1979 C50 Dumpy Build

[75RamRunner]

Got myself a little ranch rig for some property i just bought. 1979 C50 with all the smog air pump goodness on a 350 single barrel with a sm465. She starts up every single time and does exactly what i need her to do to.

PTO works fantastic and has tilted everything ive loaded so far (6k was the max ive had in her) I built some steel sides out of 2x4 .120 wall tube with 4x4x3/16 wall posts and then sheeted with 16g steel. Turned out decent for a farm rig.

Also threw some new tires at her since the ones on it were 22 years old.


Plans are right now continue to beat the wheels off of it and upgrade as needed. The sending unit only reads between E and 1/4" tank, may get a summit tube sending unit and cut it into the tank.

single barrel 350 is the powerhouse you'd expect it to be. Might keep my eyes open for a 454 take out. It does 62mph empty, it did not do 62mph with the 6k in the bed

Pictures for the those who dont like words

AS Purchased

Setting up the side runners for the bed

Sheeting stitched in

Rear traction tires with the retro vibe

As it sits at the property doing what she was bought to do

 

[Gbkeith]

I like it.

 

[AKnate]

Stick a 4 barrel on it.

Shouldn't have any trouble doing 60+ with only 6k in the bed... Shouldn't be an issue with double that

 

[posford]

2nd on an intake and 4bbl

Broom handle is most accurate fuel gauge those tanks ever had.

 

[total newb]

454 womt do shit for you and bbc (particularly 454) is a big pain in the dick swap.

At best (fastest) youre 6.50 diff gears, youll still be doing 62mph because rpm.

Designed to work hard not fast.

Fuel gauge are assumably not standard gm 0-90ohm. Mdt used 5 different range fuel gauges. There is a colored resistor block on the back of the tach fuel gauge that will tell you which sendor to get.

 

[350TacoZilla]

If you still have actual junk yards in your area you could probably find a big block one to grab bits and pieces off of to make swap easier. If you do stick with the small block a cheap cast stroker kit would help with power and not break the bank.

 

[arse_sidewards]

Don’t fucking touch it beyond swapping a 4bbl. It’s not worth it

 

[75RamRunner]

Stick a 4 barrel on it.

Shouldn't have any trouble doing 60+ with only 6k in the bed... Shouldn't be an issue with double that

454 womt do shit for you and bbc (particularly 454) is a big pain in the dick swap.

At best (fastest) youre 6.50 diff gears, youll still be doing 62mph because rpm.

Designed to work hard not fast.

Fuel gauge are assumably not standard gm 0-90ohm. Mdt used 5 different range fuel gauges. There is a colored resistor block on the back of the tach fuel gauge that will tell you which sendor to get

Really don't want to swap a engine, it works just fine i don't need a race truck. air gap and a 4bbl it is.

Good info on the resistor i wouldn't have looked at that, ill check to see. It reads and its close enough i can tell when it needs fuel so its not a life ending item just would like it to be right for anyone else jumping in it

 

[total newb]

Yeah, when i bought mine it was "empty", we immediately put 5g in it and i puked back at about 2g cause it was full, but mine had the pickup style tank that you couldnt see into.

 

[75RamRunner]

Has anyone found the limits of the PTO? I know that's a loaded question, the P.O said it tilted 8 yards of dirt, assuming it was dry thats every bit of 14k.


Not saying he's full of shit as he didn't seem like a bullshitter but thats would be pretty impressive.....it didnt even cough at 6k so maybe its more realistic than i am lol

 

[arse_sidewards]

Has anyone found the limits of the PTO? I know that's a loaded question, the P.O said it tilted 8 yards of dirt, assuming it was dry thats every bit of 14k.

Look at what you have. Your PTO manufacturer will have some sort of chart or table or spec on their website.

I'm familiar with Muncie. They let you download a PDF page after plugging in your application.

 

[AKnate]

Has anyone found the limits of the PTO? I know that's a loaded question, the P.O said it tilted 8 yards of dirt, assuming it was dry thats every bit of 14k.


Not saying he's full of shit as he didn't seem like a bullshitter but thats would be pretty impressive.....it didnt even cough at 6k so maybe its more realistic than i am lol

8 yards of loam or gravel?

PTO isn't the weak point. Pressure relief or something failing like a hose or in the hoist

 

[total newb]

Yeah, failure is gona be a seal or a hose not structual limitation.

 

[arse_sidewards]

Yeah, failure is gona be a seal or a hose not structual limitation.

It's a farm truck. Lord knows they swapped in a big cylinder when the OEM one bent a rod after they turned up the pump pressure and then swapped on a bigger pump because it was too slow.

 

[AKnate]

It's a farm truck. Lord knows they swapped in a big cylinder when the OEM one bent a rod after they turned up the pump pressure and then swapped on a bigger pump because it was too slow.

Or it's all original from 1979

 

[Levigarrett76]

You might miss how well that Rochester 2 Jet runs because of the High vacuum signal. Especially when trying to tune out a lean stumble or whatever

 

[mjlogan88]

You might miss how well that Rochester 2 Jet runs because of the High vacuum signal. Especially when trying to tune out a lean stumble or whatever

Plus there's something nice about just holding it to the floor without worrying about it being able to hurt itself

 

[Levigarrett76]

Agree, in this type truck .

Try to channel your inner gearhead to something else, and leave it stock so you dont create more issues, let it stay a tool not a toy.

Easier said than done.

 

[Levigarrett76]

Actually watched this last night, might be some good encouragement to leave it alone

 

[Gbkeith]

Or it's all original from 1979

Hoses and seals are original. There’s a valve or pump that went out so they replaced it with something similar that they took off a bucket truck or whatever was close by.

 

[Penetrode Offroad]

That thing is tits.

 

[RSwenson]

4 Siblings and my mom all have average local.
Great to have something to haul branches and misc. debris away,,,, or pick up a load of Base Rock.

96 FL70, 12 valve/Allison.

Interesting how many new friends you make when you have something like this.

 

[75RamRunner]

You might miss how well that Rochester 2 Jet runs because of the High vacuum signal. Especially when trying to tune out a lean stumble or whatever

Plus there's something nice about just holding it to the floor without worrying about it being able to hurt itself

I'm not a fan of y'all telling me things i already knew were true

Agree, in this type truck .

Try to channel your inner gearhead to something else, and leave it stock so you dont create more issues, let it stay a tool not a toy.

Easier said than done.

I agree, I think I just need to continue to use and enjoy. It just works

 

[PAToyota]

Hmmm...

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Funny how things just start popping up on Facebook and ads after seeing something elsewhere...

 

[350TacoZilla]

"Dumpy Build"
"Might keep my eyes open for a 454 take out"
"don't want to swap a engine, it works just fine i don't need a race truck"
"I think I just need to continue to use and enjoy"

Way to ruin a thread with practical suggestions people

 

[75RamRunner]

"Dumpy Build"
"Might keep my eyes open for a 454 take out"
"don't want to swap a engine, it works just fine i don't need a race truck"
"I think I just need to continue to use and enjoy"

Way to ruin a thread with practical suggestions people

See your my kind of people

I did 3 dump runs back to back yesterday, the damn thing just works. Its got a nasty backfire when upshifting but im not sure i want to fuck with it anymore it just starts and runs everytime i ask it to

 

[Levigarrett76]

Need under hood pics or didn't happen