66 C50 Cummins build aka Big Stupid

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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. )

[jimmythompson1964]

Good luck with both your new project and the girlfriend

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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?

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Got it. Here she is

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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Ready to start mounting the cab.

[AJCK87]

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!!

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

[Dieselwrencher]

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.

[Palf70Step]

Very kool project. I will enjoy watching this one.

[jchav62]

Great stuff!

[Free Candy Inside]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

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.

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.

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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.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Free Candy Inside

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.

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.

[aggie91]

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

[Free Candy Inside]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

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.

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

[Dieselwrencher]

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.