55 Job Rated T 4X4 3 Ton

[unbreakable]

I am currently working on another project, but wanted some input as what to do with this truck. No motor or trans. I was thinking 455 buick turbo 400 as its what I got around, stepside bed with scissor lift for a high viewing platform at car shows. But how rare is this truck? Should I be going for original restoration due to rarity, or have fun with the truck? I do have the fender flairs and original wheels, but this route seems more fun. Let me know what you think.

[Scruffy49]

Full on show truck. Biggest engine you can shoehorn into it.

 

Have fun with it, yours is already converted to 4wd so why not...

[unbreakable]

It appears to be factory 4x4, or at least of the correct vintage drivetrain.  It already has a name, BIG BIRD.  And with Michigans lift laws, this truck will comply and I can drive it on the street.

[ggdad1951]

I can't say for sure if the 4X4 is "original/stock"  you might have to dig a bit to find out if they were ever actually made that way.  Now bear in mind that Detroit DID build several one offs as concepts and I've seen one of the concept Power Wagons that only 3 were made...so I'd dig and see if it is truly an original 4X4...one heck of a huge truck tho!

[Dodgeb4ya]

In the 1955  Dodge truck parts list, it shows only the C-3 PW 1 ton power wagons. The start of the new W500 series 1-1/2 to 2 ton  4 wheel drive trucks came in 1957. Those don't use the 10 lug wheels as your truck shows. They use 5 or 6 lug wheels.

Your truck looks to be a 3 tonner with a military type front axle and the factory Timkin/Rockwell rear axle. The data plate on the firewall or drivers door pillar will tell all.

Shown is a 1955 DT 3 tonner data plate I parted out a few years back. Had a 331 hemi with air brakes and the same rear axle as yours.

Edited October 17, 2013 by Dodgeb4ya

[townwagon]

Dodge built the 1956 C3-HW before the 1957 W500. Both the 1956 C3-HW and the 1957 to 1960 W500s can be seen on this page:

 

http://townwagon.com/pgpws/pgw500/pgw500.htm

 

As you can see they look nothing like Unbreakable's truck. I'm guessing that is a later conversion or just possibly a period conversion for some special application. Even when the W500 was well established other companies still converted Dodge trucks to 4wd. Most of the larger Dodge truck 4wd conversions I have seen were done by Coleman.

 

Here is a link to a picture of a 1957 D500 with a Coleman 4wd conversion. Note the standard D500 fenders vs the D700 and larger fenders used on the W500.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31394972@N07/2945637966/in/photostream/lightbox/

 

There was a 1955 or 1956 Coleman converted 2 ton 4wd truck running around a few years ago, but it looked nothing like the truck being discussed here.

 

Eric

[41/53dodges]

Do you have any pics of the drivetrain and all the mods done to it? I normally don't care for big modified trucks like this, I see em everywhere running around town and you can tell theyve never seen a spec of dirt! but this looks like a 3rd party modification, judging by the plow lights and how it sits. Could have fun with it with a giant motor, if the thing is a grease monkey special. If it was built for a reason, build it something close to that, like use a Cummins, or perhaps even get bit by the two-smoke bug like me and go detroit diesel! If you want something more useful, could drop it down a bit and use newer 22.5" or 24" semi wheels with some aggressive treads. Either way, looks like a great start to something interesting to me!

Keep us posted!

-Josh

 

PS-

I know where there is a nice big Detroit 8v71 sitting in a semi over here, perfect if ya like to turn some heads!

[unbreakable]

Here are some more pics, thanks for the help identifying this truck.  It appears to be a coleman conversion.  The data plate shows serial # 84603---, c3-t8-132, 22500, 4000, 4000, 174, 193.  A rear axle tag with a big dTa tag on it, 7.87 gearing.  I included pics of the original tires and front fender flairs.  Those tires I have on it now are 54 inch HEMMIT tires, tubeless radials that are government surplus new, so I will use them.  The truck actually rides pretty good for what it is when I was towing it home.  I was working at a scrap yard when it came to me.  I just coundn't put the clam to it to pick it off the trailer.  Despite being pretty broke, the boss did not pay me for the week so I could take it home.  I like the diesel idea, but the engine bay is pretty small.  I am currently putting a cummins into a 1967 Kaiser M715 and its taking a lot of fabricating to get it in there.

 

I was looking for a grill shell as this one has some damage, but the pickups I've found don't have the taper near the bottom of the wheel arch.  Those wheel openings are stock, not cut.

 

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag101/unbreakable715/100_0632_zpsa713d237.jpg

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag101/unbreakable715/100_0629_zpsbdeefafb.jpg

[unbreakable]

Sorry about some of the bluury pics, my camera battery was dying.

[townwagon]

Your truck actually looks more like one of the Ford Sno Gos than a standard Coleman. Check out this link to see pictures of the 1956 Coleman that was sold a few years back:

 

http://imageevent.com/townwagon/1956colemanconversion

 

Check out the Ford Sno Go and the location of the lights on the roof:

 

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1083/578399800_48cddd1b8d.jpg

 

Maybe the same firm converted Dodges?

 

Eric

[unbreakable]

This truck had a plow and dumpbox that came in on a later scrap load, but they were torched too bad to be of use.  The coleman conversions I've seen so far also have the large 5 or 6 bolt pattern vs the 10 bolt hubs on this truck.  The transfer case does say American Coleman on it.  Just hard to read in the blurry pics.  All this info and pics are great, keep them coming.

[41/53dodges]

If you have any interest in putting a box and plow on it, I have a buddy with a 46? Ford 4x4, still has plow and everything! Ive been wanting the running gear from it, but the plow could be good for you

[unbreakable]

Sorry, no plow for this one anymore.  That 48 ford 4x4 would be a good truck to keep as is.  In checking townwagons post, I noticed a 58 with power steering.  This one also has power steering with the same arrangement as the 58. 

[greg g]

Has the look of an airport snow removal vehicle.  Was the plow a standard width 7 to 8 foot or longer??  Most MOPARIANS would probably like to see a 413/440 in it, but like you said you have an engine and trans so why not use it.  Interesting vehicle.

 

Link to more Coleman conversion info.

 

http://forums.justoldtrucks.com/Topic21379.aspx

Edited September 12, 2013 by greg g

[unbreakable]

I would like to find and early hemi for it, and there is some time before I start on it.  We will see what turns up by time it hits my garage.

[unbreakable]

I found a 1957 dumptruck with a hemi and a 5 speed. The guy says it runs and he wants 2000 for the whole truck. What kind of hemi was in this truck and what transmission is it? Does it have overdrive? The truck also has a 2 speed rear end.

[OLD DODGE]

In order for that dump truck to have originally come with a Hemi in it, it should be a D600 or bigger truck. If you tell me what model it is I can let you know which Hemi it should be. Different size trucks came with different size engines. I can also help you ID the motor by the serial number to make sure its the correct one. The big Dodge trucks used the Chrysler designed Hemi engines but it would be identified as a truck motor. Call me if you want, I think I PM'd you my phone number before.

 

Kevin Clause

[Dodgeb4ya]

The C3T three ton dodge trucks came with the 331 HD truck hemi with gear driven cams. Eight quart oil pan and exhaust valve rotators. 4 bolt flange exhaust manifolds too!

[GlennCraven]

That vintage Hemi would be sweet in this very special Dodge truck.

[Dodgeb4ya]

I still have the VT550 hemi engine, though apart and should be rebuilt. It had air brakes, a 5 speed trans, 2 speed double reduction Timken/Rockwell rear axle. The truck hauled house moving timbers.

[wayfarer]

In order for that dump truck to have originally come with a Hemi in it, it should be a D600 or bigger truck.

 

Not quite...  even the 'light-duty' trucks had the Hemi/Poly option as early as 1954.  ID codes on my web pages.

[unbreakable]

Looking for a stepside box for it now.  Hoping to buy one around june.  What years would be correct and did dodge make a 9-10 foot stepside box?

[HotRodTractor]

That thing is awesome!

[unbreakable]

Going to look at the hemi today, get some numbers off it and take some pics to post later. Hopefully the guy will take my offer.

[unbreakable]

Looked at the hemi today.  The truck is a 1957 750 dump truck.  Scraped all the crud off the engine and the numbers are vt350 1146.  From what I can tell from my research it must be a 1954 331 2 barrel hemi out of a light pickup.  Any more info would be appreciated.