Frank's 49

Is this a running & driving  truck in good condition . if it were mine it would stay original .

This is the truck my Dad bought new in January 1949.  

I started to repair/recondition it 4 years ago.  The wood of the roof was all punky and soft, and that is where I started, by removing it.  One thing led to another and pretty soon it was down to the frame.  While I had it stripped, I went ahead and cleaned everything up and painted the frame.  Replaced all the springs hardware, other than the spring leaves them selves.  The shackles were worn down to the size of a pencil, and the bushings were worse!  Wonder it hadn't just fallen on the ground.  And then all the brakes.  New wheel cylinders, flex hoses, shoes, master cylinder, etc.  Dropped the fuel  tank and cleaned it, installed a new fuel pump, then rebuilt the carb.  Got it running.  Then started rebuilding the wood.  Retained what I could, and replaced anything rotten.  Hard to tell how much was from the original factory build, because Dad had replaced some over the years.  This car was used basically daily from 1949 to 1986, and most of the time was not parked under cover, so  some of the wood had problems, especialy at the joints.  

The motor was replaced back in 1976, but all it need was to have the valves adjusted, and one replaced and it runs fine.  

Just added new Coker original size tires (600-16).  The heater has been recored, and the generator has been replaced with a 6V alternator (both the generator and regulator were shot, and it was cheaper to replace them than repair, and i thought better). 

replaced the speedometer cable (the needle still wiggles around some and i don't think it is accurate.). 

Installed a new sending unit for the gas gauge. Have not run out of gas yet, so I don't know if it is accurate.

(I also have a small tachometer and a gps  (a very old gps that does not always work). 

And some other stuff.

The bad?   It still has some rust, that should be fixed, but I am not a metal worker. Not all of the woodwork is "factory standard".  But my intention was not to do a complete "like new" restoration, but rather to get it driveable and usable.

I have posted a few pictures on this site, and would put them on a publc site (if I knew how.. lol )  I will investigate that and let you know if I do it.  

In summary, yes, it is finally a running, driving truck.  On a scale of 1 to 10, I would probably say it was a 7 or 8.  But it is an on-going hobby.  It still needs things like  window  cranks, and interion door handles on the passanger side.  One headlight rim is missing.  And there are no rear seats.  Originally there was seating for 8, three up front, two in the center and three in the rear, plus room for lots of newspapers LOL.  

Guess I need to write a book.   

Mike 

Sounds like u have done a lot already and i loved reading about it .....That has to be a fun truck to drive ...i know i love my 49 Plymouth Woodie Wagon .