Shifty Trick

Real nice ,something to aspire to . Xris

Found this in the Aussie pilothouse truck manual ,though I've used the " block of wood " type of adjustment for many years ,I didn't expect to see it in the manual. The welding glove idea would be much gentler on the paintwork though . Scroll down to the body section. http://www.dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/Australian_Truck_manual/aus14-16.pdf Xris

Thanks for the link. Xris

I've been enjoying watching the progess as you post ,looks great . Can you post a pic of the sandblaster you are using ? I want to buy one and want something that's adequate , that won't take a week to blast a cab ,but not spend a lot more than I need to. Xris

Well Anthony , it never ocurred to me to use fiberglass and fix it myself , ( must have mental block in this thick skull off mine ). Especially as I have an " old timer " mate who lives up road from me , who sometimes repairs fiberglass boats for people . I can see a crash course in my future . I pulled the cover off the shelf and had a look at it , definitly possible ,and I should be able to keep it looking original . Thanks for the suggestion Anthony ,everything else was subject to the dash ,this frees us up to follow the restoration path . Xris

I forgot to mention ,I seem to have aquired the Pilothouse bug ,I'm determened to find one for myself . Here's a couple of pics I couldn't remember how to post before . Xris

Update on this truck , as usual when jacked up ,with a good floor to crawl on , you often find it's worse than you intially thought . So it is in this case , hence the body off. It was a choice between passing on it and reselling the vehicle , parting it out ,or a body off rebuild .As it is only effort,time and labour ,and no real extra finacial outlay ,we decided to go ahead with it . Well ,the body is sitting on four drums ,waiting while I finish the rotisserie ,ready for the sandblaster . The oldest boy has been practising his welding and welded some braces across the rear ute body for strength . We have come to the time to decide whether to restore or customise , I don't mind eitherway , but bearing in mind that I can customise it cheaper and it's for the boys ,I'm more inclined to go that way . One of the deciding factors , is the fact that the instrument housing is damaged. Tony , as it's soooo thin and brittle ,does anyone in Aus. repair them? If it can't be restored or replaced ,there would be no point in restoring the rest . Xris

Try these links : 13 hrs to go at 4:15am your time http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-1954-1955-1956-1957-DODGE-TRUCK-LEFT-REAR-FENDER_W0QQitemZ110411726538QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item19b50d3eca&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1171 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-1954-1955-1956-1957-DODGE-TRUCK-RIGHT-REAR-FENDER_W0QQitemZ110411726948QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item19b50d4064&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1171

Thanks Merle , I wasn't expecting that. I had done a search on this site and found a few relevant threads ,but couldn't understand why the steering wheel had to come off. The oldest boy and I managed to get the Steering wheel ,column and the link from the st/box off tonight . From my understanding ,it's basically a 53 with some upgrades and an Australian body. Xris

Hello everyone , been reading the threads for a couple of months now . I have a question ,but thought I would introduce myself first. I bought a 61 Standard Ute ,for my two oldest boys to learn the basics of Mechanics/bodywork and painting . This is their first vehicle . We have the body almost ready to come off for sandblasting .I have struck a problem with the steering column .I've disconnected it from the dash, disconnected the gear shift from the linkages and undone the collar clamp.I can only move it up and down the shaft by less than 1/4 inch.The steering wheel is still on. Have I forgotten anything ? I can't find a diagram of the column in the Aussie pilothouse manual that I downloaded .Is there a locking bolt in the steering box I've missed ? Xris Here's a couple of pics.

:D:D:D:D