WPVT

The subject of shocks for 50's Dodge pickups has been covered here pretty well, with some valuable research. I need shocks for my 1954 C-1-B, and I am still scratching my head. I looked for a shock absorber specification that had an 11/16" mounting bore and came up with only one candidate, Monroe 66818. The center to center length on my existing shocks is 11 7/8" minimum, 19 1/8" maximum. The 66858 is pretty close. It is advertised, however, as being suitable for medium to heavy trucks. That's not a 1/2 ton pickup in my opinion. Could be pretty stiff. All the other shocks I am looking at (Monroe, Gabriel) offer 5/8" and 3/4" steel bushed bores. I don't see how they could work with my 11/16" mounting. Do I need to ream out the 5/8" bushings in order to find a suitable shock ?

It could be the regulator, as suggested, or possibly a rivet or something behind the channel that is making things too narrow. Below the problem area, wiggle the glass side to side. It should have some side to side play. Raise it and once it gets difficult, try wiggling again. That will tell you if the problem is an obstruction somewhere behind the channel.

Good advice. I ordered the mat last night and I'll install it as you described. Thank you again.

I think that Newark Auto mat is worth a try. I can always return it if it doesn't fit. The other suggestions are all good, but I'm a little wary of using something that would be difficult or impossible to remove. I had searched all over but hadn't seen anything available. Thanks again.

JBNeal, Thanks. Does that look molded to you or just die cut ? Its hard to tell. My truck has a definite hump for the transmission and the 53's didn't.

The micro-balloons create a thicker product ?

50mech, Interesting idea. I'll check it out. Thanks.

Thanks. The internal rotating parts have worn, the hub that receives the spindle, and the cam that actuates the latch, making the handle operation pretty sloppy. I'll have a machinist look at it, but I thought maybe someone out there may do this on a regular basis.

Does anyone make a business of rebuilding Dodge truck door latches from the 1950's?

Since molded rubber floor mats are no longer available for the 1954 C-1, I am looking at alternatives. There is a floor hump over the transmission, so regular rubber matting cut to fit won't lay very well. I am considering using a smooth brush on bed liner such as Durabak over the hump and firewall, and flat mats on either side. Has anyone had any experience with this product or similar ? It sounds pretty permanent, so I am being cautious.

I'd like to hear from someone familiar with the DTE2 accelerator pump. In the parts offered by suppliers, I have seen a brass cup-type retainer for the top of the spring. I have also seen a smaller diameter flat fiber retainer for sale. My carburetor came to me with the brass cup-type retainer. After rebuilding it I cannot see how the pump would have ever worked with the brass cup retainer that was in the carb when I got it. The engine didn't accelerate well at all, so I am thinking maybe the accelerator pump wasn't working. Has anyone seen these two different types of spring retainers ? Maybe my carb had the wrong one. Thanks.

Thanks. I'll check them tomorrow. If they are squashed, they're probably not doing much cushioning either.

My 1954 half ton is in fine shape, but the clutch and brake pedals both drag on one side of the firewall hole. It appears that the body may be misaligned by about an inch. I can recut the holes to provide relief, or Try to loosen the mounts and move the body over a little, or Try to move the part that the pedals pivot on. I've had sloppy pedals due to worn bushings, but these are nice and tight. They just don't agree with the holes in the firewall. Any thoughts or experiences ?

I have a 1954 C-1-B truck that is new to me. Starting off, first gear seems more like second. The previous owner says that the rear axle was replaced at some point, so my fear is that they used an incorrect replacement with a different ratio than original. What should the original differential ratio be for this truck with a 3 speed transmission ? I am planning on spinning the driveshaft with the wheels jacked up to compute what I have now.

I just acquired a dark green 1954 Dodge half-ton in nice shape. The previous owner had the hubcaps painted gloss white. What were they originally ? Chrome or paint ?