60's Dodge C800

[Dieselwrencher]

A few weeks ago I had a day off work and I had to make a run to the local landfill. I wanted to do it on a week day because with the covid going on, everyone goes to the landfill on Saturday and the line to get in would be 4 hours long. I took my 2yr old daughter, Ivvy, and my 7yr old son, Colt, with me. On our way back Colt was telling me he wished we could find him a cool old car because you know Clint, his older brother, already has a Camaro, Dad. I told him I knew where some old trucks were and asked if he wanted to drive by and see them. He screamed yes and jumped up in the seat and started clapping his hands.

I turned around and headed back towards where the trucks reside. I have known about these 2 trucks for years. I never stopped to see if they were for sale because I hate to not have the extra cash if a person says yes it is for sale. We were driving down the road and I pointed the first truck out. He was looking with excitement but couldn't tell what it was. We pulled in the drive way and the old farmer was home.

He had a guest there with him so I just pulled up and shut the truck off. I just listened to what they were chatting about and waited patiently. The shorter of the 2 men asked how he could help me and I told him I had been eyeing his old trucks for years and I had a son that would love to have his own project. He said they were really rough and he didn't know if they were worth messing with. He said go on out and look at them and then come back and talk to me.

We decided to look at the one we could see from the road first. We drove out behind the silo and sure enough. It was a mid 60's Dodge. I thought it was but it was really hard to tell due to how far it sat off the road. Colt immediately fell in love with it. The truck is a C800 with a V8 gas. It actually isn't in horrible shape. It has some rust above the windshield, but it isn't beat bad, and it is complete. It is just really long and heavy.

[Dieselwrencher]

Needless to say Colt was pretty excited. There were shifters, turn signals, and it was huge! I finally got him to head back over to truck #2. This truck is super rough, but pretty odd and neat. How many medium duty trucks have you seen with ifs? Now, how many medium duty trucks have ifs, but torsion springs? I personally have never seen any. This particular truck had an aftermarket leaf spring added to the bottom of it to stiffen it up. After some research it seems these suspensions didn't hold up and in 63 they were dropped and went back to old school leaf springs and a straight axle. This truck can be seen here:

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=810463


I originally thought this Dodge was a 1968, but according to the research I have been doing on these trucks, it might be an early 60's model. These trucks used the previous model dodge pick up cabs which were 55-60. It was very rare to find one of these trucks to have a wrap around back window and this truck has one. The research showed that only 60-maybe 63 were offered with the wrap around back window. Our plans for the truck are to make it a mini semi sort of. I have a 76 C20 crew cab frame we might set the dodge body on. I'd like to get a sleeper for it and go from there.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

That truck is awesome. I think it would make a amazing resto or reenvisioned cruiser.

[semn49]

You are in big trouble sir! Getting your youngster hooked on old trucks so early will keep you away from your "honeydew" list!

Ask me how I know. I have a 26 yr old that I started with the bug when he was about 5! I have NO regrets, but currently 4 old pickup projects and several offroad projects between the 2 of us. Some confusion of who drug each one home!

[Southcity]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

That truck is awesome. I think it would make a amazing resto or reenvisioned cruiser.

Agreed!

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I am thinking it slammed on a C30 chassis on 22" big rig rims, and a stylish flat bed.

That would be a nice ride. Plus the way the fenders open to allow engine work.

[mongocanfly]

It would make a cool ride....
I know that it isnt IH, but I do know that some yrs in the 60s, the big dodge trucks used IH cabs and dodge fenders..
Wonder about that back glass...

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

That truck is awesome. I think it would make a amazing resto or reenvisioned cruiser.

I'd really like to make it a ramp truck but we'll see.

Originally Posted by semn49

You are in big trouble sir! Getting your youngster hooked on old trucks so early will keep you away from your "honeydew" list!

Ask me how I know. I have a 26 yr old that I started with the bug when he was about 5! I have NO regrets, but currently 4 old pickup projects and several offroad projects between the 2 of us. Some confusion of who drug each one home!

My 3 older kids are all into old cars and trucks. I probably am in for trouble but it should be pretty fun.

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

I am thinking it slammed on a C30 chassis on 22" big rig rims, and a stylish flat bed.

That would be a nice ride. Plus the way the fenders open to allow engine work.

I have been thinking the same thing. My crew cab chassis is the same as a 1 ton frame. I just need dually spindles and hubs. Then adapters wheels, time, money, more money.

I've been trying to figure out a good way to connect a sleeper to the cab but still have the corners of the back window. I may just get over that "rare" wrap around back window and just weld it up with sheet metal. I'd really like this thing to look like a slammed semi. We'll see if semi wheels are in the budget. I may have to use the 16" Alcoas I have on my 95 F-350. I even thought about putting the dodge body on the ford chassis. It has a good 7.3 powerstroke. But I'm more of a Cummins guy so I don't know about that.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

It would make a cool ride....
I know that it isnt IH, but I do know that some yrs in the 60s, the big dodge trucks used IH cabs and dodge fenders..
Wonder about that back glass...

I think you're right. I think it was 69 on from what little reading I did on them. There doesn't seem to be much info on these trucks. Well, not compared to the GM stuff at least.

[franken]

There's a lot to like about an old flatbed I love the hinged fenders on those.

[Maxxd07]

Some inspiration. We have a 500, 1969 model with single headlights and small back window, and a grain box. They are neat trucks for sure.

[mongocanfly]

Nice truck maxx.....

[Dieselwrencher]

Les, that's an awesome truck!!!

[Maxxd07]

Just to be clear, its not mine but something I would like to do someday. I've seen a few done up on pickup chassis and think they look sweet.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Maxxd07

Just to be clear, its not mine but something I would like to do someday. I've seen a few done up on pickup chassis and think they look sweet.

I think the truck is super cool. I like that 2 tone treatment too.

[special-K]

I like the big trucks to remain big trucks. The white one was never sold and registered. I've seen it at antique trucks shows before... super clean! Of course, the others are super clean as well... after much hombre horas!