a bunch of them...

I went with and 8V-71 Detroit so the little rockwell 233 transfer cas is not up to the task so I swapped in a T-1138 overdrive unit from an M939 I have air on board for the RTO-9513 anyway

Here is my project...

https://plus.google.com/photos/11372...761?banner=pwa

vlco_ken · 10-08-2013, 11:50 AM

That looks great!

I am still collecting parts and Ideas. But it sure takes longer to get a project started with kids.

RANDY COX · 10-08-2013, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84rzv500r

Napco did a bunch of them...

I went with and 8V-71 Detroit so the little rockwell 233 transfer cas is not up to the task so I swapped in a T-1138 overdrive unit from an M939 I have air on board for the RTO-9513 anyway

Here is my project...

https://plus.google.com/photos/11372...761?banner=pwa

Very KOOL truck

hugger6933 · 10-08-2013, 09:14 PM

Have you been to the heavy hauler section of this site? there may be some guys that hang out more there that might have some good words for you. Lots of cool truck projects going on in that section. Jim

03-07-2012, 06:28 PM	#1
vlco_ken Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Abbotsford, canada Posts: 12	C50 conversion to K50 Questions Has any body done this? I have a 67 C50 and A 91 Dodge Cummins 4x4, I am just starting on this project so I am collecting parts and ideas right now. I am thinking about converting the C50 to 4x4. I am wondering about a front axle for the C50. To put the dodge axle under the 50, I would need 9" of wheel spacers on EACH side, and I dont think that is safe at all!! So that leaves a rockwell, or unimog. unless there is an Axle I haven thought of that is wide enough. I even thought of taking 2 dana 60s and replacing the short side with a long tube from a diff axle. I am building the truck for looks and a driver, gravel rds, getting my trailer to a hunting spot, i dont expect to load it up like it was built for, or wheeling it. Any Ideas? Thanks __________________ 1967 C50 1969 1/2t sb step side, 350 4sp, rotten 1972 1/2t Lb 4x4 350 3sp std w/TBI sold 1972 3/4t burb 4x4 AC 1995 VLCO Hummer

03-07-2012, 07:08 PM	#2
dubds10 Stalker Nate Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Langley, BC, Canada Posts: 1,556	Re: C50 conversion to K50 Questions Why not put the C50 body on the '91 Dodge or am I missing something here? That's what I'd do unless there's something wrong with the Dodge chassis. Then you'd just run whatever offset rims you wanted and make sure the tires are in line with the fenders. Nate __________________ 1957 GMC SWB stepper modified summer time driver 1963 Chevy Fire Dept. Command Center Van 2 ton - future food vending truck project 1965 Chevy P10 Ice Cream Truck project Instagram - TheDonutDiner FaceBook - @UscreamIscream

03-07-2012, 07:11 PM	#3
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: C50 conversion to K50 Questions There are some of those k40-50-60 around, although they are rare. Try to find out where the rural electric companys sell their surplus . All of the light company truck around here are front end equipped. Also you might lookinto a newer truck axle I know the newer c4500 5500 chevrolets are available in that configuration. Also look on heavy truck .net [I think] it has a search for both make year and part. I am hoping to go to look at a c60 soon the guy has a bunch of them [close to 60 or so] and I'll see if he has one

03-07-2012, 07:31 PM	#4
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	Re: C50 conversion to K50 Questions If your wanting to keep the same weight rating you have then find yourself a Marmon Herrington front axle. They've been in business since the 30s and are still building the big 4x4s for Ford, Chevy and others. They have a bunch of different configurations tho so keep in mind things like drivers or passenger side drop, ratio, wheel lugs and size to match your rear and brakes. Sounds like a cool project! __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

03-08-2012, 09:26 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: C50 conversion to K50 Questions There aren't "any" K/50s. They are all converted C/50s. The newer 4500-5500s use a Dana 70. I'd think maybe they could be wide enough. Or,as mentioned find yourself the parts from another converted truck. I think you might look into a military deuce and a quarter. It may be easier to do a cab swap,but you could rig the drivetrain up under the C/50 __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-09-2012, 06:03 AM	#6
OldCreek Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 1,026	Re: C50 conversion to K50 Questions I've seen the Marmon's come up for sale on occasion over at Pirate4x4. __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263

03-11-2012, 05:19 AM	#7
oldspowered67C10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cherry Valley,Ca Posts: 468	Re: C50 conversion to K50 Questions Is the 91 dodge a dually? If not maybe you could convert the front axle to dually type brakes, the rotors are much taller.

10-07-2013, 11:41 AM	#8
84rzv500r Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Elmira NY/Palm Beach FL Posts: 69	Re: C50 conversion to K50 Questions Napco did a bunch of them... I went with and 8V-71 Detroit so the little rockwell 233 transfer cas is not up to the task so I swapped in a T-1138 overdrive unit from an M939 I have air on board for the RTO-9513 anyway Here is my project... https://plus.google.com/photos/11372...761?banner=pwa __________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 72 GMC K5500 Napco 4x4 8V71/RTO-9513/T-1138 71 Corvette Wide Body 502 Ramjet 83 HD XR1000, 99 HD XL1200S, 84 YAM RZV500R 05 MB E55 AMG, 12 45th Camaro SS stick vert

10-08-2013, 11:50 AM	#9
vlco_ken Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Abbotsford, canada Posts: 12	Re: C50 conversion to K50 Questions That looks great! I am still collecting parts and Ideas. But it sure takes longer to get a project started with kids. __________________ 1967 C50 1969 1/2t sb step side, 350 4sp, rotten 1972 1/2t Lb 4x4 350 3sp std w/TBI sold 1972 3/4t burb 4x4 AC 1995 VLCO Hummer

10-08-2013, 09:14 PM	#11
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: C50 conversion to K50 Questions Have you been to the heavy hauler section of this site? there may be some guys that hang out more there that might have some good words for you. Lots of cool truck projects going on in that section. Jim

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