fireguyfire

Just for education young Ed; how can you tell for sure from the photos that the truck is a 1940?

I don’t have any more photos and the owner is on holidays until August 16th. The truck looks unmolested other than some farmer fixes, and I’m 99% sure it’s on the original frame. The box does seem a bit wonky as there is no floor (the wood is gone) or tailgate so I figured it has sat so long that the tops of the box sides have sagged outward a slight bit. I will do a much more thorough look when the owner is back and I will share more details then. Maybe these trucks are worth more here in western Canada as a few local old dodge truck gurus I’ve talked to are saying $2500-$3000 Canadian would be a steal.

Sorry gents, I’m having trouble figuring out how to resize the photos on my iPhone so that they will be small enough to post. I’ll keep working on it

I have an opportunity to buy this dodge truck and I was hoping you gents could help me out with a few questions. I am much more familiar with 50’s dodge and Fargo’s, not these earlier beauties. The truck is a rolling shell so it has no motor or transmission, and is also missing the hood ornament and tail gate. The truck is surprisingly rust free and has that great patina that everyone is looking for these days. My questions are, how possible would you think it would be to find an appropriate engine and transmission for this truck? How easy will it be to find a hood ornament abs tailgate for it? Anyone got a guess as to the exact year of the truck? aAnd finally, the big question; what would you value this truck at as it sits? any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the info gents, I will give it an in hand look soon. My plan would be to keep it as a survivor and make it mechanically right; it has that patina that is all the rage, but according to my buddy it has almost no rust.

Can you educate me on how you know that?

I’ve got an opportunity to buy this Fargo truck . It runs and drives, and is still in the original owners family and Is a low miler as it had never left the farm. I haven’t seen the truck in person yet, but my buddy ranches nearby and took the photos for me. I’m curious if anyone can tell what year the truck is by the photos? It is not a 1/2 ton, but I’m thinking it’s a 3/4. Any inputs would be appreciated.

So I’m reassembling my rear axle on my 58 Sweptside after fully restoring it. I’ve decided to replace the rear axle shaft bearings and races since I have them out and I don’t know their condition; looking at them I am guessing they are the originals. One of the few jobs I have never done is to remove and replace axle bearings. can someone give me a quick rundown on the procedure and any hints or tips?

Thanks for the tips; got the hubs and axles out today without too much trouble. Just need to get the pinion out then I can refresh the housing and install new seals, shoes, cylinders, etc

I’m in the middle of the restoration of my Uber rare 1958 Fargo Sweptside 1/2 ton and it’s now time to fully renew and repaint the rear axle. I have restored lots of late 60’s muscle cars but this is my first 50’s truck axle with the tapered axles and hubs etc. I have a couple of initial questions as I tear the axle down. I have a hub pulled to pull the hub/drum assemblies off (on the passenger side assembly someone has drilled the drum to hub rivets so they are separate; will this be an issue? ). After the hub/brake drum assemblies are off, do I need a special tool to remove the axles as well, or can I make do with something common? I am also looking for any hints/tips/tricks from you guys and gals that have fully restored these type of axles before. Even ordering advice would be great such as when to remove the pinion nut to get at the pinion seal, etc. Thanks!

It looks like it’s packed full of grease, so I’m guessing it was leaking back in the day so I’m guessing in the very least it would need seals and gaskets

I’ve got most of the components in the engine bay of my 1958 Sweptside rebuilt like new, and the 303 v8 engine is in for machining. Im now at the point of refreshing my steering gearbox and I would love some tips and advice as to what to do with it. I have the factory manual steering gearbox in my truck, and it has surprisingly very little play in it when you rock the steering wheel side to side; the tires start to turn almost instantly. The steering adjustment screw is not tightened all the way in for adjustment, which I also understand is a good thing. Ive rebuilt lots of things during many restorations, but never a steering gearbox. Can anyone fill me in on how I should go about refreshing it, how far I should disassemble and clean it, etc?

Great tips; thanks. can you share the method you used to pry open those spring clamps?

Starting to tear down my factory springs off of my 1958 Sweptside and I have a couple of questions. The front springs at the thickest parts are held together by the center bolt, plus 2 “C” shackles that are held on by a bolt and nut. tye last 3 longest springs are held together by the clamp style band that you can’t unbolt. How do I go about Remington the clamp band holding the last 3 springs together, and how is the best way to re install them once my leaves are sand blasted and painted? second question is regarding lube in between the freshened leaves during reassembly. Tuese springs were obviously made before nylon pads, and I’ve been told to add a small thin layer of grease where the leaves overlap. Is this correct, or is there a better product to use between each leaf?

No, it’s the mounting bracket that is riveted to the frame that the C shackle mounts to. Was easy to find new rear ones, but not having much luck finding fronts

I have my frame fully disassembled and ready for sandblasting on my 1958 Sweptside truck. As per usual, all 4 C shackle to frame brackets are badly worn out and very oblong. i was able to find new rear shackle to frame brackets on the internet, but I see that the fronts are different (a smaller bracket). Does anyone know of a source for replacement front spring shackle to frame brackets on a 1958 dodge truck?

What type of paint are you guys using on your frames and suspensions?

I’ve got the frame of my 1958 Fargo Sweptside fully stripped and ready for sandblasting. i want to restore the truck as close to factory correct as possible, and I was wondering if any of you guys and gals that have restored a similar truck could help me out with factory correct suggestions. The frame of my truck was obviously black, as were the rear and front axles, but other than that I have no idea what the factory correct finish would have been on things like the springs, steering link rod, bolt to the frame shock mount brackets, clutch and brake linkages, etc would have been. Any hints or tips on refinishing would be appreciated!

Thanks; ordered up a set from Roberts parts today

I havent; does Jim have a business or does he do decal privately?

This is the one I need.