55 Fargo

I might have 5 rims that I believe are 16 inch, they are on the 55 Dodge 1 ton we dragged home. I do not recall if there split rims, I am located in Manitoba, do you want pictures?...Fred

Okay, go front clipp off, and cab is ready to be lifted to the Fargo 1/2 ton frame, I will lift as needed for further work next spring, in my shop. I have a few pics, 1 is of me liftng the cab on 1 side by myself, when the Buddies come over tomorrow morning, will lift onto the other frame, going froma 1955 Dodge 1 ton pickup, to a 1955 Fargo 1/2 ton short wheel base frame....

Doors off, ready to lif off cab and place on other frame, the pic of me is lifting 1 side of the cab by myself, should be a snap when the 2 buddies arive....

Anybody happen to know what the cab weighs on a 55 Dodge/Fargo....thanx Fred

really, did not see snow in my picture it was about 66 degrees, and it was 74 yesterday. The leaves had just turned last week or so, but last Friday a wicked wind strom blew them all out of the trees, my grass is brown, because we had a drought here, this summer, much like Oklahoma and that way, no rain, dry hot and dusty..... ps tons of leaves on the trees, east of my yard, the willows got theres blown out quick, but winter will be soon up here...

I could sure use all the window mechanics, all door mechanics too, including outside door handles, and a whol whack of other items for my truck.....

Okay today removed ront clip, and sat it on the 55 Fargo 1/2 ton short frame, fits fine. Pulled rad, antifreeze looked clean, Seafoam deep creep, has a been a big help in this process. The cab is unbolted to, have a few more things to do, like pull steering column and clutch/brake pedal extensions, then she can be lifted off and into place. My plan is to get the engine running on fargo, then will pull front clip again, and start the paint and clean up process, but want to make sure this engine is running well first, and like my projects to be mobile on their own steam. For this year, just going to do the transplant, and fix rust hole at back of cab, and let her be for winter, will search for much needed window and door latch parts this winter....

Nice sunny day today, cleaned all grease zerks, and greasd all too. Mounted 2 of my used tires on rims, added hub caps and rings for fun, shoulda painted rims red, and I might still. These wheels are for rolling while I fix up the truck. Also noticed 2 things today, 1 rear leaf spring is shifted and reatiner is bent , will need to correct this. Also rear ujoint does not fit into the drive shaft yolk as it should, it does fit the 8 1/4 diff youl just fine, will need to do something with this too. Brake fluid and is holding, at least it appears to, but still need to go through entire brake system, leaning very muc toward Olddaddy discs for up front, and possibly a dual MC, it would not be a difficult install....

It does not go to anything, looks like some kind of column shift linkage. I dunno, exactly wht has taken place on this set-up, all seems okay, the clutch rods, are a little funky, and will need attention. You know this isa perfect Candidate for a T5 trans, and it would go like hell, this truck is light, and with the 3.23 diff, should get some good cruising speed, but maybe a little slower off the line. This trans may or could be different thana US based Dodge, don't know if Fargo trucks , had different parts, hey the engines were all 25 inch, so possibly the trans too, it is a 251 120 hp engine....

Thanx Reg, mine appears to be a 4 speed, but reverse is out and up, from the drivers position. The steering box has Ingersol Machine stamped on it, is that the same as the US trucks.

Does anyone happen to know the weight specs for my 1955 Dodge/Fargo 108 inch wheel base 1/2 ton truck? If you do, can you tell me what it weighs....thanx Fred

Does this trans look like a 3 speed or 4 speed?

Hi Keven and thanx for the pic, and the info. I think in all likely hood, will go with some aftermarket wheels, I am partial to chrome rims with babay moon hub caps.... For now, old rims, and my old tires from the 47 Chrysler coupe I own....

Does anyone know what tpye of rim and hubcap were used for 1955 Dodge and Fargo pickup trucks. Were they the dog dish type hub caps, and rims with clips like in the 40s and early 50s Mopar Cars.....thanx Fred

Shell Rotella T Diesel Oil 1250 PPM of ZDDP. A lot of Hi Perf people do not realize the quality of metal in these low rpm flatties, far exceed there chinese metals on there after market parts. The fact that Mopar L head 6 s, have full pressure lubrciation, not dipper splash systems, inset bearings instead of babitted rods and mains. I like the fact there are hardened exhaust valve seats, so unleaded fuel is no issues. There have been tons of discussions on Oil and Oil additives, and the fact is the oil today, far exceeds the quality of the 40s and 50s engine oils. If your engine is rebuilt, not sure you would require some older non detergent oil, if ZDDP is what your after, that would by either adding it,. or using an oil like Shell Rotella T, or something comparable...

I realize this Dave, my main interest, is the ratios in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, in the 4 speed trans. I figure I will not have issues doing 65 mph with my set-up, even if I stay with 15 inch tires....thanx Fred

Hi all ,well have the 55 Fargo 1/2 ton frame home, brakes are seeming okay, beld them, appears to hold pressure and no leaks. It seems to bea 4 spd trans, at least I think it is. The diff is a Mopar 8 1/4 ,with a 3.23 gear ratio, and of courese modern drum brakes. Spent some time on her today, blew out fuel line, opened gas tank drain, quite clean, this truck was driven until 2005, when the owner pulled the body to place ona later model chev chassis. Here are some pics. I hope to sit the cab on the frame, very soon, willleave off everything else, so I can clean up and paint everything. The engine is a good running 251, even the water tube slides out and is clean as a whistle...

Bled brakes, have not bad brakes happening, stock up front, Dodge dakota in rear. Gas tank, is clean, blew out the lines, opened drain, nothing in there, will put in a plastic in-line filter to catch any crud. Did a general inspection, cleaned off the frame with air hose, diff oil is full, and no leakes. U joints, are greasy, but are not sloppy. Exhaust is rotten, shocks need to be replaced, front brake hoses, and will inspect inside drums soon. E brake work, but needs to be cleaned up, might have the band relined, or better yet, hook up the rear diff ebrake system. Going to grease all fittings this afternoon, see what happens, a couple of te-rod ends look a little beat. I hope to place cab and front clip on next weekend, but will remove clip again to do clean up of engine, painting frame etc. I did save some 15 inch tires, have rims, enough for all the way around, they will be good rollers, and hope to find some decent 16 inch stock rims and hub caps some day, or will stick with custom look of some type. I have no Dodge badges, will most likey shave the emblems, and the only bright work will be door handles, wiper arms, mirrors.

Does anyone know if the fuel sedner, on a 1955 Dodge truck, is a screw on tpye, or does it attach with 5 screws.

Thanx Tim, did verify by tire and driveshaft rotation count diff is 3.23 or thereabouts. So the spec of the trans will be different now with the modern dif. The brakes are not bad, bled them in the dark this morning the light of the flashlight, and help from my Boy.There is way too much free paly on the mc pushrod, but at least the brakes work good, and do not appear to leak. Have not checked the diff level yet, would it be straight hypoid 90 gear oil. This frame appears to have linkage fora column shifter set-up, wonder if that was installed piro to the trans in there now, which I have no clue if it is a 4 spd or 3 spd yet, but its a floor shifter.....

For a temporary fix until you get another wheel or this one fixed, you can always clean, and shoot on some paint, at leat your hands would be clean....

If you have a stock steering wheel, and it needs to be re-cast, then it can be done by an Old Mopar guru, in Winnipeg. PM me if you want his name and contact info

Does anyone know the trans gear ratios for 1955 Dodge trucks, both for 3 and 4 speed, not sure what I have yet....thanx Fred

Yes I think so too, and 3.23 gear ratio. My brakes allso work too, had to add some brake fluid but they work, need bleeding, and do not see any leaking at backing plates or lines. I have everything mechanically to get here going but a 12 volt genny. I have the 12 volt starter, regulator, coil with ballast resistor, etc. I need to buy some things, like heater and rad hose, battery cables, 12 volt battery, spark plugs and wires. I hope to have it running soon, going to use the gasd tank as is, it was last used 5 years ago, will add some in-line filtration, and see what happens.

Try a mixture of ATF and Seafoam, worked very well for me i a 251 Mopar flathead, that was stuck in atleast 4 cyls...