Bob_Koch

Harvey, I like the sunvisor. But I like the shots you took even better. Great Pics of a great truck!

You can join anytime and receive a calendar. And some other great stuff. I haven't wanted to make a big deal about this as I don't like big promotions, nor am I big fan of merchandising. I hope you'll join us to help further promote our beloved Dodge Pilothouse trucks and because you appreciate the things we're trying to do to keep these trucks running and people connected. I'm glad everyone has enjoyed this years calendar. Next years looks to be even more promising as members has been put on notice to plan a "calendar" picture of their truck this year. So, hope you'll come join the group. http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/member/member.htm

You need to read David Erb's write up on reflooring. Lot's of good info. He suggests that Dodge built the bed's elsewhere and then just bolted them to the frame with 4 big bolts. So, yes, you can build the bed off frame. Here's links to Dave's write ups: http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/misc/Pilothouse%20Pickup%20Bed%20Reflooring1.pdf http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/misc/Pilothouse%20Pickup%20Bed%20Reflooring2.pdf

I'm in the process of putting together my truck bed and taking pics as I go. Maybe these can help as I found this to be quite a puzzle as well. When I get all done I'll do a complete webpage on it, but I"ll try to explain what I can for now. Sitting on top of the truck frame are your 4 cross sills. They just lay on the frame with rubber pads between. (get the pads from Mar-K, Horkey, or make your own). The two inner sills have no bolts holding them to the frame, they ride loose on the bottom with only a rubber pad between the sill and the frame. The outside two sills get held down by the 4 large bolts that run down from the bed wood, through the sills to the frame. (the pic shows extra sills as I have more than I need, just in case) Here's the pads used under the outside sills Your wood lays on top of the sills. It's the bed strips that hold the wood to the sills. Now what holds the sides to the bed?? The answer is the bed sides using the angle strips, rest on top of the bed wood. Angle strips and wood are bolted together, and the wood is bolted to the sills through the bed strips. Also front gets bolted to the wood, which in turn is bolted to the sills. As David Erbs has pointed out in his articles, the bed really is a whole unit and is bolted to the truck frame through the 4 large bolts that run all the way through the wood, sills and frame. Here's a pic of setting the bed side and front piece on top of the wood, which will eventually get connected to the sills by using the bed strips. Finally, here's a pic of a bed still intact. The sills sit on top of the frame using only rubber to prevent squeaks. The wood gets connect to the sills by use of the runners.

Dear Santa, Please bring me one for Christmas. Please, please, please!

Made it to the magazine shop today and got my copy. Here's a scan of the front cover. Some nice pics inside as well as some other great articles. thought everyone would like to see our trucks on the cover.

Sounds like a good decision to me. What year is the dakota frame? Please print pics as you go along. I'd like to know how well these frame interchange.

Now, THAT's where to put a cheby engine! Let it throw snow.

If your tailgate acts a bit creaky add some nice sleeve bearings - makes it work real slick. It's in the knowledge section of the DPETCA website. http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/know.htm

(Ron Cook contacted me and asked that I notify others of his need to sell this truck) I’m looking for a good home for the truck shown in the attached photographs. The work and parts on this truck include: Boxed frame, Fat Man independent front suspension, chrome coilovers at all four corners, battery relocated to rear of truck, relocated stainless fuel tank, a 393 motor stroked out to 431 ci, Edelbrock aluminum heads, Edelbrock carb, Edlebrock cam, Edelbrock manifold, custom stainless exhaust, aluminum drive shaft, gauges rebuilt by Redline in California with original font but reversed (white faces with black lettering and red needles), amp meter switched to volt meter, an old speedometer was converted to a clock with the same gauge face and font and used to fill speaker hole. Chrome ididit steering column, billet steering wheel, Ford 9 inch rear end, four wheel disk brakes, modern dodge charger wheels, and on, and on. Over $30,000 invested. I no longer have time or the cash to push it across the finish line. I can put anybody interested in the truck in touch with the shop that did most of the work to answer any detailed questions. I’m seeking $25K or best offer. Contact Ron Cook: ron.cook@cooklaw.net

Dennis, Just put your trucks picture in a folder for the 2010 Calendar. I'll be collecting pics throughout the year of our members trucks. Keep that in mind guys. When you get a chance this year take a nice pic of your truck for the 2010 calendar.

First suggestion is let's see if we can get them to come to Tim Estrada's truck meet the end of April in Clements. There will be lot's of Dodge's there. How do I get hold of CT?

Here's what to do with that V10. Put it in a motorcycle!

Thanks for the heads up. There is only one independent store in town that carries Vintage Truck, so I don't always see it. Will go get a copy. I have a '53. The running boards are unique to just that year as is the D-0-D-G-E nameplate as you said. Makes 'em difficult to replace. Fortunately the big rear fenders continued up to the 1980's trucks.

Hey Jim, I think Santa heard you. His little elves are working on a color calendar for you for 2009.

You're off to a good start. Now you've added to the fun - do I work on my truck, or work on my blog? It's always helpful to have people sharing their progress. I like the paint job on the other truck you show. Are there any more pictures of that?

This should help: http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/vin/model.htm

Here's an article I saved for myself about frenched taillights. Looked like something even I could do. http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticles/0607st_2000_chevy_s10_custom_tail_lights/index.html

Chat Session this Sunday - November 30th. As always it's the last Sunday evening of the month, which is this weekend. Time: 5PM-PDT That's: 6PM-MDT That's: 7PM-CDT That's 8PM-EDT Where: DPETCA Website We will again be using the chat page on the DPETCA website. There's lots of good questions and information so why not join us. Here's the link: http://www.dodgepilothouseclub.org/chat/

Came across this article in custom truck. Always nice to see our trucks in the magazines. http://www.customclassictrucks.com/featuredvehicles/0612cct_1950_chrysler_fargo/index.html

for anyone interested auto artistry's forum page is here: http://forums.customclassictrucks.com/70/6812162/truck-tech/1949-project-dodge/index.html

Those of you nearby mark the date on your calendar. Hey Tim - we doing mopar parts swapmeet ? Lawn mower races ? Bring food ? Are you really going to let Chebby and Fards trucks in? Also, Tim will you be giving a demonstration of your radiological techniques?

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Merle, Glad to see you working on this. Let me know how I can help in anyway possible. One of the goals of DPETCA is to help foster these gatherings. I'll provide anything I can to help promote it and to get the word out. Also I have some banners and other things I can send to help your event.

In the original half of the weatherstrip is on the door, and half is on the truck. I don't know who ever came up with this idea but that's the way it should go. I'll try to find my pics for you and post them.