Dodge Bighorn

Shown above, 1 of 2 prototypes, CNT9500, and the first Bighorn sold to the public.  This truck was used for all literature. Restoration was started by Tony Youngblood and has since been sold to another Bighorn owner waiting for completion. This truck was purchased new by Jim Roop and ran many years in the Benkins Vanlines White color scheme.      

The breakdown of sales figures provided by Chrysler for the Bighorns are as follows:

  • 1973 – 8 Sold in the US / 2 Sold in Canada
  • 1974 – 91 Sold in the US / 25 Sold in Canada
  • 1975 – 91 Sold in the US / 43 Sold in Canada / 1 Sold in Mexico

The grand total being 261 Bighorns produced between late 1972 and May of 1975 when Dodge ceased production of these trucks. Short lived but these trucks today command a presence at shows and are highly sought after. Based on registry numbers and Bighorns that we still know to exist, there are somewhere between 135-150 of the 261 left. Today, all but a handful are in collectors hands and have received some type of restoration, whether getting road worthy or full blown frame off restorations. There continue to be stories of Bighorns sitting in garages or in fields and as time goes on, some of those stories become confirmed while others get proven incorrect. The price on these trucks continues to rise and in 2021, the demand for trucks by potential owners remains strong. 

For additional information on the Bighorns, check out:

One of a Kind – The Number One Bighorn Story

The Endangered Bighorn – The Bighorn Story

Trucks Specs CNT950

Standard EquipmentOptional Equipment
Wheelbase185″Any
EngineCummins Super 250Cummins: NH230, NTC270, NTC290 @ 290 or 270 HP, NTC350 @ 350, 335, 320 or 310 HP
Detroit: 6-71N, 8V-71N, 8V-71T
Cooling1200-SQ IN Raditor1500-SQ In Radiator
ClutchSpicer 14″ – 2 PlateSpicer 15 1/2″ – 2 Plate
TransmissionFuller RT910Fuller: RTO9513, RTO12513, RT915
Spicer: 8554A, P8516-3A, P8716-5B, 1062A, 1007-2A, 1010-2A, 1020-3A
Auxiliaries: 8345D, 8035P
Propeller ShaftSpicer 1700 Series1810 Series
Rear AxleRockwell: SLHD Weight Rating: 34,000LBS
GCW Rating: 85,000LBS
Ratios: 4.11, 4.44, 4.62
Air-Actuated Interaxle Differential Lockout
Eaton – 19121, 26121
Rockwell – R200, U200, R170L
Front AxleRockwell FF 921
Rating: 12,000 LBS
Rockwell: FG 900-16,000 LBS
FrameHeat-Treated Hi-Tensile Steel – 110,000 PSI
Size:10 1/8 x 3 ¼ x ¼
Section Modulus: 11.6
RBM: 1,276,000 IN.-LBS Per Rail
10 ¼ x 3 ¼” x 5/16″ Section Modulus: 14.76
RBM: 1,623,000 IN.-LBS Per Rail
CrossmemberBolted Member and Gusset Construction using SAE Grade 8 Bolts. Hardened Washers and Aircraft-type Self-locking Nuts.——————————-
Front SpringsLeaf-Type 56″ x 4″
Pad Capacity: 5300 LBS
Pad Rating of: 6000 LBS or 7200 LBS
Shock Absorbers
Rear SuspensionReyco 101 on the ’73 and ’74 Bighorns, replaced by Reyco 102’s for ’75Dodge Vari-Rate
Pad Rating of: 9400 LBS
15,000 LBS
Auxiliaries: PAD Rating 2300 LBS
Air Suspension: Western Stabilaire
BrakesFull Air:
Front: Wedge Type: 15″ x 3.5″
Rear: Wedge Type: 15″ x 7″
Brake Drums: Malleable Iron
Compressor: Cummins 13.2 CFM on Cummins Engines and B.W. Tuflo 500 on Detroit Diesel Engines
Air Tanks:
Wet Tank: 1250 cu.in.
Dry Tank: 1250 cu.in.
Emergency Tank: 1250 cu.in.
S-CAM Front and Rear – 16.25″ x 3.5″ Front – 16.5″ x 7″ Rear
Front Brakes on 16,000 LB axle are 15″ x 5″ Wedge or 16.5″ x 5″ S-Cams
Trailer Brake Controls with steering column mounted hand valve.
Air LinesAeroquip Reusable Fittings with Parker-Hannefin Flex-Lines–Nylon Lines Inside Cab and in Instrument Panel——————————-
Emergency Parking BrakeRockwell Super-Failsafe w/ Wedge BrakesSpring-Loaded Parking Brakes on both Rear Axles
Fuel TanksDual 75-Gal Steel 26″ Barrel-Type with Built-in steps75 and 100-Gaal Tanks in Steel or Aluminum
FiltersAir: Donaldson Cyclopak 16″
Oil: Fuel Flow: 4-QT. – Engine Mounted
Bypass: Fleetguard 14-QT.
Fuel: With Cummins Engines: Fleetguard FF105D
With Detroit Diesels: Primary: AC-T 74 Secondary: AC-T 65
Water: With Cummins Engines: Fleetguard WF1010-Spin-On
——————————-
ElectricalBatteries: 4.6-V, 165-AMP-HR
Starter: Prestolite, 12-V
Alternator: Delco-SI 65-Amp
Wiring: P.V.C. With Eyelet Terminals
Protection: Circuit Breakers
Alternators: 80-AMP Delco and 75-AMP Delco SI 25
SteeringGear: Ross 7 D 500, Manual
Steering Wheel: 20″
Steering Column: Adjustable
Ross HF 64 Hydraulic Power Steering
WheelsSpoke with 20 x 7.50 Rims22″ Spoke 20″ or 22″ Disc or Hi-Tensile Disc or Aluminum 22 ½” or 24 ½” Hi-Tensile Disc or Aluminum
Tires10.00 x 20, 12 Ply Highway Tread20″ or 22″ Tube Tires of All Major Brands-Any Available Tread
22 ½” or 24 ½” Tubeless Tires of All Major Brands-Any Available Tread
Exhaust——————————-Single 5″ Chrome Pipe and Polished Stainless Steel Shield; Dual 5″ Chrome Pipes, Dual Mufflers, Dual Polished Stainless Steel Muffler Shields, and Chrome Lower Exhaust Elbow
CabAll Steel, with Tilting Fiber Glass R.C.C.C Instrument Panel
Standard Instruments: Stewart-Warner Speedometer and Tachometer
Stewart-Warner Bi-Torque Gauges: Fuel, Air Pressure, Amp Meter, Water Temperature, Air Pressure
Seat:
Driver: Unison-Action
Passenger: None
Cab Insulation:
Outside: Full Sprayed-On Closed Cell Foam on firewall, toe board and under cab floor.
Inside: Closed cell foam sheet between metal and A.B.S. liner along entire roof and back panel and between metal and floor mat along toe board and dash. Floor mat over floor area has double closed backing insulation.
——————————-
Other Standard ItemsDual Electric Horn, Ashtray, Automatic Backup Lights, Radiator Shutters, Steel Flush-Mounted Bumper, Cab Heater of 30,000 BTU, Cigar Lighter, Door Locks, Retractable Seat Belts, Lights, Dual West Coast Mirrors, Single Sun Visor, Toggle Switches, Turn Signals, Dual Air Windshield Wipers with Single Motor, Vertical Exhaust, Chicago Rawhide Rear Wheel Oil Seals——————————-
Other Options——————————-Integral Air Conditioning
Bostrom Viking T-Bar Driver’s Seat
Bostrom Air Viking Driver’s Seat
Bostrom Viking Companion Seat
Custom Trim: Consists of carpeting, vinyl and carpet door trim panels, pleated roof inserts, white steering wheel and inside door grab handles.
Custom Deluxe Interior: Consists of custom interior plus pleated back panel and pleated seats.
Console between driver’ and passenger’s seats
Tinted Glass – All Around
Air Horns – Hadley or Dual Grover Trumpets
Bullet-Type Cab Lights
Trailer light connections – 7 Wire
Optional Gauges:
Voltmeter
Engine Oil Temperature
Transmission Oil Temperature
Axle Oil Temperature
Exhaust Pyrometer
Brake Application Gauge
Dixon Electronic Speedometer and Tachometer
Stemco Front Wheel Seals
Pogostick (Hose Tender)
Perlux Road Lights
Front Wheel Quick Release and Limiting Valve
Tapering of frame end w/ special tractor crossmember, in steel or aluminum
Radio AM-FM Stereo
Luberfiner Oil Filter
Paint: Cab and hood or frame any color – choice of four striping combinations
Appearance Items——————————-Polished Aluminum Front Wheels
Polished Aluminum Front Bumper
Polished Stainless Steel Muffler Shields
Polished Aluminum Battery Box Covers
Chrome Plated Exhaust Pipes and Elbows
Chrome Plated Fuel Tank Straps
Bullet Cab Lights-Chrome
Trumpet Horns
Custom or Custom Deluxe Interior
Polished Stainless Steel Mirrors
Polished Stainless Steel Front Grille is Standard Metallic Paints
Lightweight Items——————————-Aluminum Front Bumper
Aluminum Hubs
Front and/or Rear Aluminum Differential Carriers
Aluminum Flywheel Housing (Standard)
Aluminum Battery Box Covers (Standard)
Aluminum Intermediate Crossmembers
Aluminum Tractor Skid Crossmember
Centrifuse Drums
Lightweight Hi-Tensile Steel Wheels
Aluminum Cab Support (Standard)
Aluminum Fuel Tanks and Hangers
Aluminum Transmission Case (Spicer Transmission Only)

Truck Specs CN900

Standard EquipmentOptional Equipment
Wheelbase195″Any
Rear AxleRockwell R170
Weight Rating: 23,000 LBS
GCW Rating: 85,000 LBS
Ratios: 3.7, 4.11, 4.33, 4.62
Eaton 34 DSC
Weight Rating: 34,000 LBS
GCW Rating: 80,000 LBS
Ratios: 3.7, 4.11, 4.33
Rockwell: SQHD
Weight Rating: 38,000 LBS
GCW Rating: 85,000 LBS (110,000 LBS in
Turnpike Operation)
Ratios: 4.11, 4.44, 4.62
Eaton 38 DSC
Weight Rating: 38,000 LBS
GCW Rating: 80,000 LBS
Ratios: 4.11, 4.56
Rockwell: SSHD
Weight Rating: 44,000 LBS
GCW Rating: 120,000 LBS (140,000 LBS on
turnpikes)
Ratios: 4.62, 5.28
Eaton DS 380
Weight Rating: 38,000 LBS
GCW Rating: 127,000 LBS
Ratios: 4.11, 4.33, 4.56, 4.88, 5.29
Note: All tandems have a 50″ axle spread except
the SSHD, which has a 54″ spread
Rear SuspensionDodge Vari-Rate
59.25″ x 3″
Pad Capacity: 10,500 LBS
Hendrickson:
RU 340 and RUA 340
RT 340 w/ Bronze Bushing
RT 380
RT 380 w/ Bronze Bushing
RT 440 (54″ Axle Spread)
RTEA 380 (Aluminum Beam)
Air Suspension: Western Stailaire
These specs above are the only differences between a single axle and a tandem axle offering.

Truck Weight Information

ModelMax GVW (lbs)Max GCW (lbs
CN95035,00085,000
CNT95060,000120,000

 


Unknown Bighorn, appears to new with no fifth wheel mounted yet
This truck we understand as having been wrecked early on in it’s life
This truck is still owned by the original owner after putting over 1,000,000 miles on it. It’s awaiting it’s day for restoration. Picture taken when new.
This truck pulled for local Hess gas stations in New Jersey. The truck still exist in New Jersey, no longer wearing it’s original Hess colors though.
One of the original 73’s and the first Bighorn ever to visit the Dodge Farm. Taken in the late 80’s on the property. Sadly it was lost in a barn fire a few years ago while undergoing restoration.
Sitting in a museum in Alberta Canada.
Riggins Transport supposedly had 9 Bighorns at one time.
Another ’73, this picture was probably taken in the late 80’s with then owner Cliff Sexton (pictured). The truck still exist albeit waiting on the restoration to be completed.
Ex-Fina truck turned fire truck in Washington State for many years. It made it’s way down to Florida and finally up to Virginia where it currently resides restored.