a_gunslinger Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 So I found this front end of a 1948 Dodge (D24 ?) sitting majestically in a junk yard. See pics. Im not a restorer by ANY means, but I am getting into working with auto parts and repurposing them. MG rear into a couch, and now this front end. I fell in love with it. And it was just sitting there on top of an old bus. I had to have it. While Im torn about cutting it up, it is pretty toasty on the back side, no firewall, and in rough condition. But it does have the hood and a lot of character. Least I can do is rescue it as a piece of wall art as opposed to leaving it there in the weather any longer. Hopefully that doesn't make someone here cringe. But I really have no idea what Im doing, but I love figuring it, learning from the experts, and taking a stab at stuff. So here are my question should I be deemed worthy of help: Is that a 1948 D24? Missing deflector and bumper. Snowballs chance in hell of ever finding one, even if rough? With a small wallet and DIY skills (but motivated) any advice on how to refinish it on a autoparts stor or harbor frieght budget? Any info on what I have apreciated!!!!!! Respectfully Todd Cincinnati Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Got kids or. Grandkids? Make a bed , cut it just behind the head lights , would make a great head board, connect the lights into the sound. Gotta start em out young? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Yes 46-48 dodge D24. I don't believe there is anyway to tell them apart. I bet you could find the bumper. The filler might be a little harder. Sand it down and spray it with some rustoleum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_gunslinger Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Thanks for the replies! I thought about the just behind headlights cut. Want to keep the end of the hood ornament and parts of that cool hood. Any known places of good WTB sites I can check for the bumper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 You can place a request for "car parts wanted" in the classified section of this web page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casper50 Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 gunslinger do a google search for classic auto salvage. Lots of yards come up. I just bought a really good rear fender for my 47 dodge from French Lake for $125. That was half to 1/3 the price of everywhere else. http://www.frenchlakeautoparts.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 gunslinger do a google search for classic auto salvage. Lots of yards come up. I just bought a really good rear fender for my 47 dodge from French Lake for $125. That was half to 1/3 the price of everywhere else. http://www.frenchlakeautoparts.com/ Great yard and I can personally say that they have at least a couple d24s. Last trip I was there was about 3 weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_gunslinger Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Great yard and I can personally say that they have at least a couple d24s. Last trip I was there was about 3 weeks ago. Thanks. Under their search I didnt see Dodge D24 as an option. What did you search under - or did you just call? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casper50 Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 (edited) called. they have a 4 door that they took my fender off of. in the photo the rear bumper looks good. can't see the front. Edited November 15, 2015 by casper50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Thanks. Under their search I didnt see Dodge D24 as an option. What did you search under - or did you just call? I just go there. you should call. They have a lot of older stuff that isn't inventoried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_gunslinger Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Awesome. Will call em. Looks like most bumpers are going to costs more than I paid for the entire front end ;^) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 a_gunslinger, on 15 Nov 2015 - 5:48 PM, said:Awesome. Will call em. Looks like most bumpers are going to costs more than I paid for the entire front end ;^) welcome to the hobby.....where pay to play and you get what you pay for run hand in hand...try working a whole car for a true deep pocket project.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_gunslinger Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Lol. Wife ..... going to kill me. Better restore a dog house as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_gunslinger Posted November 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2015 So I got this front end cut and ready to start sanding for paint. Any thoughts on historically accurate color? ;^) Bumper is being shipped. Im left with a pile of scrap metal and some various parts. IS there any value, to me or anyone else, to these parts? I hate to toss them if they have value or they could help someone. Remainder of fender, fuse or other electric box (?) inside the fender, mystery bar, wiring harness, hood hinges ? See below. Spare parts: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Watson Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 That's going to look pretty sharp when your are done! For colours, I have attached the DuPont colour chart for 1946 to 1948 Dodges. Might give you some ideas. The paint formulas will not be of much use as the paints and the tints have changed over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Please polish first to see the results. Paint has no personality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_gunslinger Posted November 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Thanks for the positive feedback. Makes me feel better because the wife sure doesn't see the vision ;^) Like the lights and speakers ideas as well. Agree about not painting. I do love the black and bluish and primer color combo as it shows now. Question about polishing. Should I just knock off the flaking paint (and moss ;^) and if so, wwith what? Light sand paper on dual action sander or would that be too much. And by polish are we talking regular old car wax? My last obstacle is going to be figuring out how to mount the complete bumper since there is no framing to secure it to, and I have no welding equipment. All ideas welcome. And everyone was so distracted by the project pic that no one answered my main question - is all the remaining stuff scrap or could it be used by someone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casper50 Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 I needed one side of the hood hinge complete 1 year ago. But I found one. Someone might need it. The rest is mostly scrap now that it's been cut. Unless someone needs patch panels from the sheet metal that you have left. You might try ebay for the hood hinges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_gunslinger Posted November 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 That's going to look pretty sharp when your are done! For colours, I have attached the DuPont colour chart for 1946 to 1948 Dodges. Might give you some ideas. The paint formulas will not be of much use as the paints and the tints have changed over the years. Looks like there might have been some Plata Blue in there ;^) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_gunslinger Posted November 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Also, any way to "improve" the pitted chrome? Obviously without re-chroming its toasty but didn't know if there were any DIY poor mans ways to at least improve it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave72dt Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 (edited) You've got such a variation in paint quality you have two choices as far as I'm concerned. Give it a good scrubbing to get rid of all the flakey stuff and moss, etc and clear coat it or strip it down and finish it off with fresh paint. You have very little good paint left to sand and polish. Sand and polish in this case means 1500 or 2000 grit sandpaper, rubbing compound and buffer. If you just want to wax it, use a cleaner wax. they're abit more aggressive and may remove some oxidation. You can try chrome polish and rubbing with aluminum foil on the shiny bits, may help. You'll need to build a stand to put it on so the bumper doesn't cover up the park lights and you can bolt the bumper to the stand. Your stand could be bolted together instead of welded if needed or you could mock it up and then find someone to do the finish welds. Edited December 5, 2015 by Dave72dt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmiller Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 Also, any way to "improve" the pitted chrome? Obviously without re-chroming its toasty but didn't know if there were any DIY poor mans ways to at least improve it. You will be surprised what an improvement you can get with very fine steel wool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 0000 steel wool is a metal detailer's friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verlin Posted January 6, 2021 Report Share Posted January 6, 2021 Is this possibly still around and available for purchase? The 1948 Dodge front end. verlinrichins@hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUST OR BUST Posted February 7, 2021 Report Share Posted February 7, 2021 On 1/5/2021 at 11:24 PM, Verlin said: Is this possibly still around and available for purchase? The 1948 Dodge front end. verlinrichins@hotmail.com What parts are you looking for? I have 2 cars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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