Found a 69-72 Dodge Semi Truck today. C-600 model #540DD36

[ACUDANUT]

 This thing is powered by a 440  I think? (non hemi or diesel) and is a Commercial truck. Dual axles with a skid plate to back under 48-60 foot trailers.  The big Question is WIW ??  Pic's anyone ?

[moparstuart]

pic???

[TruckDriver]

This thread is worthless without pics

[UFO]

Here's a pic of a new 69 C600.

[squeakfinder]

Umm. Skid plate? OK your talking about the fifth wheel. I can see one being a single axle but not a tandem. 

[TheGhost]

Todd Wilson should be able to give you a good idea.

[TruckDriver]

It still helps to see pics of the real truck. It could be worth anywhere from $500. as scrap, to a few thousand.

And I'm guessing it is more likely a 413 or a 361 in it. The 440 wasn't available.

http://www.sweptline.com/hist/bigtrucks.html


Either way, I wish I could find one of those for myself to fix up.

[ACUDANUT]

  I will post pic's tommorrow. This truck has a fifth wheel and it is a Tandom axle truck (total of 10 wheels).   I did not know they still made a 413 in those years.  Also, On the vin plate with the model #, there is no vehicle date  The VIN is 4681220908. Can anyone decode that ?

[Todd Wilson]

We need some pictures. Double check the VIN #   I am not 100% sure on C series but it may have a C#xxxxxxxx    somewhere.  Something like C6032597374   where the C is the C series and the 6 for 600  or 5 for 500 or 7 for 700 8-800  9-900 but I am not 100% sure on C series. All the other D and W series were this way so I dont see why the C's arent. Maybe Geno can shed light on the C series VIN.

I have never seen a tandom axle C series less then 800. I have only seen tandom 800 and 900's. All my literature shows a single axle for 500,600,700 series trucks. It could have a 318 or 361 or 413. According to my paperwork 500-700 would be a 361. 800 and up would be a 413 or diesel. There is a Perkins diesel option in certain years and these trucks are rare and usually bring the most $.

As to what they are worth?  Running and driving 500$ to 1500$ depending on the series and how good s shape its in. Sad to say most are probably worth more in scrap. They are not fast trucks. They are strong work horses.  Probably run 60mph range and they will suck fuel like no tomorrow. The price of gas these old trucks are getting to be extinct like dinosaurs. Only the die hard Mopar fan will save one.


Todd

[hemigeno]

I did a little bit of checking, although a lot of my truck-related resource material is on loan at the moment and I lost the old links I had saved several years ago when my hard drive crashed last month.  But, here's what I found:

46 = C600 Low Cab Forward
8 = V8 Engine
1 = Warren, Michigan Truck Plant
220908 = VIN Sequence Number, which places this truck as a very late 1962 model year build date.  The 1962 Model Year started with 160000, and the 1963 Model Year started with 230000. 

I don't have any information on '62 equipment offerings, so I can't say what was or wasn't available with a C600.  In 1966, you could only get a 361cid with the C600 (my 1960 book is in Wisconsin at the moment so I can't look up engine options for that year).

There's not much else that can be decoded just from the VIN.  You can find out a little more information if the data plate on the driver's door jamb is still there, as that lists some of the truck's driveline & suspension components.  However, I agree 100% with what some of the other guys have said - there wasn't such a thing as a C600 with Tandem Axles. 

Want my guess?  The cab and/or fenders have probably been swapped onto a C700 or heavier rig (700s, 800s and 900s could be had with gasburners and tandems).

Love to see pics anyway though!

[Todd Wilson]

I've got a 1964 dealership brochure here with me.

The C600 had a GVW of 15500-23000lbs depending on options.  GCW of 36000lbs   

Single speed axle ratios were 6.5 and a 7.17    2 speed rear axles were 6.14/8.54  and 6.5/9.04

According to my brochure the C600 only came with the 361-2  178hp 300lbs tork with the option of the 361-3 which had slightly higher numbers. (As a side note the 318 standard on the C500 is only slightly lower tork #'s then the 361 and has higher HP then both 361 engines.)

Tranny was standard as a 4 speed NP433  with 2 5 speeds as options. NP540 and NP540-SF depending on what you were doing with the truck and if it had a single or 2 speed axle.  If you read into it further the 5 speed was the only tranny option for the  361 engine even though they list the 4speed as standard.

They came with hydraulic brakes standard and aor you could get air brakes.


As I said and Geno said no one has seen a C600 tandem axle truck.  A tag axle could have been added later by the owner or a complete rear end replacement by the owner.


Todd

[ACUDANUT]

Re: Found a 69-72 Dodge Semi Truck today. C-600 model #540DD36

[Todd Wilson]

Re: Found a 69-72 Dodge Semi Truck today. C-600 model #540DD36

And?

[ACUDANUT]

 Sorry for the delay.  I have been been having problems trying to load the pictures.  It keeps saying the file is too big ?  I have never had problems loading pictures before, except here.  Then my key-board would not work.  My only Uncle Dies.  My wife and other technical support are all too busy to help me. 

[Todd Wilson]

Send them to me in email and I will host them on my server if you are having problems with file size.


Todd

[Todd Wilson]

Pictures..........

http://www.chargerfever.com/c600/index.html

[Todd Wilson]

Got ahold of someone that knows big Dodge trucks. He said they have never seen a tandom C600 truck. Said the wheel base looks a lot longer then what shows on the tag.


Todd

[squeakfinder]

Seems odd for a tandem axle to be a gas pot. Maybee the frames been extended for some reason.

[nitrousn]

That data tag is not correct for that chassis. Most likely someone swapped the cab to that frame.

[TruckDriver]

That is a cool find though. I'd love to have it

[Todd Wilson]

Seems odd for a tandem axle to be a gas pot. Maybee the frames been extended for some reason.

There were plenty of gas engines in tandom trucks back then.


Todd

[Todd Wilson]

That data tag is not correct for that chassis. Most likely someone swapped the cab to that frame.

We'd have to have more info to validate this idea. If its a 361 engine probably not. If its a 413 under the hood now then this is probably the case.  I doubt someone would go to the trouble of swapping the cab over along with the engine.

Is the truck a twin screw rear setup or a tag axle? It could have had its frame extended out.


Todd

[ACUDANUT]

 Todd, Thanks for posting those pictures for me.  I agree, I can't see someone switching cabs.  I guess everyone now knows I was not kidding about the Dodge tamdom truck.  This thing must weight 15,000 lbs.  I think it is a 413, or 426 wedge.

[moparstuart]

does it have that little rectangular flat topped block above the water pump in front of the intake manifold towards the drivers side ?

[ACUDANUT]

 Good question. I didn't check.  I guess I was really wanting to find a 426 Hemi under the hood. 

[nitrousn]

Todd, Thanks for posting those pictures for me.  I agree, I can't see someone switching cabs.  I guess everyone now knows I was not kidding about the Dodge tamdom truck.  This thing must weight 15,000 lbs.  I think it is a 413, or 426 wedge.

Several reasons why I say the cab was switched becuse the equipment on the tag does not match the chassis.

1-16,000 rear axle. A dual tandem will be rated about double whats listed.

2-Rear axle ratios 6.5 and 9.0 refer to a two speed rear axle a dual tandem will be single speed and the dual or triple ratios will be via a secondary transmission or a road ranger with split ratios.

3-The front axle at 7,000 pounds is a small truck. The dual tandem series will be at leats 12,000 pound.

4- Both the front and rear spring ratings are light and that of a small single axle truck.

5- The GVW rating is 22,000 pounds which is a small single axle [no cdl required] a dual tandem will be double that.

6- It has air brakes which were not available on a 600 series.

7- The cab has both steps where a large dual tandem would have dual step fuel tanks.

8-The grille has the air shutters which again was not available on the 600 series.

The cab has been swapped or someone switched data dags. Reasons could be lost title or tring to license it at a lower rate. Either way the tag does not match the chassis shown.

[ACUDANUT]

 WOW are you sure ? Sounds like you know your HD trucks.

[hemigeno]

I agree with a lot of what nitrousn said - especially the parts about the tag information not matching and/or not possible with a tandem configuration.

The fenders on the truck are definitely the skinny type, found only on C500s and C600s (found this out the hard way).  Those fenders and the running boards are a matched set, and you wouldn't see that setup on a C700 or higher.  The front axle is also from a skinny fender truck judging by how the tires fit within the fender well, and it was probably a C600 axle since I think (not sure about this however) that the C500s might not have come with the five spoke cast wheels like this truck has.  The grille is also the standard non-shutter fixed bar type, just like is on my truck.  It sorta looks like the shutter type, but this one isn't that type.

Irrespective of the wheels or other clues, based on what the tag says there's just no way that the tandem axle setup is original to the truck (which is what most of us already thought).  I am personally not sure if a C600 could come with air brakes in '62, but I suppose it could have been retrofitted along with a whole rear suspension.  It'd be interesting to see if the front axle now has air brakes too.

Someone would have gone to a whole lot of trouble to swap that cab, fenders, running boards and possibly the front axle on another frame - so my earlier guess probably isn't correct.  More than likely the rear suspension setup was just swapped out from something else and backyard-engineered to work.  Lots of frames were stretched back then (my truck's frame was stretched before I got it, and we took that section out and replaced it with a longer "stretch" section).  Based on what's there, that's a more likely scenario than someone having swapped out everything else.

Neat old truck, but it's definitely not an original tandem C600.

[Todd Wilson]

CHeck the frame above the right front tire for the VIN#  IF it matchs the cab then we can dig into it further. Otherwise we can use that VIN and see what chassis it really is.

It could still be a C600 that had some extension out back.


Todd

[Todd Wilson]

Todd, Thanks for posting those pictures for me.  I agree, I can't see someone switching cabs.  I guess everyone now knows I was not kidding about the Dodge tamdom truck.  This thing must weight 15,000 lbs.  I think it is a 413, or 426 wedge.

Several reasons why I say the cab was switched becuse the equipment on the tag does not match the chassis.


6- It has air brakes which were not available on a 600 series.


The cab has been swapped or someone switched data dags. Reasons could be lost title or tring to license it at a lower rate. Either way the tag does not match the chassis shown.

My Dodge truck source said early C600's had a tandom option but the data plate of course doesnt indicate this on this truck. Later C600's were single axle only.

No doubt this truck is not in its original form.   They most certainly had air brake options for the C600 series trucks. Hydraulic is standard with 100% air as an option.


Todd

[hemigeno]

It'll probably be another couple of months, but I'll get my '60 Truck material back sometime.  I can look up and see what they were doing during the "early" days of the LCF's.

[Todd Wilson]

I
Someone would have gone to a whole lot of trouble to swap that cab, fenders, running boards and possibly the front axle on another frame - so my earlier guess probably isn't correct.  More than likely the rear suspension setup was just swapped out from something else and backyard-engineered to work.  Lots of frames were stretched back then (my truck's frame was stretched before I got it, and we took that section out and replaced it with a longer "stretch" section).  Based on what's there, that's a more likely scenario than someone having swapped out everything else.

Neat old truck, but it's definitely not an original tandem C600.

THats what I am betting is the rear end was added. If he could get the # off the frame and or verify the motor as a 361 and not a 413 then we could narrow it down. One thing I have noticed in a lot of older trucks they were modified in a lot of ways to suit the job.  I find it hard to believe someone would swap the cab and the Mopar big block over to a different frame and tandoms.  I'd bet more the cab onto an entire new frame/engine/rear ends and the 361 wouldnt have been the option.

It is interesting.


Todd

[Todd Wilson]

[Todd Wilson]

[nitrousn]

Some good reading. I have to admit that I said no air brakes on the C600 and maybe I am wrong. We sold and serviced these trucks since new and I did not sell any trucks pre 72. I am only going from memory. Anything we had sold back then in the 600 or smaller were all hydraulic.

One other item of interest is the model number. That tag says C600 and I thought a tamdem axle had the CT as the model. So it should say CT600. I had never seen a 600 tandem all I had seen and sold were CT800-CT1000.

[nitrousn]

Some more information I found. CT does classify it as a tandem axle. Also the wheel base. The C in question is a 133 where the smallest dual tandem is 134. Someone swapped the cab od data plate.



C500 & C600 
C500 GVW to 23,000lbs GCW to 34,000lbs
C600 GVW to 25,500lbs GCW to 36,000lbs 
WB 121" 133" 145" 163" 181" 197" 211"
CA 60" 72" 84" 102" 120" 136" 150"
AF 44" 44" C500/44"
C600/61"
61" 61" 80" 100"
OL 193 ¾" 205 ¾" C500/217 ¾"
C600/234 ¾"
252 ¾" 270 ¾" 305 ¾" 339 ¾"

 

C700 
C700 GVW to 25,500lbs GCW to 50,000lbs 
WB 122" 134" 146" 164" 182" 200"
CA 60" 72" 84" 102" 120" 138"
AF 44" 44" 62"(1) 60 ½" 72 ½" 96 ½"
OL 194" 206" 236"(2) 252 ½" 282 ½" 324 ½"
(1)Tractor AF 44"     (2)Tractor OL 218" 

 

Gasoline-Powered LCF 
Single Axle 
C800 GVW from 24,000lbs to 35,000lbs GCW to 50,000lbs 
C1000 GVW from 24,000lbs to 37,000lbs GCW to 65,000lbs 
WB 122" 134" 146" 164" 182" 200"
CA 60" 72" 84" 102" 120" 138"
AF 44" 44" 62"(2) 60 ½" 72 ½" 96 ½"
OL 194" 206" 236"(3) 252 ½" 282 ½" 324 ½"
(2)Tractor AF 44"     (3)Tractor OL 218" 
Dual-Drive Tandem Axle 
CT800 GVW from 35,000lbs to 50,000lbs GCW to 50,000lbs 
CT900 GVW from 39,000lbs to 52,000lbs GCW to 65,000lbs 
WB 134" 146" 158" 164" 182" 200" 212"
CA 72" 84" 96" 102" 120" 138" 150"
AF 50" 62"(1) 50" 72 ½" 84 ½" 96 ½"  108 ½"
OL 212" 236"(2) 236" 264 ½" 294 ½" 324 ½" 348 ½"
(1)Tractor AF 50"     (2)Tractor OL 224" 

 

Diesel-Powered LCF 
Single Axle 
CN900 GVW from 27,000lbs to 37,000lbs GCW to 76,800lbs 
CN800 GVW from 24,000lbs to 30,500lbs GCW to 50,000lbs 
WB 134" 146" 164" 182"
CA 72" 84" 102" 120"
AF 44" 62"(1) 60 ½" 72 ½"
OL 206" 236"(2) 252" ½" 282 ½"
(1)Tractor AF 44"     (2)Tractor OL 218" 
Dual-Drive Tandem Axle 
CNT900 GVW from 41,000lbs to 52,000lbs GCW to 76,800lbs 
CNT800 GVW from 35,000lbs to 42,000lbs GCW to 50,000lbs 
WB 146" 158" 164" 182" 200"
CA 84" 96" 102" 120" 138"
AF 62"(1) 50" 72 ½" 84 ½" 96 ½"
OL 236"(2) 236" 264 ½" 294 ½" 324 ½"
(1)Tractor AF 50"     (2)Tractor OL 224" 

[Todd Wilson]

I had forgot about the CT.   There is something oddball with this truck.  He needs to go get more pictures and look at things.  Either way its a unique truck. I wonder how much gas that big block would suck down?HAHA!

Time to go. Heading to the ATHS national show in a few.


Todd

[nitrousn]

I had forgot about the CT.   There is something oddball with this truck.  He needs to go get more pictures and look at things.  Either way its a unique truck. I wonder how much gas that big block would suck down?HAHA!




Todd

It does look like a decent truck. Up here in Michigan the doors and fenders would of fallen off 20 years ago.

[squeakfinder]

With a tandem axle trailer I just can't imagine trying to pull the weight that thing could have been rated for with a gas engine. Nothing against a big block Chrysler but thing must have been a bitch to drive.

[Todd Wilson]

With a tandem axle trailer I just can't imagine trying to pull the weight that thing could have been rated for with a gas engine. Nothing against a big block Chrysler but thing must have been a bitch to drive.

Its called gears.  MY old 1947 Dodge with its 87 hp flathead will pull my 440 powered pickup truck around in circles.


Todd

[66chargerkid]

that's an he said highway speed is only around 60 mph

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

I found a C500 and it was pretty cool, 413 though.  I wish I could have saved it, but way beyond my means!  Cool truck though.



Ryan

[nitrousn]

With a tandem axle trailer I just can't imagine trying to pull the weight that thing could have been rated for with a gas engine. Nothing against a big block Chrysler but thing must have been a bitch to drive.

Not really they actually drove quite well. All the companies had gas tandem axle trucks. Diesels just kept getting better and more powerful anong with better mileage and life so the gassers were passed by.

[Todd Wilson]

Heres a C600 driven all the way from California to our ATHS 08 show going on right now in my town.  It did not have air brakes.


Todd

[70 Charger RT]

I found this 69 L-700 (361 big block) a few years ago and will be making a car hauler out of it to haul around my Charger   It's REALLY EASY to work on the engine once you flip the cab forward.

[moparstuart]

cool make a wheel stander out of it   

[MOPARHOUND!]

This '65 Dodge C500 is in the shed, bought new by my Dad.  He and a buddy drove all the way to Detroit to pick it up.  318 with 2 speed rear axle, hydraulic brakes, winch setup for a bed, with a big Tulsa winch PTO driven:

[ACUDANUT]

Should I dare ask how much nail bitting there was driving it home ?  I bet I cost 700 bucks to drive it here to KC, from Detroit.

[Todd Wilson]

I was talking to a guy tonight and he talked to the C600 owner. Took 700$ in gas to get from CA to Kansas. I hope to be able to talk to the owner more later.


Todd

[MOPARHOUND!]

Sound I dare ask how much nail bitting there was driving it home ?  I bet I cost 700 bucks to drive it here to KC, from Detroit.

At the price of gas in 1965, I doubt it cost $700.

It still runs and drives, but has a leaking wheel cylinder - have to fill it up with brake fluid everytime you want to use it. 

[ACUDANUT]

 No, I meant driving it home from Detroit to KC in the past year.  In the 1960's is would have only cost around 70.00 I bet.

[daytona701]

HI, I'm new to this forum. I have a 1973 Dodge C600 dump truck. It has the 361-2 barrel, 7000# Rockwell front axle, 17000 Eaton 2 speed rear 6.14/8.50, 5 speed trans and air brakes. I bought the truck last November on ebay. It was located in Flemingsburg, Kentucky. My wife and I camped our way from Henleyfield, Mississippi to the C600. I drove the
truck home about 740 miles over four days. We had to stop to put on a water pump and new tires. The truck was purchased because I love old Dodges and I needed to haul some dirt and gravel on my property. Last week my neighbor was using the truck when the front driver side split rim broke in two causing the truck to land hard on the front axle. Luckily no one was hurt. The front axle, power steering gear, one new front tire, the front passenger fender and the chassis/frame where damaged or destroyed. I had planned to restore and paint the truck before the accident. I'm asking for help in finding another truck to salvage parts from or a truck that is in good enough condition to use for a replacement for my truck. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bruce

[squeakfinder]

HI, I'm new to this forum. I have a 1973 Dodge C600 dump truck. It has the 361-2 barrel, 7000# Rockwell front axle, 17000 Eaton 2 speed rear 6.14/8.50, 5 speed trans and air brakes. I bought the truck last November on ebay. It was located in Flemingsburg, Kentucky. My wife and I camped our way from Henleyfield, Mississippi to the C600. I drove the
truck home about 740 miles over four days. We had to stop to put on a water pump and new tires. The truck was purchased because I love old Dodges and I needed to haul some dirt and gravel on my property. Last week my neighbor was using the truck when the front driver side split rim broke in two causing the truck to land hard on the front axle. Luckily no one was hurt. The front axle, power steering gear, one new front tire, the front passenger fender and the chassis/frame where damaged or destroyed. I had planned to restore and paint the truck before the accident. I'm asking for help in finding another truck to salvage parts from or a truck that is in good enough condition to use for a replacement for my truck. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bruce

Welcome to the site. I'd love to have an old dump truck like that on my place to move dirt around, despite the work involved in keeping it going.

Tod Wilson I think your missing my point. I'm no greenhorn when it comes to trucks. When you have to drive a truck for a living, like the one that started this thread, it Would have been a bitch to drive all day long, up and down hill's on two lane roads, grossing weights of 60,000 Lbs or more. You'd be shifting gears all day long.

It's nothing in this day in age to drive a big truck 740 miles in a day, Daytona 701 took 4 days to do it. Allthough the rig had some problems to begin with, but I'm sure it wasn't cruising along at 70 mph when it was running good.

[MOPARHOUND!]

Last week my neighbor was using the truck when the front driver side split rim broke in two causing the truck to land hard on the front axle. Luckily no one was hurt. The front axle, power steering gear, one new front tire, the front passenger fender and the chassis/frame where damaged or destroyed. I had planned to restore and paint the truck before the accident. I'm asking for help in finding another truck to salvage parts from or a truck that is in good enough condition to use for a replacement for my truck. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bruce

Best website I know of to try, would be www.sweptline.org (some old Dodge dump trucks in the classifieds), or one of the Dodge Power Wagon websites. 

[TruckDriver]

Have you ever tried Hanks Truck Pictures forum too? I'm a member there too. Welcome aboard

[Todd Wilson]

Tod Wilson I think your missing my point. I'm no greenhorn when it comes to trucks. When you have to drive a truck for a living, like the one that started this thread, it Would have been a bitch to drive all day long, up and down hill's on two lane roads, grossing weights of 60,000 Lbs or more. You'd be shifting gears all day long.

It's nothing in this day in age to drive a big truck 740 miles in a day, Daytona 701 took 4 days to do it. Allthough the rig had some problems to begin with, but I'm sure it wasn't cruising along at 70 mph when it was running good.

Yeah you would be shifting all day. But back then the power even in the diesels wasnt that great either. No one knew the difference then. Thats back when we had truckers and not steering wheel holders like we do now!

Todd

[TruckDriver]

Yup, had to love the old "air assist steering" back then

[Todd Wilson]

Yup, had to love the old "air assist steering" back then

[Charger_Fan]

Is that chain around the front spring shackle, or the pitman arm?

[ACUDANUT]

 Here you go...RIGS http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,43960.msg585032.html#msg585032
Todd Wilson has pic's of my C600

[Scaregrabber]

I am quite familiar with those old trucks and love them. I firmly remember grossing 80,000lbs with a CT800 with a 413 and a 5 and 4 trans hauling logs with my older brother in about 1970. We'd hit the hills and it would be a flurry of activity shifting both those boxes at once and within about 2 seconds you'd be down to about 5MPH crawling up the rest of the hill.
At that time the biggest diesel power was a 335 Cummins. Those poor little gaspot Dodges would work their heart out though. A lot of gravel trucks were gaspot and semi's were pretty much all diesel in 1970. When Cat brought out their little V8 diesel (around 245HP I think) around 1968 or so the switch to diesel in straight trucks began.

Sheldon

[ACUDANUT]

Send them to me in email and I will host them on my server if you are having problems with file size.


Todd

Todd, do you still have that picture I sent of this truck.

[Todd Wilson]

Send them to me in email and I will host them on my server if you are having problems with file size.


Todd

Todd, do you still have that picture I sent of this truck.

http://www.job-rated.com/c600/index.html

[ACUDANUT]

Great, Thanks todd.

[Todd Wilson]

So.......................what ever happened with this truck?  You get it and get it on the road?


Todd

[ACUDANUT]

No, it's a pasture display still..Looks like a money pit.

[Todd Wilson]

No, it's a pasture display still..Looks like a money pit.

Thats too bad. I bet a case of beer and we could get it running in an afternoon! Tires would be a tad expensive.


Todd

[ACUDANUT]

It would be cool to drive it to a Car show...It would be the only one there...Best in class lol.