68 C50 crew cab daily driver (capable)

[truckster]

That looks like a really fun project. What happens to the dump bed when you put a crew cab on it?

[loudchevy]

I'm in to watch. This looks like a cool project.

[Madkidd007]

Originally Posted by truckster

That looks like a really fun project. What happens to the dump bed when you put a crew cab on it?

I’ll be cutting the dump bed down and using the floor as a bed floor. I’ll be building an 8’ fleetside with stepside fenders on it.
So I’ll have an 8’ pickup box that dumps.

[Madkidd007]

Had to clean up the shop and move some vehicles around. But tomorrow when I get home from work, it begins.

[Madkidd007]

Ok it’s official. I like working on medium duty trucks more than smaller trucks now

[Madkidd007]

I would have updated but for a few days straight everytime I tried to come to the sight I got hung up on some security verification crap so I said to hell with it.

Anyways. Motor and trans are mounted, transfer case I’ll put in tomorrow. I have a gear on the way for my PTO because the transfer case uses straight cut and the SM465 had angle cut gear. Once the new gear comes I’ll mount the pto, then I have to move the pump because it’s too close to the pto output now.
Also have the driveshaft already made, mocked everything up early this week and was able to get the measurement for the shaft, going from 3 piece to 2 piece.

I’ll be happy to start hooking things up and get it mobile again.

Making the engine crossmembers, mounts, eliminating old stuff, and clearancing was way too time consuming.

As I was uploading pictures, realized I didn’t mention the turbo. Was hoping it would sit low enough to clear but nope, even with the manifold flipped like my last truck not enough room. So I got a later model manifold and flipped that.
Having the turbo almost directly over top will make the air intake a lot easier because I’ll be pulling air through a big block hood that has a vent in it

[Madkidd007]

Slow progress, but that’s what happens when you have no need to rush. Got the radiator mounting taken care of and left a perfect place for the intercooler. Next I think is time to change the steering column so I get my shifter for the auto conversion aspect. Driveshaft is in, transmission crossmember is done. Honestly getting to the piddly type stuff to wrap it all up.

[Madkidd007]

And tilt wheel time. Had to modify where the column goes through the firewall because it actually had no support as the 40 and up trucks it goes all the way to the gear box.

It’s a summit scratch n dent special so I still need to clean off the label.

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by Madkidd007

Slow progress, but that’s what happens when you have no need to rush.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that! I can make a 10 minute job last 3 hours just because.

[Madkidd007]

Well hell. Had cracked exhaust ports. Not sure from my error or previously cracked and I finished them off.
So time to upgrade injectors and put studs in. That combined with my 60 psi gauge I have every excuse to turn it up

[MARKDTN]

Neat project!

Could you not have used a clutch pump to run the hydraulics? Probably pretty high volume with twin cylinders though so a clutch pump might be really slow.

[MellowYellow70]

This project is so cool. Keep up the awesome transitioning!

[SCOTI]

Sucks that the motor is already wanting (needing) attention.

[richard2717]

Looks like a fun project. My 95 yo neighbor has a rust free 62 C60 grain truck that has been stored inside all its life that I have been trying to get to make a truck hauler out of. She won't sell it though bc it was her 1st grain truck. Maybe one day.

[72 tigger]

Cool project!
Following along

[Madkidd007]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

Neat project!

Could you not have used a clutch pump to run the hydraulics? Probably pretty high volume with twin cylinders though so a clutch pump might be really slow.

That was my first thought before starting the swap. But I knew room was going to be limited. All I have left to get the bed working is remounting the pump and building a driveshaft. So I’m happy

[Madkidd007]

It’s out of the shop. The last of my pieces showed up today to finish so this week I’ll replace the coat hanger with a throttle rod.
Build the intercooler pipes, mount the bumper and Add tow hooks, and wire in the Dakota digital dash.

Need to modify the air inlet box to house my air filter and cut the hole in the hood for the big block style side vent.

[Madkidd007]

And when people say cold air intake, I don’t think they quite have the same thoughts as I do.

Still have to finish modifying the lower under the hood. But at least the hood is done now.

[SCOTI]

Slick.

[Madkidd007]

And the trans is back in. Thought I’d share the easy way to lift it up. Heading out of town in the morning so next week I’ll finalize the fluid levels and reupholster the seat. Then I once again have a truck

[Madkidd007]

And I’m out. No updates except we are outrunning Disney

[Madkidd007]

Alright back to reality. Had the truck driving the afternoon we got back. After the real world this week I came home and wrapped up the seat. Not perfect but my ass won’t know the difference. Backed the timing off a little and got rid of the rattle. Going to put the seat in tomorrow and dial the injection pump in and get the overdrive and lockup connected. Need the truck so I can build a room in the house

[yuccales]

Seat looks great!

[MellowYellow70]

Very nice project progression

[Madkidd007]

Well plans are probably changing as it weighs more than I want it to. Scrapped some of the dodge pieces and the original axles today. Explains why the truck felt more sluggish than I thought it should have.
Debating on eliminating the dump setup all together or wait till I mount the pickup box and see what it weighs all trimmed down.

I will say it would idle at 2-3 mph before, now it idles at around 8 mph.